Sea World - worth it?

[boys938]

We are planning a trip to Disney in November. We are trying to plan new things this trip so Sea World might be an option. Because of the kids's schedules we can only stay for one week. Will it be worth it to miss a day at WDW? Does anyone have any feedback on the shows or tours? Dining?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Art 1]

I would not miss a day at WDW to go to Sea World, but I've been to SW many times to it's unfair of me to say.

I'm not a big fan of whale and dolphin shows, has nothing to do with any beliefs, it's just very boring to me.

 

[Brian Noble]

We had a great day at Sea World this past February. But, that was on a day after getting back from a DCL cruise, and we were only in Orlando for a few days. I can never quite fit in what I want to do at WDW in a week, so it would be hard to take a day out of that.

I'd either save it for a time when you're only there for a few days, or combine it with a trip to Universal.

 

[dixielander]

I know I will get slammed for saying this here, but I think SeaWorld is awesome, and you would not be "wasting" a day. We enjoyed the shows and the animals at SeaWorld FAR MORE than our day at Animal Kingdom. There was alot there to do for everyone, teens as well as smaller children.

I cannot express how much we enjoyed the shows. They have a sealion show, an extreme stunt type of show in the lagoon, several other shows, beautiful grounds, and of course, they have some thrill type rides as well. Well worth it! You would not be sorry!

 

[sjanus]

We loved Sea World! I think it is worth a day if you feel you have the time and are doing everything at Disney you want to do. If you are staying right in the parks, I don't know if I would make an extra trip to go to Sea World, especially since you have the week and probably are losing a day just getting settled in and out, transitioning, etc. There is just so much at Disney anymore to do, you really need the week! I remember when we went when on our first trip to Disney, and our children were very small, and there was just Magic Kingdom and Epcot and we felt like 5 days was not enough!!!

Sandy

 

[DISaholic's]

If your sons like roller coasters and animals I'd say Seaworld is worth it. My teens really enjoyed Seaworld. When they were in their teens they always wished that WDW had better coasters. Now that they are older, they appreciate Disney's magic more and don't mind saving the coasters for a different trip. Save it for later in the week you are there. If your sons 'bored' with Disney, which sometimes kids can be, head over to Seaworld for a thrill ride or two.

 

[Brian Noble]

Good point. I haven't been on Tatsu yet, but have been on the other flyer models---Vekoma's Flying Dutchman and Bolliger/Mabilliard's Superman clones---and Manta is vastly superior to those. It's a *great* layout. Kraken isn't half-bad either, though a little garden-variety.

Though, if you are *really* looking for coasters, I'd recommend heading the hour and a half west to Busch Gardens. Kumba rocks. The zero-G roll on that thing (referred to by coaster enthusiasts as the "Kumbathingy") is perhaps the best inversion element ever designed. Add in the dive machine, and you've got a pretty nice collection.

 

[RabFlmom]

We are planning a trip to Disney in November. We are trying to plan new things this trip so Sea World might be an option. Because of the kids's schedules we can only stay for one week. Will it be worth it to miss a day at WDW? Does anyone have any feedback on the shows or tours? Dining?

Thanks for your help.

YES! it is definitely worth it to go to SW for a day. The kids will love it. The shows are great and there is so much to see and do. Go to the board for SW on here and you will get some insite into the park. also check out their website.

For the price of 1 day ( get the adult at kids price on line or the South West discount( don't have to fly in on South West just go to their web site); you can return for a 2nd day for free if they like it a whole lot.

 

[isla bonita]

We all love SW. My children love the coasters, animals and the shows. A great day for all.

 

[wolf29]

We would never miss an opportunity to visit Sea World. If you have not been, it's a must-do while in Orlando. Make certain to spend the entire day & finish with the nightime Shamu Rocks & then the fireworks. If you purchase your tix online you will receive a second day for free.

 

[Syndrome]

We love Seaworld, and WDW. We also love Universal studios, Islands of Adventure, Busch gardens, Discovery Cove and the waterparks.
In your situation I would say to skip Seaworld, and devote your time to WDW. WDW time is too valuable to give up a day, and pay extra to go to another park. With only a week in WDW, you should stay put.
What works for us, because we love ALL the parks.......
We alternate between WDW, and/or all the other parks every other year.
Last year we did all things WDW, including all 4 park , water parks, Disney quest, and Downtown Disney.
This year we are doing everything on the Orlando Flex Pass Plus. Includes Seaworld, Busch Gardens, IOA, Universal, Aquatica, and Wet&Wild. 14 days of unlimited use at every park. Ironically we will still be spending some time at our Favorite WDW Resort, The Polynesian. We plan on relaxing at the Poly and enjoying the resort, without the pressure that we have to do the WDW parks.
Next year we will be doing the WDW parks again. It works for us, but we also do 2 weeks in Orlando. We are never rushed with our schedule.
With only 1 week in WDW, I think you should spend that valuable time in WDW, and enjoy it. Dont worry about missing anything. There will always be another time for Seaworld.

Good luck with the decision.....
Syndrome

 

[summerrluvv]

I say YES!! I was on the fence last year and we went and LOVED it.

 

[kathy884]

I highly recommend Sea World. It is our family's favorite out of all the wonderful world class theme parks in Orlando and the only one that is a must see for us on every single trip. It's great for all ages.

21 trips since 1971 Camping offsite 71, 72, 74 , 75, 77 / Camping Fort Wilderness 75, 76 / Onsite Hotels: Contemporary 93, 99 Port Orleans Riverside 07 / Offsite Condos: Marriott Royal Palms 86, Polynesian Isles 94, Cypress Pointe 01, 04, Sheraton Vistana Resort 03, 04, 07, 08, Cypress Point Grand Villas 07 / Offsite Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Sea World 09, 10

 

[jemmouse]

Being a die hard Disney fanatic, when my husband suggested to me a year ago that we goto Discovery Cove one day and leave Disney at first I was in SHOCK ...But I caved in and we did it! It WAS THE BEST DAY I HAVE EVER HAD WITH MY HUSBAND AND SON !!!!! wE GOT THERE AROUND 8AM swam with the stingrays, did the lazy river ate lunch and breakfast there, and then swam with the dolphins. I will NEVER forget this day, it was beyond wonderful....Sometimes when we are hesitant to do something it can bring a glimmer of excitement to our world....GOOD LUCK...

 

[TaylorsDoDisney]

My husband makes me promise a SW day with every Disney trip.

 

[countrygrl4]

I've only went once and I wasn't planning on going to SW but me and my friends did Discovery Cove and it was part of the package so we did it. You have to watch Believe! It is amazing! I just hope things are better now. Oh and definitely ride Manta! It is pretty cool...I didn't ride it but my friends did. So all in all I say it is worth it!

 

[FayeW]

In my opinion, the Shark Encounter alone is worth the price of admission...it is fantastic!

Look, you've already been to WDW twice in the last 4 years. You've seen and done pretty much everything WDW has to offer. A week is more than enough time to see anything new, all of your favourites, and spend a wonderful day having a new set of experiences at SeaWorld. Don't let yourself get caught in the "All Disney/all the time" trap. Orlando has so much more to offer and believe it or not, a great deal of it is done better than Disney!

The WDW parks are great, but for our family they are just something else we do while we are in Orlando. There are a couple of the Disney attractions that I feel are second to none, and are always must-do attractions for us...but other than those particular things, the Disney parks are our least favourite of all the other parks we go to in Orlando. When we go on our next trip we will only be going to the WDW one day, and that is because we still have one day left on our tickets. It's a hopper ticket, so we will be able to do the "must do" attractions at Epcot (Soarin'), Studios (RnRC and ToT) and MK (Mickey's Philharmagic and Spectro) in the one day, as well as a few other things as we have time. Other than that our time will be spent at US/IoA and SW.

 

[Magalex]

I know I will get slammed for saying this here, but I think SeaWorld is awesome, and you would not be "wasting" a day. We enjoyed the shows and the animals at SeaWorld FAR MORE than our day at Animal Kingdom. There was alot there to do for everyone, teens as well as smaller children.

I cannot express how much we enjoyed the shows. They have a sealion show, an extreme stunt type of show in the lagoon, several other shows, beautiful grounds, and of course, they have some thrill type rides as well. Well worth it! You would not be sorry!

I agree! I enjoy SW much more than AK. It is a very pretty park! We are going back on our next trip

 

[steelebug]

WE LOVE SEAWORLD! I can't wait to go on the new roller coaster! I say go! I too like it way better than Animal Kingdom.

 

[annacali]

My girls are 5 and 7 and this will be our 6th trip to SW (4 in San Diego, this will be our 2nd in Orlando). This is the only park we go all day and stay until they are so tired they fall asleep in the strollers. They never want to leave. They adore Shamu (we have the Believe DVD now and it is well watched!). The Pets Rule show is wonderful, they love the dolphin show and could spend hours in the Wild Arctic.

Their love of SW has transpired into a love of marine mammal knowledge. We read books galore about this now. My 5 year old stunned her preschool teacher by bringing her stuffed manatee for "m" week and telling the class all about how they are endangered.

We love WDW but we could never go without a trip to Sea World. We love it there ...and we really respect Sea World for what they are doing in the realm of animal rescue too.