The Clearwater Marine Aquarium planned on staying closed until the filming of Dolphin Tale 2 was finished, but last minute officials decided to open the doors and let the public experience the set.
Tickets were selling left and right for an opportunity that might not come around again.
“They have been really interested in seeing this movie set here it’s been a wonderful turnout,” said staff member Brittany Lyp.
Caitlyn McGhee and her family came to the aquarium from Boston. They were ecstatic to hear the good news.
“Oh we were thrilled, we were so happy,” said mother Heather McGhee.
“I really wanted to see winter because she is such a cute dolphin and I saw the movie,” said Caitlyn. “I like being on a Hollywood movie set.”
Visitors were able to see the newly painted dolphin pool. The house boat used in the first movie was refurbished for the second. Then, the most exciting site of all, Winter with her prosthetic tail performed tricks that will be used in the movie.
One of the new characters in Dolphin Tale 2 is Hope. Hope was rescued in December 2010. Part of her rescue story will be in the sequel.
“She has been slowly getting used to the cameras,” said Lyp. “We have had cameras inside the water outside the water.”
The aquarium plans to close to the public until January, but for these lucky visitors they were just glad they took advantage of this once in a life time opportunity.
Dolphin Tale 2 is scheduled to hit theaters in September 2014.