Is seaworld worth using 1 of 4 days?

[laptopgirl]

Hi,
This is my first posting- hopefully, someone can help me. In Aug, my DH and I will be taking our 2 DDs (3y and 4y) to Dis for our second time. This time I will be 7 mo preg.

We all loved mk, mgm, epcot, and our stay at the yachtclub last year...but I'm afraid it might be too much for me this year. We've decided not to go to epcot. We'll definitely go to MK and MGM.

I was thinking Seaworld may be less walking and more sitting? What about AK? Any suggestions ??? (We'll be checking in on Wed late morning and leaving Sun afternoon.) Also, what is the best nighttime show for us?

Thanks

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Laptopgirl,

I love Seaworld, in fact, I think it's better for the "little ones" than some of the other parks. Shamu Happy Harbor is a playground where your kids can run around, get wet, play on the equipment, etc. I know most kids are also fascinated by animals and will probably love the Dolphins and Shamu show.

The park is also open some great hours in the summer. We plan on visiting Sea World on our first full day, and expect to go back to the hotel mid-afternoon for a nap and return in the evening for the fireworks.

 

[Planogirl]

Welcome and congratulations!

Sea World is great in my opinion particularly if you enjoy sealife and animals in general like we do. Many of the attractions are somewhat of a walk apart but then you get to sit for quite a while. My son always loved the shows and the water play areas.

As for Animal Kingdom, the biggest problem is the heat. And it will still be quite hot in August I imagine. Animal Kingdom is big but much of it is within the Safari Ride which might be uncomfortable for you at that time.

Do you plan to stay onsite at Disney? If you go back to an Epcot resort and purchase hoppers, don't forget that you can always go into World Showcase easily without fooling with Future World which is so vast.

 

[Chuck S]

Orlando has a beautiful SeaWorld, if you're definitely not going to EPCOT, SeaWorld is a good option. AK is always a very hot and humid park because of all the greenery, while the shows are outstanding, I think I would skip it in August and go to SeaWorld.

Welcome to the DIS.

 

[laceemouse]

As much as we love AK, I would vote for SW also. The layout of the park is very good and you get to sit a lot in the shows. All of the seating areas are BIG and we have not had a problem getting into the shows we want at the time we want. Your kids will love the sea animals, and do not miss the animal show with dogs and cats!!! I forget what it is called but we have seen it 2 or 3 times. They are all rescue animals and it is so CUTE!!! A cat walks a high wire over your head!!! All of my kids love animals and 2 of them want to be marine biologists. My favorite are the manatees, really neat critters!! Lacee

 

[laptopgirl]

Thank you all for your input. AK does not sound like a good idea this trip. SW sounds great.

We will be staying at the yacht/beach club again, without a car. What are the transportation options to SW? Should we plan a full day for SW?

Also, our girls (3yo and 4yo) will probably only survive one late night... what show would you recommend?


Thanks...

 

[edie w]

If you like water creatures, then definitely go to Sea World. I'd choose it over MK any time (but then I'm a dolphin fan and water baby).

Go to the Wild Arctic (polar bears, walrus, beluga whales) for some serious air conditioning in the heat of the day - and you get to sit down in a pre-show (or ride, if your DH and girls are up for it). Try visiting while there's a Shamu show running - the queues will be shorter.

Don't miss the dolphin feeding time - although your DDs may be too small to see over the side of the pool and may need to be lifted up in turn. There's an under water viewing area too.

SW is beautifully landscaped, there's plenty of shade and the pace is much less frenetic.

As far as I recall almost all of the attractions (e.g. Penguin Encounter, Manatees) have benches. You may not be able to see a great deal if there are huge crowds but at least it gets the weight off your feet while your family ooh and aah at the animals!

Have a wonderful time.

 

[laptopgirl]

Thanks Edie,
I'm so glad I posted this question, because I was doubtful that SW was worth it...You've convinced me otherwise How much time should we allow there? Does anyone know about transportation from the yachtclub to SW?

Heather

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well that's a really tough question! Because I agree with everyone that SW is great- plus that AK is the hottest park (or atleast it seemed that way to me- you're in the sun more I guess is why) and you at 7mo is a big issue on heat.... but then the kids might like AK a lot. My children all love SW..... but their favorite park on our last trip was AK! (go figure- I thought it would be MK- I was wrong). I guess because there are shows they liked (not sure what they are now or will be on your trip- but our trip was tough to be a but/ants, lion king, pocahontas, tarzan, etc. They liked all of them! Only TTBAB scared the youngest), Dinosaur and a few other rides they liked, loved the safari, love animals-and Rafiki's area was a hit, the dino-dig thing was a blast for my then barely turned 5yr old son and barely 2yr old too! (9yr old had fun too but that doesn't pertain to you since your children are much younger LOL)


Hmmm, yeah.... I'd probably have to go with comfort at 7mo pregnant because if mom ain't feeling good- no one is feeling good. LOL Atleast in my family.... LOL but definitely take them to AK on the very next trip- they'll probably love it like mine did. If your kids like animals at their ages now- they will adore SW! My kids really love SW... we just don't go to SW when in Florida because we have one in Texas.

 

[BevS97]

Seaworld is probably my dds favorite park, I would definitely recommend it.

For transport, I think Mears do a shuttle service

http://www.mearstransportation.com/

but I haven't tried it as we prefer to rent a car.
Bev

 

[laceemouse]

Everytime we go to SW we stay all day but have never stayed for the fireworks they have. Our favorite night time show of all is Fantasmic!! The first time we tried to see it we did not arrive early enough to get in. The next time we sat for an hour plus to see it. It was worth it but hard to sit there with 4 little ones!!! The last time we did the dinner package. We ate at Brown Derby and then had reserved seats for the show. It was expensive but well worth the $!!!! Enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[laurie31]

----------------
We will be staying at the yacht/beach club again, without a car. What are the transportation options to SW? Should we plan a full day for SW?
----------------

You don't mention what your budget is, but if you want a cheap ride, consider public buses. Lynx #50 leaves from the TTC and your round trip would cost about $5.00 - for your whole family

http://www.golynx.com/

Laurie

 

[Janell Ebert]

If you love animails you'll like Sea World. The park is very clean and the food is good. You still walk a fair amount between shows. We spend lots of time feeding and watching the dophins. Give yourself a full day to really enjoy. We always watch Shamu more than once. Find out when feeding time is for sharks. Interesting to watch. I love watching polar bears, walrus and penguins. We love the bird show in AK and my husband wouldn't be happy if he didn't get to take pictures of lions they are so close sometimes and the safari is a fun ride. This is a park to slow down in, go early when its cooler. They have a good deal on meals drink, ice cream for later at fast food places. I like Flame Tree barbaque ribs. Can share with someone else. Illuminations at Epcot is the nicest fireworks but seeing the waterparade and fireworks on Poly beach is nice to.

 

[disneygeek]

Laptop girl,

We took our 18 mo old to WDW when I was 32 weeks preg w/ #2. I was worried about walking. But it was no prob. I will tell you that I would be concerned about the heat. Have fun.

 

[jjjbennett]

I went for a week in 2001 when 7 months pregnant with DS #4. It was the July 4th week so it was hot and crowded. We managed and did AK although we had AP's that year and they had a lovely sheltered lounge area with fans for AP members. My youngest DD and I spent at least an hour or more playing a game in the pavilion while the older kids and Dad did the more adventurous rides. We did go out to the parks early in the morning and again after dinner. I napped everyday at the hotel during the heat of the day. We were at the HIFS so the older kids played video games or watched videos or did the pool with Dad while I rested in the master bedroom. I was skeptical but did not have any problems I would highly suggest you stay out of the hot sun during the heat of the day
BTW they have signs that you shouldn't ride the safari if pregnant but having been on it before and not finding it very rough I decided to stay with the family rode it several times I believe it didn't seem much rougher than some of the city driving I do.

 

[laptopgirl]

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for all your help. Any other special considerations for pregnancy? I'm in pretty good shape so hopefully the walking will be okay if I can stand the heat...