Questions about Sea World from Anaheim?

[OregonMickeyLover]

Hi! I also posted this in the Southern Cali.area, but wasn't sure how much traffic that area gets, so I thought I would post it here too. We are going to be in DL 10-29-11 through 11-5-11, and we thought that we would finally try and make it to Sea World on one of those days. My questions are...

1) Is a tour company the best way to go about this if we won't have a car? I found online www.allanaheimtours.com has a Sea World tour that p/ups at hotel at 8:45, takes you to Sea World for 6.5 hours, and brings you back to your hotel by 8:15. The price was $69.89 which was transportation and admission into Sea World. How does this sound?

Because it is a relatively long drive, I want to make sure it is comfortable, especially with a 10yo DD. Any input is appreciated, as this is a new adventure for us!

Thanks,

Traci

 

[skiingfast]

Not a bad deal money wise. Only a few dollars more than the ticket and parking cost.


Though you will get less time in the park and less flexibility.

Traffic can be very bad though so if you want to make opening you would want to leave early. You can also consider using cabs and amtrak to get down there.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Thanks Skiingfast! I am disappointed about the actual time at the park too, but then I went to the Sea World website, and that time of year the hours during the week are 10-5 which is only a half an hour more than what the tour has us there for. And I don't see us going there on our only weekend day (Sun.) because we will want to be at DL. I guess for our first time, it will be enough to get a taste!

 

[skiingfast]

I would give up that Sunday because it will be your only Firework and F! day unless you do a party. But still worthwhile to see RDCT. And WoC may not be nightly next offseason, we'll have to see how that plays out.

But going during short hours for relativly no more in cost make the bus a nice alternative. You can watch the sunset over the ocean from I-5 if you are lucky. Make sure you sit on the right going, left returning.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Okay, so you're saying to make sure and go to DL on that Sunday correct? I didn't think we should use that day for Sea World because like you said, it is our only Fantasmic day. Forgive me but what is RD...something you typed?

Great tip also on where to sit on the bus to get ocean view coming home! Thanks again!

 

[Butterfly123]

I would absolutely do DL on Sunday. I think 6.5 hours at Seaworld will be plenty. We did Seaworld in one day, and were glad we didn't plan on more time there, because we had seen everything we were interested in in one day. We were glad we went, but I wouldn't take more than a day out of DR time. I think your plan sounds good.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You should go on the Sea World website and start planning what shows you want to see so you can prioritize your time at the park. You probabaly won't be able to see all the shows and exhibits in 6.5 hours.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Thanks you guys for the help! I guess I just need to wait until we are closer to the date so that I can see their calendar for the date. Because it will be our first time at SW, I think the 6.5 hours will give us a good beginning experience, plus with the drive, it's still an 11 hour day. My daughter loves dolphins and I am a penguin fanatic, so we want to do the 15 min. "experience tour" for each of those. I am hoping that we have nice enough weather so that getting wet on the rides won't be miserable! Anyways, thanks again, and if anyone has more SW advice, I would much appreciate it!

Traci

 

[bumbershoot]

You should go on the Sea World website and start planning what shows you want to see so you can prioritize your time at the park. You probabaly won't be able to see all the shows and exhibits in 6.5 hours.

FWIW, my brother used to do that (they live there, his wife works in downtown, they were pass holders for 2 years and went ALL the time), but noticed that they changed the times often. It frustrated him to no end.

So he's sure to grab a map, which has the current, that-day, show times on it (not a folded map but an open one if that makes sense), and quickly work it out then while walking somewhere.


I should note, however, that it's been around 2 years since we've been there, and things might have changed; their website might have gotten better.


OP if the Pets Rule show is still going, SEE IT! Cutest thing ever.

 

[A Small World]

We went at that time of year last yr and found we had time to do everything we wanted.
We went with Grayline and were picked up at our hotel - Hojos- and taken to their central depot where we transferred onto the bus to Seaworld and San Diego zoo. We dropped people off at the zoo first then went onto sea world so it was about 11 when we got there.
We were collected about half hour after the park closed so probably about 5.30 as they do allow you some extra time after the park closes to wander out slowly and browse in the shops.
It was really quiet at that time of year - no queues for the rides - but that also meant there werent many show times so we had to be careful we didnt miss one.
It was worth the trip and the journey went quite fast - we were given a running commentary by the driver on the way there and he put a movie on for us to watch on the way back (for those who werent asleep )

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Thanks SmallWorld! It's nice to hear from someone who went at the same time of the year. I am so anxious for their calendar! We are hoping to do two of the 15 min. experieces also, so hopefully those are offered during the low season. I guess I should check the price through Grayline and compare. I can see the movie being a nice distraction for my DD (while we nap)

Traci

 

[A Small World]

Thanks SmallWorld! It's nice to hear from someone who went at the same time of the year. I am so anxious for their calendar! We are hoping to do two of the 15 min. experieces also, so hopefully those are offered during the low season. I guess I should check the price through Grayline and compare. I can see the movie being a nice distraction for my DD (while we nap)

Traci

I'll see if I can find the sheet with the times on from last yr to give you an idea. It will be tomorrow though as Im in the UK and its 10.30 in the evening here so almost sleep time

 

[Amysita]

I took that tour...it is a comfortable ride...and they have small TV screens at strategic spots overhead on the bus and will play a Disney movie both ways - which really helps the time pass more quickly and keeps the kiddos entertained.

 

[nancy drew]

Thank you for posting this question. We are planning on doing this in August, and it is great to see all of the positive reviews of the bus trip.

 

[skiingfast]

Thank you for posting this question. We are planning on doing this in August, and it is great to see all of the positive reviews of the bus trip.

I'd be more cautious in your case. DL will have full entertainment each day in August, so it's not as valuable to stick in DL on a Sunday.

Also Seaworld will be more crowded and have longer hours, so the bus cutting down on your flxibility would have a worse effect.

 

[colin25]

I've done Sea World twice, and had no problem with seeing all I wanted to see. A word of advise about that tour company, I've used them before, and didn't like their operation. I found them to be unorganized, leaving Anaheim late. Other people might have better stories, but I don't use them anymore. A much better company is Grayline Tours. They offer Sea World at the same price. The only reason I used VIP Tours is to go to Magic Mountain, since Grayline doesn't offer that tour.

 

[A Small World]

As promised Ive found the schedule from when went last year (last week of october)

Shamu believe- 2.45pm

Story of Shamu - 11.00

Blue Horizons (Dolphins) - 1.15

Clyde and Seamore - 11.45/ 3.15

Pets Rule - 12.30/2.00

So as I previously said most shows had one show only so you had to make sure you didnt miss it. The park closed at 5

 

[nancy drew]

I'd be more cautious in your case. DL will have full entertainment each day in August, so it's not as valuable to stick in DL on a Sunday.

Also Seaworld will be more crowded and have longer hours, so the bus cutting down on your flxibility would have a worse effect.

I wasn't sure which day would be best for our trip. We will be there Tue-Tue around the D23 weekend (not attending, that just happens to be when we will be there), and can pick any day to go to SW. We aren't interested in any of the rides, just shows and exhibits. I can start a new thread if needed, but if anyone has input on which day of the week would be best I'd love to hear about it.

I just was happy to see the input on taking the bus down to SW since it seems like most people drive or rent cars. We are using Grayline, though, which I thought was what the OP was talking about but now I think maybe not?

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Thank you so much SmallWorld for doing that, I really appreciate it! Sounds like we will have plenty of time to do what we want to do. I do have another question...It appears there are a lot of water rides, and I am wondering how wet you get, and depending on the weather that day, you could end up wet and cold, which makes for a bad day. We love the water rides in general, but that is when it is warm enough to dry out fairly quickly. Obviously we won't know the weather until that day, but I'm just wondering how wet you get on these rides?

Colin, thanks for that feedback. Now I'm a bit nervous about using them. I will look into Grayline and compare prices.

Thanks,

Traci

 

[A Small World]

we didnt get too wet. We did the rides towards the end of the day as wanted to make sure we had seen the shows and exhibits first.
We did take spare clothes for DD (10 at the time) and I remember her getting changed before we left