Do you need a plan?

[Snoopymom]

Going the Fri after Thanksgiving, which we haven't done in about 6 years.

We used to get there early and never worried about crowds, but after reading the negative review below, I'm wondering if we need a plan.

DS is too small for Kraken, but not for Journey to Atlantis, so is there an order in which you should see everything?

It's $5 to feed the dolphins now, is that for the food?

We've had some terrible food and service at the counter service places in the past, has it improved? Dh doesn't want to try the Shark Encounter place (he's still mad that they turned it into a restaurant, LOL)

Thanks!

 

[RabFlmom]

You still can do the shark encounter-only now you don't have to sit through the half hour movie waiting to get into the tunnel. Still great. Even the walk to the tunnel has really interesting acquariums to see sea life you wouldn't be able to see without diving all over the world. Still a great experience.

Not sure how long it has been since you have been to SW but since the waterfront area was added you can get a variety of pretty descent food at Voyagers. We love the pizza, orange chicken, and pasta there. Also if you don't mind sitting outdoors to eat, Smokey Creek has some descent ribs, bbq beef, and chicken. We eat there a lot. You have to ask for BBQ sauce if you want to add more to the beef, though which they always used to have sitting out for you to just pick up.

Best way to tour SW check out the scheduled shows for the day. Decide which shows and what time you want to see them. Fill in between and before Mystify with things that don't have set times.

Lines for JA are usually long so you might want to do that early before park gets really busy or later after people start leaving around supper time.

Yes you can buy a tray of fish for $5 to feed the dolphins in Key West, the stingray pool , or the sea lions at Pacific Point. If you have season passes the charge is $4.

It will be a busy time in the park so expect to wait in lines. Try to get to shows at least 25 minutes before show times. Listen for show closures on the PA. Last year during Christmas week some shows were at capacity an hour before showtime. Lines were wrapping both directions around the stadiums. We opted not to see several shows and did all the other wonderful things in the park.

 

[robvia]

You still want to show up early so you can ride JTA with no wait.

The best food place is Voyagers, next to the sky tower.

For the shark thing, I think you could walk in thru the exit side, and then say you want to go thru the tube again.

 

[Snoopymom]

Wow, Thanks Rabflmom for all the great info! I'm more excited now. We went about 4 years ago on the hottest day ever. Ds was 2 and just too little to enjoy it. I think I'll have to talk dh into trying the Shark encounter restaurant.

 

[Snoopymom]

You still want to show up early so you can ride JTA with no wait.

The best food place is Voyagers, next to the sky tower.

For the shark thing, I think you could walk in thru the exit side, and then say you want to go thru the tube again.

Thanks a bunch...acutually your attack plan response below is the one that got me thinking, LOL.

You have such great tips for Universal, and again, I wouldn't have thought to go to the exit, but since we recently got an aquarium, I think I can talk dh into it, but I'll keep that and Voyagers in mind.

We'll also head to JTA first.

 

[makinorlando]

It will be a busy time in the park so expect to wait in lines. Try to get to shows at least 25 minutes before show times. Listen for show closures on the PA. Last year during Christmas week some shows were at capacity an hour before showtime. Lines were wrapping both directions around the stadiums. We opted not to see several shows and did all the other wonderful things in the park.

I realize this is summer, but holiday time can be as busy...

We have been to SW twice in the past week (so far - getting the moneys worth out of visiting guests tix using the additional days!) We have yet to see Believe- Saturday the 2pm show was at capacity, yesterday we got to the 2pm show it was near capacity so we decided to leave, and try the next one and on our way out the announced that it was full. We decided to grab lunch and wait in the area for the 3:30 show. DD and DGN walked down to ride the Shamu coaster about 2:45 and the line at that entrance was already to Happy Harbour. It seems like you have to start lining up to even get into the stadium 1 hour prior. I did not personall y feel the park was "mobbed" yesterday, but I guess with Believe being new, it has a really big draw! We saw many folks being turned away trying to get into Shamu Stadium on our way to exit the park at about 3:15!

Blue Horizions was filled as well when we went to the 12:30 show.

We are going to head back around 4pm today and try to catch the 6:15 show..... and hopefully the Sea Lion nighttime show.

We've had some terrible food and service at the counter service places in the past, has it improved? Dh doesn't want to try the Shark Encounter place (he's still mad that they turned it into a restaurant, LOL)

Thanks!

I know your DH does not want to try Shark Encounter, but it really has great food. We ate there on Saturday, and even my DGN who does not really like eating in restaurants loved it and wants to go back. Again, if you want to eat there, get your name on the list. We were there at 11am, restaurant opened at 12:00, and our "PS" time was 12:30.

Yesterday we ate at Mango Joe's (is that the name - near Shamu Stadium) - kids had the Shamu meal with Chicken Fingers and a side of Fries, Mom and I split the big Taco salad. The line was very long - (we got behind a Brazilian Tour group (well behaved by the way - just big) - but the servers were pleasant enough in the brief encounters we had with them!

 

[Snoopymom]

We are going to head back around 4pm today and try to catch the 6:15 show..... and hopefully the Sea Lion nighttime show.

QUOTE]

Good luck, I hope you get to see it! Thanks for the info, and I'm glad to hear that the food is good at the Shark Encounter. We got such terrible service at the counter places, that I think I can convince dh to try it with priority seating. There's a Shamu coaster? how cute, looks like I better check out Sea World's site for all the new stuff.

 

[RabFlmom]

As for walking in the exit to go through the tube. I don't think they would let you. There is always an employee at the end of the tube to make sure no one falls off when they get to the floor. I usually stumble off cause I am still looking up at the sharks<g>. You don'tactually walk through the tube it is a moving belt that takes you through and it only goes one way. It is usually full so no way to redo without going in the front door. If all you want to see are the shark, you can walk right through the aquarium rooms; but I always have to look at those beautiful creatures!