Sea World or Epcot?

[ktlm]

We've done SeaWorld and EPCOT. EPCOT by far is preferred by everyone in my family. DD, 8, will do SeaWorld in San Antonio or San Diego, where there is no WDW within a few miles, but she has no interest in doing it in Orlando where she could be at a WDW park instead.

 

[whiporee]

We could. Our only issue is Sea World and Discovery Cove have to be done back to back, due to how they issue the tickets. So that would mean trying to reschedule our BBB and CRT that we had planned for July 1st. May not be a big deal, might be able to get a new ressie. That way we'd do all 5 days of Disney in a row, then have two days for SW, DC. As you say, might be a bit more relaxing before we head out on a 27 hour drive home, lol.

I'd double check that. My DC tickets have alway said that they could be used within 14 days at both Aquatica and SW. I don't know if that helps your thinking -- and I've never used them so I could be wrong -- but I'm pretty sure that you've got a bigger window than the next day to use the tickets.

The website is confusing, so I called DC this morning. They said that you don't get 14 separate admissions throughout the year, but the passes are good for two weeks including your DC visit. They can be either before or after, but are unlimited for that 2-week period.

Hope that helps with the confusion.

 

[DarcyLongfellow]

We love both Epcot and SeaWorld, but in your situation I'd just do SeaWorld.

SeaWorld is definitely a full day for us -- the shows are awesome. And with the way the timing of the shows works, you're unlikely to be able to do everything unless you spend a full day. We have actually never ridden a ride at SeaWorld (our kids are too young for rollercoasters), but we once spent 4 days in a row there!

Epcot is awesome too -- it was actually my oldest DD's favorite park for a while -- but if you've already made your plans and you were planning to skip it, then unless you can add a day, I wouldn't worry about it. It's too much to do in a half day if you've never been there before.

The only way I'd attempt do Epcot in a couple hours for a first time visit is if you only focus on one half of it. Either pick the handful of rides you want to do in Future World (with fastpasses) or go directly to the World Showcase and plan on not hitting every country.

 

[Indio]

Are you planning on going to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios? You could do one of those the morning of your Sea World day and then change the day you would have spent in one of those to an entire Epcot day.

I agree with others, my boys have always loved Epcot. I wouldn't discount it thinking the kids won't like it.

 

[Indio]

While I don't completely disagree with you it depends on the kids. I have gone with my neice and nephew and the prefer Epcot to Seaworld (and yes they have been to both). So, I think it depends on the kids.

We've done both - went to Sea World once and my kids have never asked to go back. They won't skip Epcot though.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'd double check that. My DC tickets have alway said that they could be used within 14 days at both Aquatica and SW. I don't know if that helps your thinking -- and I've never used them so I could be wrong -- but I'm pretty sure that you've got a bigger window than the next day to use the tickets.

The website is confusing, so I called DC this morning. They said that you don't get 14 separate admissions throughout the year, but the passes are good for two weeks including your DC visit. They can be either before or after, but are unlimited for that 2-week period.

Hope that helps with the confusion.

I was under the impression that they had to be used on consecutive days, but maybe it's within a 14-consecutive day period. I'll have to find out!

 

[BlueFairy]

I just have to ask. You are doing a 27 hour drive, 7 days with a theme park every day, 27 hour drive home, all over the 4th of July holiday with MIL in tow?

Unless you are used to this pace and that much togetherness, I would highly recommend seeking some general touring advice on this board. This is a pace that would kill my family after about 4 days, if we lasted that long (my kids are 6 and 9). Most everyone needs downtime. The parks are massive. Consider that you may be so tired by day 6 or 7 that at the very least you should be flexible rather than committed to a park. More likely you will need a veg out day (or afternoons) sprinkled throughout. Also, being 27 hours away from home on 7/1 suggests you aren't accustomed to the way that Florida heat and sun can zap your energy. Go prepared for a slower pace. If you are staying onsite, carve out some down time to enjoy that expensive resort you have paid for.

(ETA: Please accept this unsolicited opinion in the spirit it is given. As a first/only timer I think it's important to be realistic so you can have the best quality experience with few regrets. There's so much tried and true knowledge here to use to your advantage. It's great that you are planning ahead. Just want you to have the best time possible!)

Back to Epcot- I agree that the Living Seas does not compare to Sea World. It has some nice features, but by comparison it is miniscule. My not-thrill-seekers do not love Soarin and will not try Mission Space or Test Track. That might work in favor of your schedule if you are trying to whittle things down to manageable. Sum of All Thrills would also be a no-go.

To the poster who suggested we haven't done both - my kids were the ones begging to get to Epcot, and they truly enjoyed a very full Sea World day in San Diego. I don't know if I can pick one over the other, though we've done both.

 

[RabFlmom]

I was under the impression that they had to be used on consecutive days, but maybe it's within a 14-consecutive day period. I'll have to find out!

First....when is your trip? If during the SUMMER you might be able to combine SW with Discovery Cove. EPCOT is our favorie WDW park, but SW is our favorite Orlando park. The aquarium at EPCOT is just mediocre as far as aquariums go and some of the animal displays like the turtle/gators etc in there just amaze me that they are allowed by law to even show the animals inside there that way.

What I would do in your shoes.....

Hit DC early. Stay even as late as 5PM and then head over to SW because the park will either close at 9 or 10. Do the night shows and see the fireworks .

Get up early the next day and hit SW for the day shows. Leave by 2. Then head to EPCOT and spend most of the afternoon and night at EPCOT so you get to see the fireworks show there.

At EPCOT do all the things at the front of the park when you get there. Rides in that section start shutting down by early evening . Then head over to world showcase .

If at all possible, I say try to do both especially since you already have the free days at SW.
I was so disappointed in my nephews family the last time they were here....They hated EPCOTfrom the getgo.
My nephew(10) and niece (14) were bored to death and could not wait to get out of the park when we brought them there last time. They even said the fireworks show on 4th of July in Peoria were better and were bored with Illuminations. They did not think the rides were worth going on and could not wait to get back to the MK for the coasters. My sons on the other hand always liked to learn about science and other countries so they enjoyed EPCOT- plus they like the food you can get there.

 

[mshanson3121]

I just have to ask. You are doing a 27 hour drive, 7 days with a theme park every day, 27 hour drive home, all over the 4th of July holiday with MIL in tow?

Unless you are used to this pace and that much togetherness, I would highly recommend seeking some general touring advice on this board. This is a pace that would kill my family after about 4 days, if we lasted that long (my kids are 6 and 9). Most everyone needs downtime. The parks are massive. Consider that you may be so tired by day 6 or 7 that at the very least you should be flexible rather than committed to a park. More likely you will need a veg out day (or afternoons) sprinkled throughout. Also, being 27 hours away from home on 7/1 suggests you aren't accustomed to the way that Florida heat and sun can zap your energy. Go prepared for a slower pace. If you are staying onsite, carve out some down time to enjoy that expensive resort you have paid for.

Back to Epcot- I agree that the Living Seas does not compare to Sea World. It has some nice features, but by comparison it is miniscule. My not-thrill-seekers do not love Soarin and will not try Mission Space or Test Track. That might work in favor of your schedule if you are trying to whittle things down to manageable. Sum of All Thrills would also be a no-go.

To the poster who suggested we haven't done both - my kids were the ones begging to get to Epcot, and they truly enjoyed a very full Sea World day in San Diego. I don't know if I can pick one over the other, though we've done both.

MIL and FIL are not driving with us, they're flying down, staying with us (though it's not an expensive resort, we've booked a house at Windsor Hills for a fraction of the price of those "expensive resorts", lol) then flying home. We travel with them for a week every summer. They're phenomenal to travel with.

Surprisingly enough, even though we're from Canada, we're very used to high humidity. In the summer, we typically have humidity levels of 80-100% every day in July. Granted, our normal temps are 85-90F, but, we get the high humidity. And we normally always get a heat wave at some point of 95-100. Welcome to Atlantic Canada - home of temperature extremes: 90F with 90% humidity in July, and -40F with 40 mph winds in January, lol.

We're planning a slow pace. Yes, we're planning a park every day, but we are NOT planning on being there from open to close. We're just not those kind of people. We will either likely do a 9-4 type thing, and plan to focus on indoor shows etc... in the afternoons and have our evenings to relax with normal routine such as supper, bedtime etc... or we'll do a 9-1, break for the afternoon, and go back for the evening type thing. Also, we've strategically planned Discovery Cove in the middle of our vacation as a "down" day, since it's so much more relaxed than WDW. We're also taking an entire day's break when we arrive. We'll be driving 3 days, and then our first full day in Florida, we are doing nothing but relaxing, and then going to Hoop dee Doo that evening.

But, I do appreciate the concern, and certainly will take advice/input. And we are definitely open to adding a day.

 

[mshanson3121]

First....when is your trip? If during the SUMMER you might be able to combine SW with Discovery Cove.

We're traveling the last week of June, so DC closes at 5:30 and SW open till 9:00 I believe.

I thought of doing them both, but worried that might be a very long day for the kids? But then again, I suppose DC is quite a relaxing place. Also, I would want to make sure we get to see the Dolphin and Shamu show, so I'd want to be to SW in time for those. Not sure what time the latest showings are?

 

[mshanson3121]

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[Bluegrrl]

To put it in math terms: Seaworld>Living Seas. (think I got that right!)

Seriously though. It is vastly better. If you have never been to Seaworld, I highly suggest going there. Its different than Disney, and it has the feel of a "local theme park", but it is very nice and has something for everyone, verses EPCOT which is more limited (I think) for people. Sure, I've brought my kid to EPCOT, and I went to EPCOT when I was little, but it never felt very "kid friendly". More educational feeling - not that that's bad, just different.

If your kids like Sea critters or even land critters, then this is the place to be. It also has so great coasters like Kraken and Manta. You can actually feed the animals and pet dolphins without dropping tons of money on special dolphin in depth tours. They do have a "pick a pearl" area that is 1/2 the price of Disney. And they have a very cool Shark restaurant that has the most awesome bar ever - it's a bar that is an aquarium!!

The only thing that I miss is the beer sampling in the back area. They had beer samplings and beer school - it was very cool and I learned a lot about different beers/beer brewing and products. It wasn't a lush lounge, and we aren't lushes; it was just a lecture-type tour.

Also, if you are going to make it down to Tampa, the Lowry Zoo is a highly rated zoo for kids. And their aquarium is FANTASTIC!!

 

[DisneyDetective]

I would definately go to EPCOT as you'd really regret missing this park. The World Showcase has so much to offer education wise for the kids and you also have Test Track and Soarin for the attractions. I will say that you may not be able to get the whole park done if your waiting in line for certain rides.

 

[RabFlmom]

We're traveling the last week of June, so DC closes at 5:30 and SW open till 9:00 I believe.

I thought of doing them both, but worried that might be a very long day for the kids? But then again, I suppose DC is quite a relaxing place. Also, I would want to make sure we get to see the Dolphin and Shamu show, so I'd want to be to SW in time for those. Not sure what time the latest showings are?

That is why I suggested doing the night shows on day of DC and coming back the next morning to finish up on shows. At night there would be Shamu Rocks and a seal show after 7PM. Usually there is a Blue Horizon Show around 5PM. The calendar with show times will be out before you make the trip so you can plan then. There is so much more to see and do at SW besides the shows though. Actually if it wasn't raining right now I would be there today.

My kids always made it from opening to close in the parks even as toddlers. We would take it easy and rest when they needed it- even pulling up a corner of the floor out of the way in shark encounter and letting them sleep a little in the air conditioning if they needed it. <g> But actually by the time they were 5 they could outlast me in all the parks.

 

[thatgirl23]

We're traveling the last week of June, so DC closes at 5:30 and SW open till 9:00 I believe.

I thought of doing them both, but worried that might be a very long day for the kids? But then again, I suppose DC is quite a relaxing place. Also, I would want to make sure we get to see the Dolphin and Shamu show, so I'd want to be to SW in time for those. Not sure what time the latest showings are?

I just wanted to say that while yes, DC is relaxing, chances are that you and/or your kids will be exhausted. Swimming and snorkeling (and just general excitement of it all) can take a lot out of you. Just keep that in mind when planning the day. If you're too exhausted, then you may not be able to really enjoy SeaWorld that night.

 

[sjbond]

We love Epcot and go multiple times every trip. We went to Seaworld a few years ago but, after watching Blackfish, we will likely never go again.

 

[Kristina4109]

If you are going during the summer, I'd say definitely do Epcot. Future World has many enclosed, air conditioned pavilions with stuff in each pavilion that can easily occupy you for an hour. World Showcase will be hot and it will rain in the afternoon, but there are plenty of places to cool down (restaurants, movies, theater presentations, shops, etc.) or get shelter from the rain.

SeaWorld is almost entirely outside and you will be very hot during most of your day there.

 

[juliemcalister]

The thought of skipping Epcot to visit SW makes me sad. I've been to both multiple times with kids ranging in age from 5 - 12. I also have a MIL who decided there wasn't much for kids. On our last full day the kids got to pick which park to re-visit and it was unanimous that we go back to Epcot.

 

[mshanson3121]

My kids always made it from opening to close in the parks even as toddlers. We would take it easy and rest when they needed it- even pulling up a corner of the floor out of the way in shark encounter and letting them sleep a little in the air conditioning if they needed it.

My kids have special needs, and one is on the spectrum, so... as much as I'd like it to happen, I just don't see it.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

EPCOT is incredible, there is really no place like it anywhere else in the world. There is plenty for the whole family to do. Kids of all ages! Between the fun rides and shows for kids, character m&gs and great meals, you won't be disappointed. EPCOT is a park you cannot accomplish in one day, IMHO. It takes a full day to get through the park. And you have to stay for Illuminations, the fireworks show at night. It is absolutely incredible

G enoy EPCOT with your family, I bet everyone will be happy that you did.