Plan of attack...

[nancyL]

I think I might be gettting more excited about Seaworld than I am about US/IOA!
Can someone give me a general plan of attack? We plan on two days to see Seaworld (not DC). We want to do at least one tour each day (my dd wants to pet a penguin and my ds wants to have a bird land on his head) and see all the shows, exhibits and rides. Im thinking dinner with Shamu might be fun too (and we wont have to eat lunch that day b/c the park closes at 6 while we're there guaranteeing us an early dinner).
Oh, and my kids HAVE to feed the dolphins, stingrays and any other creatures we might be able to feed.
I need a game plan! Like- "enter the park, go to the left and sign up for the tour at the blahbitty blah, then go right and sign up to feed the dolphins" type of plan. Anyone?
Oh- 6 adults (2 seniors), 4 kids ages 8 months, 4, 8 and 10.
Thanks!
NancyL

 

[CatLady]

If you arrive when the park opens, the "back" (actually the over to your right as you stand at the gate) portion of the park is not yet open. If you enter and turn left, you can see/feed the stingrays (pretty much continuous feeding allowed). Beyond that are the dolphins. Feeding for them is at intervals, various times during the day (times vary). You will have to ask when feedings will be, and keep in mind that much of the staff there may know when the next feeding is, but even they don't have a list of potential times during the day that they will be open. Don't miss the "underwater viewing" portion of the dolphin pool. That's my favorite part. It's on the back side of the pool.

Beyond the underwater viewing area, you come to the manatee exhibit. Then, following the path beyond that (going around the mid-rehab dolphin stadium), you will come to the thrill rides. Beyond that you have the sea lions (continuous feeding), then the penguins.

Heck, I just realized I'm describing the map to you. Get a map. You'll see that it's mostly a big loop with some stuff (like the waterfront area, dolphin nursery, etc.) in the middle. Work your way around the loop.

I haven't done dine with Shamu, but I'm sure you will find opinions here on the board. The only person I know who has gone was disappointed, but we are pretty jaded living here in Orlando.

HTH

 

[gw_lit]

CatLady addressed your touring plans. I would add that if you want to see all of the shows, it can be difficult to get to all of them in one day since the times may not be best for touring the park from one side to the other. You may have to skip back and forth quite a bit, which can be a challenge and a lot of walking especially for seniors and young children. Doing the park in two days will make it more relaxed and not as rushed.

There have been quite a few threads on Dine with Shamu, here's a link to one of them. We did Dine with Shamu in May, absolutely loved it and highly recommend it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=563326

 

[robvia]

As you enter the park, you go left and the Tour sign up is next to the maps. Sign up as you enter the park, otherwise they sell out. They'll give you tickets with your time and meeting place on them. Tours take a long time, so do one each day. Penguin tour meets at about 1pm in front of the Polar Bear exhibit.

Park opens at 9am. Each morning, head to the back of the park and ride JTA and Kraken before the crowd arrives. Frist Dolphin show is at 10am.

Eat lunch at 11am to avoid long lines.

Best time to feed the Dolphins is at 3pm. A trainer appears with extra food. It happens quickly, but you can catch him if you know he's coming out. Best time to feed the Stingrays is early in the morning, because they get full in the afternoon and don't eat anymore. The kids will probably be scared to feed them, but you can lean over and touch them as they swim by.

 

[lkc0538]

Just FYI- no dolphin show while we were there (11/5)-they are rehabing the arena. There were lots of construction sounds coming from inside. You may be able to check their website to see when it is supposed to be done.

You could still feed the dolphins and see them in the underwater viewing area.

We went to SeaWorld mainly because we got a free ticket with DC- it was a great day and far exceeded our expectations. One nice thing is it is not a huge park, and very easy to get around. There are also a ton of great photo spots.

We took it very non-comando-just got a show schedule and hopped around. If you are coaster fans, go to Krakken first-very short lines for the front row first thing in the AM.

Have a great trip.

 

[nancyL]

Thanks for all the tips and updates. I just checked the website and it looks like they're re-doing the dolphin show area for a new exhibit to open Summer 2005. Oh well, at least we'll still get to SEE the dolphins and feed them. Ill have to replan my itinerary (the part where my dd and I meet everyone at the dolphin show after riding JTA and Kraken. lol).
Anyone recommend good places for lunch or breakfast? Since we'll be there two days and are only doing the Shamu dinner once (I dont think we can swing the shark meal as well) is there any place else to eat thats good?

NancyL

 

[LindaBabe]

I had salmon and salad but my young companion enjoyed wood fired pizza. Best salmon i think i have ever had.

 

[StephMK]

We ate at the Seafire Inn (I think that's the name) wasn't crowded & the food was decent. Dueling piano players while we were there so the kids were entertained. We planned for 2 days at SW & went back a bit a 3rd time we liked it so much! It's definitely much easier to see all the shows w/2 days. Make sure you get there about 20 minutes before show time. Not sure of your time of year but they filled up while we were there 10/30-11/6.

The evening Shamu show was really neat too!