Itinerary Planning for one day at Seaworld

[diskids2]

Does anyone have a general strategy for touring Seaworld. We will be going for one day, in July, and we have never been. Some people in our family may want to ride the thrill rides and we all want to experience shows and feed the dolphins.

Any suggestions?

 

[Thumper_Man]

First off, if some of your family is wanting to do the thrill rides, you may want to do these first. I haven't been there since they added Manta; but I remember waiting in line for about 45 minutes for Journey to Atlantis & Kraken. I asked a similar question about the rides, and most responses I got were; if you hit the rides first thing, your wait time won't be as long and you can probably do all of them done in the first hour. I would start with Manta, hop on over to JtA and then hit Kraken.

It's really hard to determine a plan at this time as the show times are not yet posted. This will have a big effect on how you make your plans for the day.

This is how we're hoping to do SW on our next trip:
Manta
JtA
Blue Horizons (Dolphin Show)
Dolphin Cove
Kraken
Penguin Encounter
Clyde and Seamore (Sea Lion Show)
Lunch
A'lure - Call of the Ocean
Wild Arctic
Believe (Shamu)
Reflections (If it's showing).

If you look at the map, we'll be going left to right. This will vary according to the show times for: Blue Horizons, C & S, A'lure and Believe. There are only so many shows during the day, so your visit needs to be planned around these shows (if you're planning on seeing any or all of them). We followed this plan last time and it worked great for us. We were able to see everything in one day. The addition for us this time will be Manta & A'lure. We had time to kill last time, so shouldn't be a problem.

You can keep checking their website to get show times (http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?locID=1). This will help you get a better idea. HTP

 

[kathy884]

To get the most of your day, get there early. If you have a choice of days in the summer, a weekday will be less crowded than a weekend day, and I'd do that. Saturday is the busiest day.

Get a show schedule when you come into the park too.

Recommendations: First thing -- For those who want to do thrill rides do these first -- Manta and then Kracken // Journey to Atlantis too if you don't mind getting really wet. These lines will be long later, but are short in the morinig. If you aren't doing coasters, go feed the Dolphins first (There is an extra fee for the food and everyone who goes out together has to pay it -- under $10 per person). Lines for this get longer as the day progresses, but are still manageable.

Next look at the show shedule and plan your day around the shows, seeing animal exhibits near the shows before or after. Try to get to the shows 20 minutes before they start to be guaranteed a half way decent seat. If you want to get a really good seat, you may want to get there even earlier. The one exception about visiting animal exhibits around the shows before or after is the Wild Artic. Don't go see this right after an Orca show or the crowds will be horrible. See this before the show or at another time. During an Orca show is a particularly good time.

All the shows are good. I'd in order of priority make sure 1) You fit in one of the Orca shows, Believe or Shamu Rocks, 2) see Blue Horizons, the Dolphin show 3) See one of the Sea Lion shows -- I personally love (think it's an absolute hoot) Sea Lions Sleep tonight. Then only do this in the summer. At this show they make fun of all their other shows, so it's best to have already been to Believe and Blue Horizons before going to this. If you see the normal Sea Lion show, there is a mime before the show who is quite humerous, and this is a good one to get to early.

Shamu's Happy Harbour is a great play area for kids if you have children in your party who would be interested in that.

If you have extra time and feel like seeing more shows, the other shows are fun too. Kids really seem to like Pets Ahoy.

Have a great time. This is our favorite Orlando theme park. It's great for all ages. If you want to do another day / have the time, you can stop at the customer service desk and get a second day free within seven days of your visit.

 

[diskids2]

Both posts have EXCELLENT recommendations...exactly what I was looking for. I am going to read them both over more carefully and will be sure to take all of your suggestions. We are planning on going on a weekday.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I'm sure you will have fun either way. Kathy made a good point, see the exhibits in between the shows, close to the shows you want to see. That's exactly what we did.