Is SW easy to navigate with crowds?

[kohlby]

We're working on our vacation plans and Sea World fits in on a Sunday that the park is open to 11pm. (Sunday after thanksgiving). So, it's my assumption that this means it's a crowded day. Looking at least years' calendar, if we did a weekday, there's a LOT less shows available.

If it's crowded, is it still easy to do the shows we want? We have three kids, ages 3, 6, and 9. For rides, we just want Happy Harbor and the cargo net. Otherwise, all shows, though we haven't picked which shows. We'll be there at the opening and plan to leave around dinner time. We will go to the dolphin feeding area first.

 

[mousecoachjenn]

I love Sea World and find that we can make it work no matter the crowd levels or the amount of time we have to spend for the day.

The number of shows and animal attractions at Sea World do make it easier to navigate on busier days and the extended hours are a big help in spreading out the crowd.

If you are leaving at dinner time then be sure to arrive about 30 minutes before park opening so you can get a lot done early before the crowds come.

 

[KBF]

Also, the 11:00 closing does not necessarily mean that it's more crowded. Any 11:00 closing after Thanksgiving will be a day that Seaworld has its Christmas celebration. Which features Christmas themed shows, rides and festivities. These are only available on nights with 11:00 closings. And all the Christmas shows, rides and festivities are included with park admission. The Christmas themed shows take place at night which starts around 6 or 7. The Christmas shows are different than the regular day shows.

 

[chiamarie]

Generally, they plan to have enough shows for everyone to see each of the main 3 Shows (Shamu, Whale/Dolphin, and Sealion and Otter) once; as each stadium only holds so many people at a time.

So if you want good seats, you just need to plan to be at each stadium 30-45 mins in advance to get good seats (or sometimes seats at all).

 

[kohlby]

30-45 minutes in advance? Wow, that's earlier than I'd expect. I guess we'll just pick a couple shows.

The Christmas shows are the reason we were planning on doing a Sunday instead of a weekday. We've been to SW a couple times in the past but never for the Christmas shows. We were even there once a few years ago during the Christmas season, but went during a weekday and hadn't realized there were Christmas shows. But if the Christmas shows don't start until 6/7, then it might be worth it to do a weekday, since we wanted to leave around then. I'm going to go back and recheck last year's show schedule.