Seaworld FL vs Seaworld CA

[delilah]

We are going to San Diego on spring break. I will be attending a medical conference, but my son and husband are going to go sightseeing. My husband would like to know how Seaworld, FL compares to Seaworld, CA. We have not gone to either, but, we go to Orlando on a regular basis (at least once or twice a year). He wants to know whether Seaworld, CA is different enough that he would enjoy both at sometime in the future. My son is 11, and doesn't like thrill rides, but is very interested in wild life and nature.

Thanks.

 

[Huff]

I've been to both and greatly prefer California. Every show is outdoors in the open sun. At Orlando they are indoors or covered which to me diminishes the atmosphere. Orlando has a large thrill coaster that California does not. Both do have Journey to Atlantis which is a combination log flume ride and small Coaster although Orlandos is longer and wetter.

California has a river rapids ride that is a lot of fun, not scary as there are no drops and very wet! Theres also a simulated helicopter ride that is fun and not scary for most (Similar technology to Star Tours).

The only other rides at California are a sky tower that allows you to see all around the San Diego area and a gondola ride that takes you across a small section of Mission Bay and back.

The major part of California Seaworld is shows and animal attractions, not rides.

 

[the_princess]

I would like to know about this to.
I've been to SW Florida a couple of times and loved it so much. So I would love to go to SW California as well.

Huff: What to you mean with indoor shows in FL? Shamu stadium and the dolphin stadium are both outside and so are a couple of the other shows as well.
And there is a sky tower in FL as well.

 

[dismsn]

I just visited SeaWorld in San Diego last Friday and I prefer Orlando. I haven't been to Orlando in several years but when I was there last time we could feed the dolphins (if we paid for the food). I was surprised when we couldn't do that in San Diego. We did feed the bat rays but accidentally missed feeding the sea lions and seals (feeding is not allowed after 4:30 p.m.).

Also, Orlando's park seems larger than San Diego's but I could be mistaken about that.

 

[disneymomtofour]

I cannot compare to Orlando, but I would encourage them to go to the Sea World in San Diego. We live in San Antonio, have season passes to our Sea World and go several times a year. We really enjoyed the park in San Diego! This is my theory...In San Diego, SW competes with the zoo and wild animal park, so it is more about the animals and hands-on activities (pick-up starfish, pet mantarays, etc.) In San Antonio (and I am guessing Orlando), SW competes with amusement parks and the focus is more on rides and big shows. I think it would be a good fit for your son if he likes wildlife and nature. I don't think it would be so similar to Orlando that you wouldn't enjoy both.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I just visited SeaWorld in San Diego last Friday and I prefer Orlando. I haven't been to Orlando in several years but when I was there last time we could feed the dolphins (if we paid for the food). I was surprised when we couldn't do that in San Diego. We did feed the bat rays but accidentally missed feeding the sea lions and seals (feeding is not allowed after 4:30 p.m.).

Also, Orlando's park seems larger than San Diego's but I could be mistaken about that.

That's weird their website says you can feed the dolphins. Did someone specifically tell you that they don't allow it anymore?

 

[dismsn]

You CAN feed them--for $45 (the cost of a "Dolphin Encounter"). In Orlando, you pay for the food (it was $6 per container to feed the bat rays in San Diego).

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

You CAN feed them--for $45 (the cost of a "Dolphin Encounter"). In Orlando, you pay for the food (it was $6 per container to feed the bat rays in San Diego).

Are they nuts?! That's crazy! Thanks for letting us know. Nowhere on their website do they say there's that much of a charge.

 

[dismsn]

We were also surprised by the cost--and only found out the cost because a family was waiting for their appointment time while we were watching (the SeaWorld staff chased us out of the area after we walked down to the "encounter" area because they left a gate open).

I just felt like they were nickle and diming us to death. They also no longer offer free beer samples in their "hospitality" area. Maybe San Diego never did but Orlando did. It costs $4.50 for a beer.

I much prefered the San Diego Wild Animal Park to SeaWorld and wished we had gone there instead. As it was, we had a CityPass and stopped at the Wild Animal Park on the way back to LAX but we only had about 2 hours and that was not enough time.

 

[ballarinamom]

We were also surprised by the cost--and only found out the cost because a family was waiting for their appointment time while we were watching (the SeaWorld staff chased us out of the area after we walked down to the "encounter" area because they left a gate open).

I just felt like they were nickle and diming us to death. They also no longer offer free beer samples in their "hospitality" area. Maybe San Diego never did but Orlando did. It costs $4.50 for a beer.

I much prefered the San Diego Wild Animal Park to SeaWorld and wished we had gone there instead. As it was, we had a CityPass and stopped at the Wild Animal Park on the way back to LAX but we only had about 2 hours and that was not enough time.

No more "hospitality" since Enbev bought Anhaiser Busch. They are actually trying to sell the parks. We live in San Antonio too and have season passes to our SW. Dh loved having a nice cool spot to take a break and let DD relax.

 

[Huff]

IHuff: What to you mean with indoor shows in FL? Shamu stadium and the dolphin stadium are both outside and so are a couple of the other shows as well.quote]

When I was there a few years ago both were outdoors but had large coverings over them so the majority of the stadium was in the shade. I didn't like it at all compared to San Diego.

San Diego Sea World is on the bay giving it that sunny outdoor ocean atmosphere, Florida is inland. I really disliked the indoor animal show and felt San Diego's was far superior.

Generally people like their 'home town' parks better because thats what they are used to. I've been to San Diego far more than Orlando.

 

[Huff]

I haven't been to Orlando in several years but when I was there last time we could feed the dolphins (if we paid for the food). I was surprised when we couldn't do that in San Diego.

Used to be able to do that at San Diego as well. Not you can only feed the sea lions and the bat rays but not the Dolphins unless you pay the absurd Dolphin Encounter fee.