Extra Day at WDW or Seaworld?

[cdotla]

We (DH & I) are taking our DD4 and DS2 to their 1st trip to WDW May 6. My parents are coming along with us.

We will be spending 1 week at WDW then 1 week later in St.Pete's on the beach.

Here's my dilemma: while I love Seaworld (though haven't been there in 15+ yrs) personally I don't think we will have time to do it this year. My plan is to purchase 6 day WDW passes (possibly upgrading to 7 if we feel like it). Some of the days we will only be spending 1/2 days in the park as we have some other non-park activities planned. Also, I think our AK day will be done by early afternoon.

Personally I thought we would do Seaworld next trip (likely in 2 yrs time). However, my mom who is quite opinionated (love her, but jeez, these are my kids and it should be my say on what we do) and has already mentioned to DD4 about Seaworld and is pushing that we go. Another thing about mom is that she really has no concept of money! I tried explaining to her that after you buy 5 days in Disney adding a 6th or 7th day is like $5-10 extra! However, for the entire family to go to Seaworld for the day is an extra $338US (or $400 Cdn - my dollars!)

To me, Seaworld is simply not worth the extra $. Sure, I know my kids will love it, and I will love it too. However, I also know that they will love Disney parks too. My thought is that Seaworld can be done on our next trip in 2yrs time.

What do others think? Is Seaworld really that great to justify such an expense vs. another day in a Disney park for next to nothing?

Obviously if I thought it was critical to get my DD4 and DS2 to Seawrold this year, as opposed to 2 yrs later I wld do it, but I just don't think it will make any difference.

Thoughts/comments?? Thanks!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We just went to Sea World two months ago with our two sons who were 2years old and 7 months old. It really has changed a lot in the 12 years since we had been there and the boys really had a great time. There is a big play section for little kids that we spent hours at. They really liked the Shamu show (Believe) too. I would recommend a trip there, but in my opinion two years from now will be fine! We went because we had two trips planned to Florida this year. So the first trip was two days at Sea World and four days at the two Universal parks (something else to consider on your next trip.) We will spend 6 days at WDW in September--and I wish it were more with all there is to do there! For kids as young as yours (and mine,) I think it would be too overwhelming to squeeze in another park and definately the cost isn't worth it! They will remember WDW better and have more fun there by spending more time at fewer places. Young kids like the familiarity of things. Just my opinion!

 

[MeMom]

Just a thought to throw out, if it happens to work for your family: There is a bus that runs right from TTC to SeaWorld that costs about $1.50 per person. Would it work for your mom to take just your four year old daughter for a day at SeaWorld...just a special day for the two of them? They could go and enjoy the time together, and it would add only part of the cost of all of you going. You could have alone time with your other child, and everyone might enjoy the break away from each other doing what they wanted to do. Then maybe you could decide that all of you could go on the next trip in two years, and your youngest child would be old enough to get more out of it, as well. Again, just a thought, as I'm always trying to think of solutions that work for everyone in the group with just a little give and take. The bus would take them straight there and straight back to WDW, and she wouldn't have to drive.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Sea World is awesome, and since it is full of shows, it is a really easy park to visit, but definetly you can skip it and do it next trip.

If you do decide on doing Sea World, ask around in the boards if anyone has been there lately, since the last time we were there, you could come back next day for free.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Seaworld is a great day. They almost always have the second day free option as well. i like the idea of having you mom and 4 yo go as a "special" trip. Then two years from now she can take your now 2 yo for a "special" trip as well. If money is a concern, I agree, the extra days at Disney make the most financial sense. What we just did this past year is we took a year "off" from Disney (torture for me) and did Universal, IOA, Busch Gardens and Seaworld for our week in Florida. It was a nice change of pace, and might be a good suggestion for your trip 2 years from now.

 

[dougsmom98]

We just went to Sea World and had a fabulous time, but the only reason we went was because my mom wanted to go so she paid for it. It was very expensive and like you, it is hard for me to justify the cost when it is so economical to add more days to your Disney passes. I would tell your mom that you and your DH are not going to spend that extra money on this trip. If she still insists, she can pay.

 

[tammy1210]

I honestly can't tell you if it's worth it, but I will tell you this - we're going in June and I was trying to make the same decision - good friends of ours went in January with their 1, 5, and 6 year olds - they had planned one day at SeaWorld and two at MK - they ended up doing SeaWorld two days - they said the kids had so much fun - lots of free play, loved the shows, tons of rides for them ALL to ride - it helped a lot with my decision - we're definitely doing one day there.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I'd say do an extra day at Disney since many days will be half days it will take longer to do everything.

Seaworld is great and my dd loved it when we went when she was 2.

I guess if you mom is paying for the Seaworld day but if its you I'd tell her next time.

I also like MeMom's suggestion if your mom insists on going tell her she can pay for the two of them to go and you can get extra days at Disney for rest of the family. Im betting your dd would enjoy a day with grandma.

 

[susykt4]

I don't doubt one bit that your entire family would love SeaWorld, but for your first family trip I'd spend the extra day at WDW. It's so great to have the easy, on-site transportation and the few dollar extra tickets. We've gone to WDW for a week the past 3 years and if we go back next year we'll DEFINITELY do SeaWorld. I love SeaWorld but don't regret spending all our time at WDW- especially our first trip when the kids were 4 and 2. Disney is just sooo convenient.

My parents joined us our first two trips. Our first trip they teased me endlessly about my TGM touring plans and acted like I was the biggest anal freak who ever lived. That is, until the plans worked so very well during a busy week and they decided I was a planning genius. The second trip they criticized my decision to skip all fireworks and evening shows to get the kids to bed by 8pm. (THEY were free to go wherever they wanted- certainly were not confined by MY plans.) Whatever. The kids did 7 1/2 park days without EVER becoming overly tired or having tantrums. This past trip my parents were unable to join us. It was really nice to have no additional input. DH and I did miss our time without kids, though.

 

[dfarner]

Here is a recent article about what is up and coming at Sea World. It will give you something to look forward to if you don't make it this year. http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/article_001145.htm

As far as for this trip, I could only tell you that Sea World seems to be getting better with the shows and smaller attractions/play areas for children. It is an entirely different experience than any of the Disney parks and I highly recommend it.

 

[cdotla]

Thanks for all the feedback...I did really like the suggestion of letting my parents take DD4 to Seaworld and staying back at the resort with DH and DS, chill by the pool (and maybe get in some solo shopping!)

However, at our Sunday dinner this evening, it became apparent that my Mom is just not going to give up on this Seaworld thing. And she has converted MY DH to her cause. So I think I am bound to go (and forced to pay!)

SUzy, I hear you on the drawbacks vs. benefits of bringing along the parents. These days DS2 is quite a handful, especially in restaurants. My mom in particular is a godsend with him (DH is also excellent). It is really the only way that mealtime is somewhat enjoyable is if I have my parents to assist. (Who would have thought 2 grown adults couldn't handle 2 toddlers at mealtime- sad, but true!)

However, I am already looking forward to doing Disney years down the road when my kids are older with just me, DH, DD and DS.

 

[jnordan]

I'm in your situation, almost exactly! We're going to be there May 5-13, and my parents decided to visit for three days, one of which is our "free" day. I hadn't decided whether we'd just hang out at the pool, or go to Sea World, and I still think we'll play it by ear, but I really want to hear what everyone thinks!