Does anyone out there hit Sea World during your stay?

[princesscrazydaughte]

We are going to be at the Polynesian for 6 nights in September. I had originally wanted to make a day trip to Sea World while there. I am now having my doubts about whether it will be too hectic with two young kids. Thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Last Oct we did 5 nights at Poly. Loved it. We then did two nights in Orlando and went to Sea World. You can easily do everything in Sea World in one day. However, we didn't have enough time to do more "Disney" stuff: i.e., waterpark, DisneyQuest, more leisurely park visits, more time at Volcano pool, etc. This Oct we're using FTP to do 7 nights and get in all of the stuff we missed. No Sea World this time, unfortunately.

Depending on your family's desires and the ages of your kids, taking a day trip to SW could be a great idea. A waterpark and DQ (the stuff we missed before) may not work for you guys. And young kids will REALLY love SW!

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edit: If you decide to do SW (and the more I think about it the better it sounds), go to the website to get tickets. There are discounts for getting tix thru the website. I think I saved $5/ticket, and just missed the time cut-off for the $10/ticket savings. I don't know about your budget, but our cost was about $200 for tickets, food, and souvenirs (family of 4). I had to buy my daughter a shirt and my wife a whole outfit because they got drenched on Atlantis!

 

[KFISCHER]

I find that when you're in Disney ( i.e., staying on-site) it's very difficult to leave Disney. You get so drawn in, and there's so much to do right there.

That's why we sometimes schedule a couple days at Universal as a separate little vacation, in addition to a WDW stay.

That's not to say you can't do Sea World. We did Discovery Cove one day.

But as a general rule, once we dock at Disney, we generally spend all our time there.

 

[MIKE101067]

You mention your children are young. That may be the key to your decision. You may find the convenience and the hectic pace will keep you close to home.

My plan has always been alternating trips to Orlando. One year Disney only because there is so much to do. The following trip is a combo USF/IOA/SW.

With this strategy I feel I get much more accomplished without feeling rushed or that I missed something.

 

[goofy4tink]

Our third trip to WDW is coming up and every time we say..we'll get over to SeaWorld this time. Haven't yet. This time tho, we are staying 8 nights/9 days so we'll be able to cut out to SW for a change. We'll be going on a Monday. Hopefully taking the bus from TTC that Lynx runs. It's Orlando's transit system. $1.25 pp each way and it drops you across the street from SW. Have fun.

 

[mrsltg]

I've done it and I'm going again. Sea World is a great place. It is easily doable in one day, and well worth the trip!

Erin

 

[corky805]

It would be a sin (for us personally) to go to Orlando and not go to Sea World. It is one of my most favorite places to visit in the world. Our next trip we are going to SW one day and then I personally am going to Discovery Cove for a day by myself while my DH and DS have a day to do something together.

Sea World is so much fun with young kids. My DS has been and he talks about going there as much as he does Disney.



Have fun either way!!

 

[Credit Man]

We are staying on site for 5 days, then going to Sea World for the weekend and returning to WDW for 5 more nights.

 

[supercarrie]

On our last trip a couple weeks ago, we did Discovery Cove on our last day. It was a great end to a trip full of activity...very low-key and relaxing. With the DC admission comes 7 days of Sea World admission which you can use before you go to DC. The night before Discovery Cove, we went to Sea World. It was so much fun...we got almost everything in that we wanted to see. We go to the Sea World in San Diego all the time, so we skipped things that were basically the same. I would definitely recommend going.

 

[skiwee1]

We usually stick with WDW but decided to take in Seaworld this past May. It had been many years since we had been there and thought we would see it again. I didn't think it was worth it. The place has gone down hill in my opinion. They have taken out quite a bit of stuff to put souvenier vendors everywhere! The only two shows we actually enjoyed was the Shamu show, obviously, and the one where the rescued pets put on a show. I can't remember the name of it but those are the only shows that were good. We won't be returning there any time soon. As for you, only staying 6 nights in WDW I wouldn't think it worth it at all missing a day at WDW to waste for SW or anything else. Seven days is not enough to even take in WDW. And once you stay at the Poly you may not even want to leave the resort to see WDW! That is what happened to us. We enjoy the Poly pool so much that we hang out there almost daily for a couple of hours and skip the parks quite a bit. Maybe you can save SW for when you have a longer trip booked like for 12 days or something.

 

[Justinsmom]

We were at WDW this June and took one day to do Seaworld. It was wonderful and well worth the time and expense.

We had 5 day PHP for an 8 day stay and had one non WDW park day as a break. We went the middle of week and used it like many folks use a waterpark day. Just some down time (much slower pace than WDW) and my DS 5 just absolutely loved feeding the animals and watching the shows. My DH LOVED Kraken.

We definitely visit Seaworld on our next visit to WDW.

 

[tmq2766]

Last year during our 8 day stay my DD8 and myself broke our vacation up and went to Discovery Cove one day and sea world another day and it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!! We are returning this November for 9 days and doing one day at Universal and one day at Sea World again..... Can't wait!!!!!!!!

 

[geffric]

SeaWorld is a slower day. They have a great kids play area. Bring a bathing suit, there is a great water area in Shamu's happy harbor.We found it was a nice break from the intensity of WDW. They kids can pet and feed stingrays, dolphins,and sea lions. The shows are nice.Lots of places to cool off in the a/c and free beer for MOM and Dad. If you have a car and the kids are getting "burned out", its a great break.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Yes we did seaworld and discovery cove as part of this last trip - as the weekend is the busiest time for the parks - I sheduled discovery cove for Saturday so we could avoid the crowds - did a day at seaworld followed by a day at discovery cove and then went back to seaworld for the dinner with shamu, fireworks and a last shamu show... then spent a half day the next day at seaworld - I don't agree with other posters... if your kid is into feeding stingrays... and dolphins then you won't be able to finish all there is to do. I must have spent 30 dollar feeding just the rays!!!

 

[Disneymoon04]

We don't, but that's because we have one here in Texas that's somewhat close. The one here in Texas is awesome though so I'm sure it's pretty much the same - plus in Orlando they have Discovery Cove where you can swim with dolphins and interact with a lot of sea life.

 

[DisneyDiver]

I'd go to Sea World in a hearbeat - Kraken is a reason in itself!

We did discovery cove, and only used 1 day of our sea world pass, but it was a good day.

I think I'd have to say Discvery Cove is a once in a lifeetime thing... Very nice to swim with dolphins, but to do it again would be a bit OTT in my opinion.

 

[Chip126]

We have done this in the past and plan to do it again in December. I have 10 days planned at Disney and 2 of them will be at Seaworld. The kids love to visit Seaworld. Don't forget.....you can buy at ticket for Seaworld and your next day (to be used within 7 days) is FREE!

It is a little slower paced than WDW and the kids enjoy it.

 

[helenm29]

Hi Guys, We went a few years ago with our 4 year old son and had a FANTASTIC time! we were so impressed by the handlers and people that worked there. we did a back area tour and got to see some baby manatees (bad spelling) that had been orphaned and taken there for rehab. We were also lucky enough to be there for the birth of a baby Killer Whale! it was awesome!
I think it would be worth doing....we have a marineland out here and it's not even CLOSE to as good. Have a great time!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

this is how much my little girl liked it - I told her I am planning our next trip to WDW and my 7 year old said - "Let's stay at Discovery Cove for a week"... Daddy (thats me) loved that place too. And you get seven days of seaworld also. Don't get me wrong I love WDW, but ending our trip with a day at discovery cove was the right thing to do - it was this big relaxing cool down from the fun and frolic and fantasy of WDW. I would highloy recommend to anyone - if you are doing a long haul stay at WDW end the trip with a day or two at discovery cove - its not crowded, its water water water...and frankly I could have snorkeled with those fish for hours upon hours - very relaxing. It was nice contrast to WDW.

 

[Cindy B]

Shh.. don't tell anyone but Sea World is my DH's favorite park.

Actually Dsicvery Cove is.. Discovery Cove was wonderful, and very relaxing..

But back to SW.. I love it. The kids find it fun, relaxing and not as crowded.

Love the Clyde adn Seamore show, the free beers or frozen hard lemonade.. (hey, it something for the adults), Journey to Atlantis, Kraken and Wild ARtic are fun ride. The second part of Wild Arctic is better than the actual ride.. the beluga whales are stunning


Seaworld is amazing.