Help with Seaworld touring plan for family with 3 year old?

[Wadecool]

I am having considerable trouble completing a touring plan for Seaworld. We will be there on May 7th. We have a 3 year old daughter, so we won't be riding any big coasters. From the searching I have done so far, some of the shows listed in other touring plans don't seem to be on the current Seaworld website. Also, the show schedule is not up yet for May 7 so I'm not sure how to plan our day. I do know that we definitely want to do the dolphin, shark, ray, and sea lion feedings but cannot find more information on how to get in on that . DD3 is a HUGE fan of all types of aquatic life and her day at Seaworld could easily be the highlight of her week in Orlando, so I want her to experience as much as possible. Could anyone assist me in planning our day? Thanks in advance.

 

[maryisme]

I took my daughter to seaworld when she was 5 years old. We did the behind the scenes tour and she loved it! There wasn't alot of walking. You are bussed around to the different locations. She got to touch a small shark, touch a penguin and get really close to beluga whales that were in a rehab tank. We also visited a polar bear.

She still talks about this and she is going to be 8 this September. It was easily the highlight of that vacation.

Hope that helps.
Mary

 

[livndisney]

I am having considerable trouble completing a touring plan for Seaworld. We will be there on May 7th. We have a 3 year old daughter, so we won't be riding any big coasters. From the searching I have done so far, some of the shows listed in other touring plans don't seem to be on the current Seaworld website. Also, the show schedule is not up yet for May 7 so I'm not sure how to plan our day. I do know that we definitely want to do the dolphin, shark, ray, and sea lion feedings but cannot find more information on how to get in on that . DD3 is a HUGE fan of all types of aquatic life and her day at Seaworld could easily be the highlight of her week in Orlando, so I want her to experience as much as possible. Could anyone assist me in planning our day? Thanks in advance.

I would head to the first dolphin feeding. The rest of the animals can be fed at any time during the day, but the dolphin feeding gets busy! Since your dd is so little I would not start with the rays (to feed them you have to put your hand in the water almost under the ray and there is a lot of splashing)

At all of the feeding areas you will see a booth where you can buy a tray of food/fish. For the dolphin feeding each person in the area has to buy a tray to get into the area. There are also photographers around the pool taking pictures of the interation.

Some areas she may enjoy-the baby dolphin nursery, and the peguin encounter. There is a moving sidewalk that takes you through, but you can stand behind the walkway (separate area) for as long as you like. (It is also air conditioned). The polar bears, and walrus are also in air conditioning at the end of Wild artic. There is usually a trainer in the area to ask questions. They also know some really fun info about the bears.

There is a large kids area with splash area so bring a suit. (There is also a little fountain outside the Pet's Ahoy show.) In the kids area are little rides like a Shamu coaster and mini tea cup like ride. There is also a baby care center. You can also find characters in that area often.

Over by the Allure show is a garden where care givers bring animals out. We have seen a baby kangaroo and an adorable sloth. You cannot touch, but you can have pictures taken.

 

[Wadecool]

I would head to the first dolphin feeding. The rest of the animals can be fed at any time during the day, but the dolphin feeding gets busy! Since your dd is so little I would not start with the rays (to feed them you have to put your hand in the water almost under the ray and there is a lot of splashing)

At all of the feeding areas you will see a booth where you can buy a tray of food/fish. For the dolphin feeding each person in the area has to buy a tray to get into the area. There are also photographers around the pool taking pictures of the interation.

Some areas she may enjoy-the baby dolphin nursery, and the peguin encounter. There is a moving sidewalk that takes you through, but you can stand behind the walkway (separate area) for as long as you like. (It is also air conditioned). The polar bears, and walrus are also in air conditioning at the end of Wild artic. There is usually a trainer in the area to ask questions. They also know some really fun info about the bears.

There is a large kids area with splash area so bring a suit. (There is also a little fountain outside the Pet's Ahoy show.) In the kids area are little rides like a Shamu coaster and mini tea cup like ride. There is also a baby care center. You can also find characters in that area often.

Over by the Allure show is a garden where care givers bring animals out. We have seen a baby kangaroo and an adorable sloth. You cannot touch, but you can have pictures taken.

Ok, here's a preliminary touring plan for Seaworld. Let me know what you think.

*Arrive at Seaworld approx 8:30.
*At opening, head for dolphin feeding area.
(The following show times are based on show schedule for May 7 at seaworld.com)
*Blue Horizons, 10am
*Pets Ahoy, 12:15pm
*One Ocean, 2:00pm
*Clyde & Seamore, 4:15pm
*See baby dolphin nursery, penguins, polar bears, & walrus as time allows.
*Shamu's Happy Harbor as time allows.

I'm not sure how long the shows actually last, but from the show times and looking at the park map, we should be able to get from one to another in time. Let me know if this looks realistic.

 

[livndisney]

Ok, here's a preliminary touring plan for Seaworld. Let me know what you think.

*Arrive at Seaworld approx 8:30.
*At opening, head for dolphin feeding area.
(The following show times are based on show schedule for May 7 at seaworld.com)
*Blue Horizons, 10am
*Pets Ahoy, 12:15pm
*One Ocean, 2:00pm
*Clyde & Seamore, 4:15pm
*See baby dolphin nursery, penguins, polar bears, & walrus as time allows.
*Shamu's Happy Harbor as time allows.

I'm not sure how long the shows actually last, but from the show times and looking at the park map, we should be able to get from one to another in time. Let me know if this looks realistic.

The first Blue Horizons might be kind of tight if the first dolphin feeding is 9:30am. This first feeding usually starts between 9:15 and 9:30. This is not something you are going to want to rush. The shows are usually about 20 minutes long.

 

[kikids]

I think your schedule sounds great so far. She will absolutely remember the trip for a long time. We did the early dolphin feed on both recent trips and made it to the Blue Horizons with no problem.

My only switch would be seeing Clyde and Seamore earlier and One Ocean later since Shamu is on the other side of the park so you'll be going over there and then have to double back for Clyde and Seamore (lots of walking). I prefer to finish one whole side of the park and then do the other.

I know the show schedule can be frustrating. We went on April 2nd and the schedule didn't come out until March 25th or 28th or so, it was really close. But it will be there! One day you'll click and it will show up!

In our experience, the penguin and shark exhibits can go pretty quick, depending on how much you want to stop and read the educational material (my kids just wanted to seeee stuff). Feeding the sea lions happens around the show times, more ofter earlier than later in the day it seems. Another reason to see clyde and seamore early.

Also, of great importance is, if you want to go the artic area where the walrus and polar bears are, do that early. On our first visit we tried to do this right after a shamu show around 5:30 and the wait was 45 minutes long!!!! So we skipped it and really missed out. On our second visit, a few weeks ago, we hit this attraction by noon and the line was much shorter. Although, then you are doubling back again as I mentioned earlier.

On our recent trip we skipped the gardens animal showings. As one poster said, the animals they bring out are super interesting and certainly ones we'd never seen before, but not being able to interact with them, other than a standing next to photo, was disappointing for my kids.

Good call putting Happy Harbour lower on your priority list. Yes, the rides are fun and cute but she can go on carousels and mini coasters at the fair - petting a dolphin may be a once in a lifetime.

Last but not least, I've said it before, get to Pets Ahoy early. Those pups and kitties can be hard to see from far back. It doesn't matter as much in the bigger outdoor arenas but at the indoor Pets theatre, close counts.

Have a great time!!!

 

[Wadecool]

Ok, I have worked out a revised plan. Let me know your honest opinions.

*at opening, head to dolphin feeding.
*Clyde & Seamore at 11:15am
*Pets Ahoy at 12:15pm
*Lunch
*Blue Horizons at 2pm
*Nap in stroller
*Wild Arctic
*Shamu's Happy Harbor
*One Ocean at 6:30pm.

This eliminates all the back tracking and puts in the area of Shamu Stadium for the afternoon, evening where the kids area and Wild arctic are. Is this one more realistic?

 

[livndisney]

On our recent trip we skipped the gardens animal showings. As one poster said, the animals they bring out are super interesting and certainly ones we'd never seen before, but not being able to interact with them, other than a standing next to photo, was disappointing for my kids.

Good call putting Happy Harbour lower on your priority list. Yes, the rides are fun and cute but she can go on carousels and mini coasters at the fair - petting a dolphin may be a once in a lifetime.

Last but not least, I've said it before, get to Pets Ahoy early. Those pups and kitties can be hard to see from far back. It doesn't matter as much in the bigger outdoor arenas but at the indoor Pets theatre, close counts.

Have a great time!!!

I think you misread what I said about the Garden animals. Getting pictures with them is totally worth it! The reason you can't "interact" with them is because they are wild animals. The handlers have great stories to tell about them.

I also think for a 3 year old some time in Happy Harbor may be needed to stretch little legs.

I would plan to spend a few minutes after Pets Ahoy in the theater, they bring a few of the animals out for a little meet and greet.


To the OP: I think you have a workable plan

For a nap, there is a little out of the way garden area between Blue Horizons and the underwater dolphin area.