Feeding the animals at Seaworld

[mombrontrent]

Can someone tell me more about this. What is the cost? I also read on here something about a punch card? How much does the card cost? Can my three kids share one punch card and each feed a different animal? Like if my son uses the card to feed the dolphins can my DD use it to feed the stingrays and my other DD to feed the sharks? Thanks everyone.

 

[JLR]

Here is the scoop (as of April 2010).

Feeding the dolphins is separate. You pay $7 and each person who enters the dolphin feeding area must buy a tray of fish, so there - no, you can't share in this area.

Then you can buy a punch card that lets you pick up a tray of fish each for the stingrays, sealions, and sharks. Normally that tray of fish would cost $5, but you can get the punch card for $10 - so essentially buy 2 get one free. And yes your kids could share this. They could each feed one or they could share each tray. There were 3-6 pieces of fish in each tray.

The rays were the most fun - you can touch them and they suck the fish out of your hand.

The sea lions were funny - but much farther away and it was hard to get the fish to them - so if one of your kids is more accurate, they might be the one for this activity.

The sharks were a little anticlimactic. They are pretty far away, small, and did not appear very interested in the food when we were there.

I hope this helps!

 

[gardener14]

On one rare occasion I saw the shark feeding create some activity among the sharks. It was rather fun to watch. More often than not, they don't seem ver interested in food. It's definitely worth a try with the card, so that way you don't feel like you've wasted $5 on feeding the sharks alone, and if they happen to be interested in food that day, then it's a bonus. I think I'd try the sharks first, so it's not a letdown after feeding the stingrays and sealions. Never the less, I enjoy watching the shark pool very because of the array of animals in the tank that you don't get to see often...the various patterns and colorations of different shark species.

 

[chiamarie]

Above posts are correct as of right now too. But do keep in mind as to when you are visiting. They only sell that punch card in the "off season" during busy seasons, when they sell out of fish (hey, the animals only eat so much before getting full) they do not sell the punch card.

Imagine buying the card in the morning, and visiting one of the spots around 3 or 4 in the afternoon to find out that they have sold out of fish and you don't get your tray you already paid for....so they don't do the punch cards when it's busy.

In the past it's seemed...if you're coming around Easter, Summer Time, or Christmas Week; they typically don't sell the "Special Deal". And it's 5 dollars at each location, excpet the dolphins that is $7 per tray and each person does have to buy at least one tray, no sharing there.

Hope that helps!

 

[mom of2]

Just an FYI about feeding the sea lions- Watch out for the birds. My 5 year old got bitten by one trying to steal the fish out of his hand. So if your kids are little just make sure to watch out for the birds

 

[jenseib]

Anyone know the dolphin feeding times?

 

[JLR]

Just an FYI about feeding the sea lions- Watch out for the birds. My 5 year old got bitten by one trying to steal the fish out of his hand. So if your kids are little just make sure to watch out for the birds

I'm glad you mentioned this - I had forgotten to. We didn't get bitten, but the birds at the stingray area and the sea lion area were very aggressive and stole some fish. We ended up stacking our trays to make a less tempting target.

Anyone know the dolphin feeding times?

Before I went down, I had read that there were dolphin feeding times, but couldn't find a schedule. We stopped by early and they had started and were more or less doing continuous groups. Unless someone has newer information (mine is almost a year old now), I would encourage you to stop by the dolphin cove very early to see what they have posted. It is relatvely close to Manta, so you can ride manta (if you plan to), check for feeding times, then ride Kraken and JtA if you have time, come back, feed the dolphins and then have a much more liesurely touring day.

 

[jenseib]

I'm glad you mentioned this - I had forgotten to. We didn't get bitten, but the birds at the stingray area and the sea lion area were very aggressive and stole some fish. We ended up stacking our trays to make a less tempting target.



Before I went down, I had read that there were dolphin feeding times, but couldn't find a schedule. We stopped by early and they had started and were more or less doing continuous groups. Unless someone has newer information (mine is almost a year old now), I would encourage you to stop by the dolphin cove very early to see what they have posted. It is relatvely close to Manta, so you can ride manta (if you plan to), check for feeding times, then ride Kraken and JtA if you have time, come back, feed the dolphins and then have a much more liesurely touring day.

Thanks. we won't be there early though. we have an ADR at 1900 PF for 10 :45 and then we are heading over. So it will be afternoon before we get there. I guess we'll check and see. I also don't think I'll be riding any coasters. They are too big for our little one and we are mostly there to see the wild life. But it is good to know the dolphins are near there.

 

[JLR]

Thanks. we won't be there early though. we have an ADR at 1900 PF for 10 :45 and then we are heading over. So it will be afternoon before we get there. I guess we'll check and see. I also don't think I'll be riding any coasters. They are too big for our little one and we are mostly there to see the wild life. But it is good to know the dolphins are near there.

Maybe someone else can tell you how the waits for dolphin feeding are later in the day. If you aren't riding rides, that should be the only thing that gives you any trouble at all! I have no idea how long the wait would be at 1 pm.

If dolphin interaction is essential for you, have you thought about the dolphin up close tour? http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=947 It is 45 minutes, you participate in a training session and get to touch a dolphin. $50 for adults and $30 for children (3-9). One thing with sea world is that for slightly more than regular admission, you can get a season pass which can give you substantial discounts and I think free parking. Only one of your party needs to get the season pass to get discounts for everybody, the others can get regular admission.

 

[mombrontrent]

Thanks for the info everyone, very helpful

 

[jenseib]

Thanks for that info. I didn't know they did that. BUT...we are coming from the Disney Dream cruise..and we do have a dolphin encounter booked in Nassua, so I think we will be fine....I just wanted to give DD a little extra dose of dolphin love if possible. WE got our Sea World tickets pretty cheap. so we'll live if we don't do that. But I figured if we are going there, we should give it a try since I have heard such good things about it.

 

[camikey]

Thanks for that info. I didn't know they did that. BUT...we are coming from the Disney Dream cruise..and we do have a dolphin encounter booked in Nassua, so I think we will be fine....I just wanted to give DD a little extra dose of dolphin love if possible. WE got our Sea World tickets pretty cheap. so we'll live if we don't do that. But I figured if we are going there, we should give it a try since I have heard such good things about it.

I am Cuising in July. Just wondering which Dolphin encounter you are doing? I am not able to pick mine until April 26th.

 

[jenseib]

I am Cuising in July. Just wondering which Dolphin encounter you are doing? I am not able to pick mine until April 26th.

Blue Lagoon. I have read that the Atlantis one wasn't as nice.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

When you buy the fish do they give you the option of the punch card? Where do you purchase the punch card? Thanks

 

[Best Aunt]

Crazyfordisney2000: you purchase the punch card at one of these feeding booths:
- sting rays
- sharks
- seals/sea lions

JLS: the dolphin feedings definitely were not continuous on 03/22/11. There was a good 60 to 90 minute break in between each. I think the one I did was at 1:45, and people started lining up at 1:10.

I fed the seals/sea lions shortly after the park opened. They were definitely hungry. Two sea lions were fighting over the food I threw towards them. I also fed the sharks shortly after that feeding both opened at 11:15, and they also were hungry (although no big feeding frenzy).

If you aren't rushing for the roller coasters, I suggest doing the feedings early.