Sea World Christmas shows

[Jadeey]

Hi all,

Those who have seen the Christmas shows, are they worth it?

I ask because I'm starting a 3 week holiday in Orlando (my honeymoon! ) on December 29th. We were planning to do things like Kennedy Space Center and Discovery Cove prior to New Years to try and avoid the park crowds, but that would mean missing the Sea World Christmas shows.

I guess my question is, are they worth braving the crowds on the 30th for?

 

[angelmom27]

I say yes. We loved it. We went on the 30th and 31st last yr. We saw all the shows but missed one the Shamu christmas one. We skipped the regular ones since we have AP and can see them anytime. The story of jesus birth through the animals was really nice. the other shows are good too. We got to see the ice show and just stayed there cause the fireworks and countdown to the new yr started shortly after. It was a great weekend and had a lot of fun.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

SeaWorld is amazing during the holiday season. The Christmas shows are awesome, the park is gorgeous, and its soooo festive and fun . The Sea of Trees is breathtaking.

We were there for the first time this past Christmas week. If you check out the link in my signature, there are tons of photos from the two days (December 25th and 28th) that we spent there.

Even though it WILL be crowded, I would totally do the 30th at SW . Arrive before park opening, get as much done before the masses arrive as you can, and soak up the atmosphere. Be sure to get to the shows plenty early to ensure you get a seat, and you should be fine. If you want to do the rides, consider splurging for Quick Queue passes for the two of you (will get you on Manta, Kraken, the Polar Express, the SkyTower, Turtle Trek, Journey to Atlantis, and Antarctica too I would think, assuming that is also a QQ attraction).

Dine with Shamu would be fun for you guys for dinner, and let you escape the crowds in the restaurants.

And congrats on your upcoming wedding! What an awesome honeymoon plan you guys have!

 

[goofyfigment]

We went on Xmas days and we saw all the shows (except polar express) and rode all the rides. We did get there at park opening and didn't leave until closing but enjoyed it very much.

 

[Jadeey]

Thank you so much both of you. Since we've got the 14 days access with our Discovery Cove booking I want to go more than once.

I think we'll brave the crowds on the 30th so we can see the holiday season stuff and then go back again later in the trip when it's a bit quieter as well. It'll be cool to compare the shows as well

Good tip about the Quick Queue and Dine with Shamu as well! I will check into those. We're from New Zealand so anything to escape the crowds for a bit will be good since they will be like nothing we've ever seen before.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Good tip about the Quick Queue and Dine with Shamu as well! I will check into those. We're from New Zealand so anything to escape the crowds for a bit will be good since they will be like nothing we've ever seen before.

Where are you staying while in Orlando, Jadeey? Just asking because Quick Queue is a complimentary inclusion if you stay at one of the official onsite hotels of SeaWorld (there are 7 to pick from).

 

[Herbie]

IMO, sw does CHRISTMAS way better than disney. Definately worth going to see it!

 

[angelmom27]

Even if you wanted to go the next day on the 31st in the morning it is a lot less crowded. We got there at opening and was able to do all the exhibits and the kids got to walk on all the rides in shamu harbor. It didn't pick up til around dinner time. It was like the park was empty.

 

[Jadeey]

Where are you staying while in Orlando, Jadeey? Just asking because Quick Queue is a complimentary inclusion if you stay at one of the official onsite hotels of SeaWorld (there are 7 to pick from).

We're staying over at Disney at Pop Century. We were tossing up whether or not to stay onsite at Disney the whole time even though we want to spend lots of time at Sea World and Universal but we decided staying in one place would be more relaxing than moving between hotels.

IMO, sw does CHRISTMAS way better than disney. Definately worth going to see it!

Yay! It's decided, I'm definitely going to check it out.

Even if you wanted to go the next day on the 31st in the morning it is a lot less crowded. We got there at opening and was able to do all the exhibits and the kids got to walk on all the rides in shamu harbor. It didn't pick up til around dinner time. It was like the park was empty.

Hmm our Discovery Cove day is booked for the 31st so the 30th is my best option but I will make sure we get there first thing in the morning and hopefully it will be quiet at least for the first few hours.

 

[xApril]

Love their Christmas shows! I live about 15 minutes away from SeaWorld and last year, my friend and I would go multiple times at night just to see a showing of O Wondrous Night. I also love Clyde & Seamore's Countdown to Christmas.

Is it Christmas time yet?

 

[andrews_dad]

LOVE the Elmo Xmas show. If you have pre-teen kids, it is a MUST. SIng Xmas carols aloing with the Seasame St gang as they try to teach Abby about Xmas. It "snows" for a tad, too.

The puppet/actors/live animals show is awesome. We walked in as the show started the week after Xmas and still got nice seats, stage left.

It bubble "snows" along the street at intervals.

Whole family can pose inside a huge snow globe.

Decorations are up, lights ... feels VERY Xmas-like.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

LOVE the Elmo Xmas show. If you have pre-teen kids, it is a MUST. SIng Xmas carols aloing with the Seasame St gang as they try to teach Abby about Xmas. It "snows" for a tad, too.

The puppet/actors/live animals show is awesome. We walked in as the show started the week after Xmas and still got nice seats, stage left.

It bubble "snows" along the street at intervals.

Whole family can pose inside a huge snow globe.

Decorations are up, lights ... feels VERY Xmas-like.

To give some visuals to andrews_dad's post, here are some pics:

Snow globe photos:

What it looks like from the outside.....



And what your photos look like "finished".....



Light show ("Sea of Trees"):





Polar Express:





North Pole (inside Wild Artic, which is rethemed for the holidays):



Photos with Santa (at the North Pole):

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

And a few more.......

Holiday street performers:



Decorations:







Clyde & Seamore Count Down to Christmas:





And finally, the Christmas market:







The park really is as stunning during the holidays as everyone says. Simply beautiful!

 

[hydrotony]

I am wondering why you seem to believe that going to Seaworld during your vacation is a rushed activity. You get 14 days admission to Seaworld with the Discovery Cove purchase AROUND your day at Discovery Cove. I looked at the Discovery Cove and Seaworld sites and this seem to mean you can go to Seaworld both before and after your DC day, not just afterwards. Take advantage of that time period and see all the SW holiday shows with no rush.

 

[Tink575]

IMO, sw does CHRISTMAS way better than disney. Definately worth going to see it!

I second this, the SW Christmas decorations are breathtaking and the shows wonderful. I marvel at the fact that they are free with regular admission.

I can't do that much walking, but we are in Florida for weeks at Christmas and it was well worth going back to catch one show this day, then another. I don't say this lightly as my dh does not like to drive on I-4 in the dark anymore.

 

[Jamie25UGA]

IMO, sw does CHRISTMAS way better than disney. Definately worth going to see it!

They really do, Sea World is AMAZING at Christmas. I've been to Disney at Christmas at least 5 times (even a Disney Cruise) and 50 feet into Sea World instantly felt much more christmasey than Disney ever has to me.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We are going the day offer Thanksgiving. Will all the Christmas stuff be up then? D they have the special shows every day?

 

[angelmom27]

We are going the day offer Thanksgiving. Will all the Christmas stuff be up then? D they have the special shows every day?

Unfortunately no. During the nov month its weekends only. Luckily with thanksgiving on Thursday you can see stuff that weekend.

 

[Kathymford]

I've been going back and forth whether to do SW during our first Christmas trip or not, but this thread has just convinced me. I am a total Christmas nut and this seems amazing. DBF is fearful of the day I start wearing those crazy Christmas sweaters.

So, when do the hours get posted for SW so I can start really planning it. We are going early Dec, so I think I read it's just on the weekends during that time. My tentative slot for SW is a Sunday right now. Hopefully that works. EXCITED!!

 

[Marshay]

We are going the day offer Thanksgiving. Will all the Christmas stuff be up then? D they have the special shows every day?

We are going then too! Plus that Sat and Sun...taking our time to see SW plus the Christmas decorations. Can't wait!