Seaworld and San Diego Zoo/Safari Park

[novanic]

Firstly, is it possible to do San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in one day?

Also, would Seaworld take a whole day and is it necessary to be at the park at opening time?

We will be travelling down from Anaheim and are not sure whether to drive up the prior evening (we may be exhausted after a full day at Disneyland) or if it's better to leave early in the morning but I wasn't sure if it was one of these places that you need to queue to get in and to be able to see all the good shows, etc?

So we are talking 6th November for the day at Seaworld and 7th November for half a day at San Diego Zoo and half a day at San Diego Safari Park.

Do you think this is possible?

 

[Jedana]

You can't do both the zoo and safari park in one day. They are way too big, and the hills are a knee killer. Plus the drive is between 45 minutes-1 hour, during the slow times.

We did the safari park in about 6 hours. The zoo took 2 days, and I still think we missed some spots--and we didn't stop to read anything!

 

[novanic]

Thank you. It looks like we will have to miss the Safari Park this time round. We have been hundreds of times in the UK (literally!) and I'm sure there won't be too much different there so a day at the Zoo and a day at Seaworld it is.

 

[steph89]

Going in August and surprising my 12 year old with the dolphin interaction. Crazy price of 200 bucks but its always been her dream to swim with dolphins. I know they dont get to "swim" but they do get to be in the water with them and touch them ect. Anyone done this? Is it worth it?

 

[sonnyjane]

Going in August and surprising my 12 year old with the dolphin interaction. Crazy price of 200 bucks but its always been her dream to swim with dolphins. I know they dont get to "swim" but they do get to be in the water with them and touch them ect. Anyone done this? Is it worth it?

Yes this is the place to ask

If you haven't already found this, here is the link to SW's site: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworl...-Park-Experiences/Dolphin-Interaction-Program

DIP (Dolphin Interaction Program) is currently $215. The entire encounter lasts about an hour but you're only sitting in the water for 20 minutes, the rest is educational and a safety briefing. You're correct, you're not "swimming", it's more like sitting in the water on a ledge. You get to pet the dolphin and ask it to do a few behaviors, give it a kiss, etc. You USED to be able to do a short "fin tow" (grab the fin and swim with the dolphin) but I'm not sure they still do that anymore to be honest since it says "swimming is not part of the program". Maybe someone else will know. You will not be able to be down next to her to take pictures, but they have an overlook area where you can look down on the program and take photos. They have a professional photographer and you can purchase photos after if you like, but I'm not sure on that cost.

The bottom line is if your kiddo has a dream of "swimming" with dolphins, then I'm sure she will enjoy this. If it's "worth it" or not is really up to you and whether or not you can easily afford it. I'm spoiled in that I used to work with dolphins so $215 for 20 minutes with them doesn't seem reasonable to me, but for a 12 year old who might not have that opportunity again, it might be different. Sea World also offers a beluga encounter, and while you can find dolphin encounters throughout the country, beluga encounters are more rare.

 

[momjeeps]

Just to confirm PP is right no way you could do both in one day. I grew up in SD and love the zoo but haven't been in about ten years. But there are so many great exhibits. My favorite was the Polar Bears. With doing Disney too be sure to use the bus at the Zoo as much as you can to save your feet!

 

[samserena]

Yes this is the place to ask

If you haven't already found this, here is the link to SW's site: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworl...-Park-Experiences/Dolphin-Interaction-Program


The bottom line is if your kiddo has a dream of "swimming" with dolphins, then I'm sure she will enjoy this. If it's "worth it" or not is really up to you and whether or not you can easily afford it. I'm spoiled in that I used to work with dolphins so $215 for 20 minutes with them doesn't seem reasonable to me, but for a 12 year old who might not have that opportunity again, it might be different. Sea World also offers a beluga encounter, and while you can find dolphin encounters throughout the country, beluga encounters are more rare.

im thinking if i'm going to do it i should do the beluga whales *** we definitely cant do that in Aus and we could always do the dolphins when we get to hawaii if we wanted to!

 

[sonnyjane]

im thinking if i'm going to do it i should do the beluga whales *** we definitely cant do that in Aus and we could always do the dolphins when we get to hawaii if we wanted to!

In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that since this thread was originally posted, I have completely changed my position on Sea World. I was already on the fence and had chosen not to go to the parks personally, but I can no longer in good conscience recommend the park to others and I certainly can't promote the swim-with programs, especially the beluga program since they just recently tried to take belugas from the wild to continue such programs. I don't expect anyone to really see this post and cancel their trip, but I no longer what my screen name associated with promoting SW or these programs. Just had to state that for the record. Thanks