Ripley’s Aquariums – Ripley Entertainment Inc

For Valentine’s Day, Ripley’s Acquires Forrest Gump’s Box of Chocolates, Among Other New Memorabilia

Ripleys PR — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:11:47 +0000

February 14, 2023 – Conversation hearts and boxes of chocolates are synonymous with Valentine’s Day, but no ordinary candy for Ripley’s sweethearts will do. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has revealed that they are now the owner of the iconic prop chocolates used by Tom Hanks in the 1994 film Forrest Gump.

The prop, signed by Hanks himself, was purchased at auction for $25,000.

The character’s iconic quote “Life [is] like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get” holds true with this prop. Believe It or Not!, the box is not filled with chocolates, but with sand! This was so Hanks could keep it on his lap properly during filming. Marked 23-ounces, the sand-filled prop actually weighs in at over four pounds.

Other pop-culture memorabilia recently acquired by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! include:

Darth Maul’s legendary double-sided Lightsaber® used in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace™
Beatles manager Brian Epstein’s personal hand-notated address book, featuring the addresses and phone numbers of the band and even Mick Jagger
Prince’s signature purple coat worn during the artist’s “Purple Rain” stage performances

For more information on Ripley’s newest acquisitions — and more unbelievable Forrest Gump facts — visit: https://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/forrest-gumps-chocolates/

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Media Contact
Sabrina Sieck
(407) 450-1516
sieck@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.

The post For Valentine’s Day, Ripley’s Acquires Forrest Gump’s Box of Chocolates, Among Other New Memorabilia appeared first on Ripley Entertainment Inc.

With the Help of a Sloth, Ripley’s Aquariums Penguins Predict Chiefs Will Win Super Bowl LVII

Ripleys PR — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:32:51 +0000

February 9, 2023 – With the Super Bowl days away, Ripley’s Aquarium’s MVPs — most valuable penguins — have made their prediction, placing all bets on the Kansas City Chiefs. This makes sense, as eagles are natural predators to many of the animals that call Ripley’s Aquariums home, including Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s newest species, the two-toed sloth.

Footage for Media Use: WATCH HERE!

In previous years, Fleury, a five-year-old African penguin from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, was Ripley’s designated picker. However, her success rate has not been great, predicting the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021.

With more oversite and involvement in this year’s prediction, from a two-toed sloth referee at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach to the TikTok-trending mascots of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Ripley’s is confident that their penguin-losing streak is over.

“It’s expected to be close matchup for the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, and we can’t fumble our penguin pick again,” said Pablo Chavez, General Manager at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. “We brought in our sloth to help us slow down and really pay attention to detail.”

Sloths may be slow, but their decision-making is calculated — and partly to thank for why their species has survived more than 60 million years!

The Penguin Bowl is Ripley’s Aquarium’s sloth debut, as the all-new Sloth Valley habitat will be opening late spring 2023 at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.

For full coverage of Ripley’s Penguin Bowl, tune into Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, or Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach on Facebook Saturday, February 11, 2023.

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Media Contact
Sabrina Sieck
(407) 450-1516
sieck@ripleys.com

About Ripley Entertainment

The post With the Help of a Sloth, Ripley’s Aquariums Penguins Predict Chiefs Will Win Super Bowl LVII appeared first on Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach Welcomes Second Penguin Born at Penguin Playhouse

Ripleys PR — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 05:01:14 +0000

It’s a Girl! Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach Welcomes Second Penguin Born at Penguin Playhouse

The Aquarium’s newest resident is named after legendary local, “Buz” Plyler

Myrtle Beach, SC – April 12, 2022 – Plyler the African penguin has made her long-awaited debut at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. Plyler hatched on August 21, 2021, and after welcoming Egerton to the colony in 2020, Plyler pushes 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.

The Aquarium’s newest resident is named after legendary local, Justin “Buz” Plyler—a pillar in the Myrtle Beach community, owner of the iconic Gay Dolphin Gift Shop, and long-time friend of Ripley Entertainment. The Aquarium’s first penguin chick, Egerton, was also named after a distinguished community figure, Egerton Burroughs.

Mated pair Jimmy and Maggie appear to be leading the charge on the Aquarium’s “three chicks in three years” initiative, as they reared both Egerton and Plyler. But the burden of isn’t just resting on Maggie’s wings, there’s at least six other mated pairs in the Penguin Playhouse colony that could help populate the endangered African penguin species.

You can celebrate International Penguin Day with Plyler on Monday, April 25, 2022. Follow her footprints around the Aquarium to learn more about African penguins and catch a glimpse of her in the Penguin Playhouse, a 5,500 square foot habitat with floor to ceiling viewing glass and a 360-degree crawl tunnel.

For more information, visit RipleyAquariums.com/MyrtleBeach/Penguin-Conservation

Plyler Video: Click here to view, embed, or download video.

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Media contact:

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

Sabrina Sieck
Ripley Entertainment
(407) 450-1516
sieck@ripleys.com

The post Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach Welcomes Second Penguin Born at Penguin Playhouse appeared first on Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley’s Aquariums Penguin Predicts Bengals Will Win Super Bowl LVI

Ripleys PR — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 15:44:28 +0000

Fleury the African penguin is out to redeem herself after doubting Tampa Bay

February 10, 2022 – With the Super Bowl days away, Ripley’s Aquariums MVP – most valuable penguin – Fleury, has made her prediction. The four-year-old African penguin has placed all bets on the Cincinnati Bengals.

WATCH ON FACEBOOK: Click to watch!

Last year, Fleury predicted the Kansas City Chiefs would take the title. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers securing their second-ever Super Bowl victory 31-9, Fleury has something to prove.

“Out to redeem herself after last year’s pick, we were shocked when Fleury selected the underdog Bengals, but Cincinnati is much closer to her Gatlinburg home at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies,” said Ryan DeSear, Vice President US Operations.

Fans on social media agree with Fleury’s choice. In a recent poll, Ripley’s followers strongly favored the Cincinnati Bengals.

Colonies of African penguins can be found at both Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. To learn more, about Ripley’s Aquariums visit www.ripleyaquariums.com.

Sabrina Sieck
Creative Content Manager
sieck@ripleys.com
(407) 450 – 1516

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.

The post Ripley’s Aquariums Penguin Predicts Bengals Will Win Super Bowl LVI appeared first on Ripley Entertainment Inc.