Need help planning SW w/almost 3 year old

[MartDM]

We haven't been to SW in probably 6 or 7 years so I don't remember a lot about it (plus, we didn't have a child then so my perspective was much different). We're going to spend a morning there at the end of January and then meet friends for lunch with Shamu at 12:30 pm. I'm trying to pick & choose exhibits but I'm having trouble because I can't figure out what we can reasonably accomplish.

I would like to our 2 (almost 3) year old boy to see the Clyde & Seamore show and I think he'd be interested in Turtle Point, Dolphin Cove, Alligators, Penguin Encounter, Pacific Point Preserve, Shark Encounter, and Wild Arctic as well. We don't have any intention to see Shamu's Happy Harbor.

Obviously we can't see them all...any recommendations for what we can tackle in the few hours we have? I'd really appreciate any insight anyone can give me on which exhibits are the most worthwhile & how long I can expect them to take?

One item of note is that we'll be at WDW the rest of the week & will be visiting the Seas at Epcot so maybe any "duplicate" kind of exhibits at SW could be eliminated from my list?

 

[MartDM]

Wow...41 views and nobody has an opinion on these exhibits? I've never known a DIS post to go without even so much as a speculation. Surprising!

 

[livndisney]

We haven't been to SW in probably 6 or 7 years so I don't remember a lot about it (plus, we didn't have a child then so my perspective was much different). We're going to spend a morning there at the end of January and then meet friends for lunch with Shamu at 12:30 pm. I'm trying to pick & choose exhibits but I'm having trouble because I can't figure out what we can reasonably accomplish.

I would like to our 2 (almost 3) year old boy to see the Clyde & Seamore show and I think he'd be interested in Turtle Point, Dolphin Cove, Alligators, Penguin Encounter, Pacific Point Preserve, Shark Encounter, and Wild Arctic as well. We don't have any intention to see Shamu's Happy Harbor.

Obviously we can't see them all...any recommendations for what we can tackle in the few hours we have? I'd really appreciate any insight anyone can give me on which exhibits are the most worthwhile & how long I can expect them to take?

One item of note is that we'll be at WDW the rest of the week & will be visiting the Seas at Epcot so maybe any "duplicate" kind of exhibits at SW could be eliminated from my list?

Well, with the limited time....
I would suggest the Peguin Encounter, Pacific Point Preserve and the Clyde and Seamore Show. (All located right next to each other) You should be able to view Turtle point and Dolphin cove on the way to the peguin area. If time permits exit the Seamore show on the opposite side from where you entered and walk thru Sharks on the way to lunch with Shamu.

I strongly suggest you be at the turnstiles before 9am. Pequins and Sharks are both moving sidewalk viewing. So you should be able to get thru those quickly. Pacific point is where you can feed the sea lions (for a fee). I would take a look at the show schedule for that day to find out which Sea Lion show you will be able to see.

As far as duplicate-Sea World is a much more "hands on" type of place with several feeding opportunities. Epcot is more of a "everything behind glass" kind of place.

Eta: I looked at the show schedule and randomly picked 1-28. It shows the first Seamore show at 10:45 am. That means you would have to get through Turtles, Dolphins, Pequins and feeding by no later than 10:20 maybe 10:30 to get a seat for the show. You may have to pick and choose what your child may enjoy most.

 

[MartDM]

Well, with the limited time....
I would suggest the Peguin Encounter, Pacific Point Preserve and the Clyde and Seamore Show. (All located right next to each other) You should be able to view Turtle point and Dolphin cove on the way to the peguin area. If time permits exit the Seamore show on the opposite side from where you entered and walk thru Sharks on the way to lunch with Shamu.

I strongly suggest you be at the turnstiles before 9am. Pequins and Sharks are both moving sidewalk viewing. So you should be able to get thru those quickly. Pacific point is where you can feed the sea lions (for a fee). I would take a look at the show schedule for that day to find out which Sea Lion show you will be able to see.

As far as duplicate-Sea World is a much more "hands on" type of place with several feeding opportunities. Epcot is more of a "everything behind glass" kind of place.

Eta: I looked at the show schedule and randomly picked 1-28. It shows the first Seamore show at 10:45 am. That means you would have to get through Turtles, Dolphins, Pequins and feeding by no later than 10:20 maybe 10:30 to get a seat for the show. You may have to pick and choose what your child may enjoy most.

Thanks for the great advice; sounds like a good working plan (and we do plan to be there at opening...my son gets everyone up early whether we're on vacation or not!)

 

[SandrA9810]

There's nothing duplicated between the Living Seas and Sea World.

If you want to do strictly encounters, that way you can limit your time at each area. There's the penguins, sting rays, sharks, dolphins, the wild artic, manatees, and sea lions. Just remember you have to watch the movie first for wild artic before getting to the exhibits, and the dolphin area by the sting rays can become very very crowded and they only let you in the feeding area if you have a tray (of course the 3yr might be excluded from needing a tray), and well the non feeding area can get very crowded with pushy people. I'd stick to the nursery area by the front of the park, you might not have the option to pet the dolphin, but you'll be able to have a good look at the mama's with their babies.

I usually stop by the string ray lagoon, go back to the manta aquarium, then go to the penguin encounter. Head over to the shark tanks, and if you get there early enough, you can see the clyde and semour show (exit to the bottom right and it'll put you right next to the shark encounters door). You could stop by to see the horses on your way around the lagoon to lunch.

It can be hard to do much with a 3 year old, because sometimes it takes a while for them to realize all the animals and what's going on, and then of course they don't want to leave. Or be intimidated by petting the sting ray... they finally do it a second before you want to leave and then they don't want to go anywhere.

 

[MartDM]

Thanks for your input SandrA9810!

 

[yaytezIOA]

Here's the plan. Be at the park at around 8:30. Get there and go straight for the Sea Turtles, they are almost immediately in front of you. Then veer right and head for Manta....hear me out...I can hear you freaking out already....
Manta has an AMAZING aquarium. As soon as you walk in there is a huge reef tank. Then you go and you see sting rays above your head. There's an octopus that is active in the morning, and a huge window that allows you to see the flocks of stingrays as they swim by. Once done with Manta, head straight across to the Stingrays. You do not have to pay them to feed them...instead, hold your thumb inbetween your index finger and middle and put it into the water. The stingrays will come right up to you thinking you have food. They will not bite, they dont have teeth. This will be the chance for the little one to pet them. Then hit the dolphins, it's early so the feedings wont be going on...so just go to the edge of the pool and wait. They may come up and let you pet them. Otherwise, go straight to the underwater viewing. You get the best view from here.
Manatees are right in that area, skip the preshow and go straight for the viewing. Then head towards SHAMU. On the way, stop in and see the penguins, check the time on the Clyde and Seamore show...if you have time, def. see it. It's about a 30 minute show and you need to show up 15 minutes before hand....trust me.
Onward to shamu. Veer left, and head towards the sharks. Then once you're out, you'll pass the horses (not clydesdales anymore). Go around the right side of Shamu stadium by the waterfront and you're dining with shamu. If you have time right beyond that is Wild Arctic. With the little guy, skip the ride and go straight for the animals.
Get a definite date and I can most likely tell you show times too.

 

[MartDM]

Thanks yaytez IOA...you crack me up. Great touring plan too.

I think you bailed me out previously with an airtight plan to attack HHN - you've come through again...appreciate it!