Sea World for a Day - Any Tips for a Newbie?

[DisneyFamily123]

How can I make the most of 1 day at Sea World? Will take a taxi from a Disney resort and come back, Sea World is open 9am-6pm in September. It's just DH, DW, and DS6 - none of us do thrill rides. We will do shows and exhibits, maybe 1 or 2 rides at Shamu's Happy Harbor. Thanks!

Is one day enough?
Should I pick a weekday since it will be less crowded?
How can I avoid long lines or is September just not busy anyway?

 

[Wadecool]

Bump. I'm very interested to hear advice on this too.

 

[ntz4disney]

SeaWorld is a great one day park to visit for our family. We tend to visit on a week day, seems less crowded then a weekend nomatter what time of year it is. My family doesn't do any of the rides there either, we enjoy seeing the different shows. My kids favorite show that is a MUST SEE is, Clyde and Seamore ...its a very funny show. When you get in the park, grab a map and look at the show times and plan your day around what shows you want to see and when ...you may not be able to see everyone of them in one day so pick which are the most appealing to your family.

I assume SW still has the same policy, but look into this further, they used to have when you buy a one day ticket and you can return for a 2nd day free within 7days of the 1st visit. Look on SW's website where you purchase your tickets, should tell you there. That being said if you can go back another day, maybe go later in the day and see the fireworks at Shamu Stadium if they are scheduled while you are visiting the area. You can get a list of events online at SW's website!

Let me know if you have any other questions ...

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Thank you! Sounds like Sea World might be good for a vacation separate from Disney World.... and mix in 1 or 2 days of Sea World, Universal Studios, and maybe use a rental car to drive to Cape Canaveral and a beach.

Planning my next Disney trip for 8 or 9 days. Wanted to spend plenty of time at Disney's waterparks and the resort, in addition to doing some things (not everything) at the 4 major parks (Epcot, MK, AK, HS). And my schedule is already full.

I'd be disappointed if we spent the money on tickets and taxi to go to Sea World and didn't get to do everything we wanted. Maybe it's better to not be rushed. Looks like there's ticket pages that include Sea World and the Universal parks. Guess I have a lot of planning to do for another vacation.

I also noticed on Sea World's calendar that all the shows are not offered every day. Seems that less popular/less crowded times of year.... Sea World closes early (6pm vs. 9pm) and has less shows.

 

[ntz4disney]

Look into the Orlando Flex ticket, it includes admission to multiple non-WDW parks! So if you are planning to visit places other then WDW, it might be more cost effective. Have fun planning your trip ...

 

[KBF]

Thank you! Sounds like Sea World might be good for a vacation separate from Disney World.... and mix in 1 or 2 days of Sea World, Universal Studios, and maybe use a rental car to drive to Cape Canaveral and a beach.

Planning my next Disney trip for 8 or 9 days. Wanted to spend plenty of time at Disney's waterparks and the resort, in addition to doing some things (not everything) at the 4 major parks (Epcot, MK, AK, HS). And my schedule is already full.

I'd be disappointed if we spent the money on tickets and taxi to go to Sea World and didn't get to do everything we wanted. Maybe it's better to not be rushed. Looks like there's ticket pages that include Sea World and the Universal parks. Guess I have a lot of planning to do for another vacation.

I also noticed on Sea World's calendar that all the shows are not offered every day. Seems that less popular/less crowded times of year.... Sea World closes early (6pm vs. 9pm) and has less shows.

First for the Original post: If you are going Labor day weekend, you will need two days. Labor day weekend is packed. After that, the parks are dead so you may only need one day.

Now for the post quoted above: Some shows are special shows only offered during certain times of the year. No matter when you go, you will always have the Day Shamu show (Which will be "One Ocean" starting in April) You will always have the day Sealion show "Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island" You will always have the Dolphin show "Blue Horizons" you will always have the dog and cat show "Pets Ahoy" and you will always have the acrobatics show "A'lure" (Unless its a Jack Hanna weekend then A'lure isn't offered but thats only 3 days the entire year. Usually the end of April)

During the busier times, you get all those day shows, plus special night time shows. For example, in the Summer months you have the night Shamu show "Shamu Rocks" you have the night Sealion show "Sealions tonight" you will also have a morning sesame street show "Elmo and Abby's treasure hunt" and you have a fireworks show at the end of the night. During the Christmas Season you have the Night time Christmas Shamu Show "Miracles" the night christmas sealion show "Clyde And Seamore Countdown to Christmas" you have an ice skating show, and a Christmas Sesame street show as well as a Holiday fireworks show.

So yes, shows depend on what time of year your going. I would plan if you want all the shows, to do two days the first week of August. Though still busy, this is is usually the slower of the summer months. And if you want to see all the night shows, this may be your only option. August has great beach weather and IMO has better weather than a June or July. When you get to mid August, you lose the night time shows because the park starts closing at 8. Basically anytime the park is open past 8:00, you will have the option of the extra night shows. For spring break the next few weeks, there are no Shamu Rocks scheduled (Probably due to the One Ocean rehearsals) There are also no fireworks scheduled. Probably also due to Rehearsing for the new show, staffing may be needed.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Thank You!!!

 

[RabFlmom]

How can I make the most of 1 day at Sea World? Will take a taxi from a Disney resort and come back, Sea World is open 9am-6pm in September. It's just DH, DW, and DS6 - none of us do thrill rides. We will do shows and exhibits, maybe 1 or 2 rides at Shamu's Happy Harbor. Thanks!

Is one day enough?
Should I pick a weekday since it will be less crowded?
How can I avoid long lines or is September just not busy anyway?

In September you can do SW in a day if you don't spend a lot of time at exhibits or feeding the animals or yourselves for extended periods of time. The thing regular Disney goers have to get used to at SW is you do not generally have to wait in lines for much of anything except the coasters. It is just an entirely different experience. It usually is just a more relaxing day than the rush to wait in lines at Disney.
Give your son time to play at the kids area, most kids have fun there.

 

[stacyp9]

At SeaWorld, some of the things you definitely shouldn't miss are the dolphin feeding and the stingray exhibit. The stingrays are great because they aren't shy at all and are usually easy to reach. If you can, feed them. They suck the food right out of your hand!
If you have younger girls, Blue Horizons is something not to miss. It's a dolphin show that includes acrobatics and exotic birds along with dolphins.
For older kids, or just people who like roller coasters, DO NOT miss Kraken and Manta.
Hope this helps! A word of advice though, if you sit in the splash zone for Believe, you will get more than splashed. You will get completely and utterly SOAKED!