Is Seaworld crowded on Feb. break?

[barefootMom]

Hi, We have never been to Seaworld as we always opt for Disney Parks. However, this year we are trying to go during presidents week and staying offsite so for the first time are considering NOT doing Disney parks and trying Seaworld instead. Does it get as crowded during that week as the Disney parks do? any opinions on going there instead of the Disney parks or will we regret it?

 

[KBF]

Hi, We have never been to Seaworld as we always opt for Disney Parks. However, this year we are trying to go during presidents week and staying offsite so for the first time are considering NOT doing Disney parks and trying Seaworld instead. Does it get as crowded during that week as the Disney parks do? any opinions on going there instead of the Disney parks or will we regret it?

Seaworld is never as busy as Disney. Seaworld is the least popular park in Orlando after Disney and Universal/IOA. So crowds shouldn't be a concern even during a Presidents day week. Seaworld is a much more layed back atmosphere compared to a Disney park. Crowds are even less noticeable because there are so many show options to choose from. If you plan to see shows, I would consider getting to each show about 40-30 minutes early for the best possible seat. If you don't care about getting a good seat, then you can get to a show 5-10 minutes before a posted show time and more than likely still get a seat to the show. To make you day less of running back and forth around the park, plan your day around the shows. Plan to visit exhibits and attractions around the show you want to see at a particular time. So for example, if you want to see a 2:45 Sealion show, then visit exhibits and attractions around the Sealion show stadium from 1:15-2:15 before the show or from 3:15 to 4:15 following the show. That way you aren't running all over the place.

 

[anonymouscactus]

If you don't care about getting a good seat, then you can get to a show 5-10 minutes before a posted show time and more than likely still get a seat to the show.

I would advise 15 minutes on all shows. Giving yourself 5-10 min, even on slow days, you may find yourself shut out of certain shows. I wouldn't take that chance.

 

[formill]

We were there just after Christmas in the evening and it was super busy and hard to walk around-we got to see all shows we wanted but the line waiting for shows to open up to new crowds took about 30 minutes and we then waited 40-60 minutes for all shows to start. This past week we were there on Wednesday Jan 4 and got there when park opened at 9 am only to be very disappointed as the 2 roller coasters still did not start up until after 10 am and the lines were instantly very long (to me that is 60 minute wait or more the newest one was usually 2 hours)- the first show did not start till 10 am and the shark exhibit area and all things that direction did not open till 10 either. Penguins were all closed as was Journey to Atlantis. So maybe Sea World is not as busy as Disney but it was busy and shows were full. The kids were really complaining about why I had them there so early. I was trying to get them on the roller coasters before the crowds but that plan did not work.

 

[anonymouscactus]

Kraken, Manta, and Journey To Atlantis (JTA is closed for refurbishment the next few weeks) are all supposed to be open and running with guests at park opening time (you are correct that the area including and beyond sharks, including happy harbor, does not open until 1 hr later, however) -- Unfortunately it sounds like there was another issue with the coaster(s) on that particular day. I can assure you this is not the norm.

 

[chiamarie]

We were there just after Christmas in the evening and it was super busy and hard to walk around-we got to see all shows we wanted but the line waiting for shows to open up to new crowds took about 30 minutes and we then waited 40-60 minutes for all shows to start. This past week we were there on Wednesday Jan 4 and got there when park opened at 9 am only to be very disappointed as the 2 roller coasters still did not start up until after 10 am and the lines were instantly very long (to me that is 60 minute wait or more the newest one was usually 2 hours)- the first show did not start till 10 am and the shark exhibit area and all things that direction did not open till 10 either. Penguins were all closed as was Journey to Atlantis. So maybe Sea World is not as busy as Disney but it was busy and shows were full. The kids were really complaining about why I had them there so early. I was trying to get them on the roller coasters before the crowds but that plan did not work.

As PP said; JTA closes this time of year every year for referb. The way that Kraken and Manta are set up; the temp has to be above 50 degress in order to run properly. The oil in the system can freeze and cause the ride to not function properly. So, because last week there was a cold snap in Orlando, they did have to wait to start running the ride until the outside temp is above 50 degrees.

It has been announced (awhile ago) that Penguin would go down since they are redoing that whole area into a ride that is slated to open sometime in 2013.

There has never (as far as I know) been a show that has started before 10am.

I'm sorry you had a bad time.

That being said to the OP- President's Day weekend tends to be (for seaworld....not compared to disney) more busy than normal for that time of year. But it is still very do-able!

 

[RabFlmom]

As PP said; JTA closes this time of year every year for referb. The way that Kraken and Manta are set up; the temp has to be above 50 degress in order to run properly. The oil in the system can freeze and cause the ride to not function properly. So, because last week there was a cold snap in Orlando, they did have to wait to start running the ride until the outside temp is above 50 degrees.

It has been announced (awhile ago) that Penguin would go down since they are redoing that whole area into a ride that is slated to open sometime in 2013.

There has never (as far as I know) been a show that has started before 10am.

I'm sorry you had a bad time.

That being said to the OP- President's Day weekend tends to be (for seaworld....not compared to disney) more busy than normal for that time of year. But it is still very do-able!

That is also one one of the Band, Brew and BBQ concert weekends. It is Trace Adkins on Saturday and Kenny Rogers on Sunday The concerts will bring people into the parks but they will be lining up a few hours before the concert and in the concert till about 5:30 or 6. Many leave right after the concerts, too. Hopefully we will be there both days. Saw Kenny a few years ago there and it was one of the best concerts we have been to.

Usually on concert days we only go to 1 or 2 shows and do a lot of eating<g>

 

[formill]

As PP said; JTA closes this time of year every year for referb. The way that Kraken and Manta are set up; the temp has to be above 50 degress in order to run properly. The oil in the system can freeze and cause the ride to not function properly. So, because last week there was a cold snap in Orlando, they did have to wait to start running the ride until the outside temp is above 50 degrees.

It has been announced (awhile ago) that Penguin would go down since they are redoing that whole area into a ride that is slated to open sometime in 2013.

There has never (as far as I know) been a show that has started before 10am.

I'm sorry you had a bad time.

That being said to the OP- President's Day weekend tends to be (for seaworld....not compared to disney) more busy than normal for that time of year. But it is still very do-able!

Had a GREAT time. Just wanted to point out that there are waits it is not as "unbusy" as I had kept reading. I was aware of no Wild Arctic, Penguins and JTA ahead of time but I guess I thought the shark exhibit would have no reason to not open at opening time and they could have posted at the parking or entry gates that roller coasters would not be running until later that morning. I had not heard of the roller coasters not starting if too cold- we are from Canada and we have been on roller coasters late October and wearing hats and mittens.

Busch Gardens was the same- busy many lines both days we were there.