DC and SW - any air conditioning?

[KristenHoneymooner]

Hi all!

My fiance and I are planning an Orlando honeymoon. We both love dolphins, so we'll be doing Seaworld and are contemplating Discovery Cove as well.

Here's my question -- we will be going in the heat of August. From descriptions of Discovery Cove, it doesn't sound like anything is indoors. Are there any relaxing but AIR CONDITIONED places to hang out there? Otherwise, I'm picturing heat stroke and an awful sunburn.

Also, it occurred to me that Sea World is mostly outdoor shows. Are there places there to escape from extreme heat?

Thanks in advance!

 

[gw_lit]

I can't comment on Discovery Cove, but at SeaWorld, both the Wild Arctic exhibit and the Penguin & Puffin exhibit will be COLD all year round!

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I can't comment on Discovery Cove, but at SeaWorld, both the Wild Arctic exhibit and the Penguin & Puffin exhibit will be COLD all year round!

COLD sounds good! I just want to make sure there's a place to hang out if we get dizzy and miserable from the heat (yes, I know Orlando in August = not ideal).

I can't see that anything at all at Discovery Cove is indoors (?)

 

[Delphis]

Both of the show buildings that house Odyssea and Pets Ahoy are also air-conditioned. Shark Encounter and the Sharks restaurant have a/c too.

Most, but not all the bigger eating places have a/c and places to dine inside with the exception of Mango Joe's and the Smokey Creek Grill both are shaded and have ceiling fans( I can't remember if they pump cooler air in, or if it's just fans for the Dine with Shamu seating area.)

Most of the larger giftshops are indoors and have a/c as well.

The restrooms have a/c but can sometimes be warm to to the doors being left open or the constant opening or closing.

You could also get soaked from some of that cold water at Shamu Stadium during Believe to cool off, just sit down in the lower rows, and let the whales do the rest. Another place to get soaked is to the side of the final drop of Journey to Atlantis.

There are misters out by the entrance of Penguin Encounter and also a misting area out under the trees on the pathway in front of the Nautilus Theater where Odyssea is.

Sea World also has a great team of paramedics walking all over the park at all times while it's open, they're pretty well equipped/ expierienced to deal with the heat problems. There also are a couple first aid places in the park too, 1 by the Stingray Lagoon and the other by Shamu's Happy Harbor.

Remember to drink lots of water, and use plenty of sunscreen/block.

 

[SharonLowe]

Discovery Cove - the lobby has a/c as does one of the shops. Also, the restaurant where you get your food has a/c but all the seating is outside. Believe me, you will spend most of your time in the water and even in August, the water for the dolphin swim is cool (comfortable though), so you don't really need a/c. In fact, I bet when you go in to get food, you will wish it wasn't as cold as they keep it in there. There are plenty of places to be in the shade, which is all you really need there. You might not want to lounge on the beach in the sun, but that's about all I can think you wouldn't do in August. It will be a wonderful change of pace from Sea World.

As for Sea World, previous posters have said most of it. It is definitely a hot park, especially at some of the shows, so we always have plenty of cold water bottles with us and try to sit higher up in the shade, unless of course, we want to get wet. Arrive early and pace yourself. The restaurants and shops have a/c and Shamu stadium is okay. But, I remember the Seamore and Dolphins shows as being really hot, even in October when we were last there. I would save the indoor shows for later in the day if you can.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Thanks for all of the comments and advice! It was very helpful! As long as there is shade and cold water at DC, I think we'll do okay.

 

[Magic2000]

One tip that works for my family is we bring a wet face towel to the park. Any time we get unbearably hot, we just wet (or re-wet) the rag and wipe off our face and neck. Sometimes, I just walk around with the wet rag around my neck.

I used to just bring an extra face rag from the hotel (and bring it back that evening), but now I bring one specifically from home just for this! It really helps!!!

We'll be there in July - I KNOW it will be HOT!!!

 

[Little Flower]

We were in SeaWorld last June and - being my first trip to the US i was worried about the heat and it was sweltering.

The best thing i found was to alternate between the shows, indoor exhibits and Journey to Atlantis. That way i was never outside too long in the heat and if i was i was either in the shade or i was drying off.

I definately thought that sitting in the soak zone at Believe and Blue Horizons was great. Once i gave in to the fact that i was going to be drowned in water!!! it was great to cool off. I seemed to be dry in less that half an hour in that heat!!

The misty fans that they sell are a really good idea - they were about $15 which i suppose is quite expensive but, i honestly don't think i could have got through the holiday without it - even after i had aclimatized.