A gripe about Seaworld pedestrian access

[Josh Hendy]

I just finished searching google streetview and maps.live.com birds-eye view, and I also searched this forum and found several discussions about pedestrian access to Seaworld from the Fairfield and Springhill hotels on I-Drive.

You can cross I-Drive with the lights at the corner of Central FL Parkway, and walk along a sidewalk on the south side of C. FL Pkwy. But when you're opposite the SW car entrance and only 1000 feet or so from the SW gates, you're stuck. There is no crosswalk, no sidewalk along the road entrance to SW, and there are several landscaping barriers that make it difficult to walk across the grass towards the entrance, even if you felt brave enough to dash through traffic to get there.

Just in case people from Seaworld (not to mention Fairfield and Springhill) take a look at these forums from time to time, I say, c'mon guys & gals! You didn't need proper pedestrian access when there were no hotels within a mile of your park, but times are a' changin' ! Plenty of people want to book at those hotels and come to Seaworld, and plenty of them look at the map and decide that walking makes sense. Please get after the municipality to add a sidewalk along the north side of C. FL Parkway, or else put in a light at the Seaworld entrance, and then get after Seaworld honchos to pave a little sidewalk up to the gates. More access options equals more business!

 

[RabFlmom]

I would never try walking from the International Drive/Central Florida Parkway intersection to the gates of SW that way. Once you get to the entrance sign on Central Florida Parkway . It would be quite a walk on the road that gets you to the pay to park booths and there is no sidewalk within that area either. Then it is quite a walk across the parking lots to get to the "people" gates of the park which are not located near the closest parking lots to Central Florida Parkway. Basically you have to walk the perimeter of the park to get to the gate to get in almost. Don't they offer a shuttle to get you to the gate?

Not sure but it might be less walking to walk up International Drive, past Aquatica, to Sea Harbor Drive, and get to the gates that way if you really plan on walking. After a day in the park, I could never walk that distance to get back to the hotel.

If you do decide to walk it be sure to carry water because in the sun you need it to walk that far here in Florida.

 

[tfoster]

We're planning a trip to Orlando in December and for our SW days we were originally booked at Springhill. When I first spoke to someone from the hotel, he said of course we could easily walk to SW from there. Then I started reading more here and called again, talking to someone who said we shouldn't walk from the hotel especially with our young children.

We ended up changing our reservations and are now booked at the Renaissance right across the street. I'm fine staying at the Renaissance, but it is too bad that with Springhill and Fairfield being so close, there hasn't been more thought put into making it safe for people to walk back and forth to SW. I had been looking forward to staying there, but it's more important to me that we can walk back and forth safely.

 

[RabFlmom]

On another thread about walking to the park they mentioned another option that sounds like it would work to get there. Walk to Aquatica from the hotel and take the SW tram. Not sure if that is an option after Aquatica closes for the night though.

Another mentioned the I-trolly which might be an option but I have never noticed a trolly when we leave at closing so you would need to check on times for that.

 

[Kisstherain]

I booked reservation to Sprinhill suites for August, I was concerned about the same thing, so i wrote an e mail to the hotel and this is what they answered me:

The hotel does provide complimentary shuttle services to Sea World. Shuttle times can be arranged with the concierge, and are as follows:

Leaving the hotel: 8:30 AM, 9:10 AM and 10;35 AM
Pick-up at Sea World: 4:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 9:15 PM. Note that pick-up times are subject to change later in the summer.

Hope it Helps!!!

 

[CleoPahd]

My husband is an engineer and was sent to Aquatica for the big Grand Opening in 2008(?) for work. My daughter and I decided to tag along for that work trip and so we added a few extra days to make it part work part play for my husband. Well, the work part of the grand opening ended up taking significantly longer than expected. The lovely people from Aquatica gave free passes to me and my daughter for Seaworld. It was right across the street, no problem...we can walk it. My goodness....was I wrong! My poor daughter was mortified. What seemed like a short walk ended up being so much longer and there are NO sidewalks as the original poster mentioned. We looked like crazy people walking up the side of the road and into the park entrance. When we finally got to the gates the attendants looked at us like we were nuts. By the time we actually made it into the park past the turnstiles my daughter had blisters all over her feet...and we're walkers! It was all the dew covered wet grass along the road getting the sneakers soaked. I agree....they need to be more pedestrian friendly and I'm so glad to read there are others who have considered it. I felt like such a loser for putting my poor kid through that.

 

[Tony]

Can anyone tell me about access from the Hilton Vacation Club property? Is this walkable/do they offer a shuttle or is it down to using the car?

 

[DOOM1001]

Can anyone tell me about access from the Hilton Vacation Club property? Is this walkable/do they offer a shuttle or is it down to using the car?

I don't know if they offer shuttles from the Hilton Vacation club as I've never stayed there,but it looks to be walkable to the park.I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn which is right next to the Renaissance and I walked to the park,these two hotels and the HVC are probably pretty close in terms of distance to the parks entrance,the HVC is just on the other side of the Central Florida Parkway and basically just outside the extreme end of the Sea World parking lot.

 

[Lewisc]

The map programs have the Fairfield and Springhill properties located about .3 closer to Aquatica then they actually are. Marriott has the property located in a different parcel then the actual parcel the hotels are built on. The complex is at the intersection of I-Drive and C Fl Pkwy. The walk to Aquatic is actually about .75 miles. It's not just the distance along I-Drive but also the walk back to the entrance.
There is no sidewalk on I-Drive. It's certainly walkable but I wouldn't suggest it if you have a stroller or young kids. It may be nice weather when you go but you may be in the middle of an afternoon thunderstorm when you want to go back to your hotel.

SpringHill Suites suggests the I-Trolley. I walked and took the trolley. I realized paying to park was the easiest solution. Leave when you want. No waiting for a bus. Pay once per day. You can go Aquatic in the morning and SW later in the day. Show your parking receipt and you don't have to pay a second time.

BTW the complimentary bus service is with a van. (mini-bus?) You make a reservation. Once the van is full you're out of luck you'll have to make a reservation at a different time or find your own way. Unlike Disney extra buses aren't run if needed.

 

[Jason71]

Can anyone tell me about access from the Hilton Vacation Club property? Is this walkable/do they offer a shuttle or is it down to using the car?

Distance-wise, arguably walkable. But same lack of sidewalks others have mentioned. Having lived in that area, you don't want to walk along the shoulder of I-Drive or Central Florida Parkway, especially after dark. Also, you have a good mile (at least) of driveway and parking lot once you get "on property."

 

[kathy884]

Just as DOOM1001 said, Hilton Grand Vacation Club and the Hilton Garden Inn are good choices as well as the Renaissance already mentioned if you want to walk to Sea World. We've stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn for two different three night stays and walked to and from the park.