Sea World and special needs

[SueM in MN]

The NRA (National Rifle Assoc) had a link last fall (I think) for discounted $25.00 Sea World tickets.

National Rifle Association was what came to mind first, but I thought that could not possibly be right.

 

[Belle1962]

Yes--I used the (gasp) National Rifle Association tickets. At $25.00 each I couldn't pass it up. While they said anyone could order the tix, I didn't call until everyone on the DIS was posting they were "sold out". When I called and gave them my last name, they verified my address and my ex-husbands name. (He used to belong) Then sold me the tix.

 

[dclfun]

I've only visited SeaWorld once and attended with a service dog group last year. I travel in a power wheelchair, with my SD of course, and have other medical needs. I found SW to be very accomodating and did not need any type of GAC. It was nice for me as at Disney really all I can "do" are the shows, so having lots of shows at SW really packed my day with lots of fun things. As for discounts they cannot be given online and someone must present themselves at the park entrance to request one. They are issued for someone with mobility challenges who thus would not be able to enjoy some of the ride attractions that aren't accessible. I feel that offering a discount is quite generous since there are so many other things to enjoy and I feel as though I had a full-price experience there.---Kathy

 

[NDdisney]

We will be going to Disney World in just a few weeks. Disney has ALWAYS been very good about assistance for our family - we have a 10 yr old daughter with autism.
We were planning to try Sea World this year for the first time. I have read some of the posts about Sea World, and that they have their version for Guest Assistance card. My question is what shows/attractions are they able to assist with. My daughter is ESPECIALLY EXCITED about the idea of being up close and feeding the dolphins. I have read on various web sites that this is a popular attraction - people wait in line for quite a while to get in - that it is only at certain times of the day, and only so many people are able to get into this area for each show. There is NO WAY she can stand in a line for an hour - or even a half hour - to get into an event/show. Would we be able to take her to this event without having to wait in a line? Do they have "fast pass" type tickets like the more popular events at Disney World. We may need to avoid Sea World all togather if we know that whe would have an extended wait to get into the Dolphin interaction/feeding place (I can't remember what this area is called). Any information about how Sea World handles these type of requests for special needs kids would be Greatly Appreciated.

 

[1stluvispooh]

hiya,

does anyone know if seaworld have any accommodations for those with autism, adhd etc? joe is not good in queue lines!! planning on getting the GAC at disney but something similar at seaworld would be very useful.

We have gone to Orlando twice, once when DD ( high functioning ASD) was 3 and undiagnosed so we didn't get and or know about a GAC and we went again at age 6. We have gone to SW both times and had a relatively easy time with her, all things considered. First let me say I find SW to be a bit more relaxing, less of a big sensory experience . We have gone in Sept and Oct respectively so the crowds weren't big. I liken SW to going to the zoo with a few more exciting rides thrown in. DD has been going to the zoo since she was 2 weeks old so wandering around looking at animals and gardens is not new to her. So no I didn't ask about anything similar to the GAC but lines weren't that long and we always make sure that she is sandwiched between DH and myself. I must admit DH is very good at keeping her occupied in line be it talk to her, try to make her giggle or getting her to twirl while waiting so the time goes by fast. I also made sure she had a snack or a fidget while waiting for a show. I know this might not help but this was our experience.

We will be going to Disney World in just a few weeks. Disney has ALWAYS been very good about assistance for our family - we have a 10 yr old daughter with autism.
We were planning to try Sea World this year for the first time. I have read some of the posts about Sea World, and that they have their version for Guest Assistance card. My question is what shows/attractions are they able to assist with. My daughter is ESPECIALLY EXCITED about the idea of being up close and feeding the dolphins. I have read on various web sites that this is a popular attraction - people wait in line for quite a while to get in - that it is only at certain times of the day, and only so many people are able to get into this area for each show. There is NO WAY she can stand in a line for an hour - or even a half hour - to get into an event/show. Would we be able to take her to this event without having to wait in a line? Do they have "fast pass" type tickets like the more popular events at Disney World. We may need to avoid Sea World all together if we know that whe would have an extended wait to get into the Dolphin interaction/feeding place (I can't remember what this area is called). Any information about how Sea World handles these type of requests for special needs kids would be Greatly Appreciated.

Feeding the dolphins is my DH's favorite thing to do while at SW. We have done it both times we have gone. DD was only interested in them last time we went when she was 6. (When she was 3 she tot 1 took at there teeth and B-lined for the stroller! ) We didn't ask for any special help when we went to feed and pet the dolphins But here is what we did do. The dolphin feeding is a large pool with the dolphins swimming around the last time we were there they had specific times that they feed them. We went straight to the dolphin area when we arrived first thing in the morning. They were going to have a feeding time in 1/2 hour but you were more than welcome to pet them while everyone waited. So DH, DD, and DS bellied up to the pool and tried to pet the dolphins and I waited in line to buy the food. I was amazed that she stood there as long as she did because you are to put your hand in the water with your fingers together and the dolphins will swim by and that is how you "pet" them. She found them very engaging until they were getting excited about chow time and one jumped out of the water and splashed her. I swear the water was exactly shaped like her! She still talks about that. Anyway don't know if this helps but I think you might be amazed at how well she will do with it

 

[Schmeck]

As stated above, the dolphins are swimming around in the tank, and people are waiting, 2-3 people deep, to get a chance to touch a dolphin. It gets pretty crazy, as the dolphins are most focused on the people that have food for them. They do cue in on the trainers there though, so if you can get a trainer's attention he or she might be able to help you out.

I thought it a rather miserable experience, actually - the dolphins are brought down to the level of begging for food, and not everyone trying to touch the dolphins is being nice about it. I'd actually love to have Seaworld closed, and the animals moved to a more natural habitat, instead of inland Florida.

 

[scojos]

hi, we just got back from WDW and did indeed do both BG and SW following our DC trip.
The GAC (not sure what they call it) is a A5 piece of blue paper when you go to Guest services they ask the disability (ASD for us) and measure him. This allowed her to say, "josh you can not ride X and Z". This helped us as there was no nasty suprises when we got to the ride (still had a melt down cause he thought he might sneak into kraken
staff were helpful, although we only used it once, to stay on the disabled seats at shamu show (other seats were wayed to crowded even though we were early )
then same type of sheet is issued at BG.
the only critism was it did not allow the baby swap type thing you can do with WDW, my asd child had to be there for us to use it, which resulted in him waiting nearly 90 min for dh and me to ride kraken by which time he was crawling up the walls, we rode journey to atlantis 4 times
i was impressed at BG with our "magic card" the trainers let our kids interact with the animals more (we even were taken into the flamingo pen and allowed to hand feed them- wow, that was incredible. (I would add the tropical storm Faye had hit the day before and the park was REALLY empty! Staff at BG were great ...
hope this helps someone
tracy