SeaWorld & Aquatica quick reviews

[Taylor'sMom]

Just back... mini report for those interested...

SeaWorld Tuesday, April 28th
Arrived shortly after park opening, did:
Clyde & Seamore show
Dolphin show
Believe show
walked on Kraken (2 cycles of the ride before me)
walked on Journey to Atlantis 2x
Wild Arctic
Shamu's Happy Harbour (Shamu Express and some play structures only)
fed Stingrays
DD picked a pearl (got pink twins!)
viewed: Dolphins, Penuins, Sea Lions, Sharks (disappointing), Clydesdales and probablly more

Saw lots of people in suits and hard hats (engineers maybe?) looking at and discussing Manta. It eventually started up and ran with front row only. Then ran a few more times with seats full, running the track more than once without stopping in-between. Everything was still surrounded with the construction fence. I took pictures of Manta running but don't do the Photobucket thing yet. PM me your e-mail if you're really interested and I'll e-mail them. It looks like a great ride!

Found shaded stadium seating for the 3 shows we saw in good locations for all shows about 10 minutes before showtime.

Overall, found the park BEAUTIFUL. I was very impressed with the landscaping and layout, especially beteween the Terrace and Happy Harbour area. Impressed with all the exhibits except the sharks. I expected larger sharks I guess and found the small guys rather "average" and the tunnel concept was cool but too fast. Crowds were very low.
Found food to be way over-priced. $40 for 2 adults and 2 kids to eat crappy pizza. Food lines were fast or non-existent except at Believe.
Wanted to feed the dolphins but our timing was never good and the line for food was long.

Aquatica Thursday, April 30th
Entered the park about 11:00 or so. Found MANY groups or available lounge chairs in the shade and in the sun. Walked on every ride we wanted. Particularly enjoyed Roa's Rapids and the pink slide on Whanau Way. Didn't try the Dolphin Plunge but viewed the awesome Commerson Dolphins thru the underwater glass. Very cool!
Also loved the viewing on Loggerhead Lane but found it very short and repetitive.

 

[kckmom]

I am not sure what to do with regards to SW and AQ, we are heading down for a trip in late August. Honestly, the combo prices for the 5 of us costs as much as our 5 day discount tix to WDW!!

Anyway, as our youngest is 3, not sure if she can do enough at Aquatica to make it worth our time. We can swim at our resort. What do you think?

Also, do you know if you can leave the park and come back in later? We are staying practically across the street and we could leave for our resort for lunch and relaxing, then go back for the late afternoon shows and fireworks