Please help... favorites for 10yr old... short stay!

[disney dumbo]

Unfortunately, we've only got 6-7 hours at Sea World... and I want to make the best use of time for my 10 yr old. This is an impossible situation, I know... but I know you experts can share some tips to make it most memorable!

We will need to do a few rides... but mainly want to concentrate on animals.

What would you consider the MUST do's?

It's been years... but I remember Shamu as a must...
I also remember the Walrus show as being great.

Please voice your ideas!

Thanks for taking time to help us!

 

[SharonLowe]

Believe, the new shamu show; Blue Horizons, the dolphin show; Clyde and Seamore; Pet's Ahoy; and maybe Odyysea. The last one isn't animals so you might be willing to miss it and do other things like feed the dolphins, rays or sharks. Go to the SeaWorld site, and you can check the show schedule for the day you plan to go and plan accordingly.

 

[robvia]

Try to show up early. Parking lot opens at 08:30am and they let people into the front area at 08:45am. National anthem plays at 9am and everyone heads towards the Key West area (Left). Continue past this and ride Kracken and JTA a few times. Then arrive for the shows 30 minutes before they start for good seats. Go to lunch at 11:30am to avoid the long lines. By the time you get your food and sit down, you'll be hungry.

 

[Northstar]

IMO, feeding the stingrays is a must for an animal-loving 10YO. Feeding the dolphins is a close second. Penguin and shark exhibits are great. Wild Arctic exhibits also... the simulator ride is fun but basically, it's a movie that you watch on a less-than-IMAX screen (less than your local cineplex, but you're a bit closer) while the theatre rocks and rolls you a little in your seat.

Personally, I would do only one show if all I had was 6-7 hours. Ask your 10YO... would you rather sit in a stadium watching shows or see animals and do rides?
My personal choice for the show would be Clyde and Seamore but if you've never been before, I guess you can't miss Shamu....

 

[disney dumbo]

Thanks for ALL your suggestions!

We had a GREAT day and I was amazed how much we could do!

We took your ideas... and went to rides ASAP... even though we were later morning getting there... the line to Atlantis was non-existent! I guess no one wanted to get wet that early! Kraken line was short... but they didn't have all equipment in use... so it was a long wait for those brave enough to ride it.

We bought lunch early near sting ray area... and carried it to dolphin show to save time. Perfect! Great show! The chicken strip basket was definitely enough to share... 5 fingers and tons of fries (approx. $8... fat hot dog and fries I think was $5)! Those that didn't want to eat at the show... ate after the show... while the rest of us played with the sting rays and visited the underwater dophin viewing area... VERY COOL.

We enjoyed seeing the manatees from top and bottom viewing areas. The penguins and puffins... the sharks and then feeding them afterwards.

Loved Clyde and Seamore... esp. the mime!!!

Loved Shamu show... for some reason it is a thrill for kids to get splashed!

Ran out of time before the Wild Artic... and figured feeding the dolphins might be too time consuming (with the line waits, etc) BUT it will be 1st on our next visit!

It is a wonderful park... and just soooo hard to imagine HOW they get those animals so well trained! Loved it!

Thanks to all of you for your posts!

 

[MamaKate]

Glad you had a great time and were able to see almost everything you wanted!!