Is Sea World worth leaving WDW??

[kitty2kidz]

Thanks for the info!! I think we will try Sea World we do have enough time --I was concerned @ the$$$ 200 for tickets then food and souvineres--but I do think my DD's will enjoy it--hope to feed the animals etc.. plus living seas will be closed!!!

 

[StephMK]

We went 3 times during our week last year & all the kids - 10,4, 2 - loved it! DH & I almost like it better than Disney, not quite, but it's up there. Very relaxing and we spent about 6 hours each time we went. If you stay for the end of day Shamu show, I thought it was really great.

We wanted to go back this year but the kids chose the water park instead. Enjoy!!

 

[MAMA G]

We have been with our children 5 or 6 times to Seaworld, it is one of our favorite parks - They kids and hubby love the Kraken coaster - it is wild. We all love the Atlantis water coaster. It is a very relaxing day with all of the shows, sitting in the shade - they continue to update them so they never seem dated or hokey. Our favorite is Clyde and Seamore, arrive 1/2 hour early because the mime is as good as the show! We always go over to Seaworld, and we go on a Saturday after Thanksgiving and it's not that crowded, we rode the coasters several times in a row first thing with little or no wait. Also the Shamu's playground is a 3 story climbing apparatus that kids of all ages love including my 8, 14, 18 year olds - and the 43 year old hubby!
We strongly recommend taking a day off to head over to Seaworld!!!!

 

[THEDISFANS]

WE WENT TO SEA WORLD FOR THE FIRST AND LAST TIME DURING OUR LAST WDW STAY. IT WAS GROSS. WE WERE THERE WHEN THEY OPENED. TRASH WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE PARK WAS DIRTY AND CM WERE RUDE.SEA WORLD IS A BIG JOKE

 

[mommyoeo]

We might try Sea World this time, especially since the Living Seas will be closed in Oct. :-(

 

[welovewdw]

We have been to Sea World a few times - the last time we went was a year ago, my kids were 15, 12 and 5 -they LOVED it. Their favorite part was feeding the sea lions, sting rays and dolphins - and of course, the water coaster and the roller coaster were great. It is totally different from WDW, but it is fun!

 

[Taratink]

Seaworld is very expensive. I thought that it was okay. Unless your kids are really into sea creatures. My kids did'nt have the patience to wait for all of the shows.
Tara

 

[disfamily2]

I did Seaworld in Nov. 03 because we had free tickets from being at Discocery Cove. My three girls loved it. It was not crowded at all and a very relaxing day. We ate at the Shark restaurant, I forgot the name, but there are sharks swimming just a few feet from your table. Very cool !!!!! My kids loved Kraken, their huge rollercoaster. I wasn't expecting much but was very pleasantly suprised on a fun day there....

Jo Ann

 

[singingpixie]

Since my grandparents live in San Diego, I grew up on Sea World. Honestly, even though we did a day at Disneyland every trip, Sea World was always my favorite part of our yearly vacation. If you can afford the extra money, it is definitely worth it- totally different and wonderful. I can understand the financial concern though, especially since extra days on MYW tickets are so cheap!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We have the same problem--undecided. Both my husband and I have been to SW, but our children have never left the WDW property. Since we are at WDW for 11 days this time, my husband wants to go to SW one day. For me, I am thinking that it will cost alot of money--at least $200 for admission, $100 on food and forget about how much we would spend on souveniors. As a prevous poster said, we already have plenty of WDW tickets.

 

[sharonW]

sea world is a nice change of pace from all the running around
the disney parks. After all where else can you meet Shamu?
The penguins are neat. Dolphin show fun. It is a nice clean
enviorment and worth the day away from mickey. I say go
for it. It has always been a part of our orlando vacation. I'd
take a guess and say most people really enjoy sea world!

 

[kimatigger]

My boys are 2 and 1. Should we take them to SW or are they too young. Also do we need a full day?

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

that when we went to SW on may of 2004, as you were leaving the park, there was an option to get a ticket to visit a second day for free (I think it was valid for 2 weeks, but I am not sure). They would take your picture and make a personalized ticket. I don´t know if this is still the case, but if you plan on going, don´t leave it for the last day in case you would like to go back.

Also, I don´t know how much anual passports for SW in Orlando cost, but dh and I bought bianual (2005-2006) passports for SW San Antonio online at the beginning of the year, and I think they cost about $ 90 per person, so if you plan on going back to Orlando next year, this might be a good option. They also give you a discount admission for all the Anheuser Parks.

Julie

 

[WeemanMom]

We went to SW in October 2002. We loved it. It was hard to get the kids to leave at the end of the day. Now, with our trip this year, we are planning on two days at SW. Definately see the shows, feed the dolphins and the sea lions.

Although it's a bit pricey, if you can afford it...the Dine with Shamu dinner was great for my ds (he was 7 the last time). As soon as we told the kids we were going to WDW, he asked about SW.

Shark Encounter is okay, the moving floor moves a bit too fast. The simulator helicoper ride is not worth the wait, walk through, it's much better.

We will be there October 3rd and October 10th and maybe an evening or morning in between. We purchased a one year pass so we could return next year in September and 10% off the Dine with Shamu, Shark Encounter dinner, and souvenirs.

Just keep in mind...this is not Disney. The service was not up to Disney's standards, but it certainly wasn't lacking either. It was good service, polite and friendly, just not Disney.

As other posters have mentioned, it is a slower, more relaxed pace. A welcomed termporary change in the mist of a high energy level vacation.

If you go, let us know what your opinions are when you get back!

 

[kitty2kidz]

Thank you for all of the replys!!! I am looking foward to Sea World now-- and I know my 2 DD's will love it!!!!

 

[pat's mom99]

IMO Sea World is a rip off. Yes you can feed the dolpins, but you have to pay to do it. About 5 fish for $3 or something like that. You really need to plan out the shows inorder to see all the good ones. The food is AWFUL!! They need some serious help in that department. They do have a great kids playground, but it is an awful lot of $$$ to spend on a playground. And once the kids see the playground try tearing them away to go see another animal show.

I hope you do have a nice time if you decide to go, but it will a long time before I go back.
Give me WDW anytime.

 

[Cllong75]

It is absolutely worth it!! We went last year and took a day to go to Seaworld and the boys LOVED it. Our next trip (in 19 days) we are definately taking a day to go to Seaworld. My only suggestion is to get your tickets online before you go. They are a few dollars cheaper and you don't have to pinpoint a specific day.

 

[JrsyDebs]

Our family is planning to go there while on vacation in November; it is actually the only place that DH really wants to visit while down there (He is not real big on WDW; I am hoping this trip might change his mind, LOL!).

My sister and her husband went there last year with their DS13, DS11 and DDinfant, and they all had a good time...

The shows sound fun for all ages, also being able to feed the animals.
And, for me, as long as they have penguins (my favorite-animal-in-the zoo), I'm sold!!

 

[Hugpug]

Yes you should go. I am sure you will love it. A nice break away from WDW. Everything is timed and easy to see and do in a day. Love the sea lion show as well as the dolphin and whale show. Seeing the Penquins are so cute and funny.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's funny after reading these posts how different people have different takes on exactly the same thing!!! Just goes to show that everything is not for everybody and that there is something for everyone in Orlando!!! After 8 or 9 trips to WDW, with one trip including SW, I think our next big WDW trip will actually include US, IoA, and SW. We'll most likely spend 2 or 3 days off-site and then head over to finish the stay in WDW. We like to go for 9 days so that should work very nicely. 3 days off-site, 6 on-site. As dd gets older there are other things to do besides just WDW....I know it's heresy but what can you do? We'll still be at WDW most of the time.