OMG, SeaWorld Was Crowded Today!

[inkkognito]

DH and I went to SeaWorld early this afternoon, figuring it would be pretty deal. No way...the school groups were out in full force! Manta's wait was 90 min. when we got there so we skipped it. We did pick a pearl, then when to the horse barn and had a picture taken with a skunk. Then lunched at the Terrace near the barn since it's the only place that didn't have a line out the door. Did Believe (thank goodness for reserved Platinum seating), although it was a let-down for me since this is the first time I've seen it since the accident. I really hope the trainers will be back in the water some time this year. No Tilly in the show, just the females. Played some games and won a stuffed sea turtle that I bestowed on a little girl since I just play for the challenge. Kracken was walk on, and Manta said 30 mins. on the way out, but hubby is a Manta expert and could tell from the line length that it was way understated so we called it a day. Still had fun despite the crowds, but beware if you think the weekdays will be quieter right now (esp. Fridays) as this seems to be prime school and tour group time. The parking lot will look deceptively empty because they come in buses.

 

[SandrA9810]

Thanks for the heads up... and sounds about right for the end of the year school field trips. My schools always went to Busch Gardens. But my sister's kids always seem to end up at Sea World.

I was hoping to get over there early for the Jack Hanna talks. I know I can't afford the breakfast, but the show seems like something fun.

The believe show has actually gotten better since they first started it after the accident. Being that you've probably seen the real show a hundred times, it's a bit dissappointing to see it now. But if you've been watching it since the accident, it's getting better.

Did you go to the front and complain about the sky tower prices?? I really don't want to see it become a fee for passholders that have had that perk for years and years.

 

[RabFlmom]

Thanks for the heads up... and sounds about right for the end of the year school field trips. My schools always went to Busch Gardens. But my sister's kids always seem to end up at Sea World.

I was hoping to get over there early for the Jack Hanna talks. I know I can't afford the breakfast, but the show seems like something fun.

The believe show has actually gotten better since they first started it after the accident. Being that you've probably seen the real show a hundred times, it's a bit dissappointing to see it now. But if you've been watching it since the accident, it's getting better.

Did you go to the front and complain about the sky tower prices?? I really don't want to see it become a fee for passholders that have had that perk for years and years.

Did they post a sign or something that they were going to start charging people with siler, gold, or platinum passes to go on the tower? Had not seen that that was even in the works.

Enjoy Jack today......I ended up having to work so will miss him again this year.

 

[rangebob]

I know that the past 2 weeks our school has been at Sea World. You might have seen some of our third graders there.

 

[inkkognito]

It was funny to see all the kids groups in Shamu stadium because each group had matching shirts so it was quite the rainbow!

I didn't even think to say something about the tower but I did discuss two other Platinum issues with Guest Services. One is the supposed pre-booking of Sharks Grill, which is impossible because you can never get anyone on the phone. They gave me two numbers to try so we'll see. The other was the continuing absence of re-rides on Manta. That one wouldn't bother me except that I specifically asked about it before we bought our pass and was told Manta was included. Once they got my money, I found out that was totally wrong. Then they said, "Well, we'll be adding it." One year later...nope. The latest excuse given to hubby was that they can't monitor it because it's a double load station. So is SheiKra and Busch has no issues.

Oh well, it still turned out to be a fun day. We're going back tomorrow and doing both the sea lion and penguin tours. We figure it won't matter if it's crowded since we have the pre-booked experiences. We'll go back later in the year for a day devoted to Manta with Quick Queue...tomorrow will be an 'animal day.'

 

[FloraFauna]

I'm glad you had fun even though it was very crowded.

It was very nice of you to give the little girl the stuffed sea turtle. I'll bet she was delighted!

 

[SandrA9810]

grrrr.... I'm so mad at myself. Well work really, i've been getting bad hours, and today i was asked to stay 4hrs longer. And then one of the girls working tomorrow called out, so they asked me to come in from 11-2... Which is right over the two shows. So no jack this year. And i just went out to busch gardens, so no going back just yet.

I've heard many complaints about reride issues at manta. They could easily get a flag of some sort to put over the seat to let the other side know. But from experience, it's hard on the body going through that first loop... So more than twice would probably discomfort a lot of people. Back in jan i was able to ride it 7 times without getting off, that was the most. But just about every other day i was riding it 3-4 times in a row. It's cool at first but i wasn't feeling great after about 20mins of not being on the ride.
I did notice at montu, they don't let you reride, but you get off and wait to be loaded with quick queu, which over the weekend would just about fill one train up about every four/five loads. But even if you reride, you wind up back at the original loading dock, so the first person would see you again.

There was no annoucement about the price increase at sky tower. Just like everything else passholders now get 1$ off. So 4 for regular guest and 3 for all passport members. Its definantly something i would avoid paying for. When i walk in that gate, my wallet stays shut for everything. No food, no souvies, no feeding animals. I do bring my cup and spend 1$ on refills. Which i've noticed is not the same price everywhere. Some are like 1.50 and others are 1.06.... Artic market is one place that's a 1.06, but the stand outside manta is a 1.50. I've had managers tell me it should be the same price across the board....but i still get rung up as a refill with pass discount and different prices.

 

[inkkognito]

I did notice at montu, they don't let you reride, but you get off and wait to be loaded with quick queu, which over the weekend would just about fill one train up about every four/five loads. But even if you reride, you wind up back at the original loading dock, so the first person would see you again.

Definitely complain if you ever go back and they won't let you reride at Montu. They are supposed to let you stay on, although they might make you move down the row if you are in the first seat. Overall Busch is really good about the re-rides, which surprises me because I don't see a lot of people using Platinum there. We have probably sold a few people on it on SheiKra and Montu; I always recommend it highly when people board and ask why we can stay on. I see a lot of Platinum at SeaWorld whenever we use the show seating.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well when you clump them together for the shows, it's easier to see how many platinums there are out there.

I only have the four florida parks right now. I've been debating for a while about upgrading to a platinum, it's only 3$ more a month... but it'll still have to wait a few more months before I actually do something.
My friend has platinum and when we go with him, we can usually sit in the reserved seating cause there's no one else there. They just say, since no one else is here, you can, but if it was busy I couldn't let you in without the platinum. Once there were 4 other people besides us 3 sitting in that section, but the whole stadium was full.

 

[inkkognito]

Ah...that makes sense with Montu now. They only do re-rides with Platinum. I definitely recommend upgradng if you can.

 

[RainbowsMist]

And PACKED yesterday as well....again class trips. On a side note...we never had to wait anyone longer than 5 minutes for rides. Our last trip park was empty..such a different experience.

 

[chimmicat]

Hi....I have a platinum pass.......no reride on Manta at Sea World. According to the brochure from Sea World. Ride-again privlege is for Sea World's Wild Artic, Kraken, and Journey to Atlantis. Busch Garden's Tampa ride-again includes Montu, Kumba, Gwazi, Sheikra.

25% off Sea World Orlando Sky Tower.


Reserved Seating at all Sea World Orlando shows and Busch Gardens Moroccan Palace............limited reserve seating.



Free Preferred parking....at Sea World Orlando, Bush Gardens-Tampa
and Aquatica

Complimentary general parking