They have ruined Seaworld

[frostymom]

I will admit I was so excited to return to Seaworld after several years only to be severly disappointed. Upon arrival, I went to guest relations to ask about the beer tasting and if appointments were being taken. Much to my dismay, there is no more beer in the park unless you want to buy it for $6 per bottle. Then the ski show has been nixed.
I really was annoyed they were marketing glow toys in the theatre to the children as we waited for the show to start, (great show though) especially since the crap was the same stuff we won at the county fair off the dollar games.
My son was turned away from the water ride when he was clearly tall enough to ride it, he had been riding all week at WDW with same height requirements!
The kicker was the $7 per person to enter into the dolphin area. It used to be that you could feed them or not but still get close to the tank. I was livid! As if $75 per ticket is not enough! I would like to add we would have probably spent much more on the food but it is the principle of the matter.
It is a shame that a company that really only cares about the bottom line bought a really nice family oriented park.

I left upset and disenchanted. I did complain to guest services but would have rather spent more time at WDW where they make you feel like you get your monies worth.

[RabFlmom]

I will admit I was so excited to return to Seaworld after several years only to be severly disappointed. Upon arrival, I went to guest relations to ask about the beer tasting and if appointments were being taken. Much to my dismay, there is no more beer in the park unless you want to buy it for $6 per bottle. Then the ski show has been nixed.
I really was annoyed they were marketing glow toys in the theatre to the children as we waited for the show to start, (great show though) especially since the crap was the same stuff we won at the county fair off the dollar games.
My son was turned away from the water ride when he was clearly tall enough to ride it, he had been riding all week at WDW with same height requirements!
The kicker was the $7 per person to enter into the dolphin area. It used to be that you could feed them or not but still get close to the tank. I was livid! As if $75 per ticket is not enough! I would like to add we would have probably spent much more on the food but it is the principle of the matter.
It is a shame that a company that really only cares about the bottom line bought a really nice family oriented park.

I left upset and disenchanted. I did complain to guest services but would have rather spent more time at WDW where they make you feel like you get your monies worth.

Sorry you had such a bad time at SW. I started going way back in 1975 and I still think it is the best park in Orlando. You get a lot for the price of a ticket.

Beer tasting ended with the new company; but all the other changes you mentioned happened years and years ago. It has been so long I can't even remember when they stopped having ski shows. They had something called Fusion a few years ago that had maybe 1 boat and a few jumps but mostly jet skis and it was dreadful.

Busch always charged $5 or $6 for the trays of fish to feed the dolphins. Several years ago Busch changed the rules so that only people feeding get to go in the one area so the people that do pay the money get the best experience. Not sure which company raised it to $7.
As for your son and the height bar, maybe he didn't stand as tall or had shoes that were different or the CMs at Disney let him slip through.. They have to go by their height bar.

I can tell you that my first time back to the MK after about a 10 year gap was about the way your expectations were for SW. I couldn't believe how run down the park was and that there were so many lame rides taking over the Disney Originals. It still is not my favorite park, but I did adjust and allow myself to enjoy it again. Nothing stays the same and if it did it really would be boring. And buck for buck on the 2 parks admission prices, I get more from SW because every time I go and I go about 30 times a year, it is never exactly the same show because of the animals. Beer at Disney costs the same as beer at SW BTW.

[Latel]

I was gutted when I found out that they had taken away the free beer. That was one of the hi-lights of Seaworld, as they had some unsual drinks to try that I hadn't seen anywhere else. It was nice to take time out from the park and relax with an unusual drink by the water :sad2:

[drenalin'junkie]

SW more expensive than the Mouse:happytv:?
Sorry but that is funny.

I agree that the free beer and dolphin changes stink and I took advantage of niether.I also miss the little aquarium area that Manta surplanted....but I miss Mr Toads wild ride as well as the other now replaced rides at WDW even more.

[MissionMouse]

I recall visiting SW for the first time since I was a child and felt it changed for the best. More attractions, rides, shows in a larger park. Some of the orginal stuff was gone but truly they would be very dated if they still exist. Often changes are based upon attendance and customer comments.

I think Inbev eliminating the parks is a cultural statement of this company and a lack of understanding of consumers here is the United States...big mistake on their part, but InBev is not known for good will-public relations like AB. You should expect AB company structures-attractions to be removed as InBev intensifies their efforts to sell SW. The Clydesdales will also relocated when SW sells.

There are two areas at Dolphin Cove. Feeding area and non-feeding area established as non-feeders were often pushing and shoving people feeding dolphins out of the way to get a picture. I do not recall ever seeing this when I was a kid visiting SW, but experienced the shoving in recent years. Just as parks change, so do the behaviors of people as we see far more inappropriate bahaviors in parks these days.

[TitanBrett]

Sea World has improved so much over the last ten years, I suspect the old park would be hardly recognizable. yes no more free beer, big deal, you can get over not getting your 2 free 6 oz cups of beer. As has been mentioned there is a place in Dolphin cove for you to stand and take pictures without feeding the dolphins. Ski Show?? Seriously? Go see Tommy Bartlett in the Wis Dells. And are you actually complaining about them selling junky glow toys? have you seen the crap they sell at WDW?!? They are selling so much chinese-made junk in the MK that it smells like rice when you go through the gate

[FADED]

Seaworls cool!

[DOOM1001]

Aside from the free beer at the hospitality center being removed I think Sea World has greatly improved during the last decade.There are cool events throughout the year like Bud n BBQ and their Halloween and Christmas events.The restaurants have improved along with the new Waterfront area as well as the new coasters and shows.When they changed the bridge they couldn't have the old ski show,but they did have a toned down ski show with power boats,waverunners,dancers for a while and I'm sure eventually there will be a new version soon.As far as feeding the dolphins,I was not happy about that as I always liked to touch them,but from my understanding this change was in part made because of the public themselves,too many people putting plastic water bottles and who knows what in the dolphins mouths.I did see a video of this kind of behavior and was very annoyed so if making this change they can control the crowds better and prevent any harm for the dolphins than I'm fine with it.

[yaytezIOA]

Wow so much for me to say, but this is a family site. You really do need to plan out your trip and use these boards for that, instead of just complaining about the park. The park has improved greatly for the better, with more kids rides, more family friendly areas, more big rides and more animal interactions than any other park in orlando. Six bucks for a bottle of beer, while expensive, isn't bad as theme park standards go. How much is it at disney? Oh yea, forgot, you can't get it at the Magic Kingdom. And I think a cup of beer at the Studios is about $8. And you do seem to forget about the lines of vendors selling the same cheap plastic glow stuff outside of Fantasmic, and before every showing of wishes.
The discontinuation of free beer is a disappointment to many, but never a deal breaker. Free beer has been gone since Feb. 1st and there was a quiet protest on the last day of operation, which was quite great.
As for the dolphins, this has been this way for over a year. It sucks, but you get more personal time with the dolphins. The reason for this? Dolphins are aggressive animals, if you do not have fish they will not come near you. Many people were complaining about that, so they fixed the problem. Height requirements are meant to be for a reason, seems to me that if your child met them at disney and not here, you should have spoke to a manager, gotten a wristband and not had a problem. My guess is that disney they do not check as thoroughly....but that's just my guess.
It seems that you went in wanting disney, and found something else. When you found that it wasn't disney, you were upset. Some people can broaden their minds go outside the confines of the mouse, others can't.
Sorry you were disappointed, but SW has changed for the better, and I know tons of tips and tricks to get the most out of my park without spending extra. Most of which I learned from these very boards. I know that I do not go to disney for the very reason that you spoke of about SW. Crowded, too expensive and I dont feel like they care about me. Better luck next time.

[truck1]

I talked to a few people at SW I used to work with regarding the chages to the ski show.
What happened was that several years ago, when the first major revamping too place, they (SW) was looking from someone to run the ski show. It was never run by SW afaik. It may have been 25 years ago, but not recently.
No one wanted to take on the ski show, so in the end, they reduced the size of the ski show area, which turned into Baywatch, then Fusion and there was one or 2 other things thrown in also. None were ever any good. At least in my opinion. (The kids show that was there had a little draw but not mcuh)Throw in a few hurricanes to damage the stadium, that did not help, and we are here today.

So today, the stadium is used for special events and concerts, and also to watch the fireworks shows.Theres a few ski boats out for reference only, but I doubt well see a ski show any time soon.


As far as the other changes, some good and some bad, some were made with the intent to sell off the parks. The free beer for example, was supposed to make the parks marketbale. Dont ask. I am just phrasing what I read.
Inbev, needs to sell the parks soon, to pay off the loan they got to buy AB in the first place.

From what I hear, guess who is looking seriously at the parks.
If you guessed Disney youd be right. Rumor has it that after the Marvel acquisition, Disney still has capital to make more purchases.The poss exists that SW water parks could be bought by Disney and the other parks sold off in the same sale to someone else. And guess who else is on Disneys radar. Universal.
Its going to be intersting here in the next few years.If not months.

[yaytezIOA]

Well, all the recent market talk points to Merlin/Blackstone to buying it. Merlin is the parent company that owns a bunch of parks including Legoland, Universal and the London Dungeon, as well as a bunch more. They have toured Seaworld on many occasions this month and have asked for an IPO of 4 billion, which is about two bill less than the asking price, but it is a step, and many others also say that the Busch Family wants to remain a partner in it, so they are going to partner with it, and you'll see the company spun off into the "Worlds of Discovery" brand that they have been trying to make since 2007. Disney is not a factor in this....at all.

[Narnia]

I enjoyed the beer last time I went(adult only trip) BUT I feel kind of odded out when parents with kids try to juggle the kids with the beer in the hand. I think it's great seaworld is taking a "healthy" change. Paying for fish at any park normally gets you a good view, budget accordingly if you want to get up close,you would be upset if people w/o fish got in your way of feeding them. All parks sell crazy priced garbage, also plan for that by buying those toys ahead of time. We had a 5 park flex ticket and just did those on the ticket so the price for entry didn't bother me other then parking:)

[yaytezIOA]

I think the majority of people gave reasons why we love Sea World, and why we think it is a good value. My personal complaint about the OP is that she complained about prices....at Sea World!?!?! Most particularly that they a.didnt have free beer b.that they charge for beer c. that they sell glow in the dark cheaply made toys.....all behavior and things that are done at disney on a regular basis, all the while saying how much better disney is without giving a real reason other than the op was upset they had to pay so much. So, I guess, the op just can't communicate what was so bad or a bad value in comparison to wdw so she decided to break it down....Sorry things change, and a lack of planning is why her trip resulted in the way it did. Had she gotten on here, and asked some of the same redundant often asked questions that a lot of people who go to any other park other than disney for the first time in a long time, she just may have had a different outcome. Thanks for your input:goodvibes

[DOOM1001]

I've also heard that Blackstone could possibly be getting close to a deal for the parks.I would love for the Busch Family to stay part owner of the parks and while I love Disney,I want no part of Disney to get involved in the purchase of any of the Busch parks.If Blackstone can keep them on the route that they're in it would be great,and from what I understand they have deep pockets so that right there is a good start.

[GemmaPixie]

As it happens I really wasn't impressed with seaworld either purely just for personal taste. The roller coasters were good but Journey to Atlantis was just sore and in major need of a refurb (peeling paint galore?). I really disliked Believe...it was far too cheesy! And as for the whales tail necklace...obvious selling strategy! The sea lion show was mediocre...we laughed at 2 bits...the sit ups and the end when they soaked the kid. Wasn't funny when the kid cried though. The rest was just so-so. The rest of the day wasn't memorible either.

These are my opinions! I am allowed to think these things and I don't think I (or the OP) should be shouted at about them from people who feel the need to defend their park to the death!

The OP didn't mention Disney so why are you all comparing it to Disney so much?

[TitanBrett]

My son was turned away from the water ride when he was clearly tall enough to ride it, he had been riding all week at WDW with same height requirements!

I left upset and disenchanted. I did complain to guest services but would have rather spent more time at WDW where they make you feel like you get your monies worth.

The OP didn't mention Disney so why are you all comparing it to Disney so much?

what...are...you...talking...about?

[High Voltage]

the OP brought WDW into the discussion originally, not the responders. She is allowed to say disney is better but if we disagree we are SW apologists? Brilliant:thumbsup2

Yeah, actually I think it's pretty much the definition of an apologist when you tell the poster to "get over" the beer tasting being gone, to travel 1400 miles from SW to the Dells to see a water sking show, and that MK smells like rice , instead of actually addressing her complaints. With all the SW fans here and current employees, there was an opportunity to use that insight to explain to the op why YOU like SW, or why some of the changes were made. I guess I was just expecting a little more courtesy.

[TitanBrett]

I will admit I was so excited to return to Seaworld after several years only to be severly disappointed. Upon arrival, I went to guest relations to ask about the beer tasting and if appointments were being taken. Much to my dismay, there is no more beer in the park unless you want to buy it for $6 per bottle. Then the ski show has been nixed.
I really was annoyed they were marketing glow toys in the theatre to the children as we waited for the show to start, (great show though) especially since the crap was the same stuff we won at the county fair off the dollar games.
My son was turned away from the water ride when he was clearly tall enough to ride it, he had been riding all week at WDW with same height requirements!
The kicker was the $7 per person to enter into the dolphin area. It used to be that you could feed them or not but still get close to the tank. I was livid! As if $75 per ticket is not enough! I would like to add we would have probably spent much more on the food but it is the principle of the matter.
It is a shame that a company that really only cares about the bottom line bought a really nice family oriented park.

I left upset and disenchanted. I did complain to guest services but would have rather spent more time at WDW where they make you feel like you get your monies worth.

OK for the record, I dont think anything is wrong with the post until it is inferred that SW doesnt care about customers and that WDW is any better value.

Point by point:

-yes, the free beer is gone. It was 2 free 6 oz cups, at the beer school you got even smaller cups, some of them purposely stale. Beer is more expensive or not available at WDW so to say WDW is better value is not an opinion in this case, it is false.

-The ski show?? Things change, always do, 20,000 leagues under the Sea, fantasmic a couple times a week instead of every night. Ski shows are a throwback and are just not that popular anymore

-The glow toys? They sell the same stuff at Disney during the parades, so again saying WDW cares more about customers and is some better value is not an opinion, it is false. All these places sell junk.

-The height restriction? hard to say the problem here, safety seems to trump all I would say

-The dolphin feeding. There is a place for feeders and a place for non feeders. In the past non feeders would crowd the feeders to get their pictures, now the non feeders are on one side of the gate and the feeders are on the other, both sides can lean over the side to pet the dolphins. That seems fair to the people who are paying to feed. I know under the old way my daughter got pushed aside by someone trying to pet a dolphin she was trying to feed.

Anyway, so over the last 10 years or so SW has gained Kraken, Manta, the Waterfront, The Polar Bear thing, new Dolphin show, new Shamu show, Shamu Rocks, special events like spooktacular and wheel of fortune...but it has lost the ski show and 12 oz of free beer....like someone said everyone is entitled to an opinion, mine is "the sky is red", makes about as much sense as the OP and remember opinions cant be questioned :rolleyes:

[bigbear]

Hurray! I totally agree! Most people are being so rude just because the OP wasn't satisfied with Seaworld. Newsflash! Everyone is allowed their own opinions!

As it happens I really wasn't impressed with seaworld either purely just for personal taste. The roller coasters were good but Journey to Atlantis was just sore and in major need of a refurb (peeling paint galore?). I really disliked Believe...it was far too cheesy! And as for the whales tail necklace...obvious selling strategy! The sea lion show was mediocre...we laughed at 2 bits...the sit ups and the end when they soaked the kid. Wasn't funny when the kid cried though. The rest was just so-so. The rest of the day wasn't memorible either.

These are my opinions! I am allowed to think these things and I don't think I (or the OP) should be shouted at about them from people who feel the need to defend their park to the death!

The OP didn't mention Disney so why are you all comparing it to Disney so much?

It was our least favourite park too, I'm afraid, the only one my teenagers don't want to go back when we manage to get over there again.

[yaytezIOA]

Might I point out that the way everyone is carrying on about the free beer being gone.......Might be just me, but makes you all sound like a bunch of raging alcoholics :goodvibes
Look, this is the DIS board...we know that DISney is ::cough:: better than sw. It's all a matter of opinion, and if you're going to share yours, its going to get shared right back. So there are things that you dont like about sw, there are things I absolutely hate about disney...and many of them are reasons I have Universal and SW ap's and not disney....but that is neither here nor there. Trip planning would save everyone a big dirty complaint. The OP, obviously didnt do her homework. Shame shame. Then she comes on here and yes, tells us all how much she would have preferred to stay at wdw instead of sw because she had a terrible terrible time due to (again, maybe this is just me) her lack of poor planning. To bring up things such as price of drinks, toys and extras between two theme parks is like trying to compare dirt in a dirt pile.....its all dirty and will leave mud on your feet. Parks are all expensive and will all leave you broke, if you plan poorly and let it. But neither disney nor sw have anything on cedar fair parks.....been to three this summer and DAMN! EXPENSIVE!
Peace be said. Have fun ripping off whale tales and mouse ears!:thumbsup2

[High Voltage]

The fact remains Tommy Bartlett is wayyyy better than SW ski show ever was and for all we know she lives up there and the drive will be much shorter.

Never saw the SW one but we saw Tommy Bartlett about 5 years ago and it was an awesome show, especially the stunt show portion on the flagpoles with no net.:thumbsup2

[RabFlmom]

Never saw the SW one but we saw Tommy Bartlett about 5 years ago and it was an awesome show, especially the stunt show portion on the flagpoles with no net.:thumbsup2


SW in the 70s and early 80s had a fantastic ski show. They had all the Superheroes out on skis doing about the same stunts that the Bartlet
Show had( saw that as a teen, too) . The show was fun and exciting. They had meet and greets with the Superheroes after each show. My son's baby pictures from about 9 months till he was 4 or 5 were with his "friends" . He loved the show and would even practice running like the superheroes did when they ran on stage. Until he decided he was going to grow up to be Bob Crippen after the 1st shuttle launch he saw, he would tell people he was going to be a superhero and ski at SW.

We were disappointed when the superheroes show ended. I think they went to a pirate show in the mid 80s.
Can anyone remember what the other real ski shows were before they built the bridge?

[DTop]

Things are always changing. That's what keeps us coming back to any park. SUre the prices keep going up but what's new about that?
As for the ski show, I was told at SW that the old show was discontinued when the bridge was moved to accommodate the fireworks and fountain show.

[drenalin'junkie]

SW is not 4 everyone nor is WD nor is the NFL,Golf,Skiing,SCUBA,hang gliding or mountain climbing.

Hundreds of thousands leave SW happy:love:,a testament that it is not "ruined"


I prefer to look for the positive in all my life experiences therefore I like all the parks,my servers rarely are less than stellar,the food is almost always on time and tasty,the crowds are comprised of happy families,the weather is just right for the season,the prices are far less than many other family outings,the rides do what they were intended to do,the shows are fun,ad infinitum.....Unhappiness is a choice just like happiness and both are independent of conditions:teacher:

SW and BG are awesome in that they are not WD clones the same as USO and IOA are awesome as they are not clones of SW and BG.:flower3:

[TitanBrett]

Wait wait wait wait....wait. there are people who dont like the NFL!!!!!!!???!!?

:)

[drenalin'junkie]

Tickets to the Jags first 4 seasons $75 per person per game,parking $30 a game,souvenirs and food were more than the parks are now.
Plus you are invested emotionally in away games,divisional rivals etc..


Now we have about 20 more days a year to do parks or SCUBA:banana:

[frostymom]

Wow!

First thanks to all those who tried to explain the changes or reasons for changes at SW. I don't think I mentioned on my first post that the SW tickets were the very first purchase for this vacation. I have been to SW on both coasts and used to LOVE SW. I could not wait for my little boys to experience SW, as I had fond memories from my childhood.

I have not been to SW in nearly 15 years. The last time I took my then 4 year old and fed the dolphins tray upon trays of food, because it made my son happy. I planned to do the same thing this time with my current 4 and 2 year old sons. I did not like that I was being forced to buy 4 trays to get my family close enough to pet a dolphin or more importantly see my sons feed the dolphins. It is not the price of the fish as much it is the principle of the matter. It is the hope that I wanted to get a similar picture/experience of my 4 year old boys doing about the same thing/same age...blah blah... It was something I looked forward to. If I was so worried about the $ I wouldn't have thrown that much money down the sting ray tank.

Secondly, I like beer and I read in my 2009 planning book that the hospitality house was a nice break while the kids played in the kids area. It seemed to be a nice thing to do to get some quiet time and a taste of beer. It was something I was looking forward to as well. Obviously, my book when to press before AB sold the parks.

I remember the ski show mostly from when I was a kid. I loved them and I thought the shows were exciting and thrilling to watch. I was just sad to see that it was no longer there. Again something I was looking forward to.


The height requirement to ride the one ride was represented as some weird metal thing. It just seems idiotic to have some metal contraption instead of a ruler with clear indicators. Safety comes well before amusement for my family so it was just again principle of the matter. We obviously did not go to SW to ride rides.

In ending, I did my planning. I bought my book and I thought my source was reliable. It was what I planned it to be, our down day in the middle of Disney. My children seemed to enjoy SW but for me SW is not the same as it was. It did not bring wide smiles to my face the way it did 15 years ago. Perhaps I have more expectations in my older and wiser years.

And to all those who seemed less than kind in their posts... wow, I certainly did not mean to ruffle your feathers. It was just my opinion! I am allowed to have one right?

[frostymom]

Yeah, actually I think it's pretty much the definition of an apologist when you tell the poster to "get over" the beer tasting being gone, to travel 1400 miles from SW to the Dells to see a water sking show, and that MK smells like rice , instead of actually addressing her complaints. With all the SW fans here and current employees, there was an opportunity to use that insight to explain to the op why YOU like SW, or why some of the changes were made. I guess I was just expecting a little more courtesy.

Thanks :)

[Metro West]

From what I hear, guess who is looking seriously at the parks.
If you guessed Disney youd be right. Rumor has it that after the Marvel acquisition, Disney still has capital to make more purchases.The poss exists that SW water parks could be bought by Disney and the other parks sold off in the same sale to someone else. And guess who else is on Disneys radar. Universal.
Its going to be intersting here in the next few years.If not months. I think you're right...it's gonna be interesting soon but Disney will have no hand in any of the Busch Entertainment deal. Read the article in today's paper and you'll see that Blackstone who owns Merlin Entertainment will most certainly be submitting the public bid. If anything, I think if Blackstone/Merlin purchases Busch Entertainment as expected, they will likely do some kind of merger with Universal since Blackstone owns 50% of Universal Orlando. Again...Disney is not on the radar. Here's the article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-blackstone-merlin-busch-parks-090909,0,502673.story

Also...here's another article suggesting what Disney is or isn't going to do with the Marvel characters here in Orlando: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney-marvel-theme-parks-090909,0,7101088.story

I don't know who you're hearing stuff from but they are WAAAAAY off the mark. ;)

[inkkognito]

Never saw the SW one but we saw Tommy Bartlett about 5 years ago and it was an awesome show, especially the stunt show portion on the flagpoles with no net.:thumbsup2
Yes, that always freaked me out. Did they still have Aqua the Clown and Dieter (the guy who tossed coffee cups on his head)? We used to go to the Dells a couple times every year when we lived in Chicago.

[Krustycarnie]

I think you're right...it's gonna be interesting soon but Disney will have no hand in any of the Busch Entertainment deal. Read the article in today's paper and you'll see that Blackstone who owns Merlin Entertainment will most certainly be submitting the public bid. If anything, I think if Blackstone/Merlin purchases Busch Entertainment as expected, they will likely do some kind of merger with Universal since Blackstone owns 50% of Universal Orlando. Again...Disney is not on the radar. Here's the article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-blackstone-merlin-busch-parks-090909,0,502673.story

Also...here's another article suggesting what Disney is or isn't going to do with the Marvel characters here in Orlando: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney-marvel-theme-parks-090909,0,7101088.story

I don't know who you're hearing stuff from but they are WAAAAAY off the mark. ;)

I can say with a fair amount of certainty there will not be a merger between the two companies.

[Metro West]

I can say with a fair amount of certainty there will not be a merger between the two companies. This is all purely speculation...no one knows for sure. I am merely guessing...as is everyone at this point. The only real way a merger will happen would be if Blackstone purchased the other 50% of Universal Orlando.

[dolphinslady]

Alright, I read every line in this thread.

Bottom line: Sea World is NOT for everyone. If you have older children, then no, they wanna go the US/IOA route. Those that have not been to Disney parks would definitely wanna visit there.

We have had annual passes to SW since my girls were even too young to have to pay to get in, excluding last year when we had Disney park passes. We asked them if they wanted to go back to Disney or SW...They voted SW. They are 7 and we love the park. Yes, they miss rides from other parks and my one dd STILL can't get on Kraken or Manta. BUT, I found her three inch shoes so maybe this weekend, lol!

Either way. Plan as you may when you go to these parks. My dh always takes a backpack with snacks and waters, poor thing. But it's worth it. It's also worth buying the refillable cup...it's only a dollar to refill, duh.

As far as the rides and changes...I think Believe is awesome, as is Shamu Rocks. Blue Horizons is wonderful as well. The cool thing is the shows are never all the same. I think it's hilarious when the whales don't wanna cooperate.

I agree with the PRICE of the dolphin feeding, and I have yet to pay it. That would be about 25 bucks with our discount. That's crazy. I'd rather just pay to swim with them.

The con to the park is definitely the food choices. They really don't have a great place to eat. Mango Joe's is okay but gets old. Sharks is just way too pricey. They could improve in that area...hence the reason sometimes we just take snacks and then eat outside of the park later on.

All in all, Kraken and Manta rock, smoothest coasters I have been on. Kraken is a long ride too...love it. JTA is corny but a nice cool off when you're hot.

Sorry, starting to ramble. I just love the park, even without the beer. Miss it, but stuff happens when someone new ventures in. Also miss Donkey.

OH...if you are going to go to ANY park at night, go to the dollar store and grab those glo sticks you link together. That's what I do and it also helps me keep track of my girls.

Other than all that, we really don't spend much there with our annual passes...well, maybe me in the Surf Shop, lol!

Enjoy it all, life's short.:dance3:

[Krustycarnie]

Alright, I read every line in this thread.

Bottom line: Sea World is NOT for everyone. If you have older children, then no, they wanna go the US/IOA route. Those that have not been to Disney parks would definitely wanna visit there.

We have had annual passes to SW since my girls were even too young to have to pay to get in, excluding last year when we had Disney park passes. We asked them if they wanted to go back to Disney or SW...They voted SW. They are 7 and we love the park. Yes, they miss rides from other parks and my one dd STILL can't get on Kraken or Manta. BUT, I found her three inch shoes so maybe this weekend, lol!

Either way. Plan as you may when you go to these parks. My dh always takes a backpack with snacks and waters, poor thing. But it's worth it. It's also worth buying the refillable cup...it's only a dollar to refill, duh.

As far as the rides and changes...I think Believe is awesome, as is Shamu Rocks. Blue Horizons is wonderful as well. The cool thing is the shows are never all the same. I think it's hilarious when the whales don't wanna cooperate.

I agree with the PRICE of the dolphin feeding, and I have yet to pay it. That would be about 25 bucks with our discount. That's crazy. I'd rather just pay to swim with them.

The con to the park is definitely the food choices. They really don't have a great place to eat. Mango Joe's is okay but gets old. Sharks is just way too pricey. They could improve in that area...hence the reason sometimes we just take snacks and then eat outside of the park later on.

All in all, Kraken and Manta rock, smoothest coasters I have been on. Kraken is a long ride too...love it. JTA is corny but a nice cool off when you're hot.

Sorry, starting to ramble. I just love the park, even without the beer. Miss it, but stuff happens when someone new ventures in. Also miss Donkey.

OH...if you are going to go to ANY park at night, go to the dollar store and grab those glo sticks you link together. That's what I do and it also helps me keep track of my girls.

Other than all that, we really don't spend much there with our annual passes...well, maybe me in the Surf Shop, lol!

Enjoy it all, life's short.:dance3:

Could not have said it better myself; SW is a different kind of park and appeals to a different crowd.

[JimmyJr'sMom]

We were there NOV 08---The beer tasting was still open- and all the guys really enjoyed it.

MOST DISSAPOINTING- They no longer educate you about the dolphins and whales- it's all flying trapeze artists and birds and feather people.

IF I WANTED TO SEE Cirqe Du Soleil or whatever it's called- I would'nt be at SEAWORLD. Asked a worker when it changed- she said the older crowds and the people from overseas LOVE the new theming for the shows. :confused3She said she can't stand it- but the crowds seem to like it.

My husband and I had been for our honeymoon in 2000 and loved it. My son loves science and the sea. He WAS BORED OUT OF HIS MIND. All the kids kept asking- DURING THE DOLPHIN SHOW- "Can we leave? This is boring.":headache:
THe workers will NOT LET YOU WALK OUT OF THESE RIDICULOUS SHOWS.
You are trapped. They say it upsets the flying birds when people walk out or walk around.:confused:

[wwessing]

Sea World has improved so much over the last ten years, I suspect the old park would be hardly recognizable. yes no more free beer, big deal, you can get over not getting your 2 free 6 oz cups of beer. As has been mentioned there is a place in Dolphin cove for you to stand and take pictures without feeding the dolphins. Ski Show?? Seriously? Go see Tommy Bartlett in the Wis Dells. And are you actually complaining about them selling junky glow toys? have you seen the crap they sell at WDW?!? They are selling so much chinese-made junk in the MK that it smells like rice when you go through the gate

:rotfl2::rotfl2::lmao::lmao::rotfl2::rotfl2::lmao: :lmao::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Planogirl]

I didn't know that Sea World quit giving out the free beer samples. That's too bad.

We like Sea World even though we didn't make it this year. We've been to all three and we've always had a nice time. I can see why the parks wouldn't work for some people though. They are quite unique.

I hope that Universal and Busch end up linked in some way. That would be very cool.

[marlynnp]

Sea World has improved so much over the last ten years, I suspect the old park would be hardly recognizable. yes no more free beer, big deal, you can get over not getting your 2 free 6 oz cups of beer. As has been mentioned there is a place in Dolphin cove for you to stand and take pictures without feeding the dolphins. Ski Show?? Seriously? Go see Tommy Bartlett in the Wis Dells. And are you actually complaining about them selling junky glow toys? have you seen the crap they sell at WDW?!? They are selling so much chinese-made junk in the MK that it smells like rice when you go through the gate

This thread smells like I stepped in something but I think it's just you.

[marlynnp]

Alright, I read every line in this thread.

Bottom line: Sea World is NOT for everyone. If you have older children, then no, they wanna go the US/IOA route. Those that have not been to Disney parks would definitely wanna visit there.

We have had annual passes to SW since my girls were even too young to have to pay to get in, excluding last year when we had Disney park passes. We asked them if they wanted to go back to Disney or SW...They voted SW. They are 7 and we love the park. Yes, they miss rides from other parks and my one dd STILL can't get on Kraken or Manta. BUT, I found her three inch shoes so maybe this weekend, lol!

Either way. Plan as you may when you go to these parks. My dh always takes a backpack with snacks and waters, poor thing. But it's worth it. It's also worth buying the refillable cup...it's only a dollar to refill, duh.

As far as the rides and changes...I think Believe is awesome, as is Shamu Rocks. Blue Horizons is wonderful as well. The cool thing is the shows are never all the same. I think it's hilarious when the whales don't wanna cooperate.

I agree with the PRICE of the dolphin feeding, and I have yet to pay it. That would be about 25 bucks with our discount. That's crazy. I'd rather just pay to swim with them.

The con to the park is definitely the food choices. They really don't have a great place to eat. Mango Joe's is okay but gets old. Sharks is just way too pricey. They could improve in that area...hence the reason sometimes we just take snacks and then eat outside of the park later on.

All in all, Kraken and Manta rock, smoothest coasters I have been on. Kraken is a long ride too...love it. JTA is corny but a nice cool off when you're hot.

Sorry, starting to ramble. I just love the park, even without the beer. Miss it, but stuff happens when someone new ventures in. Also miss Donkey.

OH...if you are going to go to ANY park at night, go to the dollar store and grab those glo sticks you link together. That's what I do and it also helps me keep track of my girls.

Other than all that, we really don't spend much there with our annual passes...well, maybe me in the Surf Shop, lol!

Enjoy it all, life's short.:dance3:

Thanks! We've been thinking about giong and this is helpful.

[dolphinslady]

Thanks! We've been thinking about giong and this is helpful.

You are welcome. The park, as I have said before, is not for everyone. You have to have the love of aquatic animals and just treasure them. I can't see how anyone would dislike the park but again, it's a personal preference. It really depends on the likes of the family and the ages of the (if any) children. My girls love it and have for 5 years. Aquatica is great too, really liked it last time. Especially Roa's Rapids, very fun. I think we went around about 10 times, lol! And all the slides are great.

[PaulaSB12]

I think its time for Sea World to stop breading both whales and dolphins, let the animals they have die naturally and stop having the whale and dolphin shows altogether. I know that people like them but to keep so many large mammels in such tiny pools is wrong, it halfs their life span for a start off then there is the problem of keeping an animal that can dive for hundreds of feet in a fish pond 27 feet down.

[TitanBrett]

I think its time for Sea World to stop breading both whales and dolphins

mmmmmmm....breaded dolphin sounds yummy:)

[JaxJags08]

mmmmmmm....breaded dolphin sounds yummy:)

:lmao::rotfl2::rotfl::lmao::rotfl2::rotfl::lmao:

[RabFlmom]

I think its time for Sea World to stop breading both whales and dolphins, let the animals they have die naturally and stop having the whale and dolphin shows altogether. I know that people like them but to keep so many large mammels in such tiny pools is wrong, it halfs their life span for a start off then there is the problem of keeping an animal that can dive for hundreds of feet in a fish pond 27 feet down.


Have to giggle at the breaded dolphin and whale post. Good catch.

SW doesn't actually breed any animals, it just sort of happens because the animals all seem to be content and happy in their environment.
If it weren't for parks, zoos, aquariums, etc. most of us would never see most of the animals in the world. How sad would that be not to see the beauty of a killer whale, a tiger, an octopus, etc. Pictures and reading about animals are not the same as seeing/watching and touching the real thing. Also many of these animals are almost extinct from man using them for food and other things. For some their numbers have increased since man has been their caretakers in protected environments of zoos and parks etc. . My dream job would be working with them.

[inkkognito]

It's a hard call on whether it's right to have the animals in captivity. Part of me feels sorry for them in such a small, unnatural habitat, but I remind myself that most of them were born there and don't know anything else, and they receive the best of care. You definitely have to love them and love your job to work there...DH was saying that one of the trainers has been there for something like 16 or 17 years. Apparently they work with one whale and bond with it. That has to be amazing.

I could criticize SW, but then I'd have to hang my head in shame for keeping a horse that is boarded on five acres and has to carry me around while his wild kin runs free. But if I ever released him, I guarantee you he'd be back at the barn door as soon as he realized that there's no sweet feed and treats out in the wild.

[PaulaSB12]

It's a hard call on whether it's right to have the animals in captivity. Part of me feels sorry for them in such a small, unnatural habitat, but I remind myself that most of them were born there and don't know anything else, and they receive the best of care. You definitely have to love them and love your job to work there...DH was saying that one of the trainers has been there for something like 16 or 17 years. Apparently they work with one whale and bond with it. That has to be amazing.

I could criticize SW, but then I'd have to hang my head in shame for keeping a horse that is boarded on five acres and has to carry me around while his wild kin runs free. But if I ever released him, I guarantee you he'd be back at the barn door as soon as he realized that there's no sweet feed and treats out in the wild.

The fact that they have been in these tanks since birth does not alter the facts they haven't enough room, they are kept in clorinated fresh water when they are designed to be in salt water, their life span is HALVED in the wild family units stay together for life. There are growing number of attacks on other whales and trainers. But that doesn't matter as long as we are happy.

IN THE WILD . . . Female orca whales are thought to live 80 years, and male orcas about 50. Both beluga whales and dolphins can live 25 to 30 years.

IN CAPTIVITY . . . Whales and dolphins frequently live only a fraction of the time they would in the wild. Many die shortly after capture, often unexpectedly, but necropsies find most die from bacterial infections. According to records, over 24 cetaceans have died at the Vancouver Aquarium. Bjossa has lost 2 mates and 3 babies.

IN THE WILD . . . Whales and dolphins are intelligent, highly social mammals who live in small family groups called "pods". Orca offspring stay with their mothers for life.

IN CAPTIVITY . . . Unrelated whales and dolphins are often forced to live together in groups that are nothing like their families in the wild. At the Vancouver Aquarium, a baby beluga whale was separated for 6 months from her mother.

IN THE WILD . . . Orca whales may travel up to 100 miles a day, reach speeds of 30 miles per hour and dive hundreds of feet below the water's surface.

IN CAPTIVITY . . . Most captive whales and dolphins can swim for only a few seconds before reaching the sides of their tanks. Bjossa would have to swim around her tank 2500 times a day to get enough exercise.

IN THE WILD . . . Whales and dolphins live in a world of sound. Orca pods have unique "dialects" containing specific sound patterns. Whales and dolphins use echolocation to locate each other and to capture live prey.

IN CAPTIVITY . . . The Vancouver Aquarium, whale tanks are many times noisier than the ocean. The glass and concrete walls frequently inhibit the natural use of sound by whales and dolphins. The water and cooling pumps are heard underwater 24 hours a day.

IN THE WILD . . . Whales and dolphins have evolved for millions of years as part of a complex web of marine life. They belong in the ocean, surrounded by other sea animals, along with the tides, waves, storms, sea floors and coastlines of their natural homes.

IN CAPTIVITY . . . Nothing in their evolution has prepared whales or dolphins for life in captivity. Everything is foreign - from the size and shape of the tanks, to the artificial social environment, to the textures, colours, sounds and lighting they experience, to the water they live in, which is often artificial sea water, chemically treated with chlorine. Sadly, the results is often abnormal behaviour, aggression, injury, illness and premature death.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM0Zct5Wlj0

http://www.aph.gov.au/SEnate/committee/history/animalwelfare_ctte/dolphins_whales_in_captivity/06ch6.pdf

[TitanBrett]

As has been mentioned, there is something to be said for seeing these animals up close and personal. I suspect a lot of the protections that Dolphins and whales have received over the years have come by way of people being able to see for themselves what beautiful and intelligent animals they are. It is a shame that some must suffer so that many more may live under protective international laws.

I have always wanted to see a "no fish treat" whale or dolphin show, to see how much they would participate without being fed.



P.S. People are supposed to be free range too, but the internet finally ended that evolutionary trait. :)

[RabFlmom]

It's a hard call on whether it's right to have the animals in captivity. Part of me feels sorry for them in such a small, unnatural habitat, but I remind myself that most of them were born there and don't know anything else, and they receive the best of care. You definitely have to love them and love your job to work there...DH was saying that one of the trainers has been there for something like 16 or 17 years. Apparently they work with one whale and bond with it. That has to be amazing.

I could criticize SW, but then I'd have to hang my head in shame for keeping a horse that is boarded on five acres and has to carry me around while his wild kin runs free. But if I ever released him, I guarantee you he'd be back at the barn door as soon as he realized that there's no sweet feed and treats out in the wild.


We'd all have to hang our head in shame. <g> How many of us have never had a cat, a dog, a bird, a fish, hamster etc. as a pet? They were free roaming once upon an era too.

And my family through history who were all farmers kept chicken, cows, pigs, ducks, etc. captive and then we ate them. And I am sure a greater number of people continue to eat meat and wear leather etc. than people who totally give up eating meat and using animals in other ways.

And I almost forgot. Many of the animals at SW are rescued animals that would have died in the wild without SW caring for them. They continue to do rescues and I applaud them for it.

[RabFlmom]

The fact that they have been in these tanks since birth does not alter the facts they haven't enough room, they are kept in clorinated fresh water when they are designed to be in salt water, their life span is HALVED in the wild family units stay together for life. There are growing number of attacks on other whales and trainers. But that doesn't matter as long as we are happy.>>>>>

I think you are wrong on the type of water they have in the tanks at SW. I am pretty sure that all the Saltwater animals are in saltwater because they would not survive in regular or chlorinated water. Hence the warning about cameras , watches, and anything electronic when they are going to splash the crowd . Saltwater is very corrosive on electronics. You can't just dry them out and they work like you can if you spill a drink on your keyboard, etc.

[Jason@dvcstore]

s!
The kicker was the $7 per person to enter into the dolphin area. It used to be that you could feed them or not but still get close to the tank.

That is not good to hear. That was my favorite experience at Sea World and now for a family of three to experience this will cost them $21. That is disappointing.

Jason

[DOOM1001]

That is not good to hear. That was my favorite experience at Sea World and now for a family of three to experience this will cost them $21. That is disappointing.

Jason

I believe part of that change was done for the well being of the dolphins as I have seen a video of people giving dolphins all kinds of objects that could harm them,like water bottles.When you have a huge amount of people around the dolphins it was harder to prevent people from doing these things,now it's better controlled.

[Krustycarnie]

Ok; I agree captivity is not the primary choice, but all the animals at SW are well taken cared of and live in their proper enviroments (ie... salt water at the proper temperture) most of which were specially made for them. Most animals were also born in captivity, so the other animals they are with are their family unit.

I am by no means defending the caputure of animals for display but SW/BG do rescue animals then rehabilitate and release them back if possible.

[PaulaSB12]

Ok; I agree captivity is not the primary choice, but all the animals at SW are well taken cared of and live in their proper enviroments (ie... salt water at the proper temperture) most of which were specially made for them. Most animals were also born in captivity, so the other animals they are with are their family unit.

I am by no means defending the caputure of animals for display but SW/BG do rescue animals then rehabilitate and release them back if possible.

If they are being so well kept why is the life span 20 to 25 years instead of 50 to 80 years?

[Jack Skellington]

At Discovery Cove last week during our dolphin swim the trainer told us that the average life span for a dolphin is about 25 years and that their dolphin's life span is actually DOUBLE that!!! I seemed to me that all of the marine life at SW was given the best care possible.

BTW ... We went to every show at all the Disney parks and SW and I thought that Believe was the best one of them all. I even bought the $5 wood necklace afterwards. Just my opinion though.

[KBF]

If they are being so well kept why is the life span 20 to 25 years instead of 50 to 80 years?

My personal opinion is this, I believe that the average lifespan for whales or any marine animal in captivity will continue to rise in the future. I think the more we learn about them and their needs, that people who work with these animals will be able to care for them better which will increase their lifespan. If you look throughout the history of seaworld parks, at the begining, the whales only lived about 3-5 years in captivity before they died. But as time goes on and we learn how to better care for them, their life expectancy increases. There are 2 whales I believe over 30 years old, if not very close to 30 who currently live in Seaworld Orlando. Is it right? Each person has his or her own opinion. But mine is that they are living a good life at seaworld especially. With top medical care, food, and attention. Yes, its not the ocean. But 98% of the whales in capitivity were born there and thats all theyve ever known. Seaworld doesnt capture whales in the wild. The whales breed naturaly and the calves are raised in captivity.

[RabFlmom]

If they are being so well kept why is the life span 20 to 25 years instead of 50 to 80 years?

It is my understanding that some of the whales have been at the parks since the parks opened so some do outlive the 20-25 mark and we don't know how long they will live beyond the 35-40 years they have survived yet. They seem to be doing very well and love what they do.

Have you ever been there when they are just swimming around and without command start interacting with people in the first rows or the guys selling stuff up front? Just really cute.

As for some dying at younger age in captivity, they also wash up on shores at younger ages even when they are free. I personally would rather see a shark in a tank for example than a shark on the beach with its fin cut out like I did last year while walking on the beach here. I would rather see them living in a tank instead of being someone's soup. Many of the animals you see at the park are SW rescues. They would have died if SW did not take them in and care for them. They release the ones that they think can make it on their own.

Do you own an animal of any kind? Why do they not survive longer than maybe 14 years at our homes? Same thing only the caretakers of the animals in the parks are better trained to care for the animals compared to a lot of people who own dogs and cats, horses and abuse them daily by not feeding them correctly, not providing shade, etc. like they should have. On their own our pets would not be able to survive in the world today.

Do you eat meat? Wear leather shoes? At least because of what we have learned whales etc. have a chance and aren't being fished into extinction . Animal parks have actually helped in teaching the world about these animals.
JMHO
And yes, I even wear makeup and take meds that are tested on animals. I know without the tests, I personally would not have survived past my 3rd year of life, my 17th, my 34th, and my 56th year of life so I appreciate the knowledge given to man and the animals that God gave us to help us in all ways needed.
On this I will not post more and just agree to disagree on this. <G> Arguing the point won't convince either of us. So together we make a place somewhere in the middle helping to keep animals safer in today's world, yet making it possible for people to learn about animals they would never encounter in their own neighborhoods if not for zoos, acquariums, etc. .