Marineland History Timeline

June 1938: Marineland opens as Marine Studios; over 30,000 guests show up on the first day.– The original vision for Marineland was an effort to duplicate the variety of marine life as it exists in nature for the purpose of filming scenes for motion pictures and newsreels. Marine Studios was the ideal location to meet Hollywood’s growing demand for underwater footage. Over the years, many film and television producers utilized the studio for filming. Popularly known as the “World’s First Oceanarium.”

1940’s: Parts of the Tarzan films with Johnny Weissmueller filmed at Marine Studios

1940’s: Marine Studios’ presentations for guests evolve from simple dolphin feedings into complex animal behaviors; trainers at the facility actually pioneer methods for animal care and training.

1947: The first successful dolphin birth in human care happens at the facility. The dolphin was named Spray.

1950’s-1960’s: Marine Studios becomes Marineland of Florida, one of Florida’s most popular public attractions, attracting as many as 500,000 guests per year. The park is known for exhibits featuring multiple forms of aquatic life, but is perhaps best-known and loved for showcasing its dolphins and “educated porpoises” in elaborate stadium-style performances in which the execute never-before-seen behaviors and major aerial acrobatics.

1955: Motion picture ‘Revenge of the Creature’ is filmed at Marineland

1981: ABC TV’s Benji is filmed at Marineland; Benji was the first dog in history to scuba dive.

2004: Following a series of hurricanes which strike the northeast coast of Florida, Marineland retires most of the original, older structures and exhibits, and begins construction on a new, updated facility focused on education and intimate animal-human interactions

2006: Marineland opened as Marineland’s Dolphin Conservation Center, a modern 1.3 gallon facility designed with the behavioral needs of the animal, the viewing capabilities of the scientist, logistical needs of the trainer, and the “edutainment” needs of our guests in mind.

2011: Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center was acquired by Georgia Aquarium and renamed Marineland Dolphin Adventure.

Marine Studios

Did you know that Marineland opened as Marine Studios in 1938, and that it's the sight of many movies you're probably seen? Marineland actually got its start as a pioneering movie studio inspired by education innovation. Take a look at Marine Studios: Make Undersea Movie Magic for a look at how Marine Studios came to be and what it came to mean not only to the movie industry, but also to research and conservation. Read more.