SD Zoo or Sea World

[Mayorquimby]

I have a 6 year old girl and 4 year old boy. I know everyone has a different opinion but I was wondering what are peoples thoughts on where I should choose if only one can be visited. I DO want to hear people's individual opinion and I have already searched and read alot of different opinions on these and other boards. I would like people to tell me that have been to both recently and why.

I have personally never been to SeaWorld and went to the zoo in 1981!!!

Q

 

[shebaxric]

Hi there!

I used to live in San Diego and can tell you that the zoo is my favorite. You have, however been to the zoo so you know that it is quite hilly. With all the walking that you do, you will most certainly have strollers and this can lead to you being extremely exhausted by the end of the day. I think that you would love Sea World. It is pretty flat, which makes the walking not as bad. They have sooo many different shows, so the kids would enjoy. Also, there are plenty of interactive experiences with the animals that can get you up close. I really do love Sea World and think your family would too! I would wait until the children are older to do The San Diego Zoo, so they can transport themselves!

Have a great time in San Diego, tell my home I miss it!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Oh my goodness, they are both so different, so it's hard to choose.
If you want to see sea animals, go to Sea World. If you'd rather see a whole other variety of animals, than go to the zoo. Since I love them both and can't pick one (sorry) I'm just to compare & contrast them:

They have fun things for kids:
SW: Sesame Street themed rides; Bay of Play; Lights, Camera, Imagination 4D show; and the Coco Loco Arcade.
SDZ: the children's zoo (one of my faves), a petting zoo, and the Dr. Zoolittle show.

They have things for families:
SW: The numerous shows, animal exhibits, places where you can touch some of the animals, rides, and animal feeding, dining experiences, and tours (cost extra).
SDZ: Animal exhibits, the shows, and they also have certain times for feeding the giraffes which costs extra along w/ the bus tour (my fave).

They have shows:
SW: Shows feature orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and a variety of pets (dogs, cats, etc).
SDZ: Shows features ocelots, cheetahs, sea lions, binturangs, and more.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of right now. I know that which ever place you choose, it will be great. Have lots of fun!

 

[Mayorquimby]

Thanks for the posts. I know the question was subjective and everyone had a different opinion, but that's OK. I want to read people's opinion so I can see what people like and dislike about each one.

I am leaning towards Sea World right now.

 

[endy]

I prefer Sea World. We go to the zoo every other summer.
I think the zoo is outstanding tho our zoo here is also great. Sea World on the other hand has all the sea animals that you don't find or see too many places. In the summer SW is open late and have different night time shows.

 

[annacali]

I have a 6yo and a 4 yo as well (both DD's). We have gone to San Diego for the past 3 summers to visit friends and done the zoo twice and Sea World all three times. When we go back this summer we will again be doing SW but have dropped the zoo for now. Why?

The zoo is a LOT of walking and it seems like all of it is up or down very steep hills. They have people movers for some of it but they don't accomodate double strollers so...

The zoo was way too much down time between animals...see one and then walk a long time to see the next, plus wait a long time there because there was such a crowd in front of it that you have to wait forever to get close enough to see it. I will say that when you do get to see the animals, you get to se them well, but it was just toooo much downtime for my very active older DD and let to major meltdowns every time we went. So we skip it until she is older.

Sea World is one of our favorite places in thw whole wide world. I hate to say it here but I think my two love it (gasp) almost more than Disney! They sit spellbound though the shows, love the Wild arctic area where they can wander from one area to the next watching all the animals swim right in front of them (and have seen a beluga and walrus feeding just by chance), love that they can touch a starfish or manta ray, see sharks up close, and have learned everything there is to learn about manatees! My oldest wants to be a Shamu trainer when she grows up and my youngest will save the manatees! My oldest is in kindergarten this year and her teacher was amazed when something came up about sea animals and my DD knew so much about them and it was all because of Sea World!