Brand new to Sea World--Help!

[jamal]

Hi all, We are Disney veterans and are planning to take one day for Sea World this trip (leaving next week!). We're staying at the Poly so can walk to the TTC and catch a city bus to Sea World, right? I read this on a thread here; thanks.

Then what? This is tough for a planner b/c even though I have been to the SW website, I can't figure out a plan for the day! We love thrill rides so want to do Kraken. What else? Anyone feel like planning out my day for me? Oh, we are willing to go early to arrive before opening.

Thank you!!!!!

 

[U Guys Made Me Ink]

We're also Disney Vets (26 years and counting...) and decided to go to Sea World to celebrate DD's B-Day this month. Not having been to SW in many many years, I found lots of helpful info by searching the DIS posts. As we just returned home yesterday, I can offer some advice, although I don't claim to be an expert by any stretch!

First, get the showtimes from the SW website for the day(s) you are going. This is what I would use as a "skeleton" for planning the day to ensure that you see everything you want to and avoid walking back and forth through the park. The show schedules vary daily and you should plan to get to each venue 45-30 minutes in advance to get a (good) seat. Shamu shows fill up quickly and many of the mid-day shows filled to capacity before listed showtimes while we were there. The only good thing about this is that SW is kind enough to make an announcement over PA system when this happens. We managed to see every show and none disappointed!

 

[riu girl]

Ijust love the idea of buy a day ticket and then have the opportunity to come back 6? additional days (anytime offer I think its called). This way we won't have to feel rushed at all and can come back a couple extra days for free (besides parking costs).

Does anyone know if the " anytime" offer will still be available in December? I sure hope so.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Ijust love the idea of buy a day ticket and then have the opportunity to come back 6? additional days (anytime offer I think its called). This way we won't have to feel rushed at all and can come back a couple extra days for free (besides parking costs).

Does anyone know if the " anytime" offer will still be available in December? I sure hope so.

I'm quite sure it'll be around in December. BG and SW both are pushing this option to out of state visitors. it's a smaller version of the resident fun card.

 

[Motherfletcher]

We are planners too and SeaWorld was a challenge because I couldn't get much info here on show times and such. We got there for the rope drop and sprinted to Kraken then Journey to Atlantis and when we got off I noticed that the park was relatively empty. We had planned on running to Wild Artic but instead did the dolphin show and found that planning every step wasn't necessary because the lines never formed. The shows hold a bunch of people and the 3 rides I've mentioned were the only lines late in the day. It was kind of refreshing. You can do Kraken a couple of times first thing. My son and daughter went back and rode it again twice in the late afternoon. SW has an annual attendance about 10 million people less than MK.

 

[mx3man123]

I would do krakken first then journey to Atlntis(don't sit in front) then i would do the Sea Lion show then walk through the penguin and shark exhibit, by this time it should be 11am, I would head to the hospitality section and have a roast beef sandwich and your free beer, then i would wander over to Wild Artic then do Blue horizons then go feed the dolphins then go up the tower then go and see Shamu and you'll be out of there by 3:30pm after all that.

 

[RabFlmom]

Sea World is just not a disney Park and you will find even the people visiting the park are friendlier. LOL I guess because you don't have to rush to make sure you get somewhere without standing in line for 40 minutes etc. you can relax and just enjoy without the hassle.
Our plan of attack usually involves going to the dolphin pool in Key West area first cause they are much more likely to come to you then at their first feeding time. From there you can go to the first Blue Hoirizon show and not have to deal with the bigger crowds for this show later in the afternoon. When we were there once when the park was really crowded( think it was over Christmas vacation time) the lines waiting to get in were copmpletely around the stadium. That is unusual though so usually no problem getting seats for any shows. This show is definitely worth a wait, though.
We usually then eat lunch early so we don't have to wait in a line for food. then just do the rides and shows in order that we decide on after getting there.
Plan Wild Arctic for the time that there is a Shamu show going on instead of when Shamu lets out and the line there will be much shorter or nonexistent. .

 

[makinorlando]

Sea World is awesome. DD9 and I visit frequently (two evenings this past week). I agree with the poster who said get the show times, and plan around them. All of them are great, but fitting them all into one day has always been a challenge when we take guests, due to the schedules, and the locations in the park!

If you have the time - and the extra $$$ ($3/person), riding the Sky Tower is a nice time. It revolves and goes 300 ft up in the air, and you get a great aerial view of the park.

DD and I like to spend time in the Dolphin Nursery (to the right when you enter, right before the Marketplace) - you can view moms and babies.

You can feed dolphins in Key West ($4 for 4 fish - the open the stand frequently, and sell until the fish is gone, and then open again later). In this same area are the "Ray"s - you can feed these as well, or just reach in and feel them as they swim around. Watch out - believe it or not they splash! Our favorite animals to feed are the Sea Lions (near the Penguin Encounter) and the Clyde and Seamore Stadium. They are a hoot to watch when they know you have fish. The bark and make all kinds of noise. Sometimes you will see babies with the mom's.

DD also likes to spend time playing in Happy Harbour. This is near the Shamu Stadium and Wild Artic. Right now it is under construction, but there is a great big "jungle gym" - can't think of the word - for climbing and playing - nets, tunnels, slides, etc.

Another good tip was given when they said go to Wild Artic during Shamu, or at an off time when it has not just let out. It gets busy then. This attraction is a Star Tours/Body Wars type ride. They also have a "theater" where you sit on benches to watch the movie for those who can't handle the other show. I for one do not feel well after those rides, but last week when we went I let DD go in and I waited on the other side. After the show you walk through the "base station" and might see beluga whales, harbor seals, walrus, and polar bears. If it's a hot day, it's a great break from the heat!

Shark Encounter is very cool to walk through as well. The aquariums are all around you - you walk "through" them - almost like you are in a tube. When this is not busy it is great, as you can take your time. They have the "moving walkway" through part of it, and when it is crowded, you kind of have to go with the flow! The restaurant is nice too - you can see the fish while you dine.

Take a stroll through the Clydesdale barn. You can get your picture taken with the Clysdale (you can take your own - they take one too, but no obligation to buy). They have the Anhauser Busch Hospitality Center too - if the grown ups want to have a cold one!

As you can see, we like to "stop and smell the roses", and do not like to hurry around the park.

DD is not yet tall enough for Kraken, so we do not have to fit time in for that.. (she has 2" to go, and is counting the centimeters!)

I don't think I have left anything out.... if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me!

 

[DTop]

There are a few little things that are often missed by visitors. One is the alligators next to the Manatee Last Generation exhibit. Another is the aquarium alongside the Journey to Atlantis ride. It's an aquarium that you literally walk on and there are tanks on the walls as well as above your head. The kids will like the pet show at the Pets Ahoy theater. I liked it too (a good place for a/c on a hot day). I will never figure out how they train cats to perform on their own (or to do anything other than what they want) lol.
The three shows I wouldn't miss are Shamu's Adventure, Blue Horizons, and the Clyde and Seymor Pirate show.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Can you give me the "top 5" things not to be missed for 2 & 5 year olds?
How about the "top 5" for mom and dad?
And next up how about the "if you have time, see this" items.

Thanks!

 

[cmbonneville]

We went last year in March and are returning next week -

My absolute favorite thing there was feeding the dolphins - although the price for the pics is a little high, they are so worth it
I have to greatest pic of my dd and dh with the most natural expressions on their faces - It's priceless

Also, don't miss the shark exhibit - the penguins - & at least 1 Shamu show

Our youngest this trip will be 2 1/2 (last year he and his cousin that went along we both 1 1/2 - they fell asleep in during Shamu, but other than that had a great time!

*BTW - We didn't catch that you can feed sealions! Thats definitely on the agenda for this trip

 

[keriberri]

We just returned from Orlando on Saturday. I certainly would not miss Blue Horizons. From what I understand, they hired a broadway production company to come and produce this show. It includes actors/actresses, dolphins and birds. It is really awesome! It was much better than the Shamu show. (They are doing this same thing with the Shamu show, but it is not quite ready yet.) Also, don't miss Pet Ahoy. Your kids will LOVE this show! Also do the Clyde and Seamore show. Get to each show at least 45 minutes early. I'm not exagerating. It fills so quickly. We did SeaWorld in 2 days and I'm glad because we didn't feel rushed to see it all in one day. Have fun!......... We did!

 

[vickmey]

Top two for my family:
-Feeding dolphins...we did both first and last feedings of the day. I recommend first feeding, they were more playful & interactive.
-Pet Show

 

[PrincessNED]

great info thanks

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

TY for all the good info! We're doing SW for the first time in September and I'm excited, but DH isn't. I think DD3 will love it, though. I've printed out all your tips and will show DH tonight. I wish there was a planning video or a way to get a park map and brochure so I can see it -- I don't know anything about SW that isn't on the Web site.

 

[DTop]

Here's a link to a map:
Seawold Orlando Map

 

[IGetAKickOutOfFlik]

We're going to SW for the first time this coming August, and as a compulsive planner, I'm kind of struggling with it, all help is appreciated:

How is the Mystify show, and how does it stack up versus Disney closing shows? I'm trying to figure out if I should allot an entire day to SW, straight through the evening, or if I should count on being back at WDW for dinner/nighttime, and I guess alot of that depends upon 1) how long does it take to "do" SW, and 2) is it worth sticking around for Mystify?

If we eat there, which is our best option - Shark grill, eat with Shamu, or the luau?

My thinking going in is that SW is probabbly a pretty long day, especially for the kids - we like to get there when the park opens, and if we stay through Mystify without a break, that's certainly a long day, and I'd probabbly want to plan to sleep in the following morning.

Any and all insights are appreciated, thanks.

 

[Silverraindrop84]

I definetly agree that Blue Horizons is the show not to be missed. I also caught the new Shamu show "Believe" which is pretty good. They also have a water show out now called "Fusion" where they did pretty cool tricks on the lake. I would also recommend Clyde and Semore for the kids cause it was pretty funny. Just make sure you take plenty of water and sunscreen cause it's really hot now!

 

[kapica3]

Hi, I'm just tagging along on this thread to get some of the same info which was already asked. Thanks.