Please Help Decide Which Day at Seaworld!!

[tamaraten]

Hi, we (DH and I and four kids, ages 6,8,10,12) have only four days in Orlando.

After tons of incredible help from the Disboards, I decided on three days Universal and one day SW. We're starting our first day Sunday Dec. 5 and have until Wed. Dec. 8.

The question is, I see that SW is open on that Sunday Dec. 5 until 11 p.m. I'm wondering if we should start out at SW on that day because of the late hours, and since I understand that there is a ton to do at SW, or does that mean the park will be super busy? Or should I start out at Universal on the first day and see how that goes, especially since my kids are super excited for Harry Potter? On Dec. 5th, IOA is open until 8 p.m., the only (sort-of) late day they have that week.

I also have to consider that if we do a late SW on the first day, until 11 p.m., it might be tough to wake up for early morning hours at Universal (we'll be staying on-site). Another factor, would it be better to break up the three days at Universal with the SW in the middle? (for instance, if we go to Universal day 1 and day 2, SW day 3 and then universal for favourites on day 4). I'm just so tempted by the 11 p.m. SW hours!

This is our first time at any of these places and we'll be having park to park tickets for Universal.

Please Advise! Your help would be really appreciated.

 

[kathy884]

I almost always do SeaWorld the very first full day of our vacation. (But my son is always most excited about SeaWorld and can't wait to go there.) I then stop by the customer service desk with everyone in my party, and get the tickets for the second day free within a seven day window. That allows us to come back later in the week if we want which we almost always do. That means I'm spreading our Sea World days if we want to go twice too.

During slower seasons (Good for you! I've envious. You are beating the Christmas rush), some of their special shows are only offered on weekends and special days.

That first Sunday I can see based on this link from the SeaWorld website that they are offering more Christmas shows with the later hours and some things not offered on your other days. Click on your dates for the days you will be in the area and see the shows offered each day.
http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?locID=1

The only day I recommend people avoid SeaWorld is summer Saturdays -- way too crowded with all those season passholders that like to do mini summer trips.

They do, though, have some of the Christmas stuff on the other days too // So truly don't sweat it. If your kids are dying to see Harry Potter and are more into Universal/IOA and you are going to do a full three days there -- maybe Day 1 and 2 there, a break at Sea World for day three and back to your favorites at IOA/Universal on Day 4. That is probably the better itinary for more of a Universal/IOA fan. If that's what my kids were most interested in, that's what I'd probably do. Maybe let your kids decide. I like to do what they are dying to do most first (Then they can sit back and enjoy the other stuff too vs. saying "Well when are we going to see Harry Potter".)

You have a Sea World fan posting, though. So we usually do Sea World on the first and the last day of our trip and make plans to go special days when there are special shows. We, though, have even come to Orlando on mini stays and only done SeaWorld wthout even feeling like we're missing anything else, just so happy to get to go there. We are a marine mammal loving family that like all the World class theme parks in Orlando, but like SeaWorld even more than IOA/Universal and Disney.

 

[RabFlmom]

My thoughts on your trip......

I would do SW on the Sunday because of the special Christmas shows that won't be on during the week. I would stop in and get the 2nd day free just in case you decide to do another half or whole day there. It will be busy on a Sunday, but not as busy or crowded as the Harry Potter area of Universal is. Having shows in huge stadiums at SW makes it easier than other parks on busy days.

Harry Potter area gets very crowded and my sons were not able or willing to wait (maybe) to get into the shops-especially the wand shop that had hours listed as wait time. They were there on a weekday in October the last time and it was still very busy.

 

[tamaraten]

I almost always do SeaWorld the very first full day of our vacation. (But my son is always most excited about SeaWorld and can't wait to go there.) I then stop by the customer service desk with everyone in my party, and get the tickets for the second day free within a seven day window. That allows us to come back later in the week if we want which we almost always do. That means I'm spreading our Sea World days if we want to go twice too.

During slower seasons (Good for you! I've envious. You are beating the Christmas rush), some of their special shows are only offered on weekends and special days.

That first Sunday I can see based on this link from the SeaWorld website that they are offering more Christmas shows with the later hours and some things not offered on your other days. Click on your dates for the days you will be in the area and see the shows offered each day.
http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?locID=1

The only day I recommend people avoid SeaWorld is summer Saturdays -- way too crowded with all those season passholders that like to do mini summer trips.

They do, though, have some of the Christmas stuff on the other days too // So truly don't sweat it. If your kids are dying to see Harry Potter and are more into Universal/IOA and you are going to do a full three days there -- maybe Day 1 and 2 there, a break at Sea World for day three and back to your favorites at IOA/Universal on Day 4. That is probably the better itinary for more of a Universal/IOA fan. If that's what my kids were most interested in, that's what I'd probably do. Maybe let your kids decide. I like to do what they are dying to do most first (Then they can sit back and enjoy the other stuff too vs. saying "Well when are we going to see Harry Potter".)

You have a Sea World fan posting, though. So we usually do Sea World on the first and the last day of our trip and make plans to go special days when there are special shows. We, though, have even come to Orlando on mini stays and only done SeaWorld wthout even feeling like we're missing anything else, just so happy to get to go there. We are a marine mammal loving family that like all the World class theme parks in Orlando, but like SeaWorld even more than IOA/Universal and Disney.

Thank you Kathy 884, for responding. My kids are dying to do Harry Potter - they really are fans, and we've never been to SW or Universal or anywhere but WDW once, so they can't really compare the two places. Although, if I were to ask them, I'm sure they'd want to do Harry Potter first. On the other hand, they're pretty reasonable so if I explained about the longer hours on Sunday, I'm sure they'd agree to that too. It's a hard one! I'm just wondering, based on your expertise, do you think I could do the main things at SW on a day when SW does not have late hours? And in that case, which shows would you recommend? (the shows sound amazing to me, and I can't possibly know which to go for).

thanks a million!

 

[tamaraten]

My thoughts on your trip......

I would do SW on the Sunday because of the special Christmas shows that won't be on during the week. I would stop in and get the 2nd day free just in case you decide to do another half or whole day there. It will be busy on a Sunday, but not as busy or crowded as the Harry Potter area of Universal is. Having shows in huge stadiums at SW makes it easier than other parks on busy days.

Harry Potter area gets very crowded and my sons were not able or willing to wait (maybe) to get into the shops-especially the wand shop that had hours listed as wait time. They were there on a weekday in October the last time and it was still very busy.

Thanks RabFlmom for your reply. I was wondering how busy SW will be on that Sunday because from everything I've read, the Harry Potter area's best day crowd-wise is Sunday. That's why I was thinking it's important to do Harry Potter on Sunday, to have smaller crowds, and SW on another day. But on the other hand, there are all the shows to see at SW and I figure I'll be able to do more if we stay until 11 p.m.! This is really difficult.....

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

I would do Seaworld because of the extra time and Holiday shows on that Sunday - I believe that they may also have fireworks at closing - although that may be just fri & sat - double check the times schedule. I have been to Seaworld many times and it is hard to fit it all in during a normal day because of the way they time their shows. You cant really do them back to back because most are a fair distance away from one another. I will be doing this on Thanksgiving weekend . Im not too worried about Seaworld but I have never been to IOA and I know it's going to be slammed!!! Also I think I noticed that you may sleep a little later that first day? That may work out nicely with Seaworlds extended hours.

 

[kathy884]

Thank you Kathy 884, for responding. My kids are dying to do Harry Potter - they really are fans, and we've never been to SW or Universal or anywhere but WDW once, so they can't really compare the two places. Although, if I were to ask them, I'm sure they'd want to do Harry Potter first. On the other hand, they're pretty reasonable so if I explained about the longer hours on Sunday, I'm sure they'd agree to that too. It's a hard one! I'm just wondering, based on your expertise, do you think I could do the main things at SW on a day when SW does not have late hours? And in that case, which shows would you recommend? (the shows sound amazing to me, and I can't possibly know which to go for).

thanks a million!

I think you can really get a great sense of Sea World even on a day without extended hours.

What we usually do, is get there before the park opens. Pick up a show schedule first thing and sort of plan your day around the shows (I'd focus on the three marine mammal ones -- Blue Horizons (dolphin) // Clyde and Semour (Sea Lion) and Believe or Miracles (Orca -- not to be missed)). Then anyone who is a roller coaster fan goes straight to the Manta coaster followed by Kracken the other coaster (great to get these done in the morning before lines get long) // Non roller coaster enthusiasts or those under 48 inches instead can go to Dolphin Cove and for an extra $8 pp feed the Dolphins (really fun) and they are the most active in the morning.

Then all meet at Blue Horizens (the dolphin show), right by Dolphin Cove and see the 10:00 a.m. show.

Decide what other shows you want to hit // Get to shows 20 minutes before they start to make sure you can get a seat. // See any of the animal exhibits you can between shows. They are wonderful. Don't worry about seeing everything, but enjoy what you do get to see.

You won't see everything, but you will see a lot, and it should be a great day. The Sea of Trees show will be going on around the lake on your way out, so you'll get to see that automatically.

 

[tamaraten]

I think you can really get a great sense of Sea World even on a day without extended hours.

What we usually do, is get there before the park opens. Pick up a show schedule first thing and sort of plan your day around the shows (I'd focus on the three marine mammal ones -- Blue Horizons (dolphin) // Clyde and Semour (Sea Lion) and Believe or Miracles (Orca -- not to be missed)). Then anyone who is a roller coaster fan goes straight to the Manta coaster followed by Kracken the other coaster (great to get these done in the morning before lines get long) // Non roller coaster enthusiasts or those under 48 inches instead can go to Dolphin Cove and foar an extra $8 pp feed the Dolphins (really fun) and they are the most active in the morning.

Then all meet at Blue Horizens (the dolphin show), right by Dolphin Cove and see the 10:00 a.m. show.

Decide what other shows you want to hit // Get to shows 20 minutes before they start to make sure you can get a seat. // See any of the animal exhibits you can between shows. They are wonderful. Don't worry about seeing everything, but enjoy what you do get to see.

You won't see everything, but you will see a lot, and it should be a great day. The Sea of Trees show will be going on around the lake on your way out, so you'll get to see that automatically.

Thank you again, Kathy884. What a great plan. Here's my next question: ALL my kids will want to feed the dolphins for sure. So while my two older ones are on the roller coasters, is there something I can do with my younger ones while waiting, but that isn't yet the dolphins? If we do it this way, do you think we'd be able to feed the dolphins and still have time to get to the 10 a.m. show?

thank you, thank you, thank you!!

 

[tamaraten]

I would do Seaworld because of the extra time and Holiday shows on that Sunday - I believe that they may also have fireworks at closing - although that may be just fri & sat - double check the times schedule. I have been to Seaworld many times and it is hard to fit it all in during a normal day because of the way they time their shows. You cant really do them back to back because most are a fair distance away from one another. I will be doing this on Thanksgiving weekend . Im not too worried about Seaworld but I have never been to IOA and I know it's going to be slammed!!! Also I think I noticed that you may sleep a little later that first day? That may work out nicely with Seaworlds extended hours.

Thanks for reply mackeymouse4eva. Yes, we are coming into Orlando really late on the Saturday night (Dec.4)- probably midnight or even a little later - so I was worried about having to get my kids up for early morning hours at Universal (and this would be after checking out at our Saturday night hotel and then checking in to our Universal hotel on Sunday morning, so lots to do on that Sunday!). That's another reason I was thinking of going to SW on the Sunday - on the other hand, even with the late hours at SW, I understand we should be there at the 9 a.m. opening anyways?

 

[tamaraten]

I think you can really get a great sense of Sea World even on a day without extended hours.

What we usually do, is get there before the park opens. Pick up a show schedule first thing and sort of plan your day around the shows (I'd focus on the three marine mammal ones -- Blue Horizons (dolphin) // Clyde and Semour (Sea Lion) and Believe or Miracles (Orca -- not to be missed)). Then anyone who is a roller coaster fan goes straight to the Manta coaster followed by Kracken the other coaster (great to get these done in the morning before lines get long) // Non roller coaster enthusiasts or those under 48 inches instead can go to Dolphin Cove and for an extra $8 pp feed the Dolphins (really fun) and they are the most active in the morning.

Then all meet at Blue Horizens (the dolphin show), right by Dolphin Cove and see the 10:00 a.m. show.

Decide what other shows you want to hit // Get to shows 20 minutes before they start to make sure you can get a seat. // See any of the animal exhibits you can between shows. They are wonderful. Don't worry about seeing everything, but enjoy what you do get to see.

You won't see everything, but you will see a lot, and it should be a great day. The Sea of Trees show will be going on around the lake on your way out, so you'll get to see that automatically.

Kathy 884 - I meant to also ask you this in my previous post above - and anyone else out there: On Sunday Dec. 5th, there are all kinds of shows that are not available on the other days that week when the park closes at 7 p.m. This is another consideration - there's the Winter Wonderland on Ice and Holiday Reflections - would it be worth it to go on the Sunday so as not to miss those? Have you ever seen these? Also, I see on the Sunday, there are two Shamu shows - one Christmas Miracles and the other I forget what it's called, but I guess a regular type one - would it be enough to see one of the two? Same goes for the Clyde and Seamore - there's a Xmas version it looks like and a regular one - would it be enough to do one of these?

thanks again - I guess I'm trying to see if I can go mid-week without sacrificing too much on that Sunday. And yes, I'm driving myself crazy!

 

[kathy884]

Kathy 884 - I meant to also ask you this in my previous post above - and anyone else out there: On Sunday Dec. 5th, there are all kinds of shows that are not available on the other days that week when the park closes at 7 p.m. This is another consideration - there's the Winter Wonderland on Ice and Holiday Reflections - would it be worth it to go on the Sunday so as not to miss those? Have you ever seen these? Also, I see on the Sunday, there are two Shamu shows - one Christmas Miracles and the other I forget what it's called, but I guess a regular type one - would it be enough to see one of the two? Same goes for the Clyde and Seamore - there's a Xmas version it looks like and a regular one - would it be enough to do one of these? thanks again - I guess I'm trying to see if I can go mid-week without sacrificing too much on that Sunday. And yes, I'm driving myself crazy!

The last holiday time when were there was Dec. of 08.

They didn't have the Winter Wonderland on Ice show then. But I'm sure it will be an excellent show. Every show Sea World puts together is top notch. Still, though, I'd say this would be fun to see, but wouldn't be a not to miss. There are lots of places you can see ice skating.

Reflections is dancing fountains and fireworks. In Christmas of 08, they even had some Christmas songs with snow generated (nice festive touch). Again fun / festive something to do if you're there, but for me the true not to miss things at Sea World are the marine mammals. Disney night time shows are more impressive than this one, for example.

On the days other than Sunday, the Christmas Sea Lion show and the Christmas Miracles are offered at the end of the day too.

To make it easy and not sweat it too much, you could have a family vote and see if anyone would like to make SeaWorld the first day because that's the only day ice skating and the dancing fountains/fireworks show is there. I personally think for you guys it might be nice to do Sea World later in the week, as a break/change from the Universal parks. There is no right or wrong answer. I think it's great that you'll be doing a day here.

If you decide to go later in the week, I'd probably go for the 10:00 Blue Horizons, the 12:30 Believe (regular Orca show), the 3:15 Clyde and Semour. I'd just do one Sea Lion show (the regular one). And then about 4:00 / 4:30 ask your family if they'd like to see the Orcas again in the Christmas Miracles show. The Orcas really are magnificent and are the headliners at the park. And if you end up enjoying the Orcas as much as we do, you may want to see both of these. That's the one type of show in my opinion you might want to do both show version in the same day. If your family is happy with just having seen the one Orca show, this is an opportunity to do coasters again and/or see more animal exhibits. The Wild Artic (renamed Polar Express for Christmas) in particular has really low crowds during any Orca show.

Whatever you do have fun. SeaWorld, in our opinion, is very worth going too. Please note too that the vast majority of visitors go during times when those special Sunday shows aren't being offered. They are something to make the parks more festive and Christmas like, but not the core park atttactions.

Hope that gives you a little help.

Somethng else too -- Orlando is just one of those places where you always have to pick and choose -- There are just too many cool things to do. There is no way to do everything. You will get tons of people telling you such and such is not to be missed, but guess what you will miss lots of other people's not to miss things and don't even give it another thought. It's better in my opinion not to rush too much and to pick and choose a few things that sound particularly appealing. And there are not any right or wrong answers. You may end up being like many of us who think Orlando will be a once in a lifetime thing, but enjoy it so much that we come back over and overto try a few new things we didn't fit in and a favorite or two from the previous visit.