camping and going to Seaworld

[tiggerdad]

Seeking some input from you campers regarding staying at the Fort and going to Seaworld. I have extended my stay in November and we were looking to add in something new. We are considering taking a day to go over to Seaworld.

Anybody tried this? What was good or bad?

Thanks guys,
Michael

 

[sirenia88]

Hi!

We did this the last time we were down at the Fort. My wife and I planned in a Seaworld. My DD had a great time looking at all the sea creatures. The GPs had a nice time looking at everything since they hadn't been to Seaworld in 30 years. We might do it again if time permits again. However, the last time we went in 2012, the park had major renovations and construction going on. I think most of this has been completed. It kind of had a run down feel to it. Hopefully, wen we go this time, it will be a better experience.

 

[PEC]

I'm going next week to Seaworld. I will let you know what it is like.

 

[Nan P]

We stay at the Fort about 3 times per year. We try to plan a day out of our WDW visit every spring and fall, since there's lots to see within just a 20 - 30 minute ride from Disney property. Mears transportation has shuttles at reasonable prices (don't remember $ at this time), and they pick up at the outpost with just a phone call the night before. We prefer our own car and just pay the $15 for parking. We've been to Discovery Cove (twice), Universal (both parks), Alligator Farm, Outlet shopping, Old Town at night, museums, and Seaworld at different times. Since you have two young daughters, I think Seaworld is a perfect "day away". Shows have changed due to interaction with the Whales, but believe me Seaworld shows are still spectacular. The Penguin exhibit is relatively new, and is wonderful. It's really cold in that section and you can see Penguins up close and then go in another area and watch them swim ... it's a huge underwater viewing room. Nice photo ops in both sections and can get the kids in the shots with Penguins. There's also a really nice Aquarium and some rides, and baby Dolphin swim areas called the nursery. Lots to see in this park and good for a full day. Had lunch at a quick serve and ice cream later. Was a nice day... a different day from WDW parks. My adult "kids" went last year and came back beaming about their Seaworld adventure. I think your family may enjoy it too.

 

[tiggerdad]

I'm going next week to Seaworld. I will let you know what it is like.

Thank you for that.

Nan P, appreciate that. We are just looking to input something non-Disney to keep some new adventure for our trips. When my youngest is older we will add Universal to our list as well.

 

[Mfisc]

We did a Seaworld day during our 7 day trip this past June. What type of Info are you looking for?

We where a group of 10 ranging from 3yrs old to 80 yrs... There was stuff for everybody, I nice children's area for the youngest and many shows for the oldest.

General thoughts... Go on a Monday or Tuesday if you are able to... Most people save Seaworld or other off site area's for later in the week after they have done the main Disney and or Uni parks.

We where able to get $60 tickets on their website.. There is always a Promo..
Try and hit that new Penguin Ride early it does start to get a Long line...

All in all it was a nice slower day..

 

[tiggerdad]

Mfisc, thanks for the pointers. We were thinking of going on that Monday anyway so hopefully you are right. We got tickets for $65 so not far off from yours.

Mainly what I am looking for is hints like yours. Better day to go, using your own transportation, food, shows, how difficult is it to get there. Those kinds of things.

Also are there things you recommend or things to avoid and why? Only going to have the one day, so trying to get the most out of it.

 

[Mfisc]

My group was not much into the trill rides.. So not alot of input there.. (I love journey into Atlantis or whatever its called) But for those rides Single rider is usually the best.. Journey had almost a two hour wait after the storms but Single rider I was done in 10 mins.

We drove our cars over... about a half hour trip I think.. We did buy some of the all you can drink cups and did find them useful.. There where a decent amount of fill stations throughout the park...

There are alot of shows and it is hard to see them all I would pick the ones that you want to see most and map/time them out to avoid being all over the park.

Keep an eye on weather Lightning really messes with shows and many rides there.

Stingray Petting was fun you can feed them for a Fee... The dolphin feeding area is only good if you plan on Paying to feed them non payers are off to one side and since they don't have any food for the Dolphins the Dolphins don't bother with them. (hence a waste of time and upset kids)

My kids had a great time in the kiddie section, there are about 6 rides and a few play area's including a huge net climbing thing (kids where 3,4 and 5) we found the seating under the huge net play area a nice out of sun spot to eat lunch while they played there are 2 CS a few mins walk away.

If I think of any other random thoughts I will add, or if you have any specific questions... We got there a bit after RD and even with a storm messing with us for about an hour we where still back at the fort by 8pm..

 

[Mfisc]

The only show I saw was Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island.. It is a Pirate comedy I guess. I am not a big show person and either are the kids so I hung out with them when my Family went to see other shows... I would rec. viewing parts of the shows online to help decide what would be the most interesting..

We only ate CS lunch at one of the Burger places...Cs is just like most other amusement park QS... It served its purpose.

 

[bama_ed]

The only show I saw was Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island.. It is a Pirate comedy I guess. I am not a big show person and either are the kids so I hung out with them when my Family went to see other shows... I would rec. viewing parts of the shows online to help decide what would be the most interesting.

Clyde and Seamore have owned me since I was a kid. Let me see that about 5 times in a day and then let me walk through the penguin indoor exhibit and I'm happy at SeaWorld.

Bama Ed

PS - you can tell i am easily amused.

 

[Mfisc]

Clyde and Seamore have owned me since I was a kid. Let me see that about 5 times in a day and then let me walk through the penguin indoor exhibit and I'm happy at SeaWorld.

Bama Ed

PS - you can tell i am easily amused.

Haha hence why I would watch some of them online first... Not that it was bad just not fun with the Kids not enjoying it followed by a 30min Tantrum that I think the whole park heard

But 5 times Ed?? I think you need an intervention

 

[CampingDad]

We go every year in March when we are down at the fort. My whole family loves the day away from Disney.

We also go early in the week. But my best advice is to get to the parking lot 60 min before it opens. Do the ticket thing and wait for the rope drop in the park next to the flamingos. Head right to the new penguin exhibit. It has the longest lines later in the day. When we were there I saw 90 min wait when we walked out.

While you have a few min waiting for the park to open plan out the shows during the day. It's best to hit the first dolphin feeding. Then you can head right into the dolphin show if there is a show at that time.

The new turtle treak theater by the dolphins has turtle movie in 3D. Let me tell you probably the coolest movie I have ever seen. It's 3D but the screen is a 360 degrees around and above your head. Like its a huge salad bowl screen above you. I swear the turtles look like there swimming through the people standing next to you. A must see.

Unfortunately the Clyde and Seamore show might not be there in November when you go. Just got an email saying it's ending. It's a shame because it too is one of my favorite. I can remember that from when I was young. Don't know what they will put in place of it. I'm sure it will be good.

The stingray petting is very cool although it is not free as earlier mentioned. I think it's like $10 for a couple trays of fish. You hold between your fingers and the swim over your hands a grab them. Pretty cool. Near that is the sea lion viewing and feeding. Again not free. I think it's the same price. But also very cool. When your all done in that area head to the shark encounter. You walk through a tube in the shark tank.

If you can make the times work try to see the daytime shamu show and the last show of the day at night. Usually they are different shows and most of the reason we go to sea world. When your at that end of the park by shamu do the wild arctic exhibit. Cool ride and it's neat to see the polar bears and whales.

Near the shamu theater is the old Anheiser Busch building. There is a pizza Buffett in there which is all you can eat and not terrible in price. Otherwise there is a place for BBQ. A Burger place. Lots of different places to eat. Just like Disney don't eat lunch at noon and don't eat dinner at 5:00. Avoid the lines and eat early or later. In the morning one of the restaurants has breakfast which is really good but takes away from beating the lines early.

There is no reason you can't see the whole park in one day including the 2 shamu shows. It's not a huge park and there is lots of show times for every show. We see everything in one day and we are there at spring break. Just takes some planning.

 

[tiggerdad]

Thanks Campingdad, definitely what I needed to hear.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Ha anyone taken a cab there? If so how much? Is the other bus mentioned take forever stopping everywhere?
Thanks

 

[princesspiglet]

We go to SW every trip. Usually go during mid-week when the park is slow (wed/Thurs). We have a wonderful time there; love the shows, the exhibits, the food. If you go at Christmastime the shows they put on are amazing and blow MVMCP out of the water! My DD LOVES Manta and Kraken, and I love all the animal exhibits. We go from opening to close and leave very happy and satisfied.

 

[2goofycampers]

From the SW site...

Our last Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island show will be on August 10. Stay tuned for more sea lion and otter hijinks in 2015!

We go to SW every other year. We always have a great day. The tickets with meal plan are a pretty good deal.

 

[tiggerdad]

Thanks Denise,

I saw the show cancellation notice, what a bummer...
So you think the food/ticket combo is a good deal? Any specific places of eating in mind or is it all good in general?