Day trip to Seaworld worth it

[ktbugsmom]

I am a die hard WDW fan. I take my family every year and we stay on WDW property and never leave. But... DH asked if next year we could take a day trip to Seaworld next year for a change of pace. I am entertaining the idea and am wondering if it is "worth" it. Our DD8 is really into animals.

We are going next January for 8 nights -we arrive on a Friday and will do 4 days at AKV and then move to BWV for 4 nights. I was thinking if we did it, we could use "moving day" to catch a cab to Seaworld from AKV, then cab back to BWV later that day.

Yes - cab and one day tickets would be expensive - so, is it worth it?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Definitely. When I came to Florida for the first time, we had our niece with us who was the same age as your daughter is now. She had a whale of a time. We fed the sea lions and the stingrays. Unfortunately by the time we found out that we could feed the dolphins, we just had missed the last feed of the day. This did not stop us watching those amazing animals both from the interactive wall and the underwater viewing area. She loved Wild Arctic (both the ride and the animal habitats). The penguins were a big success as were the Clyde and Seamore show, the dolphin show and the Shamu show. Since then they really have spruced up the dolphin show which is now Blue Horizons and apart from dolphins and False Killerwhales features birds, acrobats and bungee jumpers. It is really magical. I always feel really moved whenever I see this and it seems to be a huge hit with kids as well. The show at the Shamu stadium has also changed and is now called Believe. This has won all kinds of awards. If you go, don't miss the dolphin nursery. It is so much fun to observe the dolphin calves. I have been to Orlando and not done Disney, but I cannot imagine ever going to Orlando and not going to Seaworld.

dolphingirl47

 

[OlderMan]

We live in Central Florida and my DD's (9 & 11) actually prefer Seaworld to WDW.

Just what works for us!

 

[biggroofy]

I think so but I will confirm in two weeks

We are planning our FIRST visit to SeaWorld for one day with DD4 in early March. Just don't want our DD4 to think that Orlando = WDW, there should be something else interesting for her

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks gang. I know there are definite positives to going there. However, when we go to WDW, we stay on site and don't drive anyplace for a solid week. I enjoy taking Disney transportation and not worrying about parking etc. We rented a car last trip (January) - just to try it out - and it sat in the parking lot for 8 days. So - this trip, I was definitely NOT going to rent and was going to spend more down time.

Also adding Seaworld without a rental car is seeming expensive (I can add 1 day to a 7 day hopper for about $3 each - but one day at Seaworld will cost $60 each). Hence... this is how Disney gets me to stay on site for a solid week!

It does sound lovely though and it might be a nice change of pace and I am trying to allow my DH to have some say in the vacation planning. I have already booked the room for next January (pathetic planner...), so I just thought maybe if it seems feasible, we could try something new at his suggestion!

Also - biggroofy - my daughter thinks Florida and Orlando=WDW. For the most part anyway!

 

[gardener14]

I say definitely give Sea World a visit...spend two days there even, so you can see it all. Like you, in a way, for years I had considered Walt Disney World the primary reason for visiting Florida, and I had a hard time imagining traveling there to visit other attractions and not visiting WDW. It seemed too strange to know I'd be so close and not spend all my time there. This winter, my family made our first trip to Florida without visiting WDW. We spent seven days between Sea World and Busch Gardens Africa, and we loved it immensely. The entire experience was so much more relaxing than any trip we've ever taken to WDW. Clearly, WDW is worth anyone's time, but I felt like we had an equally enjoyable vacation for different reasons at SW and BGA. In some ways I liked it better without WDW. SW and BGA allowed us to create our own experience by exploring the parks and the exhibits in our own way. WDW parks present everything to you in a passive way. For the most part you are entertained while you sit, stand, watch, or ride, and everyone's experience on any given attraction is basically the same. SW and BGA felt like we could participate and make the time our own and unique....and like I said they were extremely relaxing places to be. (and the food is much better).

 

[fairfax]

I lived in Florida for over 10 years before going to Sea World . . . and now we love it! Our children are 2 and 4 and it is one of their favorite places to go. If you can work out your transportation, I would definitely give it a try.

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks again gang. I appreciate the thoughts. I am certain we would like it... I was just concerned about taking a day, paying for a cab etc. When the convenience and the cost of one day at WDW would be much cheaper and easier.

But, as stated, DH has made the request. DD8 is really into animals right now (hopefully she will be next January too!) - so it sounds like a family decision. And, maybe I can get a great deal on a rental car again ($88 for 8 days last January...wow! Even if we only used it to get from the airport, to a grocery store and then back to the airport - it was not a bad deal)

I will post a report next January!

 

[friendswithdave]

When I talk to my kids about the vacation we took to Orlando in Nov 2005, they remember more about Seaworld than Disney or Universal. They describe how they fed the Sea Lions and loved the Shamu show. My kids were 4 and 2.

When we were talking about our trip to Orlando this October, there was only one park we were certain we were going to attend: Seaworld. After that, we are deciding between Disney and Universal for the rest of our stay, assuming we can't afford both. I think we will also attend BG Africa. I am guessing that during a weekday it will be empty. The thought of attending an uncrowded park REALLY appeals to me.

Just my two cents. And, I loved Seaworld too. I find aquatic animals just amazing!

friendswithdave

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