Crowds at SW week before Christmas week

[AlliF75]

I know the week of Christmas is busy but what about the week before? We'll be back at SW 12/15-17 and I'd just like to get a sense of the insanity before hand. I've checked last year's hours and showtimes so I'm hopeful the park will be open until 9:00 pm rather than the 6:00 pm currently posted.

 

[KBF]

I know the week of Christmas is busy but what about the week before? We'll be back at SW 12/15-17 and I'd just like to get a sense of the insanity before hand. I've checked last year's hours and showtimes so I'm hopeful the park will be open until 9:00 pm rather than the 6:00 pm currently posted.

It will be busier but not packed. It should be enjoyable. Sunday, December 15th the park should be open until 9:00 for the Christmas celebrations, so you'll have one day of the park being open late.

 

[My3littlePrincesses]

We plan on going to Sea World for our first visit 12/21 and 12/22 (Sat & Sun). What can we expect crowdwise?

 

[KBF]

We plan on going to Sea World for our first visit 12/21 and 12/22 (Sat & Sun). What can we expect crowdwise?

Pretty slow during the day and then it picks up at night when the Christmas events start. The one thing is you must get to the Christmas shows ATLEAST 45 minutes early to get the best seat. And if you want to see the "O' Wondrous Night" show, you need to get there honestly over an hour early. That theater for that show fills up fast. Sometimes the show is full 30-40 minutes until show time.

 

[My3littlePrincesses]

Pretty slow during the day and then it picks up at night when the Christmas events start. The one thing is you must get to the Christmas shows ATLEAST 45 minutes early to get the best seat. And if you want to see the "O' Wondrous Night" show, you need to get there honestly over an hour early. That theater for that show fills up fast. Sometimes the show is full 30-40 minutes until show time.

Thank you! I have been trying to put together a plan for our 2 days there, but had no idea where to start since we have no idea about crowds and wait times, etc. From what I have been reading we knew we wanted to start day 1 with the dolphin feeding and that was as far as I got. This will really help knowing how many shows we can actually fit in per day.

 

[nighttowll]

Pretty slow during the day and then it picks up at night when the Christmas events start. The one thing is you must get to the Christmas shows ATLEAST 45 minutes early to get the best seat. And if you want to see the "O' Wondrous Night" show, you need to get there honestly over an hour early. That theater for that show fills up fast. Sometimes the show is full 30-40 minutes until show time.

I've been wondering about the shows too. They sell seats at $30 and up a seat. Are those only in a certain section? Could all the seats sell out in advance? Do you need to buy a seat at the busier Christmas times or can you just arrive early?

I really wish there was better info out there about Sea World.

We are going to be there on Friday the 13th and possibly Saturday the 14th, and I'm just not sure how crowded it will be or if we need 1 day or 2. (the $50 Friday ticket is looking really good) Touring-plans is forecasting 3 of 10 for Disney, so not sure if Sea World will be about the same or what. 3 of 10 doesn't sound too bad at all, but I haven't been to Sea World in years, so I'm just not sure what to expect crowd and time wise. We aren't big roller coaster people, I'm more interested in the shows and Christmas stuff.

 

[aubriee]

I've been wondering about the shows too. They sell seats at $30 and up a seat. Are those only in a certain section? Could all the seats sell out in advance? Do you need to buy a seat at the busier Christmas times or can you just arrive early?

I really wish there was better info out there about Sea World.

We are going to be there on Friday the 13th and possibly Saturday the 14th, and I'm just not sure how crowded it will be or if we need 1 day or 2. (the $50 Friday ticket is looking really good) Touring-plans is forecasting 3 of 10 for Disney, so not sure if Sea World will be about the same or what. 3 of 10 doesn't sound too bad at all, but I haven't been to Sea World in years, so I'm just not sure what to expect crowd and time wise. We aren't big roller coaster people, I'm more interested in the shows and Christmas stuff.

We'll be there Dec 6th-16th on a Friday. I'm wondering the same thing. We'll have one person with an ECV. No way would she be able to do stairs. How early would we need to arrive to make sure ECV seating was available? Is the ECV seating in a good viewing area or way off to the side? She wouldn't be able to do any of the rides, so will be there only for the shows.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are going to be there on Friday the 13th and possibly Saturday the 14th, and I'm just not sure how crowded it will be or if we need 1 day or 2. (the $50 Friday ticket is looking really good) Touring-plans is forecasting 3 of 10 for Disney, so not sure if Sea World will be about the same or what. 3 of 10 doesn't sound too bad at all, but I haven't been to Sea World in years, so I'm just not sure what to expect crowd and time wise. We aren't big roller coaster people, I'm more interested in the shows and Christmas stuff.

Generally speaking, if its busy at Disney it will be busy at SW (and Universal). If its slower at Disney, likewise for SW and Uni. That said.....SW absorbs the crowds better, as their shows can accommodate large amounts of guests at one time.

During the holiday season, I would plan to get to each show 45 minutes ahead of time unless you have reserved seating. Less than that, and you run the risk of not have much of a choice (if any) as to where you sit. When the shows hit capacity, they will rope off the entrance and no additional spectators will be allowed in.