Help with my Seaworld plans

[sersee05]

Ok so we are headed to Disney and going to Seaworld for a day. My husband and I went when we were on our honeymoon and I have never gotten it out of my head. I loved it there. I remember the best experience throwing fish to the seals(hope that is still there)..

It's been a long time..but I remember going in an aquarium type place where the water was all around you and you were on a moving platform that took your through. I have been back to aquariums I had visited in the past hoping that was the one..but it never was. Does Seaworld have this? I am wondering if I am remembering it from there?


So there are five of us (3 kids ages 16, 11, 9) . Would it be worth while to get a meal plan there? Are there any protestors there? I tried inquiring on another site and got lambasted for going to Seaworld.

Any other secret tips ?

 

[MarciaBrady]

I don't think there's anything like that at SeaWorld...at least not what I am picturing.

When I was there with my mom and sis, we only got a snack in the middle of the day. (I hate sitting around eating at parks-I think you're supposed to be looking at things or riding stuff instead.) So I would say don't bother with a meal plan, but that's just me.

Protestors? I'm not sure what that means, sorry.

Secret tips? Go do Manta first...then do it again if there's no wait. Best. ride. ever. IMO. I love love love that ride! Don't skip around the park; go around in order (ie., counter-clockwise). Besides that, just get to the park when it opens and leave when it closes, but I'm sure you already knew that.

 

[toystory1130]

Ok so we are headed to Disney and going to Seaworld for a day. My husband and I went when we were on our honeymoon and I have never gotten it out of my head. I loved it there. I remember the best experience throwing fish to the seals(hope that is still there)..

It's been a long time..but I remember going in an aquarium type place where the water was all around you and you were on a moving platform that took your through. I have been back to aquariums I had visited in the past hoping that was the one..but it never was. Does Seaworld have this? I am wondering if I am remembering it from there?


So there are five of us (3 kids ages 16, 11, 9) . Would it be worth while to get a meal plan there? Are there any protestors there? I tried inquiring on another site and got lambasted for going to Seaworld.

Any other secret tips ?

Our favorite thing to do there was feeding the dolphins and rays. I do remember a moving platform inside shark encounter. We had free dining when we went and felt the food there was pretty good. Our favorite places to eat were Mango Joes, Seafire Inn and Spice Mill. We also paid extra for Dine with Shamu which I also recommend. The sea lion feeding is still there. (they can be so loud!!) Hope yall have a great trip! Didn't see any protestors.

 

[sersee05]

Oh awesome!! Im so glad the sea lion feeding is still there..They were very loud but had the best personalities. I will never forget that.

Feeding the dolphins? Do i need to sign up for that..I don't remember that when I went ..many many years ago..lol

Do they still have shark encounter? I hope that is what i am talking about..lol I remember standing on a moving platform while a tube with sharks are swimming around you..I just thought it was so cool way back when.

Dine with Shamu..worth it huh? I will look into that. We will be there the whole day..so wanted to definitely stay and eat lunch and dinner there...


My kids will probably love love love Manta!

Protestors..I meant with that Blackfish movie coming out. On a board ..I asked a question and I got responses about how horrible I am for taking my kids to Seaworld and I should be banning it.

 

[MarciaBrady]

I think feeding the dolphins cost $7 a person. We didn't do that, but we did go look at them.

Ahh, I think we missed Shark Encounter for some reason. That explains why I don't remember it.

Just make sure they know they'll be lying down during the ride, not sitting like you usually do on a coaster. (If you read the TR I made on another thread in this section, you'll see why I say that-people freaked when the seats tilted up into flying mode.) But I bet they will love it! It's amazing!

Oh, I get it now. There was something in a PETA magazine I saw bashing SeaWorld, too. Makes me so mad! The animals seemed happy and all to me. No, I didn't see any protestors then.

 

[angelmom27]

All day dining is worth it to us. We get it all the time. Of course depends on how much you plan on eating. We eat all 3 meals there.

Sharks is still there.

Animal feedings include sea lions, dolphins, sharks, and sting rays.

No protestors are not allowed in the area. Private property so they cannot be there. Have been going for yrs and have never encountered a protestor. And anyone who believes all the garbage they tell on blackfish wouldn't pay to go there anyways. They would never give money to SW.

 

[sersee05]

ok ..that is really good to know about the protestor part..that would scare my kids.

I will go check on the times for all the different feedings. If I recall..the sea lions is pretty much all day correct? I can't tell you how excited I am to go back. This by far was my favorite park I have ever been too! We were going to try and take the kids two years ago, but my daughter got swine flu and we couldn't go.

My kids have never ever been. My son is the biggest shark fan. I have never "dined" in sea world. I guess i need to research the dining plan.

 

[sersee05]

Ok..adding another question...


I can do the $50 day tickets (We have five). But I also know with my Southwest Rapid Rewards, I should be able to get 20% off the tickets. Do you think they will give me the 20% the $50 tickets?

I also considered doing the all day dining. I am thinking purchase my tickets at the 20% off..brings me down to $40 and then just adding the dining. Will I eat $33 worth of food that day? Hmm I will have to check out pricing.

Or I will shell out for the dine with shame if its worth it or the shark dinner?

 

[MarciaBrady]

I'n not sure about doing the 'double discount' thing...that sounds like it would be super if they would though!

There's no way I'd eat $33 worth of food in one day at a park (like I said before, I would rather be looking around or riding stuff). But if you intend on having two meals at the park, that's $16.50 per meal, which isn't too bad...IDK, I think it depends on what you want to do most.

 

[angelmom27]

The double discount I don't think they would allow. The feedings are spaced out. They don't want to over feed the animals.

 

[sersee05]

Ohhh ..maybe I just went back a couple of times...lol It was a long time ago.

Gotcha..for some reason I wasn't Thinking of it as a discount!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I also considered doing the all day dining. I am thinking purchase my tickets at the 20% off..brings me down to $40 and then just adding the dining. Will I eat $33 worth of food that day? Hmm I will have to check out pricing.

Or I will shell out for the dine with shame if its worth it or the shark dinner?

We REALLY like the all-day dining, and always get our money's worth from the plan. Remember that its truly unlimited.....you can get an entree, a side or a dessert, and a drink each time through the line. My guys are hearty eaters, so they can enjoy a slice of pizza and a drink in the mid afternoon if they are feeling peckish, or unlimited cold beverages if they are hot and thirsty throughout the day. When you factor in he cost of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and then snacks and drinks (literally as many as you want), the $33 daily fee is really a great price. There's excellent variety and lots of healthy items too, like fruit cups and salads.

As for quality, we enjoy SW's counter service more than Disney's. Terrace Garden Buffet was a disappointment, but Voyageurs has great barbecue, and SeaFire Inn had a nice selection of main dishes (fish & chips, fettucini alfredo, turkey bread bowls, etc.). Mango's Joe's had superb chicken fingers (we are chicken finger connoisseurs ) and the chocolate cake at all of the locations is to die for. Its the same chocolate cake as is offered at Discovery Cove. Totally yummy. And unlimited. Oh, my hips .

Dine with Shamu is also a good experience. We did this on our Christmas trip and thought it was well worth the cost. You can check out the link to my December 2012 trip report in my signature if you want to read our full review and check out our photos.

We haven't tried Sharks yet, and though the theming appeals tremendously, we are not fans of seafood. I will have to check out the menu sometime and see if we could still eat well there despite our aversion to fish.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

It's been a long time..but I remember going in an aquarium type place where the water was all around you and you were on a moving platform that took your through. I have been back to aquariums I had visited in the past hoping that was the one..but it never was. Does Seaworld have this? I am wondering if I am remembering it from there?

Some pics of Shark Encounter. Not the best quality, but it should still give you a general idea:

 

[hhill]

I think feeding the dolphins cost $7 a person. We didn't do that, but we did go look at them. Ahh, I think we missed Shark Encounter for some reason. That explains why I don't remember it. Just make sure they know they'll be lying down during the ride, not sitting like you usually do on a coaster. (If you read the TR I made on another thread in this section, you'll see why I say that-people freaked when the seats tilted up into flying mode.) But I bet they will love it! It's amazing! Oh, I get it now. There was something in a PETA magazine I saw bashing SeaWorld, too. Makes me so mad! The animals seemed happy and all to me. No, I didn't see any protestors then.

Can I jump in? ! I'm planning a trip in May 2014 to WDW and we are doing one day at SW. Is that place as busy as the Disney parks ? What are the most popular parks ? And what's the wait for them ? What are the rides/exhibitions/ shows that we MUST do? I would appreciate all the help! We are going with our 6 and 8 years old girls.

 

[hhill]

I'n not sure about doing the 'double discount' thing...that sounds like it would be super if they would though! There's no way I'd eat $33 worth of food in one day at a park (like I said before, I would rather be looking around or riding stuff). But if you intend on having two meals at the park, that's $16.50 per meal, which isn't too bad...IDK, I think it depends on what you want to do most.

Can I jump in? ! I'm planning a trip in May 2014 to WDW and we are doing one day at SW. Is that place as busy as the Disney parks ? What are the most popular parks ? And what's the wait for them ? What are the rides/exhibitions/ shows that we MUST do? I would appreciate all the help! We are going with our 6 and 8 years old girls.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Can I jump in? ! I'm planning a trip in May 2014 to WDW and we are doing one day at SW. Is that place as busy as the Disney parks ? What are the most popular parks ? And what's the wait for them ? What are the rides/exhibitions/ shows that we MUST do? I would appreciate all the help! We are going with our 6 and 8 years old girls.

As a general rule, when the Disney parks are busy, SW will also be busy.

That said, SW absorbs the crowds fairly well as the shows can accomodate large numbers of people at one time, and you have the ability to purchase Quick Queue for the rides (front of the line passes) if squeezing in as much ride time as possible is important to you.

Must dos? For shows, our favourites are One Ocean (killer whales), Blue Horizons (dolphins), Pet's Ahoy (assorted house pets and small animals) and Clyde & Seamore (sea lions). All awesome.

If anyone in your family is a coaster lover, then Manta and Kraken would top the list for must-dos. Not sure how tall your children are, so that would make a difference on these two rides.

Your kids will probably really enjoy time in Shamu's Happy Harbour, where there are rides geared for the younger set. They will probably also enjoy feeding the animals (there are several different opportunities, depending on what their favourites are).

The SkyTower, Antartica, Turtle Trek and Wild Arctic are all good family rides. Journey to Atlantis is, too, if they are not scared off by the drop near the end.

I highly recommend the all day dining if you are planning a full day visit. I think its a great value and there are excellent choices to be had. Food quality, IMHO, is on par with or better than the Disney counter service. AND....its truly unlimited (including non-alcholic beverages) right from breakfast through to park close.

 

[angelmom27]

Can I jump in? ! I'm planning a trip in May 2014 to WDW and we are doing one day at SW. Is that place as busy as the Disney parks ? What are the most popular parks ? And what's the wait for them ? What are the rides/exhibitions/ shows that we MUST do? I would appreciate all the help! We are going with our 6 and 8 years old girls.

My homeschool group did a field trip in may to SW and it was a pretty dead day. I think during the week in may with school still going on it will be a low crowd.

For us everything is a must do. My kids love all the shows. We don't do the thrill rides much since not everyone likes them. DH and I take turns riding atlantis since that's one that they like.

 

[hhill]

As a general rule, when the Disney parks are busy, SW will also be busy. That said, SW absorbs the crowds fairly well as the shows can accomodate large numbers of people at one time, and you have the ability to purchase Quick Queue for the rides (front of the line passes) if squeezing in as much ride time as possible is important to you. Must dos? For shows, our favourites are One Ocean (killer whales), Blue Horizons (dolphins), Pet's Ahoy (assorted house pets and small animals) and Clyde & Seamore (sea lions). All awesome. If anyone in your family is a coaster lover, then Manta and Kraken would top the list for must-dos. Not sure how tall your children are, so that would make a difference on these two rides. Your kids will probably really enjoy time in Shamu's Happy Harbour, where there are rides geared for the younger set. They will probably also enjoy feeding the animals (there are several different opportunities, depending on what their favourites are). The SkyTower, Antartica, Turtle Trek and Wild Arctic are all good family rides. Journey to Atlantis is, too, if they are not scared off by the drop near the end. I highly recommend the all day dining if you are planning a full day visit. I think its a great value and there are excellent choices to be had. Food quality, IMHO, is on par with or better than the Disney counter service. AND....its truly unlimited (including non-alcholic beverages) right from breakfast through to park close.

Thank you!

 

[MarciaBrady]

Can I jump in? ! I'm planning a trip in May 2014 to WDW and we are doing one day at SW. Is that place as busy as the Disney parks ? What are the most popular parks ? And what's the wait for them ? What are the rides/exhibitions/ shows that we MUST do? I would appreciate all the help! We are going with our 6 and 8 years old girls.

It wasn't crazy busy when we went in late September. I'd think it'd be busier in May, though.
What are the must-do's?
1. MANTA
2. MANTA
3. MANTA...ok, I think everyone gets my point.XD I could ride that thing all day; I LOVE that ride!! It has an interesting queue line (aquariums to look at), I like the whole 'flying' thing, and that pretzel loop is very cool! And the whole ride is smooth smooth smooth. No headbanging anywhere whatsoever. Ok, I'm do blabbering about my absolute favorite ride, so on to everything else.
Shows: We saw Blue Horizons & the Shamu show, which are both really cool.
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is kind of short, but we really liked it. And the penguins are very very cute. Go ahead and do the Wild Expedition one; it's really not 'crazy' or anything.
TurtleTrek & Wild arctic are also pretty good IMO.
We liked petting the stingrays & looking at the dolphins too.
Kraken is lots of fun too: I love going upside down 7 times. Brace your head for this one though so you won't bang your head around.
Shamu's Happy Harbor has some littler rides that I think your kids would like depending on how tall they are. (My sis and I didn't care for Swishy Fishies for example 'cause those teacups are cramped if you're not a little kid.)
So here's my suggestions.