Actually we were thinking about it! I live in Ohio and we used to have a Sea World here but it's been gone for a really long time so we had thought about going while we were there. But we also wanted to get in a day or 2 at Universal so it's kinda becoming complicated.. I don't know if one or two days is enough for Universal, if one is enough we could throw Sea World in then, I just don't know how to plan a trip there that includes more than just Disney cause I get selfish and wanna spend all my time at Disney!
I'm also from Ohio, and I worked at SeaWorld Ohio one summer. So I was really looking forward to taking my daughter to SeaWorld Orlando when we headed south. Unfortunately, when we went to SeaWorld Orlando in 2012 we were very disappointed. When I worked at SeaWorld, they had multiple animal shows throughout the day. For example, one was a "fun" show and another was an "educational" show, where they showed how they trained the animals. So there might be 4-6 shows over the course of a day, with 2 different themes for each. So you had a reason to see Shamu or the dolphins twice. Orlando, when we were there, had 2 shows per day for Shamu, and they were the same identical show.
Clyde and Seymore are always funny, but overall the shows seem to have gone downhill. And while the kiddo loved the shows, those of us who remember the Ohio experience were definitely underwhelmed. And, while we were there, no penguins.
Additionally, it seems like they are really trying to compete as a thrill ride park, not on the animals. They have roller coasters and other rides with significantly high height requirements. So while littles might enjoy the animal shows, there wasn't much for them to do between the shows. (But boy, did the 4 year old want to ride the coaster with the 54" height requirement).
YMMV, of course, but this group of Ohioans didn't enjoy SeaWorld Orlando nearly as much as we remember enjoying SeaWorld Ohio.
The parks were not very crowded in my opinion. We went early when the parks opened and walked on to the most popular rides at least twice before a line started
It was great!! we usually go 2 weeks before Christmas, if the POP warner cheerleaders aren't there. This year, during the 12th for a week, is when they go I think. So we booked for November this year. I have heard so many horror stories about being at the resorts when they are there, that we avoid that if we can. I really wanted to go in December this year, but had to change due to Pop warner and also free dining wasn't offered at that time. If you want to spend a lot of time at the water parks, in the pool, then you might not like it in December, but for us it was the best
I wish you the best!
