Seaworld help and advice please

[chocolateMinnie]

This thread has already answered most of my quesions so thank you very much.

1. I see that both the penguin attraction and manatee attraction will be closed in october. Someone mentioned still being able to do a behind the scenes tour with penguins but I can't see this listed. Is this closed too?
2. The dining plan information is really interesting - don't think it would be cost effective for us though as we will breakfast before we arrive. I cant find any meal/snack prices on line - does anyone have drink/ice cream/meal current costs?
3. The up close with dolphins tour sounds just what we are looking for. Someone mentioned a photopass style photographer taking photos and a CD. Any idea of price and do they mail it to you?
4. Lastly (for the moment - ) we are not a roller coaster family although we would like to see the wild arctic animals. What sort of time with current attractions being closed should we allow for our trip to Seaworld. I realise this is subjective but any opinions would be gratefully received.

Thanks for all your help

[Thumper_Man]

Originally Posted by chocolateMinnie

This thread has already answered most of my quesions so thank you very much.

1. I see that both the penguin attraction and manatee attraction will be closed in october. Someone mentioned still being able to do a behind the scenes tour with penguins but I can't see this listed. Is this closed too?
2. The dining plan information is really interesting - don't think it would be cost effective for us though as we will breakfast before we arrive. I cant find any meal/snack prices on line - does anyone have drink/ice cream/meal current costs?
3. The up close with dolphins tour sounds just what we are looking for. Someone mentioned a photopass style photographer taking photos and a CD. Any idea of price and do they mail it to you?
4. Lastly (for the moment - ) we are not a roller coaster family although we would like to see the wild arctic animals. What sort of time with current attractions being closed should we allow for our trip to Seaworld. I realise this is subjective but any opinions would be gratefully received.

Thanks for all your help

1. Don't really have an answer for you as I don't really know. Best thing would be to contact Sea World and inquire about it.

2. This might be something to consider. I don't know the current prices. I do remember when we paid for our lunch, we paid about $25 per person. So in the long run it may be worth it to get the dining plan. Hopefully someone who has purchased it can answer this better. I am interested myself as we are going back in December.

3. I know to buy single photos is expensive. Buying a package deal is better. I think we paid $20 for a 5x7 photo with a frame. They will do the cd and photos right there on site before you leave. You go to guest relations and look at the photos. Then pick out the ones you want.

4. The Wild Arctic ride is a simulator ride. Not so much a roller coaster. There are 2 different ways to get into the Wild Arctic. The helicopter ride, which is the simulator ride. Or you can do the land tour. Land tour you basically watch the same film as you would with the helicopter ride, without the motion. Doing the land tour gets you into the animal exhibits faster. Bypass the film and go straight to the exit.

With all the shows and other exhibits, I would still allow yourself a full day in the park. Manatee exhibit wasn't really that big. Same with the penquins. If you plan on doing the up close dolphin tour, then you will want to plan the whole day there. The tour will consume half the day itself. There are only so many animal performance shows per day. To see the 3 major shows, you will need to plan accordingly.

Hope this helps.

[chocolateMinnie]

Thanks very much - a full day makes the $$$ cost seem so much more worth it. Think we will book a town car going and just grab a taxi coming back. Thanks particularly for the help with the photos

[skibum25]

The CD was $40

[Thumper_Man]

I wish I could've given you more accurate pricing on the photos, but I do know you get them right away. And the cd. Let me know if you find out more about the dining plan. Interested to know about this. As I mentioned, lunch costs us close to the amount. We might just eat twice in the park to get our money's worth.

[chocolateMinnie]

Thanks to you both.

[KBF]

Originally Posted by chocolateMinnie

I see that both the penguin attraction and manatee attraction will be closed in october.

Just wanted to add that the new Manatee and Turtle exhibit/Attraction opens later this month. So it should very well be open in October. I think the website just lists attractions that are closed at the current time.

[chiamarie]

Originally Posted by chocolateMinnie

This thread has already answered most of my quesions so thank you very much.

1. I see that both the penguin attraction and manatee attraction will be closed in october. Someone mentioned still being able to do a behind the scenes tour with penguins but I can't see this listed. Is this closed too?
2. The dining plan information is really interesting - don't think it would be cost effective for us though as we will breakfast before we arrive. I cant find any meal/snack prices on line - does anyone have drink/ice cream/meal current costs?
3. The up close with dolphins tour sounds just what we are looking for. Someone mentioned a photopass style photographer taking photos and a CD. Any idea of price and do they mail it to you?
4. Lastly (for the moment - ) we are not a roller coaster family although we would like to see the wild arctic animals. What sort of time with current attractions being closed should we allow for our trip to Seaworld. I realise this is subjective but any opinions would be gratefully received.

Thanks for all your help

Sorry if some of these were answered already but:

A) Yes, penguin will be closed until Spring 2013 to build the new ride/exhibit that is opening then. However, Turtle Trek (which will also have Manatee's) opens April 27th; so that will be open when you visit.

B)Prices for snacks and what have you will be about what you're paying at Disney too.

C) I believe the CD is $40, they add all your photos and make the CD right there for you, so you will have it with you when you leave the park. If this is something that interests you, I suggest booking this tour in advance; as I've heard rumors the Dolphin Up Close tour is already fully booked through August.

D) October is usually a pretty calm month when it comes to crowds at SeaWorld; unless you are planning to go on a Saturday/Sunday. Weekends in October has Spooktacular at SeaWorld; which usually attracks larger crowds, so I'd reccommend visiting on a weekday which will have calmer crowds; and you should be able to move easily through the park, and not really have waits much more than 10 mintues anywhere.

[chocolateMinnie]

Originally Posted by KBF

Just wanted to add that the new Manatee and Turtle exhibit/Attraction opens later this month. So it should very well be open in October. I think the website just lists attractions that are closed at the current time.

I didn't realise that the turtle exhibit would house manatees too as we are really keen to see them - thanks for the heads up

[chocolateMinnie]

Originally Posted by chiamarie

Sorry if some of these were answered already but:

A) Yes, penguin will be closed until Spring 2013 to build the new ride/exhibit that is opening then. However, Turtle Trek (which will also have Manatee's) opens April 27th; so that will be open when you visit.

B)Prices for snacks and what have you will be about what you're paying at Disney too.

C) I believe the CD is $40, they add all your photos and make the CD right there for you, so you will have it with you when you leave the park. If this is something that interests you, I suggest booking this tour in advance; as I've heard rumors the Dolphin Up Close tour is already fully booked through August.

D) October is usually a pretty calm month when it comes to crowds at SeaWorld; unless you are planning to go on a Saturday/Sunday. Weekends in October has Spooktacular at SeaWorld; which usually attracks larger crowds, so I'd reccommend visiting on a weekday which will have calmer crowds; and you should be able to move easily through the park, and not really have waits much more than 10 mintues anywhere.

Need to dither on the cost of all day food versus snacks then - thank you. I would really like to just buy the wristbands for my gannets (also known as my kids) but think this looks like we are trying to rip off the system. The CD is amazing value - I was thinking similar to disney at over $100 and I didn't realise that the tour would book up so quickly so thanks for the heads up. We are thinking about going either the tuesday or Thursday of our trip.

Thanks again for all your assistance.