Boo. Seaworld in the rain.

[Susan2771]

We leave next week for Florida. Been religiously tracking various weather websites and our day for SeaWorld next week is rain and thunderstorms. Blah. Is a fair amount of SeaWorld still open to experience in the rain? We have to go because we booked a tour so we cannot change the date. Going to buy some rain ponchos this weekend to bring next week. Just wondering though if anyone on the board has experience with SeaWorld in the rain and if the shows still go on? Thanks!

 

[bcbmommy]

We leave next week for Florida. Been religiously tracking various weather websites and our day for SeaWorld next week is rain and thunderstorms. Blah. Is a fair amount of SeaWorld still open to experience in the rain? We have to go because we booked a tour so we cannot change the date. Going to buy some rain ponchos this weekend to bring next week. Just wondering though if anyone on the board has experience with SeaWorld in the rain and if the shows still go on? Thanks!

I don't have any advice, but I'm glad you asked the question. We're supposed to leave for Orlando next week, as well. What I'm most worried about is Aquatica. brrr.

 

[JaxDad]

I have only been when it was threatning, not actually raining. I remember being informed by someone during my planning that the shows still go in the rain. However, if there is thunder or lightning reported within a certain radius of the park (I think 3 miles), they will temporarily stop the shows.

 

[leiaorgana]

Sea World is probably one of the worst parks to be stuck at in the rain, I'm afraid. As previous people have mentioned the shows will continue if it's only rain but if there's lightning in the area then pretty much everything shuts down (shows and outside rides). Your only options would be to do indoor attractions such as Wild Arctic, Turtle Trek, Shark Encounter, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, the Manta Aquarium or the Pets Ahoy! show etc. However, the only trouble with that is everyone else will be doing the same thing so wait times for those attractions go up quite a bit. Another option is to just get a drink somewhere under cover and wait for it to pass over.

 

[kirstenb1]

We love Sea World, but have to agree with leiaorgana. We always go in June, which is summer rainy season. One year, the park closed at 6 pm due to rain throughout the afternoon and forecast for the evening. Most of the shows/rides are open air, so they shut down. OP, Sea World may change the date of your tour---it's worth contacting them to ask how they handle heavy rain days.

 

[RabFlmom]

It rains in Florida. I have never found it a problem-even in the parks. If it is lightning they do have to make sure you and the CMs are safe so outdoor activities do shut down. As soon as the storm(lightning) is past the park a certain number of miles they reopen everything. Besides doing the indoor activities ;ike shark Encounter etc. , you can hit the shops or do what we often do....go inside and enjoy a leisurely meal, snacks, or drinks. If it is just raining very few things shut down, just put on a poncho or not(cause they are hot) and enjoy the walk and animals in the rain. Rain very rarely lasts all day so it really isn't a big deal.

BTW if it is 50% chance it will rain you might find the park is in the 50% that it does not.

 

[Susan2771]

Our scheduled date is for March 12. We are going to wait until this Saturday and continue to monitor to see if there is any change in the weather. I have been checking 3 different sites and if we can change our date for next Saturday instead, one site has rain on the Saturday, another site has beautiful sunshine and the third has nothing up yet for Saturday the 14th so that doesn't help. We will wait a few more days and see what Mother Nature decides and maybe she will feel in a sunshiny mood for next Thursday and help us out.
Thanks everyone.

 

[chiamarie]

I agree with RabFlmom. This time of year is not the lightening/thunder season. I have family coming into town Sunday-Sunday; and we also aren't looking forward to the weather forecasts; we have Discovery Cove booked for a day that has constantly been changing as far as chance of rain.

SeaWorld will only close attractions when lightening reaches a close proximity to the park for safety reasons. Shows will only be cancelled about 30 mins after the scheduled time if the lightening hasn't cleared. This time of year; we usually get some rain for some portion of the day; and the storm keeps moving on.

My best advice is know that going in, it will rain; have your rain jackets/ponchos ready; and an attitude knowing it will rain and just enjoy your time as best you can. Thats what we plan to do. A little rain ain't gonna ruin my parade!

 

[2girlsmom]

For what it is worth, Florida forecasts are only really very close to accurate 3-5 days out at best, anything farther than that is a guess, from what I can tell in the past 3 1/2 years living here. 3/12 is now showing 87 and partly cloudy, but only 10% chance of rain, which generally means no rain likely or a short shower, and in fact no significant rain is forecast until Sunday (and 30% then).

 

[Susan2771]

Thanks for posting! You are right, the forecast did a complete 180 and now we are going to have a great day tomorrow weather wise! Thank-you Mother Nature and to the members of the board for giving me hope

 

[919Florida]

Glad to hear it turned around for you. Have a great time