How much time at SW and dealing with the heat

[pmaurer74]

We are going to SW for the first time but this will be our 4th time to WDW. So I am used to the Florida heat a little. Are most of the attractions at SW in the full sun or are there a lot of covered areas? Are the shows that are covered still very hot? We have young children and will most likely go from 9-2. Is this enough time to do most of the age appropriate exhibits and maybe the dolphin show?

What shows are a must see for 3-6 year old girls? Is SW a "hot" park or is there plenty of relief from the heat? We are going most likely June 11.

TIA!

[livndisney]

Originally Posted by pmaurer74

We are going to SW for the first time but this will be our 4th time to WDW. So I am used to the Florida heat a little. Are most of the attractions at SW in the full sun or are there a lot of covered areas? Are the shows that are covered still very hot? We have young children and will most likely go from 9-2. Is this enough time to do most of the age appropriate exhibits and maybe the dolphin show?

What shows are a must see for 3-6 year old girls? Is SW a "hot" park or is there plenty of relief from the heat? We are going most likely June 11.

TIA!

The shows are covered or air conditioned. I think you might want to plan to be there longer than 9-2. I would head to the dolphin feeding area at opening if you want to feed the dolphins. There is an air conditioned underwater viewing area. Turtle Trek is air conditioned (kinda of intense may be too much for little ones). The dolphin show is in this area and is shaded.

If anyone wants to ride Manta there are air conditioned exhibits for the little ones to see.

Sharks are in an air conditioned building. Sea Lion and Otter show is covered. Pets Ahoy is air conditioned. Sesame Street show(seasonal) is in the same theater.

Shamu stadium is shaded. Large kids area with rides just across from Shamu. Bring bathing suits-lots of water play in this area. Adults may want to ride Wild Artic while the littles play. Or there is also a non motion side. (All Air conditioned!).

There are several feeding options-you can feed dolphins, sharks, rays and sea lions. Most counter service places have air conditioned seating.

[jdragr]

Good advice...we usually spend 2 days at Sea World to get everything in.

[pmaurer74]

So you can survive the heat ok for the afternoon at SW? We usually go back for swimming when it is hot and crowded. Are the crowds as bad as they are at WDW? Seems weird to be going to a a place I know nothing about after spending some much time researching WDW for years.

[KBF]

Originally Posted by pmaurer74

So you can survive the heat ok for the afternoon at SW? We usually go back for swimming when it is hot and crowded. Are the crowds as bad as they are at WDW? Seems weird to be going to a a place I know nothing about after spending some much time researching WDW for years.

Seaworld is the least popular of the major theme parks in the Orlando area. So crowd size won't be anywhere near what you would expect at WDW.

[DOOM1001]

A good amount of the shows and attractions are indoors or at least covered.I'm always amazed when I see Sea World San Diego and basically all the attractions we have here indoors or with a roof are in open air in the sun there due to their incredible weather year round,here indoors as much as possible.

As far as being there from 9-2,I think most people here including myself would consider Sea World at least a full day park,some might even suggest 2 days.They have a lot of shows and they're spread out throughout the day,even if you don't do the rides I would say a minimum of 9-6pm.

[pmaurer74]

Thank you for your replies. I will have to think about that. My kids have never made it past 3pm at a park since they are so young. We also have dinner reservations at Boma that night at 5:15pm. I wanted to go back to the room for a few hours I may have to re-think the schedule. Since we just went to WDW a few months ago and this time we have a car, I thought it might be nice to do something different.

[RabFlmom]

Originally Posted by DOOM1001

A good amount of the shows and attractions are indoors or at least covered.I'm always amazed when I see Sea World San Diego and basically all the attractions we have here indoors or with a roof are in open air in the sun there due to their incredible weather year round,here indoors as much as possible.

As far as being there from 9-2,I think most people here including myself would consider Sea World at least a full day park,some might even suggest 2 days.They have a lot of shows and they're spread out throughout the day,even if you don't do the rides I would say a minimum of 9-6pm.

Also the shows are on a set time and usually the first show is at 10AM or so so will only get to see a few of the shows by 2 and do absolutely nothing else in the park almost. I would plan the whole day. Eat a leisurely lunch in Voyagers or the Shark restaurant in the middle of the afternoon to get out of the sun for a while.
Stadiums can still be hot so we usually bring misters to use. Drink plenty of water-not beer and sodas to stay hydrated.
Do Pets Ahoy, Shark Encounter and the Cirque( can't think of its name at the moment-something Allure? ) in the afternoon since they are inside air conditioned buildings in the same general area of the park. We used to always plan the penguins in the afternoon too but since they are down, check out the stores in the waterfront-can walk from store to store without going outside.

[Pinkgirl]

There is also a water play area at Shamu's Happy Harbour. Very nice for the little (and not so little) ones. Sea World does seem to have more concrete than other parks (IOA as well) and it does get hot.