questions. going to sea world free

[pepperderr]

Once we get in, do we have to pay separate for anything like the shows?

Are there actual rides?

Do we pay extra to park?

What do I need to know going with a 4yo and 8yo son? We are using the free military admission but I need to know if we will need to pay for anything else besides food or souvineres. We don't plan to do DC or anything like that. But I don't know what to expect.

 

[MrsMud]

Pepperder,

I will try to answer as much as I can. I have not been in some years, but have been reading up on it for our next visit in a week. Yes, there are rides. 2 big ones, Kracken (roller coaster) and Journey to Atlantis (a water flume/drop ride) that will be too extreme for your little one, and maybe your older son depending on how adventurous he is. There is a motion simulator ride that you can all do (even if you have motion sickness, you can do it stationary). There are also some kiddie rides as well as a large net/climbing structure in Shamu's Happy Harbor.

As far as extra costs, you don't HAVE to pay extra for anything you don't want to do, except parking. I don't remember how much it is, but someone will chime in with that info. I'm sure. Things you CAN do that cost extra: Feeding any of the sealife (dolphins, stingrays, seals / sealions), riding the Skytower (not really a ride per se, but a very slow, revolving tower ride that goes high up and gives you a great view of the surrounding area), paddle boats, having pictures taken while feeding dolphins, etc.

There is no extra charge for any of the shows, animal exhibits or rides (except as mentioned above). So if you are on a budget I think you can have a great time without paying for any of the extra cost activities. If you don't mention them to your sons, they probably won't even notice them. There is PLENTY to do that is included in your (Free) admission. Have a great time!

 

[livndisney]

Once we get in, do we have to pay separate for anything like the shows? NO

Are there actual rides? Yes

Do we pay extra to park?Yes, I think it is about 11.00 for regular parking and more for "preferred" parking

What do I need to know going with a 4yo and 8yo son? We are using the free military admission but I need to know if we will need to pay for anything else besides food or souvineres. We don't plan to do DC or anything like that. But I don't know what to expect.

This might help:

www.seaworld.com

 

[mckymama]

We just returned from a very fun week in Orlando, which included a day at Sea World. Most of your questions have been answered correctly. It costs $3 to go up in the Sky Tower. My boys (16 & 18) did it and said it was "okay," but I'm not sure about your kids. There is so much to do at SW that you don't need to worry about this. It costs $10 to park. Other than food and parking, you shouldn't have to pay for anything. It is a wonderful park. We had a great time there and you will too. There are alot of shows, and I would take a few minutes to try to plan the timing of them when you arrive. Otherwise your day will get away from you. The theaters for the "biggies" which are Believe and Blue Horizons (can't remember if that's the right name) fill up 45 min. before the show starts, so you need to get there early, but they are worth the wait. Have a great trip!

 

[pepperderr]

thanks for the warning to get there early and for all the info everyone!

 

[livndisney]

We just returned from a very fun week in Orlando, which included a day at Sea World. Most of your questions have been answered correctly. It costs $3 to go up in the Sky Tower. My boys (16 & 18) did it and said it was "okay," but I'm not sure about your kids. There is so much to do at SW that you don't need to worry about this. It costs $10 to park. Other than food and parking, you shouldn't have to pay for anything. It is a wonderful park. We had a great time there and you will too. There are alot of shows, and I would take a few minutes to try to plan the timing of them when you arrive. Otherwise your day will get away from you. The theaters for the "biggies" which are Believe and Blue Horizons (can't remember if that's the right name) fill up 45 min. before the show starts, so you need to get there early, but they are worth the wait. Have a great trip!

FYI-This is a matter of preference. One of our FAVORITE things is feeding the animals at SW. There is a charge for each tray of fish you buy. We are passholders (we go alot), so I don't know the non-passholder price for the fish. I want to say 3.00 a tray. If you want to feed the Dolphins, I would try to go to the earliest feeding in the morning, as they get VERY busy.

Also the Skytower may not be open when you visit as it closes for various weather conditions.

If you look at the link I included in my first post you can look at the schedule for the shows and plan ahead.

 

[pepperderr]

I think both my kids would love to feed the animals. I will plan to have some extra money to do that. Thanks. I don't remember being able to do that when I was there a long time ago. Do they put out a feeding time list or do you just do it whenever? I don't know why but I don't find the seaworld.com website even the least bit helpful and I don't see what the schedule is for when shows are or anything.

 

[livndisney]

I think both my kids would love to feed the animals. I will plan to have some extra money to do that. Thanks. I don't remember being able to do that when I was there a long time ago. Do they put out a feeding time list or do you just do it whenever? I don't know why but I don't find the seaworld.com website even the least bit helpful and I don't see what the schedule is for when shows are or anything.

The dolphins feed at certain times. The rest of the animals do not have a set schedule.

Park schedule:
http://www.seaworld.com/ParkHours.aspx?locID=1
Click the month in the top left and then click the day of your visit and if schedule is set- it should pop up.

 

[pepperderr]

Thanks for telling me to click on the day to find the schedule. I didn't realize I could do that. We aren't going till June so nothing is up yet but I will check back closer to time.

How many hours do you think it would take to get thru sea world? We are going to go there on our trip to disney world. I noticed they are open till 10pm. That sounds late to me but now I am wondering if maybe we can check into our hotel and then just go to sea world the day we get to the hotel instead of waiting till the next day. If we did that, that would give us more time to spend at disney (another day). My plan was to check into the hotel and then go to sea world the next day and then disney world after that. WWYD? We would of course want to see the shows and feed some of the animals if we can but that is basically all I am interested in. We are going because it is free and because we will already be down there. Thanks!

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

When we went they were open 9am-8pm. We did open to close and still missed the rides, penguins, and sharks. I personally wouldn't want to start later but would rather have the entire day there! Disney, not so much.

 

[pepperderr]

Ok. There must be a lot to see I will just plan on a whole day there then. I don't want to have to rush either. Thanks.