Crowds between Christmas and New Years

[KelleyK75]

Anyone been to Sea World/Discovery Cove between Christmas and New Years? Are the crowds as crazy as Disney this time of year? Anyone done New Years Eve there? My birthday is Dec 30 and I have always wanted to be in either Disney or Sea World. I know this is the crazy busy season though.

 

[angelmom27]

We rang in 2013 at SW. It was fun. We went for the weekend. Spent the 30th and 31st there. It is crowded but not unbaerable. On news yr eve the morning and afternoon were dead. It started to pick up in the evening. But SW is always do able with crowds since you have large groups attending shows. The only difference to the slow time is you have to get to the shows earlier. We only did the holiday shows since we have AP and could see the regular shows anytime. It was a really fun time. Music fireworks and fun.

 

[KelleyK75]

Great, thank you! I really love Sea World, so I was thinking if I could spend time there and maybe a day or two at Disney, that would be a great birthday week. I am glad to hear the crowds weren't too bad.

 

[greenclan67]

Great, thank you! I really love Sea World, so I was thinking if I could spend time there and maybe a day or two at Disney, that would be a great birthday week. I am glad to hear the crowds weren't too bad.

We are also AP holders but from Northern Ontario. We visited DC on Xmas day, and did SW on NY eve. We didn't even go to SW until 8 pm. We went out for a nice dinner with our teen girls, then headed over there. It was wonderful. My girls loved it. First real "Ringing in the New Year" for them. They are usually at home with us. We were still able to get platinum parking, and the girls road Manta back to back 10 mins apart. It was weird. I think the crowds just flowed better.
We saw on the news that morning, that Magic Kingdom, had line ups at 8 am that morning for bag check that was 5 to 6 hours long. WOW! We loved SW new years eve party, it was a blast.

 

[KelleyK75]

We are also AP holders but from Northern Ontario. We visited DC on Xmas day, and did SW on NY eve. We didn't even go to SW until 8 pm. We went out for a nice dinner with our teen girls, then headed over there. It was wonderful. My girls loved it. First real "Ringing in the New Year" for them. They are usually at home with us. We were still able to get platinum parking, and the girls road Manta back to back 10 mins apart. It was weird. I think the crowds just flowed better.
We saw on the news that morning, that Magic Kingdom, had line ups at 8 am that morning for bag check that was 5 to 6 hours long. WOW! We loved SW new years eve party, it was a blast.

Thanks, good to know! I always hear that Disney is insane this time of year, and I wondered how Sea World/Discovery Cove would be. Sounds like these are the parks to hit, then hit Disney after New Years.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We visited on December 25th and 28th, 2012 during our Christmas week visit. Christmas Day was amazing and very manageable. We arrived before park opening and the park was virtually empty all morning. Things picked up a bit in the afternoon but it was really not bad at all.

December 28th we arrived early afternoon and it was so crowded the parking lots were full, and they had guests parking in the field next to the Renaissance. Tons of bodies, long lines, packed shows. We stayed away from the rides completely and did Dine with Shamu, the Christmas Marketplace, etc. A totally different experience from Christmas Day!

If rides are a priority, definitely consider getting Quick Queue for your visit.....its well worth the money IMHO (or stay at one of the 7 onsite hotels, and your QQ passes will be free ).

 

[KelleyK75]

We visited on December 25th and 28th, 2012 during our Christmas week visit. Christmas Day was amazing and very manageable. We arrived before park opening and the park was virtually empty all morning. Things picked up a bit in the afternoon but it was really not bad at all.

December 28th we arrived early afternoon and it was so crowded the parking lots were full, and they had guests parking in the field next to the Renaissance. Tons of bodies, long lines, packed shows. We stayed away from the rides completely and did Dine with Shamu, the Christmas Marketplace, etc. A totally different experience from Christmas Day!

If rides are a priority, definitely consider getting Quick Queue for your visit.....its well worth the money IMHO (or stay at one of the 7 onsite hotels, and your QQ passes will be free ).

Thank you! The rides aren't a priority for us there, but we do love the shows. Something that I'll keep in mind.

 

[kathy884]

We've over the years done about seven Christmas weeks in Orlando (must be a little crazy). Anyway, like everything that time, it's crowded. But given that SeaWorld is more exhibit show based, it seems much for manageable than the Disney parks. For shows though, if you want to get in, be there a 1/2 before the show. If you are picky about where you sit, 40 to 45 minutes before the show is probably a good idea. We don't really mind this, as we sit and visit, look at our maps, plan what we'll do next, have snacks while we are waiting.

It's festive there at Christmas too. Actually when in Orlando over Christmas, we usually do Christmas Day here as we think this is definitely the best park in Orlando for a multigenerational family group to enjoy together. It's definitely considerably less insane than doing Christmas Day at the MK. // Haven't tried NYE here.

 

[KelleyK75]

We've over the years done about seven Christmas weeks in Orlando (must be a little crazy). Anyway, like everything that time, it's crowded. But given that SeaWorld is more exhibit show based, it seems much for manageable than the Disney parks. For shows though, if you want to get in, be there a 1/2 before the show. If you are picky about where you sit, 40 to 45 minutes before the show is probably a good idea. We don't really mind this, as we sit and visit, look at our maps, plan what we'll do next, have snacks while we are waiting.

It's festive there at Christmas too. Actually when in Orlando over Christmas, we usually do Christmas Day here as we think this is definitely the best park in Orlando for a multigenerational family group to enjoy together. It's definitely considerably less insane than doing Christmas Day at the MK. // Haven't tried NYE here.

Great, thank you for the info!