Sea World?

[lulugirl]

Has anyone been to Sea World in San Diego? We are considering going to San Diego for 2 nights at the end of May. Can anyone suggest a nice hotel? We will be driving from Phoenix, AZ how long can I expect the drive to take?
Thanks, I appreciate any feeack!

 

[ilovemky]

Sea World is a nice park--but won't even take a full day to see unless you space out your showtimes. If you can afford it, sign up for "Lunch with Shamu"--you get to eat a buffett (the desserts are awesome!) right by the killer whale pool, the whales come to visit you and the trainers do tricks and answer questions--very much worth it!

there are lots of hotels near sea world--I have only stayed at the Del Coronado--wonderful, but pricey. not sure of your budget. If you could stay there, you would never forget it. It is the hotel that the Grand Floridian was based on and where marilyn monroe filmed Some Like it Hot" It is the oldest wooden hotel I believe--definitely worth going to see even if you do not stay there. You can still park and use the beach and eat fresh made ice cream--yummmmmmy!

Have fun!

If you have a chance, visit the World Famous San Diego Zoo also--it is fairly close by but you will need a car to go to these places

 

[lulugirl]

Thanks so much for your reply! We would love to do lunch w/ Shamu, my 3 1/2 yr old DD would love it! Is it difficult to get reservations? I have heard of the Del Coronado, it looks beautiful (yes, very much like the Grand Floridian!) how close is it to Sea World? I was hoping to spend no more than $200 per night , do you know what the rates are? I'm guessing closer to $250-$300?
Thanks so much!
-Elisabeth
PS-I've actually been to the San Diego Zoo (several years ago), loved it!

 

[DawnCt]

The Del Coronado is a wonderful hotel with a beautiful beach. Having said that however, it isn't really a comfortable place for kids. It is very formal. I took two 14 year old boys and my 9 year old niece and we stayed there for two nights. They really liked it because we rented a surrey bike, walked around downtown Coronado, swam in the pool but when we moved to the Marriott Resort and Marina, they were thrilled. We loved the central location, convenient to downtown restaurants, the pool area was top notch and being in the city was exciting for them. We spent a good part of the day at Sea World, went to the zoo, and on the way to San Diego, took a detour to Wild Animal Park. We may be going to back to San Diego in October. I am torn between the Marriott and the Hyatt Islandia right near by. Does anyone one know which one has the better pool area? Although the Marriott was so nice, it has to be a draw.

 

[ilovemky]

In May it will be close to $290 a nite, but you can still use the beach and not stay there--if you have any beach time planned. the bridge out to it is worth the trip!



TOP TEN BEACHES
The 10 nominees for Travel Channel's America's Best Beaches 2002 are (in alphabetical order):

Coronado Beach, California. Just one mile outside of beautiful San Diego, Coronado Beach is a tiny parcel of paradise, a 1½-mile swath of subtropical vegetation with fine white sand that sparkles like precious metal. This 300 yard-wide stretch of sand in the city of Coronado hosts two million moms, dads and little ones each year, offering activities for adults and kids alike. A key element of the beach is its proximity to the world-renowned Hotel del Coronado, which recently completed a dramatic $55 million restoration. The 114-year old Del, a National Historic Landmark, enjoys "more fame and historical significance than perhaps any hotel in North America," according to publisher Rand McNally.

Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
Duck, North Carolina
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Newport Beach, California
Palm Beach, Florida
Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Sconset Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts
Southampton, New York
South Beach, Miami, Florida

 

[bclydia]

Hi! It's been years (about 9 or so) since I was in San Diego but I vividly recall that as much as I enjoyed the San Diego Zoo, I really was more thrilled with the Wild Animal Park. It was amazing. I recall they had a photo safari that you could book in advance and they said that they would take you out in an open jeep with buckets of apples and carrots. Several of the older animals consider these jeeps "the ice cream truck" and will follow for miles to be fed apples by the guests. I always thought that would have been a once in a lifetime chance. I don't know if they still offer it but it would be worth checking into. DH and I hope to go in the fall and that's on my must do list!!
Have fun!
Lydia

 

[ilovemky]

Yes the Wild Animal Park is very special, however, it really is not INT san Diego, it is inland about 45 minutes away, but worth the trip if you have the time. Yes they still have the tour--here is the info
PHOTO CARAVAN
at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park
A Photo Caravan at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park opens the gates to a world of coexistence among hundreds of exotic animals. Your adventure leads you through the exhibits of East and South Africa, the Asian Plains, and the Asian Waterhole in an open-air vehicle. Be prepared to have your cameras ready, because you may see a herd of gazelles or impalas, or get the opportunity to feed a sky-high giraffe.
Because of their popularity, tours run seven days a week, year-round (weather permitting). Passengers ages 8 and older are eligible.The tour price includes admission, parking, Wgasa Bush Line Railway™ tour, animal shows, and exhibits. For information and reservations, please call (619) 718-3050 or 1 (800) 934-2267 (toll free). Make a reservation for a group of 10 or more by calling (619) 718-3000.These tours, sponsored by Kodak®, are available by reservation only (truck capacity is limited). Please see chart below for prices and departure times:



Reservations: Required (619) 718-3050
Fee:
$83.95-$145
Audience: Families and Adults
Meets at:
Duration: 1 3/4 hours or 3 1/2 hours

http://www.wildanimalpark.com/wap/homepage.php3

 

[Tink33]

I was at the Wild Animal Park on Sunday. They are now offering a one hour photo caravan for $60. Another fun thing to do is take the trail to the Heart of Africa. You can feed the giraffe - $2 for 2 biscuits.

 

[nccoke]

We spent three days in San Diego in October last year. We went to Sea World for one day and it was great, my 6year old son loved it. But what he loved more and so did I was Legoland, it was fantastic. We spent a whole day there and there was so much for the kids to do, I would definately recommend it. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[year2late]

Dine with Shamu was great, but watch out, if you are near the slide out area, you will get wet. They warn you in advance, but we stayed and we were soaked. Our empty glasses were halfway filled after the first slideout. It was a blast!

Has anybody done the Breakfast with Shamu? Is the "show" the same?

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by DawnCt
I am torn between the Marriott and the Hyatt Islandia right near by. Does anyone one know which one has the better pool area?

The Hyatt Islandia has a California shaped pool - not very big. I won this hotel in a Priceline bid and I loved it. I have heard multiple complaints about this hotel (worn down rooms, ratty this ratty that) but I do not have this experience. I like Hyatt Regency anyway as they have a liberal upgrade policy (small fee upgrades with no problem - we usually upgrade to a suite or the like during each Hyatt Regency stay). My son isn't much of a night owl, so it was great to have a birds eye view of the fireworks from our highrise balcony of this hotel!