Dhs or seaworld?

[GaryDis]

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.

I applaud you ability to balance some strong, competing pressures. Good job explaining yourself.

 

[TravelandLeisure]

I vote for Sea World. IMO there isn't much at all at DHS to keep kids that age entertained. The only things they would be able to do would be Toy Story Mania and Great Movie Ride, as well as the shows (which as you mentioned will be hard for the youngest to sit through). I think they would probably enjoy Sea World a lot more, and there would be more to keep them entertained. Make sure to check out Shamu's Happy Harbor.

 

[Fizban]

Besides the "other discussion" I will suggest SeaWorld over HS. There is more to do there and its mostly still open. I know, I know, now come the "shun the nonbeliever comments".

 

[BigHeroKen]

I would do Sea World over Hollywood Studios. I don't think Hollywood studios has as much to offer for the price as Sea World does, for kids. Especially if your kids are into marine animals. If you had the time you could probably get a combo ticket with Aquatica for about the same price as just a Sea World ticket.

That said, my three year old loved the Disney Junior show and characters, the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground, the Toy Story ride, and Wandering Oakens, but that was only about 3-4 hours of park time. Hollywood Studios has always been a half day park for my family.

 

[Planogirl]

Definitely SeaWorld. DHS is a pretty pathetic place nowadays.

 

[DisMama5]

We are totally Disney people but I'd vote Seaworld also, with how hs is right now. We always make a day for Seaworld every trip so much for the kiddos there! It was a favorite from the start for our family.

 

[DOOM1001]

No brainer,Sea World is a great park with enough things to do for a full day or more,DHS has a couple great rides but the park has issues currently,just not enough to do there.Go to Sea World!!!

 

[anneboleyn]

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

Disney does have large mammals as well as some marine mammals, but their enclosures resemble their natural habitat a lot moreso than Seaworld's does. I also don't think Disney has dolphins or killerwhales. I just personally could never contribute to a place like Seaworld. The tanks they keep their dolphins and killer whales in are just cruel. Imagine if we were separated from our children and kept in a room the size of our bathrooms for the rest of our lives. It just isn't right.

I truly wish Seaworld would focus more on their penguins and other animals that can thrive in man-made enclosures. Dolphins and killer whales are not the type of creatures that can, IMO.

 

[Kathryn777]

My kids loved sea world. I do not believe Blackfish told the whole story. The rescue work they do is excellent. It isn't like they could release the whales they have, they wouldn't survive.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Go to Seaworld. Don't fall for the Blackfish propaganda.

 

[Planogirl]

Disney does have large mammals as well as some marine mammals, but their enclosures resemble their natural habitat a lot moreso than Seaworld's does. I also don't think Disney has dolphins or killerwhales. I just personally could never contribute to a place like Seaworld. The tanks they keep their dolphins and killer whales in are just cruel. Imagine if we were separated from our children and kept in a room the size of our bathrooms for the rest of our lives. It just isn't right.

I truly wish Seaworld would focus more on their penguins and other animals that can thrive in man-made enclosures. Dolphins and killer whales are not the type of creatures that can, IMO.

Disney has dolphins in the Living Seas and their enclosure is pretty small.

 

[itchin2go]

Disney has dolphins in the Living Seas and their enclosure is pretty small.

Yes, and there's controversy surrounding them also.

http://www.freethedisneydolphins.org/

 

[anneboleyn]

Disney has dolphins in the Living Seas and their enclosure is pretty small.

I was not aware of that. This stuff really bums me out. I like animals more than I like people so when I hear that they are not being treated as humanely as they could be, I get rowdy. I apologize if I came across as uppity when it comes to my dislike of Seaworld. I meant no offense to anyone going. My problem is with the owners and operators of Seaworld, not those who visit.

 

[itchin2go]

My kids loved sea world. I do not believe Blackfish told the whole story. The rescue work they do is excellent. It isn't like they could release the whales they have, they wouldn't survive.

This may be true, but they keep breeding them in captivity.

 

[itchin2go]

I was not aware of that. This stuff really bums me out. I like animals more than I like people so when I hear that they are not being treated as humanely as they could be, I get rowdy.

I get it.

 

[anneboleyn]

My kids loved sea world. I do not believe Blackfish told the whole story. The rescue work they do is excellent. It isn't like they could release the whales they have, they wouldn't survive.

Well technically, their "rescue work" is what has doomed the whales. They separated them from their pods/families and they are unable to survive on their own. So they are forced in to this life as a result of Seaworld, and in some cases, two different species of orcas have been bred to make a species that isn't even possible in the wild...so there is no way that they can survive in the wild because its basically a man-made species.

 

[sersee05]

Honestly I don't think the OP was looking to get into the black fish debate.

Imo...sw would be more fun for your kids. We went during November when they had the xmas shows going. My kids came out saying it was the best park they have ever been too. Xmas at sw is pretty awesome.

My kids went on manta a gazillion times.

I can't remember when you said you were going but a pp had a good point about the heat. The shows are outside ..no ac. So that might be the only negative.

 

[ScottlovesDisney]

Why would anyone with a conscience think about going to SeaWorld? I'm not going to get into a long tirade here, but just think about this: they captured large mammals and torture them into performing stupid tricks for human beings while they are contained in a bathtub. Please don't go there and pay for the abuse of mammals that have no voice.

 

[edolee]

Why would anyone with a conscience think about going to SeaWorld? I'm not going to get into a long tirade here, but just think about this: they captured large mammals and torture them into performing stupid tricks for human beings while they are contained in a bathtub. Please don't go there and pay for the abuse of mammals that have no voice.

What is your view on Animal Kingdom?

 

[Planogirl]

Frankly the lectures from some (admittedly well-meaning) people get a little tiresome. I hope that the OP has the information that she needs now!