ORLANDO, Fla. (WTXL) -- SeaWorld is hoping to make a splash with visitors with the expansion of their whale exhibits.
Friday, SeaWorld announced what they're calling a "new, first-of-its kind killer whale environment". Renderings detail the changes that include a viewing gallery nearly four stories high.
SeaWorld leaders say with a 50 foot depth and 1.5 acre of surface area, the new exhibits will also allow guests to "walk alongside our killer whales as if at the shore, interact with them at depths found in the ocean, or see them from a bird's eye view."
The announcement was made just two days after SeaWorld released news that overall attendance and revenue at their theme parks at dropped. SeaWorld has been facing heightened criticism since the release of the documentary "BlackFish" which is critical of SeaWorld's treatment and housing of orca whales.
Construction on the new whale exhibits will begin next year at the company's San Diego theme park. There is no word on when work will begin at SeaWorld Orlando.
The company has also reportedly pledged pledged $10 million for killer whale research.
