Q about Polar Express/Wild Artic...

[Brazilmom]

Hi! We're going to spend a day at SW in December, and we're going on a Sunday to catch the Christmas specials...

I keep reading about long wait times for the Polar Express ride - to see the polar bears etc do we HAVE to go through Polar Express first or can you go straight through just to view the animals? (my DS is not much of a fan of the movie, anyway)

TIA!

 

[KBF]

Hi! We're going to spend a day at SW in December, and we're going on a Sunday to catch the Christmas specials...

I keep reading about long wait times for the Polar Express ride - to see the polar bears etc do we HAVE to go through Polar Express first or can you go straight through just to view the animals? (my DS is not much of a fan of the movie, anyway)

TIA!

There is a side where you can skip the ride all together however you still have to watch 2 or 3 minutes worth of clips from the movie. This line is much shorter than the ride line and you shouldnt have much wait time at all. Just ask an employee at the ride to direct you to the "Non Motion" line.

 

[Brazilmom]

Cool! Thanks... That sounds like a good option if the park is very full.

 

[SandrA9810]

When I was there last year, even the "walking version" was 45 minutes long.

There is a passport member entrance that skips the ride/show entirely, inside the shop.

 

[KBF]

If it is crowded, you may be interested in "Quick Queue" This pass offers front of the line access to all rides. Note that is says "Wild Arctic" this will become "Polar Express Experience" for the Christmas season.

http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?pageid=611

 

[Brazilmom]

Thanks everyone! I don't think we'll bother with the pass, though, as my kids are too small for the rides in general (we're planning on sticking to the animals and shows...)

I guess we should plan to do Polar Express earlier in the day, then; maybe the lines won't have built up too much. And if we have to skip it, well, sounds like there's plenty of other stuff to keep us busy for the day!

 

[SmallWorld71]

When we were there in August, we noticed that the crowds at this attraction ebbed and flowed drastically. I can't remember off hand which theater is nearby, but when the show ended, the line would increase considerably. Just something to consider.

 

[KBF]

When we were there in August, we noticed that the crowds at this attraction ebbed and flowed drastically. I can't remember off hand which theater is nearby, but when the show ended, the line would increase considerably. Just something to consider.

Great Point!

If you can go during a Shamu show, it will be alot less crowded. It tends to be busier when the Shamu show lets out because the attraction is right behind Shamu stadium. Its slower when there is a show going on because everyone is at the show and not the attraction.

 

[RabFlmom]

There is a side where you can skip the ride all together however you still have to watch 2 or 3 minutes worth of clips from the movie. This line is much shorter than the ride line and you shouldnt have much wait time at all. Just ask an employee at the ride to direct you to the "Non Motion" line.[/QUOTE

Actually on the nonmotion side you do have a wait if a lot of families with small kids are in line etc. . They alternate the motion and nonmotion lines. Then you do see the same movie as the motion side-difference is your seat does not move. First you stand in a room to watch an intro movie clip. Then from motion or non motion line you enter "a train car" to watch the movie or experience the ride. Then you walk into the Santa/Christmas themed area and then on to the animals. Technically you can just walk through the "train car" and not take a seat and just head down the hall to the animal area, but you have to wait in line to get into the ride anyway.

Another method to get to the animals is just go in the exit but that of course is frowned upon even though a lot of us who visit daily,weekly, monthly do it because we don't want to do the ride every time we are there but want to see the animals. . During Christmas I always ride the ride though because it is actually pretty cool. We usually go back a few times and don't skip the ride actually. The theming for a ride that is there for just over a month is amazing.

 

[Brazilmom]

Thank you everyone! Lots of great ideas/tips here...

Less than 2 months now - I can't wait! My DD(6) is more excited to see Seaworld then the Disney Princesses!!

 

[momto2js]

We are platinum pass holders and had no idea we could skip the movie and go inside!! That is good to know.

 

[SandrA9810]

We are platinum pass holders and had no idea we could skip the movie and go inside!! That is good to know.

Walk up to the Exit, and look to your left. There's a ramp up with a set of double doors (and a bench at the bottom). On the door it says "Passport Members Only" so it kinda looks like it means "employees only", but it's not. I have never been asked for my pass. (It's also the quick exit for potty breaks, since Mango Joes is the closest).

The door takes you to the other side of the ride simulators, and right to the beginning of the area. You'll walk past one or two simulators, before reaching the opening on your left. There's usually always an employee standing in that hallway to direct guests off the ride. They just have a tendency to stare at you when you come in the door.