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May 31, 2022 – “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” has been a household phrase since 1918—sparking curiosity and reminding families of memories made while experiencing the wonder of Ripley’s Odditoriums. But in 1997, Ripley’s took its greatest step towards diversifying the Company’s brand of attractions—diving into the aquarium world. Breaking ground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the company now celebrates 25 years of memories at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach!

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach paved the way for two subsequent world-class facilities in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Toronto, Canada, each committed to promoting an awareness of conservation and providing guests of all ages with a fun, interactive experience that connects visitors to the world around them.

Setting the standard for the company’s Aquarium ventures, Myrtle Beach is also a hub for scientific research. In 2020, Ripley’s opened its Marine Science Research Center to help sustain a superior level of animal care and facilitate research. This state-of-the-art facility, along with its Husbandry team, has already made waves by producing the world’s first successful birth by artificial insemination of a sand tiger shark.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s largest expansion, the addition of the Penguin Playhouse, a 5,500 square foot habitat with floor to ceiling viewing glass, a penguin nursery, and classrooms, also welcomed fresh faces to the Aquarium. Two African penguin chicks, Egerton (2020) and Plyler (2021), have both been born at the Aquarium. These births push the Aquarium toward their goal of “three chicks in three years” as a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to help save endangered animals.

From births, to construction, and scientific milestones, a new era of unbelievable opened at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach 25 years ago. Ripley’s invites visitors to celebrate with them on June 13, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a party on the Plaza and special engagements inside the Aquarium. Visitors are also encouraged to share their memories old and new on social media!

To learn more about Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, visit www.ripleyaquariums.com/myrtlebeach

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Media contact:
Alex McMinn
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
(843) 916-0888 x3250
amcminn@ripleys.com

About Ripley Entertainment
Built on the foundation of a daily newspaper cartoon in 1918 — still in print today — Ripley Entertainment has grown to be a world leader in family entertainment, expanding to include more than 100 attractions in 10 countries around the world. Along with Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, Guinness World Records Attractions, Aquariums, WaxWorks, traveling shows, and miniature golf, the world of Ripley’s continues to grow through exciting new experiences, content, and books for all ages. Learn more about Ripley’s Believe It or Not! by visiting Ripleys.com and following on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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African Penguins Arrive as Part of the Largest Expansion in Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s 20-year History!

Myrtle Beach, SC (March 10, 2020) – Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is excited to announce Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse is now open!

The 5,500-square-foot expansion is the largest in Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s 20-year history. The African penguin habitat has floor-to-ceiling viewing glass and a 360-degree crawl tunnel for guests to waddle through. This addition also includes a brand-new Ocean Wonders gallery housing fascinating species of fish from all over the world.

Sporting their black-and-white plumage, the African penguin is the only species of penguin found on the African continent, preferring warmer water temperatures unlike their Antarctic counterparts. Their unique black stripes and spots serve as their identification, similar to a human fingerprint.

The African penguin is one of the most endangered penguins in the world—numbers have declined by 60 percent in the last 28 years. Welcoming Ripley’s new colony in 2020 is just the beginning of the Aquarium’s conservation efforts, as an on-site penguin nursery will house and care for baby penguins, helping Ripley’s Aquarium foster a growing flock.

Ripley’s expansion features two new state-of-the-art classrooms for educational programs, school groups, and unique experiences that will allow guests to get up close and personal with these extraordinary birds.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Penguin Encounters – Interact—and even pet—Ripley’s most adorable creatures beak-to-beak while learning about this species from Aquarium staff experts.

Paint with the Penguins – Pal up with a penguin to create—and take home—a one-of-a-kind piece of footprint art!

“We are beyond excited to welcome African Black Footed penguins to Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. This brand-new and completely immersive penguin habitat will not only captivate and entertain our guests but also provide an educational experience for our visitors. We know this new penguin addition will support our educational and conservation missions while offering family-friendly entertainment for visitors of all ages,” said Pablo Chavez, General Manager, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.

SAVAGE SEAS!

Tales of adventure, myth, and ruin, this temporary, pop-up exhibit is officially open just in time for guests to enjoy alongside the all-new Penguin Playhouse.

Savage Seas is an all-new exhibit, where guests learn life at sea isn’t for everyone! Find out what it takes to survive on the open waters when you explore this interactive exhibit.

Learn about daily pirate life, sea monsters from myth and lore, and the very true stories of shipwrecks filled with treasure and secrets of the past.

Ripley’s Aquarium is located at 110 Celebrity Circle at Broadway at the Beach and is open 365 days a year.

For media images and video, please click here.

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Pablo Chavez
General Manager
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Pchavez@ripleys.com
Office: 843-424-4590

Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Public Relations Manager
Ripley Entertainment
smagala@ripleys.com
Office: 407-345-8010 Cell: 727-439-0136

About Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Ripley’s Aquarium opened in Myrtle Beach in 1997 and boasts more than 14,000 fish on display as well as many interactive experiences. Guests can pet a stingray, bamboo shark, hold a horseshoe crab, and enjoy hourly dive shows. One featured exhibit is the 750,000-gallon Dangerous Reef, which has a 330-foot glidepath through an underwater tunnel, allowing guests to come face-to-face with sharks, giant sawfish, and Gabby the Green Sea Turtle.Ripley’s Aquariums are part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 15 million people visit its 100-plus attractions in 11 countries each year.  In addition to its three world-renowned aquariums and 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! Television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in countries around the world. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the second-largest privately held company in Canada. Learn more about Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach by visiting RipleyAquariums.com/MyrtleBeach and following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Gatlinburg, TN (March 28, 2019) – USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice 2019 has nominated Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies for the Best Aquarium in North America, and they need your votes to get to #1!

“These awards are very meaningful to us because a panel of judges does not decide them – they are voted on by the public, our guests who visit our aquarium and come back year after year.” – Ryan DeSear, Regional Manager, Ripley Aquariums.

To vote, visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies website at www.ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg or their Facebook page for a link to the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice 2019 voting poll.

People can vote once per day, and voting ends on Monday, April 22 at noon ET.

In 2018, USA TODAY 10Best.com named Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies the #2 Best Aquarium in North America, and in 2017 they named Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies the #1 Best U.S. Aquarium.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Dee Lundy
Media
Ripley Attractions – Gatlinburg
lundy@ripleys.com
Office: (865) 755-2128

Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Public Relations Manager
Ripley Entertainment
smagala@ripleys.com
Office: 407-345-8010 Cell: 727-439-0136

The post Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Nominated for Best Aquarium! appeared first on Ripley Entertainment Inc.

For Immediate Release:
Myrtle Beach, SC (January 30th, 2019) – Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is hosting their 6^th annual Valentine’s Day Splash of Love event on February 14th, 2019 from 7 PM – 10 PM.

Enjoy a fabulous four-course dinner for two this Valentine’s Day at the Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach. Pick between a classic Splash of Love dinner in a romantic aquatic setting or a Tunnel of Love upgrade dinner where you dine with the sharks! Have an unforgettable and romantic experience you will not forget. Seating is limited so don’t miss out!

Splash of Love package includes:

• Admissions for two
• A four-course dinner for two
• One drink ticket per person for the bar

$99.99 + tax per couple

Tunnel of Love upgrade includes:

• Admission for two and seating in the Shark Tunnel
• A four-course dinner for two
• Two drink tickets per person for the bar
• Souvenir Photo
• Strolling Violinist

$120.00 + tax per couple

Every lady receives a long-stemmed rose!

Don’t miss this love splash this Valentine’s day. Seating is limited so reserve your spot today! You can book online here or call 843-916-0888 Ext 3238.

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Media Contacts

Dawn Temples
Marketing Director
Ripley’s Aquarium
dtemples@ripleys.com
Office: 843-916-0888 ext. 3273
 

Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Public Relations Manager
Ripley Entertainment Inc.
smagala@ripleys.com
Office: 407-345-8010 Cell: 727-439-0136
 

About Ripley Entertainment

Ripley Aquariums is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 14 million people visit its 100-plus attractions in 10 countries each year. In addition to its 30 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in countries around the world. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the second-largest privately held company in Canada.

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Gatlinburg, TN (May 30, 2018) – USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice 2018 named Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies the #2 Aquarium in North America! This award comes on the heels of several years of awards for the Gatlinburg based aquarium.

In 2017, USA TODAY 10Best.com named Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies the Best U.S. Aquarium. That same year, they ranked 5^th in the Top 10 Aquariums in the World by 2017 TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice.

Between 2014 and 2015, the aquarium received numerous voters’ choice awards:

• 2015: 3^rd – Best Aquariums in the U.S. by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice | 5^th – Best Aquariums in the World by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice
• 2014: 3^rd– Best Aquariums in the U.S. by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice | 4^th Best Aquariums in the U.S. by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice | 5^th – Best Aquariums in the World by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice

“These awards are very meaningful to us because a panel of judges does not decide them – they are voted on by the public, our guests who visit our aquarium and come back year after year.” – Ryan DeSear, Regional Manager, Ripley Aquariums.

DeSear also noted that one of the reasons for their high visitor return is because the aquarium is always adding something new, including changeable shows.

SHIPWRECKS

Shipwrecks is an all-new exhibit that just opened to the public.

Since humans took to the sea to explore the planet, there have been shipwrecks. Water covers 71% of the Earth. Scattered miles across and below the surface, secrets of our civilization wait silently to be discovered. See, experience and explore many shipwrecks throughout history and the world.

• Wreck Reenactments!
• Unearth Buried Treasures!
• Discover shipwrecks from early B.C. to the Forgotten Shipwrecks and what caused the shipwrecks!
• Take a photo with a famous replica from Chuuk Lagoon!
• Stand by Abraham Lincoln or Pose as The Lincolns!
• Learn about Black Beard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, the Edmund Fitzgerald, CSS Alabama, the Hunley and many more!

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Dee Lundy
Media
Ripley Attractions – Gatlinburg
lundy@ripleys.com
Office: (865) 755-2128

Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Public Relations Manager
Ripley Entertainment
smagala@ripleys.com
Office: 407-345-8010 Cell: 727-439-0136

About Ripley Entertainment
Ripley Aquariums is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 14 million people visit its 100-plus attractions in 11 countries each year. In addition to its 30 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in countries around the world. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, he second-largest privately held company in Canada.

The post Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Voted a Winner in “Best Aquarium in North America” 10Best Readers’ Choice Award! appeared first on Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Gatlinburg, TN (February 26, 2018) Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is celebrating the historical birth of three African black-footed baby penguins.

Haley and Glen are the proud parents to two baby penguins, weighing in at 63 grams and 61 grams. The third penguin, weighing in at 60 grams, was born to proud parents Nick and Doza.

The baby penguins are doing well and are being monitored around the clock by the experienced Ripley Husbandry team.

“We are excited about the births of these new baby penguins. It is a historical event at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies any time a baby penguin is born. Any birth is a beautiful thing here at the aquarium, but the birth of an endangered animal is truly spectacular. Best of all, the babies are ridiculously cute,” said Ryan DeSear, Regional Manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

In Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse, burrowed nesting boxes and mud holes have been built into the rocky habitat for nest building. In the wild, mature birds lay two eggs in the nest, which is protected from the sun and most predators, and both parents incubate the eggs and feed the chicks for two to four months. African penguins breed in huge, noisy colonies and the mating pair stays together in a tight bond for their entire life.

African penguins are considered “Endangered” which means they are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Major reasons include depletion of their food from overfishing and pollution. Since 1930, the African penguin population has dropped from an estimated one million down to 55,000.

Names Needed!

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies wants your help in naming the new baby penguins. They are taking submissions on their website until March 4, 2018. Once the top names are collected, they will hold a voting contest starting on March 7, 2018, to name the new baby penguins.

Visit RipleysAquariumOfTheSmokies.com to submit your names!

In 2010, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies added African Black-Footed Penguins as a part of the $5 million Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse. The exhibit was named one of the 10 best places to see Penguins by 10Best.com, a division of USA Today Travel.

Quote by 10Best.com: “Penguin Playhouse at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg might be the world’s best penguin exhibits. The $5 million project includes indoor and outdoor exhibit with innovative viewing options. Crawl through transparent tunnels to see the birds from below or pop-up to see them nose to beak,”

The aquarium is located at traffic light #5 on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is open 365 days a year. For information: call 888-240-1358 or see us on the web at www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com.

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ABOUT RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM OF THE SMOKIES

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s / Guinness Attractions in Tennessee are owned by Ripley Entertainment Inc., keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Brand and a global leader in location-based family entertainment. More than 14 million guests visit in over 100 worldwide attractions in 11 countries annually. The Orlando-based company also has divisions that oversee publishing, licensing and broadcast operations.  Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Group Company, the second-largest privately held company in Canada.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the second most visited attraction in Tennessee, was voted the number one aquarium in the nation by USA Today10Best.com, one of the Top 5 Aquariums in the USA & the world by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice in 2014 & 2015, Top Destination to See Penguins by USA Today and Forbes Traveler named it one of the America’s Best Aquariums. Thousands of exotic sea creatures live in its 1.4 million gallons of water. The aquarium is known for its amazing shark exhibit that features 11-foot sharks and one of the most spectacular underwater tunnels in the world.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Public Relations Manager
Ripley Entertainment Inc.
O: 407-345-8010 C: 727-439-0136
smagala@ripleys.com

Dee Lundy
LundyThomas
Phone: 865-755-2128 | Fax: 865-522-7821
lundy@ripleys.com

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