friday May 18 - will it be crowded, can we do it all that day

[Faline]

Planning 1 day at seaworld, Friday May 18, open to close. Do you think it will be crowded? Is it necessary to spend the money to stay at Springhill suites so we can get fotl access in order to finish in 1 day? We can stay free with Hilton points at homewood suites near Universal, as opposed to $152. And homewood suites would be more comfortable with 6 adults. But will we be able to get done in one day without fotl access?

 

[KBF]

Planning 1 day at seaworld, Friday May 18, open to close. Do you think it will be crowded? Is it necessary to spend the money to stay at Springhill suites so we can get fotl access in order to finish in 1 day? We can stay free with Hilton points at homewood suites near Universal, as opposed to $152. And homewood suites would be more comfortable with 6 adults. But will we be able to get done in one day without fotl access?

I think you could. The last week of May (Memorial Day Weekend) is traditionally very busy. However, the few weeks leading up to Memorial day (The week your visiting) are usually slower because most kids are just finishing up school or taking exams, so families wait until their summer starts to come down. Which is usually Memorial day weekend.

With that said, I'm guessing the park closing time will be 7pm for that day. Since slower times tend to either be a 7 or 6pm closing. If you get to the park right at park opening, then yes, I think you can do it all in one day. As far as rides go, I would only expect a 30-40 minute wait, if that. Maybe much less than that depending on weather or time of day you visit rides. Usually during popular shows like the Shamu show or the dolphin show, ride lines tend to be shorter because people are at shows. If you want to ride the ride just once, then don't worry about the front of the line access. If you want to ride multiple times then yes, get the front of the line access because its a waste of time waiting in those lines multiple times.

Because it's a slower time, there might be certain shows you have to sacrifice to see other exhibits or more popular shows. I always tell people to plan on two days at Seaworld just incase. So i'll suggest that to you too, but either way I hope you enjoy your visit!

 

[kimmylaj]

just back from a july trip , cant speak for may but it took us a day and a half to do absolutely everything except the sealion tonight show. open to close on day 1 and open til 1 pm the second day we saw all shows but 1 and rode everything we stayed at doubletree resort by hilton orlando seaworld and had front of line, it also got us on paddleboats and tower ride wihtout having to pay the 4 dollars a person. we got a great rate for it on hotwire last minute.

 

[Faline]

I wish we could do two days, but can't do everything as we are doing WDW, Universal and IOA, and Seaworld this trip. Have to do as much as possible, because don't know that we will ever be able to get everybody together again. Kind of hard to coordinate when your kids grow up and have a life of their own.

 

[kimmylaj]

i think you will be fine with one day as long as you pick and choose what you want to prioritize. next time around we will only do 1 day as we now know our favorites have a great time

 

[KBF]

I wish we could do two days, but can't do everything as we are doing WDW, Universal and IOA, and Seaworld this trip. Have to do as much as possible, because don't know that we will ever be able to get everybody together again. Kind of hard to coordinate when your kids grow up and have a life of their own.

Like the poster above said, it's important that your prioritize the things you want to see and the things you don't think are as important to see for your family. Plan your day around the shows you want to see and plan to visit exhibits and rides near the show time either before or after the actual show so your not running all over the place. For example, if you want to see the 2:15 Sealion show, plan to visit exhibits near the Sealion show stadium between 1:15 and 3:15. With the half hour show starting at 2:15.

Some of the cant miss attractions would include (In no particular order)....

1) Dolphin Feeding and Interaction (Do this as soon as you enter the park since it gets really crowded as the day goes on)
2) Blue Horizons Dolphin show
3) Manta Roller coaster
4) Journey to Atlantis Water ride
5) Kraken Roller Coaster
6) Sealion feeding
7) Clyde And Seamore Take Pirate Island Sealion show
8) Penguin Exhibit
9) Shark Exhibit
10) One Ocean Shamu show

I'm sure you can fit in much more than those attractions, but I would say those are the 10 "Must See."