Sea World CA vs. Sea World TX

[megaron1]

We live in Texas and visit Sea World in San Antonio about once a year. We are planning a trip to CA this summer and will probably buy the CityPass. It includes a Sea World admission and I was wondering if there is a big difference between the Sea World here and the Sea World there? Has anyone been to both and can give me a general comparison? There is so much to do in CA I don't want to waste a day at Sea World if it's just like the one here that we visit every year.

 

[sonnyjane]

They are different... I actually prefer the SW's in SA and Orlando to the one here in San Diego.

They are building a new coaster here that should open in the summer, but it's not open yet so I can't compare it to your thrill rides. We have a Journey to Atlantis here as well as a raft ride similar to the one you have there in SA, so those are basically the same.

The Shamu show (One Ocean) is the same. The dolphin show (Blue Horizons) is different than the one in SA, but is pretty L-A-M-E in my opinion lol. I really like our sea lion show here, which is different than yours, and we have Pets Rule! which is actually my favorite show at the whole park. It's enough like the one you go to every year that I would feel comfortable telling you to skip it, but there are a few shows that are different, and we also have Wild Arctic with polar bears and belugas and Turtle Reef with the sea turtles, which are two exhibits that you don't have in SA. Sea World is quite expensive, but we do have a few different things that you won't see in SA if they interest you. If they don't interest you and you don't want to spend the money, then I don't think you'd be missing anything grand. If you do have the money and have the time, then I don't think you'd be disappointed if you went either.

 

[megaron1]

They are different... I actually prefer the SW's in SA and Orlando to the one here in San Diego.

They are building a new coaster here that should open in the summer, but it's not open yet so I can't compare it to your thrill rides. We have a Journey to Atlantis here as well as a raft ride similar to the one you have there in SA, so those are basically the same.

The Shamu show (One Ocean) is the same. The dolphin show (Blue Horizons) is different than the one in SA, but is pretty L-A-M-E in my opinion lol. I really like our sea lion show here, which is different than yours, and we have Pets Rule! which is actually my favorite show at the whole park. It's enough like the one you go to every year that I would feel comfortable telling you to skip it, but there are a few shows that are different, and we also have Wild Arctic with polar bears and belugas and Turtle Reef with the sea turtles, which are two exhibits that you don't have in SA. Sea World is quite expensive, but we do have a few different things that you won't see in SA if they interest you. If they don't interest you and you don't want to spend the money, then I don't think you'd be missing anything grand. If you do have the money and have the time, then I don't think you'd be disappointed if you went either.

Thanks! That is just what I needed. We used to have a "Pets Rule!" type of show- very cute but they don't have it anymore in SA. The Sea Lions are entertaining, but I really don't need to see another show like that. Sounds like the parks are similar enough that maybe we should just spend our day elsewhere. I think even if we skip Sea World it's still cheaper to buy the CityPass for DL, Universal Studios, and the San Diego Zoo as opposed to buying the tickets separately.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks! That is just what I needed. We used to have a "Pets Rule!" type of show- very cute but they don't have it anymore in SA. The Sea Lions are entertaining, but I really don't need to see another show like that. Sounds like the parks are similar enough that maybe we should just spend our day elsewhere. I think even if we skip Sea World it's still cheaper to buy the CityPass for DL, Universal Studios, and the San Diego Zoo as opposed to buying the tickets separately.

As of the beginning of 2012, CityPass no longer includes the zoo. You can add it, however, by getting the CityPass PLUS option.

 

[megaron1]

If I'm not mistaken, as of the beginning of 2012, CityPass no longer includes the zoo.

Actually, you can upgrade to include the Zoo if you wish. The option is only available on the CityPass.com website.

http://www.citypass.com/california/san-diego-zoo

 

[sonnyjane]

Actually, you can upgrade to include the Zoo if you wish. The option is only available on the CityPass.com website.

http://www.citypass.com/california/san-diego-zoo

Ha I clarified my while you posted yours

 

[sissy_ib]

I live in San Antonio now but am from San Diego. I much prefer Sea World in SD. Yes there are more rides here but the overall experience is better in San Diego. I would suggest if the pass includes Sea World anyhow to take a half day there and do the things we don't have here in SA. Like Wild Arctic, the Shark Encounter, The Sky Tower and Skyride. I would probably skip the shows.

 

[megaron1]

I live in San Antonio now but am from San Diego. I much prefer Sea World in SD. Yes there are more rides here but the overall experience is better in San Diego. I would suggest if the pass includes Sea World anyhow to take a half day there and do the things we don't have here in SA. Like Wild Arctic, the Shark Encounter, The Sky Tower and Skyride. I would probably skip the shows.

That's a great idea! My DS(10) is infatuated with Sharks, so I know he would love to see the Shark Encounter. I still haven't worked out our whole vacation schedule besides the days we will be at DL, so maybe we can work in a half day at Sea World and a half day at the beach or something. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[wdw_monster]

I live in San Antonio now but am from San Diego. I much prefer Sea World in SD. Yes there are more rides here but the overall experience is better in San Diego. I would suggest if the pass includes Sea World anyhow to take a half day there and do the things we don't have here in SA. Like Wild Arctic, the Shark Encounter, The Sky Tower and Skyride. I would probably skip the shows.

same here, moved to sa from sd when i was about 13. Went to sea world in SD a hundred times, been to the one here once. I didn't really care for it, the sharks are the most disapointing.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Kind of off topic but I my Dsis won at trip to any SW from Southwest and she picked SA ( I know, I would have totally gone to Orlando and we live near SD) so can you tell me about SW in SA?

They are getting a one day ticket and the all you can eat meal pass. What food places should they eat at (money being no object) what ones would you skip, etc.

They are going in mid-March. How's the weather then?

Also OP (and any others) what else should they do while in SA? (or nearby). They've never been to TX before and this may be their only visit. They are taking DD29 (PhD student at KSU) and her friend (about same age). So it's my DSis55, her DH62, and 2 adult (29) women.

Any suggestions? TIA!

 

[HannaBelle]

Is SeaWorld SD a one day or a two day park? We are frequent visitors of the TX park and always spend two days because of the water park.

It does not appear that the SD park has the water park area or the little water play areas for the kids throughout.

 

[Dizneydaz]

You're right, SW SD doesn't have a water park. You should be able to do it all in one day. It really depends though on when you go. If you go when the park has shorter hours, and smaller crowds, you might not be able to see all the shows due to less offerings. However, if you go during the longer hours, like in the summer, the park will be more crowded and show may fill up-but there will be more of them.

I guess it depends if you want to take it a little easier and not have to rush to the shows or if you want to do a firm schedule based on the show times and hurry from one to another.

Still waiting for any recommendations on the food at SW Tx. My DSis postponed her trip from this week to early June so I still have time to give her recommendations. TIA!