Is Sea World worth it?

[twinmommy4]

Hi,
Going to WDW 11/12-11/19 with husband, 4yo twins (one of whom is animal obsessed), in-laws and am hoping to get to Sea World for a day. I was kind of surprised at how expensive it is though, so wondering if it's really worth it. I've been before as a child, but no one else in our group has.
The way it works out in our schedule, it that we'd have to go to Sea World 11/17 during the day (open until 6pm) and then we're going to MVMCP that night. We will have a rental car. Do you think that there's any way that plan could work? Does Sea World take the whole day?
Any input would be appreciated!

74 days until our family's 1st WDW vacation!

 

[Mr. Pig]

I think Sea World can be a good place for you to visit especially with an animal obsessed one. It keeps you from getting too "Mickey'd out". There are enough shows and other attractions to keep you occupied for most of the day although with 4yo you would skip the thrill rides. I would not expect Sea World to be very crowded on that date. With a rental car you can get there early, see what you want to see and be back at WDW at night. This might be too long a day for the kids, though.

If you purchase tickets online from the Sea World website at least 7 days in advance you can get child prices on adult tickets ($10 savings).

I make it a point not to tell anyone what is "worth it" and just give advice to let them decide themselve.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Yes. Sea World is worth it. I'll tell you that. It now has a lot of rides for little ones in the Shamu Happy Harbor section, it will be christmas, so Santa will be there, and you will have the animals all over the place, ESPECIALLY in the new Sting Ray exhibit in Manta. Sting Rays overhead....need I say more? But if you want to be convinced a little more.....
This video shows only Manta....that's one of the many different experiences just like that. Plus the little ones can touch dolphins and sting rays (safely of course) as well as throw fish to sharks and seals. Plus who doesnt like to worship shamu?

 

[SandrA9810]

I second the too long of a day. Especially with 4 yr olds that are probably used to going to bed around 8pm, I would not do a full day at sea world with a party till midnight on top of it. You'll be leaving as soon as you get there. And if you do stick around with cranky little ones, it'll just make your night even worse.

If you would like, you could do a mommy and me trip to sea world for the day while the rest of your family goes to Disney. There are very cool experiences for the kids and stuff, but having a fun vacation is better than a cranky one. As it is, the kids will be on over drive, wanting to stay awake for anything and everything, and staying awake a lot later than normal.

I think there's plenty of animals at Disney to suffice your little one's new obbsession. I also find it very fun the go to Animal Kingdom Lodge and go out to thier safari area. They usually have a couple of cast members out there to talk to people and answer questions. We had a really fun time when we did this. You could also grab a bite to eat there, in the food court or a boma's. It'll keep your day nice and relaxing, you can get back to your resort early and be at the MK by 6pm. If you get there at 7pm, mainstreet is just jammed packed and hard to navigate. Just remember you can get a stroller for free during the parties. If you get there by 6 you can put yourself in toon town to meet the characters when they come out in thier christmas outfits. Just make sure you ask a CM for locations, they're a bit different than day time.

And if I'm not mistaken, I think there's a private tour you could do as a group on the AKL safari. I've only heard about it a couple times so I don't know much about it, but I'm sure it's less expensive than going to sea world as a large group.

 

[SandrA9810]

I understand it's your first time and you want to see and do all.... but that's just not going to happen. It's nearly impossible to see and do all at Disney. And then put a day trip in at Sea World... that's just a little too much. Maybe when it's your 5th or 6th trip to the world, you could go bouncing all over the place.

I also suggest no park hoppers. With 4 year olds, one park per day is more than enough. And you'll be thankful for the early park closings on some nights. Most the time people feel they have to go to another park that's open later just to get their money's worth.

Slow relaxing with a plan of about 6 must sees per day. Then think of everything else as a bonus. Don't be a planner obssessed with "well by 9:15am we have to be in line for this" "daddy will go get fastpasses for this ride" " now we need to clear across to the other side to go ride this ride by 9:40"... it ain't gonna happen in your wildest dreams.

 

[twinmommy4]

Thank you all for the advice. I have a feeling we probably will end up spending a day at Sea World, as I'm pretty sure my one son would much rather meet Shamu than Mickey. I will try to rework the schedule though, maybe change some things around and go to Sea World on another day. I was hoping that if we got to Sea World right at opening on 11/17, we could be done before 3pm or so and rest before the party.
SandrA9810- No, we won't have park hoppers and I'm trying not to be an obsessive scheduler, but I feel that some planning is needed, especially around ADR's since we don't have the hopper option. Also, staying off-site, so will be avoiding parks w/ EMH like the plague! I know that we won't be able to experience everything in a week, but who knows when we'll go back to Orlando, so want to see as much as possible!

Thanks again!

 

[SandrA9810]

It's scary to see so many parents with notebooks of timing. Freaks me out. And I know Disney like the back of my hand, well probably better. And there's just so much you can't plan for that just throws the whole book out the window.

Good for you, planning one day one park. If you think about it, if you enter the magic kingdom on party night (without attending) you get ten hours in the park, 9am-7pm. If you attend the party only you get 8hrs, 4pm-12am, but half the normal crowd. It makes it very nice to go on rides without a wait, but don't miss out on the fun Christmas happenings. Like the stage shows, parade, fireworks, and characters dressed up. Enter the park at 4pm, do some things your kids will like, then by 7pm be in toon town. Disney clears the park fairly fast of day guest, although you'll be asked to show your wrist band for about the first hour till all is cleared.

Sea World is a fairly simple park in comparrison, but they have a way of scheduling shows right after each other, but on the other side of the park. And if your son is that into animals, take advantage of the second day free, even if it's only the two of you. There's lots of cool veiwings of the animals, and you tube some of the shows to see if they're worth while in seeing. Crowds should be low, so you probably don't have to line up 45 minutes early for the shamu show.

Some of my Favorites:
Believe - Duh..
Sea Lions Tonight - It's the last show of the evening and different from the day show. Just down right funny
Pets Ahoy - This is with mostly dogs and cats rescued from local shelters

Some of the good viewing,
Sting Rays
Dolphin Feeding - 7$ per tray must purchase a tray for every one entering the area. so you could enter with the kids, and hubby or inlaws could go to the other side to take pictures
penguins - a couple times a day a trainer will come out to do a Q&A, at the end if you're first to answer correctly thier question you get to meed a penguin.
shark tank - you could dine here as well. bit pricey, but the food is good based on some of the reviews here
wild artic - baluga whales, polar bears, walruses. Don't forget to touch the ice wall when you're coming in. and don't be surprised if the polar bear is curled up for a nap.
and shamu veiwing.

The happy harbour is also a fun place to kick back for a bit.

 

[SandrA9810]

You could easily accomplish that goal if it was Animal Kingdom, because there's only 2 shows. Lion King and Nemo. The reason why AK has a 4pm parade, later than all the rest, is to try to keep guests in the park. I used to see lots and lots of people leaving around 2-3pm for the day. If the park closed at 5pm, almost every one left after the 4pm parade. Most parks can take an hour or two for clearing, but DAK could do it in a 1/2 hr.

 

[MissionMouse]

Sea World provides a great family experience at a more relaxing pace with smaller crowds. Besides the other advice I would just note you may want to visit the SW site and review the show schedule in advance so you can determine what you might want to see. SW differs slightly since it is mainly shows and they normally are about 30 minutes long, but they have specific start times. Some shows overlap while others have limited offering during the day. I would also note the on-line schedule is subject to change...

 

[twinmommy4]

Wow, thanks for the advice and all the great Sea World info. I had no idea you could feed the dolphins and thanks for the tip about the penguins- guess I should study up on some penguin trivia!
I have checked out the Sea World site, and have found it much less helpful than the WDW site. It looks like they only list showtimes about a month in advance, but I'm guessing most of the shows listed as "seasonal" won't be playing in mid- November.
I've found that I can get a discount through Allstate (20% off all tix), so I feel slightly better about the cost.

 

[KBF]

Wow, thanks for the advice and all the great Sea World info. I had no idea you could feed the dolphins and thanks for the tip about the penguins- guess I should study up on some penguin trivia!
I have checked out the Sea World site, and have found it much less helpful than the WDW site. It looks like they only list showtimes about a month in advance, but I'm guessing most of the shows listed as "seasonal" won't be playing in mid- November.
I've found that I can get a discount through Allstate (20% off all tix), so I feel slightly better about the cost.

You will get all the regular shows except SeaLions tonight and Shamu Rocks. But Seaworld starts its Christmas celebration in mid November, so instead, they have a Shamu Christmas Miracles show in place of Shamu Rocks. But its a great choice on your part. Seaworld is defenately worth it.

 

[twinmommy4]

You will get all the regular shows except SeaLions tonight and Shamu Rocks. But Seaworld starts its Christmas celebration in mid November, so instead, they have a Shamu Christmas Miracles show in place of Shamu Rocks. But its a great choice on your part. Seaworld is defenately worth it.

Thanks KBF! It would be great if we get to see the Christmas show!

 

[KBF]

Thanks KBF! It would be great if we get to see the Christmas show!

I hope you get to see it too! Its a great show! Have fun on your trip!