Dhs or seaworld?

[Erica W]

My kids will be 3 1/2 and 18mo and we originally planned to go to DHS as my kids like disney junior characters but my parents will also be with us and suggested maybe we could do seaworld (the kids love marine life and world enjoy this also) my husband and I could ride the thrill rides at dhs but prob only once because of lines and my youngest prob won't sit through a live show. Besides characters what else is there for them to do at Dhs? We only have one free day for this and am torn between the 2...thoughts??

 

[bbjunkie]

Do you already have a day at Epcot planned? Are you staying on or off site?

 

[Erica W]

Do you already have a day at Epcot planned? Are you staying on or off site?

Staying off site with no day at Epcot 2 days at Mk with one day being mnsshp one day at beach (only staying 5 nights) prob do downtown disney the day we leave (prob not enough time for a park) that leaves one open day for either seaworld or DHS

 

[anneboleyn]

Definitely DHS. I feel like there is so much more for kids to do there than at Seaworld. And Seaworld is just sad

 

[cincystamper]

Do you have hoppers? If so, you could do the best of both worlds.....a Disney Jr. breakfast at HS, do a few things there, then hop over to Epcot and explore the marine life at The Seas.

 

[kathy884]

I would vote for SeaWorld. It's such a great place for little ones and the whole family. It's a beautiful park -- the landscaping is exceptional. The animal exhibits and shows are world class. And Shamus Happy Harbor is an incredible play area if you kids want to run around and blow off some steam. // Given that you are just doing two Disney days too, there is no cost advantage of a third Disney day vs. SeaWorld.

DHS is nice, but SeaWorld for me and my family any day. That's where I would take little ones. And if your kids love marine life, I would definitely do it for sure.

 

[andyman8]

At DHS, you could do the Disney Junior Play & Dine at Hollywood & Vine breakfast plus the Disney Junior - Live on Stage show. There's also Toy Story Mania!, which your whole family will love, but beyond that you're in show country. I don't really consider Jedi Training Academy and MuppetVision shows, so you could maybe at that to your list. DHS also has quite a few character greetings. You could meet Sorcerer Mickey, the Cars characters, Mike & Sully, Buzz Lightyear & Woody, Phineas & Ferb, and some other classic Disney characters (i.e. Minnie, Donald, Daisy, etc...) if your children are into that. Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In or 50's Prime Time Cafe is also fantastic and fun for everyone. I also love Fantasmic! (yeah, I'm that one guy), but that might be a bit scary for two young children, but it does have Mickey in it. What I'm going at here is that you can certainly still make a full day out of Disney's Hollywood Studios. That said, if your kids really like marine life, SeaWorld may be more entertaining, but I'd vote DHS.

 

[momof2n2]

I think you are likely to find just about as much to do at either park. But I'd lean toward SW because your parents show an interest in going and it could be nice to follow their lead. It may make the trip special for them.
If you and DH like thrill rides their Manta is most excellent. Elegant, exciting coaster. There is a huge kiddie/ride section for your little ones and even some Elmo tie-ins they may enjoy if they like Sesame Street. We spent two full days there last May. The food is also decidedly better IMO. I had kids 3 (almost 4) and 15 months at the time (as well as my older kids).
There was so much to see there - sharks, dolphins, penguins The penguin experience was unlike anyplace else I have been.

This is a mini-review of SeaWorld:
http://disboards.com/threads/a-bit-of-a-seaworld-review.3288841/#post-51725790

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would do SW especially if your parents want to do it. It's a beautiful park.

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

after seeing "Blackfish", I couldn't go to SeaWorld.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfish_(film)

 

[ArwenMarie]

Disney keeps marine mammals in captivity too as well as many large animals. Just sayin'

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

yep. didn't AK lose a couple of elephants a few years back? I read one was pregnant. really sad.

 

[Paigesmom2013]

Are you going in September? (you have a party listed so I'm assuming.) We went to Sea World the Wednesday after Labor Day and we were soooo hot and sweaty! Only 1 or 2 shows are air conditioned. Most are outside and we just baked waiting for shows to begin. There is very little relief for the heat. They do have a kids splash pad area which my daughter liked.
But besides that, me and the hubby liked it. Our 2.5 year old wasn't very interested.

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

I would vote for SeaWorld with those ages. We've done both and DS really loved SeaWorld. We're adding a SeaWorld day ourselves for our next trip!

 

[tlmadden73]

Are you going during Frozen Summer Fun?
Are you staying on site? (if so .. DHS would just be easier)
How many Disney Park days are you doing? (if so .. adding a day to go to DHS would be relatively inexpensive)


But .. that's a tough age to do to DHS. Especially with an 18mo old who you think may not sit through shows.
I am going in August with a 2,3, and 4 year old and this is what we are doing:

Disney Junior Show
Toy Story
Meet Characters (in various places like Pixar Place)
Go to Disney Junior character meal at Hollywood & Vine
See the "Frozen Summer Fun" stuff (like the parade)
The 4 year old (girl) will go to the Ice Palace Boutique.
See the Frozen Sing-along show
See the Muppets show
Beauty and the Beast show
Eat at Pizza Planet

We MAY go on the Great Movie Ride, but we are worried bout the Alien scene being too scary for the little kids. So .. we may just have adults go.
From there .. it may be rough .. I am going to take my son (3 year old) .. to Indiana Jones and Lights, Motor Action .. but I am not sure if the 2 year old will be interested or if the 4 year old would be either. None of the kids may enjoy the loud explosions. The adults will probably take turns going on Star Tours and maybe Rock n Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror later.

I think there will be plenty for us to do there for a full day.
If the kids can make it that late.. we'll see Fantasmic or Frozen Fireworks (or both)

All that being said .. I would do DHS over SeaWorld .. but I went to SeaWorld once and just wasn't impressed enough to want to go back any time soon.

 

[edolee]

after seeing "Blackfish", I couldn't go to SeaWorld.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfish_(film)

I HIGHLY recommend that anyone that has seen or heard about blackfish watch this DIS podcast/videocast... I was a little surprised at how strongly SeaWorld was defended, and the movie was discredited. Anyway, there is always more than one side to a story.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2015/06/23/dis-unplugged-podcast-062315-disney-world-show/

Ed

 

[minushka72]

I would choose Seaworld. We have been bringing the kids there since they were babies and they have always enjoyed seeing the animals. They love Shamu's Happy Harbor too.

 

[JimmyV]

When my daughter was in the age range of your kids, SW was her second favorite park behind the MK. We went every time we were down there. So I would vote for that. (And it has some pretty good thrill rides for adults too). I have studied both sides of the Blackfish debate, and I come out against keeping Killer Whales in captivity. But that fact alone would not steer me away from exposing my child to the other wonderful exhibits and educational opportunities at SW. I doubt I could stomach sitting through another exploitive Shamu Show. We have seen Killer Whales in the wild in British Columbia and Alaska, and I am willing to rest on those memories. But I could certainly use the rest of the park as an educational and entertainment vehicle. Its "plusses" outweigh its "minuses" when it comes to pleasing a 3 year old.

 

[kj2mom]

We went to both a few weeks ago and my children (although older) both say Sea World was their favorite day of the week (even including the 2 MK days). Yes, it was hot and we did have one point in the morning where we were uncomfortable but we quickly found a place to dart in and cool off.

 

[epcotty]

I haven't been to sw for a long time but would say do seaworld for your parents, HS has so many things closed now anyway