Sea World Questions (LOTS)!!

[kimsuenew]

Hello everyone! I have learned so much from the Disboards about WDW... now I am attempting to "branch out"!

We have an upcoming, 14 day, trip in September! We have decided that we would like to visit Sea World for a couple of days (Ohio used to have a Sea World but they shut it down a few years back... we always got season passes there and loved the shows).

Can anyone that comes to/lives near WDW but visits Sea World answer a few questions perhaps?

1. We are staying at Pop Century. How far is it to Sea World from there (miles and/or time)?
2. Do they have their own version of a GAC for disabilities by chance? Is the park set up nicely to accomodate those with disabilities (such as mainstreamed lines, shaded areas to wait, no stairs)?
3. The Ohio Sea World had mostly shows/attractions but I believe that Orlando's Sea World has rides... DS wants to know if there are coasters and if so, are they awesome?
4. Is Sea World comprable in size to any of the WDW parks?
5. In your personal experience, is it worth the drive there from WDW?
6. Do they have mostly CS type restaurants at Sea World?
7. Do they have a nightly fireworks show by chance?

I am sorry for having so many questions... I just simply do not know anyone that has been there before and didn't know how to find this "stuff" out! Thank you for taking the time to read this! I look forward to your reply! Kimberly

 

[kokomos]

1. We are staying at Pop Century. How far is it to Sea World from there (miles and/or time)?
10 - 15 minutes
2. Do they have their own version of a GAC for disabilities by chance? Is the park set up nicely to accomodate those with disabilities (such as mainstreamed lines, shaded areas to wait, no stairs)?
The do have ramps and seating.
3. The Ohio Sea World had mostly shows/attractions but I believe that Orlando's Sea World has rides... DS wants to know if there are coasters and if so, are they awesome?
Yes, Kraken and Journey to Atlantis both are great rides
4. Is Sea World comprable in size to any of the WDW parks?
Yes camparable but much more relaxing. My feet never hurt leaving Sea World
5. In your personal experience, is it worth the drive there from WDW?
YES
6. Do they have mostly CS type restaurants at Sea World?
They have mostly counter service but they to have a dinner show and dining with Shamu check out the website for more information. They also have the budweisier place where you can have a free sample.
7. Do they have a nightly fireworks show by chance? I think so but Im not sure if its every night check the website for dates listed


There is also a promo code many disers use to save 25% off SOUTHWESTAIRLINES

 

[kimsuenew]

1. We are staying at Pop Century. How far is it to Sea World from there (miles and/or time)?
10 - 15 minutes
2. Do they have their own version of a GAC for disabilities by chance? Is the park set up nicely to accomodate those with disabilities (such as mainstreamed lines, shaded areas to wait, no stairs)?
The do have ramps and seating.
3. The Ohio Sea World had mostly shows/attractions but I believe that Orlando's Sea World has rides... DS wants to know if there are coasters and if so, are they awesome?
Yes, Kraken and Journey to Atlantis both are great rides
4. Is Sea World comprable in size to any of the WDW parks?
Yes camparable but much more relaxing. My feet never hurt leaving Sea World
5. In your personal experience, is it worth the drive there from WDW?
YES
6. Do they have mostly CS type restaurants at Sea World?
They have mostly counter service but they to have a dinner show and dining with Shamu check out the website for more information. They also have the budweisier place where you can have a free sample.
7. Do they have a nightly fireworks show by chance? I think so but Im not sure if its every night check the website for dates listed


There is also a promo code many disers use to save 25% off SOUTHWESTAIRLINES

WOW ~ you are quick to answer (and very helpful)!

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it!

 

[sympatico]

There is a Sea World forum on the DIS:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=32

 

[kydisneyfans]

Agree with all of the answers above, although it may be a few minutes longer from Pop to Sea World depending on time of day.

The Shamu rocks show is more of an upbeat end to the day rather than a fireworks show.

We enjoy the laid back pace of Sea World and have visited each time we have gone to Disney. Plan on a full day. The park is very shade friendly and handicap accessible.

 

[whfan]

We just returned from Florida! Sea World was the best place we visited by far. Magic Kingdom was simply too crowded and we couldn't enjoy ourselves. Sea World was relaxing and so much fun for the boys (3 & 6) They have a water center that all the kids there truly enjoyed. Parents had a picnic tables to sit at while the kids all played. There are some cute kid rides as well in the Kids section.
The shows, especially Sea Lion and Otter were funny and entertaining.
We were not able to do the entire park while there and we were there the whole day, however, it closed at 7 on this particular day. Next time, we will plan better!

 

[kimsuenew]

We just returned from Florida! Sea World was the best place we visited by far. Magic Kingdom was simply too crowded and we couldn't enjoy ourselves. Sea World was relaxing and so much fun for the boys (3 & 6) They have a water center that all the kids there truly enjoyed. Parents had a picnic tables to sit at while the kids all played. There are some cute kid rides as well in the Kids section.
The shows, especially Sea Lion and Otter were funny and entertaining.
We were not able to do the entire park while there and we were there the whole day, however, it closed at 7 on this particular day. Next time, we will plan better!

That sounds wonderful... laid back and relaxing! Thank's for sharing!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Sea World is just great. It is definately a more laid back kind of place. BUT - one thing you have to remember - there are alot of shows and they are all on a time schedule. If you want to hit all the shows you really need to check out the schedule when you arrive and plan your day if you want to see all the shows. Sometimes this means going back and forth across the park.

Linda

 

[spiceycat]

disabilities - in the shows there is place on the ground floor - or at the top for wheelchairs.

the bottom is not shaded properly - so don't recommend it.

that say the top is the top - and someone will need to push the wheelchair up.

that is if you need a wheelchair - but the top is nice shadely and cool.

go visit the disabilities site for more information.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

http://www.seaworld.com/orlando/parkinformation/default.aspx

 

[bwilde]

Southwestairlines has expired... anyone know of any current discount codes out there for Seaworld? TIA!!

 

[kimsuenew]

You are all so wonderful at answering my questions/giving advice... we truly appreciate it!

 

[KayR]

If you are looking for a nice full service restaurant - there is the Sharks Grill. Similar concept to Coral Reff in EPCOT - indoors with a huge tank of fish and sharks. I don't think you can do advance reservations, but send someone there first thing to make reservations.

For more casual dining, last time I was there they had an all you can eat BBQ in the pavillion. Price was reasonable for a theme park, but the best thing was that it was away from the crowds and a quiet and cool place to take a break from the crowds. Food was OK for an 'all you can eat'.

To do seaworld properly, I believe that you need at least 1.5 days depending on time of year.

If you have younger kids, there are LOTS of places to get wet/soaked

Watch out for the street performers in the marketplace area. Great fun!

Don't try and do the Shamu night time show and their fireworks show on the same night! You don't have enough time to get a great view of the fireworks afterwards. We tried staying on the shamu side of the lagoon one time, the nice Seaworld people put the sprinklers on over there at fireworks time.. you haven't seen so many people move so fast... LOL!

 

[spiceycat]

Southwestairlines has expired... anyone know of any current discount codes out there for Seaworld? TIA!!

no - how often are you going to SW?

if more than 2 days this year and next year - would get a 2-yr annual pass $149.99 - one year pass is $99.95 - otherwise sometimes SW sells it fun pass to non-floridian residents it would be $67.95 (good for a year - but no free parking which the regular pass has - another words go for 3 times and parking at $11 - would make them the same)

the regular one day pass is $57.95 if you buy on the internet. (none of these prices include tax - which is I think 6% might be more)

here is some ticket sellers -- which do include the tax.

http://www.ticketmania.com/store/c/27-SeaWorld.html
http://www.mapleleaftickets.com/sea_world_tickets.htm

now this site has a good discount for Universal
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/#universaltickets
http://www.ticketmania.com/store/c/27-SeaWorld.html

 

[spiceycat]

not sure if these include tax or not
http://www.orlandoticketsales.com/oi/SeaWorld__C66.cfm

 

[Cindy B]

Also look into the Fun Card. I think these will be on sale late May-early June. That is sort of a mini-annual pass which is good on admission only from May to December.

We've looked into it. If you go more than once per person the fun card is paid for.

Sea World used to do the 2nd day free validation when you got into the park-are they still doing that deal? That deal was going on for YEARS!

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

If you are going in Sept after Labor Day there won't be the night shows such as Shamu Rocks or the fireworks. Most of the nightime shows are seasonal and run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.