Memorial Day Weekend Crowds??

[newtodis]

What will the crowds be like over Memorial Day? I'm sure they'll be busier than normal but not being to SW before I'm not quite sure how to prepare for the crowds. I'm planning Saturday and Sunday (our previous last minute trip fell through - I just didn't have enough time to plan...) at SW then spending Monday morning at Disney for breakfast then to DTD before we head back home to "real life". Two days should be more than enough to fit everything in right?? It looks like the parks close about 6 Saturday and Sunday night so what do you do in the evenings after the parks have closed? We'll only have tickets to SW so it would need to be something without admission charges (trying to stay on a budget) that would be fun for 2 adults, DS5 and DS3. To keep loding affordable, I'm going to get a condo on Hotwire so I'm not sure what our accomidations will have to offer at this point. I'm sure my boys could spend the evening at the Lego store in DTD which is always an option. I'm just curious what else is out there that we should try out.

 

[KBF]

What will the crowds be like over Memorial Day? I'm sure they'll be busier than normal but not being to SW before I'm not quite sure how to prepare for the crowds. I'm planning Saturday and Sunday (our previous last minute trip fell through - I just didn't have enough time to plan...) at SW then spending Monday morning at Disney for breakfast then to DTD before we head back home to "real life". Two days should be more than enough to fit everything in right?? It looks like the parks close about 6 Saturday and Sunday night so what do you do in the evenings after the parks have closed? We'll only have tickets to SW so it would need to be something without admission charges (trying to stay on a budget) that would be fun for 2 adults, DS5 and DS3. To keep loding affordable, I'm going to get a condo on Hotwire so I'm not sure what our accomidations will have to offer at this point. I'm sure my boys could spend the evening at the Lego store in DTD which is always an option. I'm just curious what else is out there that we should try out.

Seaworld closes at 10pm Starting that Saturday and Sunday before Memorial day. If you choose to stay until 10, there will be Special summer time shows. Like Shamu Rocks and Sealions tonight as well as fireworks. The Shamu show and Sealion night shows are different than the day shows, plus they are only offered certain times of the year.

 

[newtodis]

Seaworld closes at 10pm Starting that Saturday and Sunday before Memorial day. If you choose to stay until 10, there will be Special summer time shows. Like Shamu Rocks and Sealions tonight as well as fireworks. The Shamu show and Sealion night shows are different than the day shows, plus they are only offered certain times of the year.

That's exciting! The hours I printed off showed the park to close at 6...I guess we'll be busy one night for sure if they're open until 10. I'd like to try and go to the Poly Sunday night to watch Wishes (my all time favorite Disney thing - we're in need of a Disney fix). I really think we'll be able to get the majority of things done in one day with the extended hours.

Thanks!

 

[KBF]

That's exciting! The hours I printed off showed the park to close at 6...I guess we'll be busy one night for sure if they're open until 10. I'd like to try and go to the Poly Sunday night to watch Wishes (my all time favorite Disney thing - we're in need of a Disney fix). I really think we'll be able to get the majority of things done in one day with the extended hours.

Thanks!

Here is the show schedule for that time incase you would like to plan out your day before you go! Have fun!

http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?LocationID=1&ScheduleID=40327

 

[RabFlmom]

Here is the show schedule for that time incase you would like to plan out your day before you go! Have fun!

http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?LocationID=1&ScheduleID=40327

Also Memorial Day the park will be packed so get to shows really early. Sometimes they close the shows 15-20 minutes because the stadiums are full to capacity. Lines for meals will be long so try to eat at off times, too. We have been there on MD before and gave up on the shows and just did the feedings, the exhibits, etc.

 

[newtodis]

Here is the show schedule for that time incase you would like to plan out your day before you go! Have fun!

http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?LocationID=1&ScheduleID=40327

Thanks! I found that on the website.

Also Memorial Day the park will be packed so get to shows really early. Sometimes they close the shows 15-20 minutes because the stadiums are full to capacity. Lines for meals will be long so try to eat at off times, too. We have been there on MD before and gave up on the shows and just did the feedings, the exhibits, etc.

We won't be in the park on actual Memorial Day. Right now, my plan is spending all day at the park on Saturday (open to close) to give it a whirl and see if we can actually make it a whole day without a break, heading back Sunday morning for whatever we missed and heading back to the condo for a rest for a bit before we head over to Disney and check things out over there. That leaves us Monday morning for an ADR at Cape May Cafe and time for DTD before we have to come back to reality. Thankfully (sometimes) my boys are up by 5:30 and ready to go. It's great when we all want to be up and going but not so great on a Saturday morning when we could all be sleeping until noon... My only concern is the staying the whole day Saturday....we haven't attempted that before so we could have some pretty tired kiddos by the end of the day. If it's too bad, we may leave for a couple of hours and come back for the nighttime stuff.

I think we're also going to do the wristband for food on Saturday since we'll be there all day long. I've read that Sea World is much more strict about what you can and can't bring into the park so I've got to figure that out. I know for sure I'm going to have a bag of clothes to change into in case we get wet or anything. I've also got to take DS5's epi-pen. How are allergies handled at Sea World? I know at Disney I can send an email and get a list of the things that are safe/not safe.

 

[RabFlmom]

Thanks! I found that on the website.



We won't be in the park on actual Memorial Day. Right now, my plan is spending all day at the park on Saturday (open to close) to give it a whirl and see if we can actually make it a whole day without a break, heading back Sunday morning for whatever we missed and heading back to the condo for a rest for a bit before we head over to Disney and check things out over there. That leaves us Monday morning for an ADR at Cape May Cafe and time for DTD before we have to come back to reality. Thankfully (sometimes) my boys are up by 5:30 and ready to go. It's great when we all want to be up and going but not so great on a Saturday morning when we could all be sleeping until noon... My only concern is the staying the whole day Saturday....we haven't attempted that before so we could have some pretty tired kiddos by the end of the day. If it's too bad, we may leave for a couple of hours and come back for the nighttime stuff.

I think we're also going to do the wristband for food on Saturday since we'll be there all day long. I've read that Sea World is much more strict about what you can and can't bring into the park so I've got to figure that out. I know for sure I'm going to have a bag of clothes to change into in case we get wet or anything. I've also got to take DS5's epi-pen. How are allergies handled at Sea World? I know at Disney I can send an email and get a list of the things that are safe/not safe.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with bringing clothes to change into. In our heat you dry off in minutes. <g> For the guys in the group, they can wear a pair of baggies and a shirt and fit right in. Little girls can wear swimsuits under a sundress or shorts and shirt and take off to play in the sidewalk water fountain , get hit by the wave, or in the kids play area. I am a firm believer the less you carry the more fun you can have.

 

[newtodis]

Another question (THANK YOU all so much for continuing to answer them!!!)...are the strollers at Sea World like Disney's? I'm debating renting vs taking one for the full day we're at the park. We would bring a single one and rent a double one (for DS5 and whatever bag we bring in) if they were easy to push and roomy like the Disney ones. I thought that gives the boys a space to "lay down" for a nap if they wanted to rest and there seems to be plenty of shows to rest and relax in.

Also, do I need cash or will my debit card work for most everything??

Does anyone have experience with the "all day dining"? I'm debating that for the Saturday we're in the park all day. How does it work?

Again, thank you all so much!!!

 

[KBF]

Another question (THANK YOU all so much for continuing to answer them!!!)...are the strollers at Sea World like Disney's? I'm debating renting vs taking one for the full day we're at the park. We would bring a single one and rent a double one (for DS5 and whatever bag we bring in) if they were easy to push and roomy like the Disney ones. I thought that gives the boys a space to "lay down" for a nap if they wanted to rest and there seems to be plenty of shows to rest and relax in.

Also, do I need cash or will my debit card work for most everything??

Does anyone have experience with the "all day dining"? I'm debating that for the Saturday we're in the park all day. How does it work?

Again, thank you all so much!!!

Here is Seaworld San Antonio's Stroller site these are the same strollers used in Orlando. A pic is included. http://commerce.4adventure.com/eStore/scripts/skins/swt/Amenities.aspx

Debit Card should work with most everything. However, there are vendors that walk around and sell drinks and snacks and merchandise at the shows before the actual show starts. If you want a quick drink or snack or your kids want some toy they might be selling, it would be a good idea to carry some cash too.

About all day dining. From the Seaworld site....

Purchase the All Day Dining Deal and Receive a Wristband to enjoy All You Care To Eat and Drink All Day at our participating restaurants. Get up to 1 entrée platter, 1 additional side item or dessert, and 1 fountain soft drink, iced tea or 20 oz. Aquafina each time through the line.

Hope this helps!

 

[kathy884]

We love the special eveining shows at Sea World -- Shamu Rocks and Sea Lions tonight that aren't always offered. I think you'll really enjoy the park, and two days is perfect for getting everything in and doing a few favorites a second time. The Shamu Happy Harbor play area is great for some downtime and appeals to toddler age through older elementary.

Personally -- (maybe I'm just getting old) when we're at Sea World at rope drop and the park closes at six or seven, for the evening I'm perfectlly happy just hanging out at the condo or hotel and doing some swim / hot tub time at the resort too. We'll even order in room service sometimes if that's available rather than go out to dinner. I'm happy to chill / relax after 10 hours at the park. My son and nieces and nephews and extended family are all keen on that too.

 

[RabFlmom]

We love the special eveining shows at Sea World -- Shamu Rocks and Sea Lions tonight that aren't always offered. I think you'll really enjoy the park, and two days is perfect for getting everything in and doing a few favorites a second time. The Shamu Happy Harbor play area is great for some downtime and appeals to toddler age through older elementary.

Personally -- (maybe I'm just getting old) when we're at Sea World at rope drop and the park closes at six or seven, for the evening I'm perfectlly happy just hanging out at the condo or hotel and doing some swim / hot tub time at the resort too. We'll even order in room service sometimes if that's available rather than go out to dinner. I'm happy to chill / relax after 10 hours at the park. My son and nieces and nephews and extended family are all keen on that too.

But when the park stays open till 9 or 10 it is so much more fun in the summer. The shows are just too good to miss. SLT will keep almost anyone laughing.

The last few hours in the park will be cooler and I even think just walking through the dim lit park is sort of romantic when most of the people have already left for the parking lot. We hang out with ice cream or something from the bakery to avoid the traffic back log getting out of the parking lot. Just seems to make the day for us.

 

[newtodis]

Thank you all so much!! We've been watching some videos from youtube to try and get an idea of what to expect. DS3 is WAY more excited about Elmo than I though t he would be!

Thanks for the info on the all day dining from the site. I have that printed off but wondered if it was as easy as it sounds - you just show the wrist band and get your food. What if you just want a drink? Are you required to get all of the food?

Are there any changes since the accident? I don't want to say or ask something stupid and offend anyone because I've read or seen something and it's changed recently.

Again, thanks to all for helping with my endless questions!

 

[RabFlmom]

It is pretty easy and you can just get a drink or a snack any time you want to.

As far as I know they still are not getting in the water with the whales so the show is a little different-sort of like back in the 70s when I first went to the park with the trainers just giving commands.
I remember during the Bi-centinniel they had a patriotic show and put a boat on Shamu's stomach. " George Washington" rode in it to cross the pool. Only when we saw it, the boat tipped over and the trainer fell into the water. You could tell he was scared to death to be in the water back then and he got out in a few seconds. They did redo the boat ride, but what a difference the shows were in the last years with trainers diving and jumping out of the water with them etc. Hope it gets back to normal soon.