Is Seaworld worth it for a daytrip from Disney

[BANNISTER]

Okay, we are getting close to our 7/17-27 trip! This is our 4th trip with the kids. Kids are 14, 11, 6. We are traveling with another family on a grand gathering staying at the BC. I am now having second thoughts about venturing over to Seaworld for a day. We have 10 day park hoppers so we have enough paid park admission to keep us busy in the world. We are also on the meal plan and booked solid for our TS. Right now we have a day scheduled to go to Seaworld and I am starting to second guess myself. We have already spent a small fortune on this trip. Seaworld tickets for our family of 5 will run us $315 with tax. We will not have a car, on ME from airport and then disney transportation. I am checking to a car rental or mears. Looks like this will be around $130 to get something to accommodate our large group. Someone talk me into this or out of this as I am on the fence...starting to feel like it would be nice to have a day unplanned to do as we want and not rush. We will spend about $500. dollars to do this day at the Seaworld.

 

[dfarner]

Seaworld is wonderful, but not $500 worth of wonderful. We go on each trip, but it is budgeted in from the beginning. We also always have a car. If the extra money spent is going to cause you to second guess or stress about it, then I wouldn't do it. It sounds like you've got everything else already worked out, so I'd just go and enjoy what you've already planned. Maybe do Seaworld on your next trip .

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

From another poster somewhere on the DIS...

I've heard that there is an Orlando city bus from the TTC to Seaworld. According to the poster, the bus is cheap, clean, and efficient. You can get the information about the bus, the times, etc. from the Orlando Transit website.

As for whether its worth $315...I've wondered if its worth it to go to another park with the way Disney sets its pricing, but of course...that is why Disney charges the way that they do.

 

[Snowy-girls]

From the TTC you get Lynx Bus Number 50 and it will take you straight to Seaworld.I believe it is just under $2 each+children under 12 ride for free.
We love Seaworld,it is a beautiful place to visit.x.

 

[gjw007]

I like SeaWorld as well. It is a relaxing park to visit. If you're into rides, you probably won't like it. I also believe that let you come the second day free so a ticket for one day will let you in for two days (you need to let them know the first day there while at the park). It seems that renting a vehicle is cheaper than the initial transportation expense plus would allow you to experience other options.

 

[calgarygary]

Why not repost your question on the Seaworld forum - just scroll down past the DVC forums and you will see it.

 

[Sadielady]

Seaworld has it's tickets on sale right now. Have you checked out their website for tickets? You can purchase adult tickets at childrens prices.
This is our first visit to DW and we are planning a day at Seaworld. I had looked at all the different methods to get there and I think we are going to try the bus system from DTD.

 

[tammy1210]

If all four of had to rank all of the parks we visited last year, I think SeaWorld would have averaged out as the top park! We loved it and would not leave it out on our next visit! Like the pp said - they do have their tickets on sale now, too.

 

[Princess Jenny]

Okay, we are getting close to our 7/17-27 trip! This is our 4th trip with the kids. Kids are 14, 11, 6. We are traveling with another family on a grand gathering staying at the BC. I am now having second thoughts about venturing over to Seaworld for a day. We have 10 day park hoppers so we have enough paid park admission to keep us busy in the world. We are also on the meal plan and booked solid for our TS. Right now we have a day scheduled to go to Seaworld and I am starting to second guess myself. We have already spent a small fortune on this trip. Seaworld tickets for our family of 5 will run us $315 with tax. We will not have a car, on ME from airport and then disney transportation. I am checking to a car rental or mears. Looks like this will be around $130 to get something to accommodate our large group. Someone talk me into this or out of this as I am on the fence...starting to feel like it would be nice to have a day unplanned to do as we want and not rush. We will spend about $500. dollars to do this day at the Seaworld.

Our family took a day out of 9 day trip in September for a trip to Sea World. And we all agreed it was a BIG mistake! Keep in mind I got the tickets for $25.00 a piece for 5 people. I think I would of flipped a nut if I paid full price for this park. We took Mears and it was $18.00 p/p round trip. It so wasn't worth forfeiting our day of rest! Believe me, save your $500 and enjoy a nice drink by the pool for a lot less money. And your kids will probably love the down time. I know my kids were run ragged by the end of our trip because we didn't get the day of rest.

Don't get me wrong, Sea World was a nice park, but in our opinion, not worth the extra money on top of the Disney price tag.

 

[ibob52]

Our first trip to WDW was July 2001 ... we did 7 days ... by the last day we were there ... but just barely hangin' on ... since then ... we learned ... to take a Break ... from the parks for a day ... about 1/2 way thru the vacation ... we feel better after the break ... that is how we roll ... :cool1

 

[BANNISTER]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The closer we get to our trip, the more I just want to skip it this trip. Of course, going to Seaworld was my idea from the start. I just want at least one day not planned. I don't think I will purchase tickets ahead of time and if once there we decide to do it we can. Thanks for the bus info..sounds like the most cost effective way to get there.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Our family loves Sea World. It is very unique and different from Disney! We have used the Lynx bus a couple of times now and it works really great and it is such a reasonable cost. I understand what you are saying about the cost of Sea World though....I am debating rather we should take the side trip with the granddaughters in September and I've about decided to not spend the extra. I guess Disney is getting what it wants....it is keeping us on property!!! Have a great time on your trip either way.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

I would take the time to look into more of the off the beaten path kind of stuff to do at WDW. 10 days of parks is a lot and taking breaks like the Campfire at FW or BCV, a boat ride or fishing trip or even mini golf are a welcome alternative to doing the parks "commando".
My DD4 got more excited about the FW campfire/movie with chip n dale and her haircut in MK than she did in an extra day at the parks.
BOB

 

[Frothy]

The beauty of Orlando is that you can do as much as you want or as little as you want. I never understand the desire to see as much as possible rather than taking a deep breathe and just relaxing and enjoying the experience of what you are doing today. It seems to me that so many people try to do it all and it's just not possible.

Sea World is a wonderful park. Truly unique and a must do in its own right. Money shouldn't come into it. It's an experience that you and your family will look back upon and remember. Your kids are at a great age and it won't be long before time passes by and you wonder where it went. My advice is to do SeaWorld and forget the $500. Your memories and your families memories are worth more than that.

The only mistake I think you have made is committing too much time to WDW and not enough to getting out and exploring other things at a slower pace. Car hire is essential IMO and a day or two at the beach allows everyone some space and time to just take it all in. IMO, you should forgive a day or two at WDW and enjoy other experiences.

 

[FayeW]

You know what I would do if I were you? I would re-think doing 10 days of park days, period. You have not built any "rest" days into your vacation, and you will be exhausted coming home.

You already have 10 day passes to WDW. I don't know if you have park hopping or plus features on them, but when we went for 9 days we bought the 10 day non expiry, park hoppers with plus features. We used 5 days of our passes, and saved 5, plus 5 plus features, for the next trip, which will be this Dec. We will probably only use 3 days + 2 plusses (we always go to US/IOA as well) so we will have a couple of days for a third trip using the original 10 day passes.

So, my suggestion is to upgrade the tickets you have to non-expiry, and add the park hoppers and plus features if you don't already have them. That will give you some flexibility in how you use your days. By budgeting your park days you will be able to build in some more relaxing days (at a water park or Disney Quest) and you might even find the time for SeaWorld (Shark Encounter alone is worth the price of admission, in my opinion). However, if you budget your days and save some for another time, you might even find that on the next trip you will want to give Universal a try. At their ages, your kids would absolutely LOVE IT!

 

[blondietink]

We always take a day or two out of a long trip to do something other than Disney. It get overwhelming very easily. Sea World is very nice and relaxing and it is also beautiful. The free beer also helps. Our kids love it and this year we might try their new water park which looks awesome!