As SeaWorld continues to reshape and rebuild its brand, restore its public image and turn around lagging attendances, the operator has unveiled new plans for a major aquarium-based attraction, featuring a submarine ride at its park in San Diego.

Conceptualised around SeaWorld’s new enhanced focus on conservation and creating meaningful experiences for guests, Ocean Explorer will comprise a series of aquariums combined with exciting rides and digital technology, creating an experience centred on exploration and adventure for kids.

Coming in 2017, the new attraction will feature a signature submarine ride, taking visitors on an undersea adventure as researchers on a mission to help animals, some of which have never been seen at the park before, including jellyfish, octopuses and Japanese spider crabs. The three-minute experience will include an onboard digital navigation dashboard, acting as an educational tool as riders learn about the ocean’s ecosystem.

The new multi-million dollar attraction will also feature a swing ride, where guests will sit in giant bubbles suspended from the tentacles of a jellyfish.

“Ocean Explorer is the next chapter in creating experiences that matter for our guests,” said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Entertainment’s vice president of theme park experience design.

“Ocean Explorer demonstrates our ongoing commitment to creating new and fresh attractions, exhibits and events that provide the exciting, educational and entertaining experiences SeaWorld is known for.”

Construction is set to begin in Q3 of this year on the 12,000sq m (130,000sq ft) site where SeaWorld San Diego’s Animal Connections exhibit and Circle of Flags are currently located. The attraction is set to open in Q1 2017.