Recent park experience at Sea World?

[mag_nate]

We visited on Friday, December 11. The longest we waited for a rollercoaster was five minutes. The line for the raft ride showed a 25 minute wait but it was like 65 degrees so we skipped that.

Despite the lack of lines for rides, though, the auditoriums for the shows were full. We were at each show about 20 minutes beforehand and had no problems grabbing seats with enough distance around us, but as you get to the five minutes before the show, people continue to pile in. We've unfortunately also found that the people who tend to show up less than five minutes before the shows are the people who don't care much about distancing, so it felt a bit crowded around us.

We were at Busch the day before (Thursday, December 10), and the lines were terrible. We had purchased quick queue for $15/person in advance and I have no idea why it was that cheap with the lines we ran into. Rides were all at least 45 minute waits and Cheetah hunt was like 60-75 mins consistently. Buy quick queue if you're going to brave Busch.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Sea World was terrible about social distancing in the Sesame Street land lines. People were practically stepping on our heels, but there weren't a lot of markings showing where to stand (unlike Epcot, which we visited the previous day). Not any social distancing in the entry line or temperature checks (unless they have some sort of automatic temperature sensors). There was a lot more roaming while eating, and the Orca show seating was marked 3 ft between parties, which was a little close for comfort since they sold concessions, which invited people to unmask to eat. It bugged me that it appeared ride operators didn't say anything to people riding without a mask (while at Epcot, when 1 guy took off his mask, they wouldn't pull the boat forward until he put it back on). I almost left one line because of lack of social distancing, but overall, it really wasn't much different than a trip to the store. It just was a marked contrast to what we saw at Epcot. I did see one employee trying to correct people but he was mostly ignored.

Also, SeaWorld left a lot of their interactive touch screens in Sesame Street land open, which my kids loved but we went through a lot of sanitizer!

 

[Joanna71985]

Sea World was terrible about social distancing in the Sesame Street land lines. People were practically stepping on our heels, but there weren't a lot of markings showing where to stand (unlike Epcot, which we visited the previous day). Not any social distancing in the entry line or temperature checks (unless they have some sort of automatic temperature sensors). There was a lot more roaming while eating, and the Orca show seating was marked 3 ft between parties, which was a little close for comfort since they sold concessions, which invited people to unmask to eat. It bugged me that it appeared ride operators didn't say anything to people riding without a mask (while at Epcot, when 1 guy took off his mask, they wouldn't pull the boat forward until he put it back on). I almost left one line because of lack of social distancing, but overall, it really wasn't much different than a trip to the store. It just was a marked contrast to what we saw at Epcot. I did see one employee trying to correct people but he was mostly ignored.

The tent has an automatic scanner

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We were at SeaWorld on the 5th and 12th. We found that mask adherence was better than it was when we visited in October. We did have one moment where another guest was persistently too close to us, so we finally just told him (politely but firmly) to please give us the 6 foot space we are entitled to, and he backed off considerably [we tried to give him some clear non-verbal cues before we spoke up, but he was completely oblivious....social distancing does NOT come naturally to many people].

At the ice skating show, we also had to remind a few guests that they were not permitted to sit in the (clearly marked as closed) rows directly in front or behind us (after they were clearly told this by the TM who was trying to monitor the reserved seating area) and again, they took that cue and found more appropriate places to sit. We aren't normally the kind of people to pipe up and say things to other park-goers, but this trip we felt we needed to be our own best advocates at times.

 

[yulilin3]

We were at SeaWorld on the 5th and 12th. We found that mask adherence was better than it was when we visited in October. We did have one moment where another guest was persistently too close to us, so we finally just told him (politely but firmly) to please give us the 6 foot space we are entitled to, and he backed off considerably [we tried to give him some clear non-verbal cues before we spoke up, but he was completely oblivious....social distancing does NOT come naturally to many people].

At the ice skating show, we also had to remind a few guests that they were not permitted to sit in the (clearly marked as closed) rows directly in front or behind us (after they were clearly told this by the TM who was trying to monitor the reserved seating area) and again, they took that cue and found more appropriate places to sit. We aren't normally the kind of people to pipe up and say things to other park-goers, but this trip we felt we needed to be our own best advocates at times.

Some people want the full responsibility of social distancing to come from the ambassadors and we try real hard to monitor all the seating but sometimes people are quick and sit down where it clearly says not to. As a guest i take distancing upon myself and if i see anyone too close i speak up, it's my health after all so i think your approach was perfect

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

The tent has an automatic scanner

That's a cool feature. I wonder why they don't do that at Disney Springs.

 

[yulilin3]

That's a cool feature. I wonder why they don't do that at Disney Springs.

Money

 

[disneyseniors]

Money

Yulilin3, I can't imagine what you have to go through on a daily basis. It must get old pretty quickly.
So just a Thank You for doing your job, and hopefully this will be over soon!

 

[Funfire240]

We went to SeaWorld on 11/28. I did feel uncomfortable at times but it wasn't too bad. Mask compliance was down compared to our first 4 days at WDW (the 29th at MK seemed to even have less compliance then the other days for some reason). TM's were doing a great job of reminding people and trying to control the emptying of the stadiums - but it was like people just didn't listen and care. Sections would be told to remain seated but not many paid attention. In the Orca show, eating was allowed (or maybe just not enforced not to, I'm not exactly sure) but we sat towards the top to be away from people and even though the stadium wasn't full we had people sit in the designated areas 2 rows in front of us and 2 rows behind - and each group had their masks off eating the whole time as well as the group across the aisle from us. I was uneasy but DH didn't think it was enough to warrant moving (we have different outlooks on a lot us this right now) Anyways, we did our best and other then than that, I really enjoyed being there. (and I can say I didn't catch anything as we never had any symptoms, did our time home after our trip, and then I had a covid test last Saturday for an upcoming medical procedure that was negative)

 

[yulilin3]

We went to SeaWorld on 11/28. I did feel uncomfortable at times but it wasn't too bad. Mask compliance was down compared to our first 4 days at WDW (the 29th at MK seemed to even have less compliance then the other days for some reason). TM's were doing a great job of reminding people and trying to control the emptying of the stadiums - but it was like people just didn't listen and care. Sections would be told to remain seated but not many paid attention. In the Orca show, eating was allowed (or maybe just not enforced not to, I'm not exactly sure) but we sat towards the top to be away from people and even though the stadium wasn't full we had people sit in the designated areas 2 rows in front of us and 2 rows behind - and each group had their masks off eating the whole time as well as the group across the aisle from us. I was uneasy but DH didn't think it was enough to warrant moving (we have different outlooks on a lot us this right now) Anyways, we did our best and other then than that, I really enjoyed being there. (and I can say I didn't catch anything as we never had any symptoms, did our time home after our trip, and then I had a covid test last Saturday for an upcoming medical procedure that was negative)

eating is allowed in all the stadiums both indoors and outdoors (wish it wasn't so) but we do ask people to social distance from the next party when seating in the same row, it is impossible to enforce.
The emptying of the stadium would go great if people in fact listened. We can get Orca stadium empty in under 10 minutes with good social distancing but people are impatient and just don't care and get up before it's their turn, we try with every show to have a positive outlook but we know some won't listen ruining it for the rest of the people.
Even the trainers try and call out on sections that are getting up when they are not supposed to but people just don't care, same people we have to ask time and time again to wear their masks over your nose
I've been verbally abused with every show I work butt that's alright cause I'll keep doing my job to the best of my abilities to keep as many of our guests safe.

 

[Jennasis]

We were at SeaWorld 12/4 and 6th. We were surprised that mask compliance was as good as it was. The theaters were pretty full but we managed to find spots where we were comfortably well away from the nearest other party. On Manta we had a team member refuse to move the train out of the station until someone onboard put their mask up...then once the train pulled out of the station and began the hill climb they must;ve taken the mask off again because a voice from speakers somewhere along the track repeatedly told the offender that if they didn't put the mask back on and keep it on, security would be escorting them out at the end of the ride.

However the park did get uncomfortably crowded each day...enough to cause us to leave.

The food booths were kind of hilariously bad. One booth took TWENTY minutes to make ONE chicken satay. There was nobody there. We literally walked up to the booth with not another soul in sight. It just took that long. Another booth ran out of buns...and the only they served was sliders. It was about half an hour after the booth opened...and out of buns. The Totcho booth ran out of the pork topping and had only enough tots for two servings and the line behind me was 10 people long. Again, all of this was within the first hour of the booths bein open.

 

[lunaland]

We were at Sea World 12|5. The park was a lot busier than I expected! We noticed great mask compliance, and a group of employees walking around nicely asking everyone to follow current rules. The only issue was really in the shows- no one listens when it comes time to exit. The staff tried really hard to get people to follow the simple exit process without much success. When we did have it work, in the Sea Lion show, it was quick and easy! We had a great time at the park, and enjoyed nearly everything. Not sure why Turtle Trek was closed tho. Has it been since the park reopened?

 

[Grumpylarr]

Visited Sea World on Dec 22. Biggest mask compliance problem was number of people wearing mask below their nose. Bigger concern was distancing in the shows. While they enforced the closed rows, no effort was made to prevent last minute arrivers from filling in open rows with little or no distancing from parties that were already seated.

 

[connorlevismom]

We were at Sea World on 01/02 and it was uncomfortable the entire time.

75% of people either wearing their masks below their chin (not eating or drinking) or under their nose. It was unbelievable and nothing was done about it. There were people walking around with little signs to wear masks and stay 6 ft apart, but that was it.

We went to the seal show and it was pretty crowded. My family of 4 was sitting near the left side of a bench and this woman plopped her child right next to me and then the mom went about 4 rows back. I kept looking back at the mom, but she would not look at me.

Because my kids were just 2, they always got a row to themselves on the coaster, which was great. However, twice they got the front row and people plopped themselves right next to them even though they were not put in that row. One lady actually got out of her seat she was put in during the boarding process and went to the front and sat right next to my son, because she wanted the front. The other time the person at the ride asked my daughter how many and she said two. Then the two people behind them went with them when they were put in the front. My kids are 11 and 16 so they were not about to say anything to these people, and the workers did not care.

The worst this that I encountered, however, was an actual SW employee. We were in the restaurant back by Infinity Falls and we went to the alcohol counter and ordered 2 pretzels. There were two people working there. One took our order and another one who was at the cash register counting money. The person who took our order said he was going on break and the other one would take care of us. I watched this woman count money, then go and make someone a drink WITHOUT washing her hands OR putting on gloves. THEN she shook some skittles out in her hand and proceeded to eat the skittles out of her hand by putting her hand up to her mouth and eating them. THEN she made more drinks and took more money the entire time never washing her hands. I watched her this entire time. I then when up to someone standing at the front of the food line and asked where my food would come from when it was ready. She explained that it would come out of the kitchen and be brought to that woman and she would get it ready for us. I explained what I had witnessed this woman do and that I did not want her handling my food. Her response was to have me ask her to put on new gloves when she handled my food. I responded back that SHE WAS NOT WEARING GLOVES. She said "she's not?" I said no and she said she would go talk to a supervisor. I thanked her and walked away. Then that employee walked over to a cash register and never went and spoke with anyone about this. When I saw the food coming out of the kitchen my husband ran over there and attempted to intercept them. The dirty hand woman kept trying to grab the food and my husband finally said "NO, I DO NOT WANT YOU TOUCHING MY FOOD!" and took it back to the table. That woman made drinks and touched food the entire time we were eating lunch. It was so disgusting.

 

[New Mouse]

Dont waste your time coming any time soon. Literally half the park is closed today. Not a good sign for the future.

 

[Joanna71985]

Dont waste your time coming any time soon. Literally half the park is closed today. Not a good sign for the future.

SW has been doing that on weekdays since Sept. It is unfortunate though

 

[New Mouse]

SW has been doing that on weekdays since Sept. It is unfortunate though

It was rough today. Krakken was closed, dolphin cove was closed, string ray closed, atlantis closed, penguins closed at 3. Food vendors out of items all over the place, stale rock solid churro, lots of staff with 0 information about the park, mako wait time 2x the stated time with no break downs, rancid chicken at voyagers that the manager still couldnt tell was rancid when we showed him, guest services completely indifferent. That place is a sinking ship along with tampa.

 

[yulilin3]

I know the website/app is not user friendly but check on the day of your trip for what's open and close
For attractions https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/
For shows https://seaworld.com/orlando/park-info/theme-park-hours/

It is common practice to have several attractions closed on weekdays and certain sections of the park opening and closing a different hours. Basically the have noticed people go clockwise which is why the left section of the park closes earlier.

 

[MommyinHonduras]

I know the website/app is not user friendly but check on the day of your trip for what's open and close
For attractions https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/
For shows https://seaworld.com/orlando/park-info/theme-park-hours/

It is common practice to have several attractions closed on weekdays and certain sections of the park opening and closing a different hours. Basically the have noticed people go clockwise which is why the left section of the park closes earlier.

Wondering if you know if Dolphin Days is taking a break, I notice after the 17th it's no longer scheduled. I know they have a bunch of extra stuff for the behind the scenes and maybe wonder if they need a break after. I ask because I am coming on the 20th and will be around for a few weeks and want to watch the dolphins.

 

[yulilin3]

Wondering if you know if Dolphin Days is taking a break, I notice after the 17th it's no longer scheduled. I know they have a bunch of extra stuff for the behind the scenes and maybe wonder if they need a break after. I ask because I am coming on the 20th and will be around for a few weeks and want to watch the dolphins.

Not sure about that. I know the are refurbishing Dolphin Cove right now so maybe Dolphin Days will also get some love but they haven't told us anything. I work on the South side (Orca/Infinity Falls/Sesame) so we get little info from North there