seaworld & misc

[alac1980]

hi guys! a quick question (well, two)

we are heading to seaworld during our Orlando trip. I've been spending quite a bit of time researching Disney and coming up with rough itineraries (and praying to god they work out well, lol) but i'm wondering...how important is it to have a good itinerary/plan of attack for seaworld? obviously it is not as big of a deal as Disney in the sense that we can probably do it in a day or two and not have to worry about missing huge attractions..but...how much thought should I give it? is it more a matter of just showing up and going with the flow?

also...

can you suggest any other free or very low cost activities for a family of four with two elementary aged daughters? we're hoping to hit a beach but that of course is weather dependent. gatorland, legoland, ripleys, etc don't appeal to them.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The SeaWorld forum offers some fantabulous advice for visitors. You can check out the latest threads here:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Definitely WAY less planning needed vs. your Disney days .

A couple of other ideas for your family (that aren't on the list of exclusions you have already provided)......

Showcase of Citrus (tour of an orange grove via monster truck)
Discount tickets are available via Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/showcase-of-citrus-2

Wild Willy's Airboat tour (awesome)

And maybe a waterpark? Our favourites are Aquatica and Typhoon lagoon.

Also, what about a dinner show? We LOVED the Outta Control Dinner Show (featuring entertainer Tony Brent). Its part magic, part comedy, very family friendly, has LOTS of audience participation, and includes an all-you-can-eat meal of popcorn, salad, pizza, and cake.

 

[aubriee]

The SeaWorld forum offers some fantabulous advice for visitors. You can check out the latest threads here:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Definitely WAY less planning needed vs. your Disney days .

A couple of other ideas for your family (that aren't on the list of exclusions you have already provided)......

Showcase of Citrus (tour of an orange grove via monster truck)
Discount tickets are available via Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/showcase-of-citrus-2

Wild Willy's Airboat tour (awesome)

And maybe a waterpark? Our favourites are Aquatica and Typhoon lagoon.

Also, what about a dinner show? We LOVED the Outta Control Dinner Show (featuring entertainer Tony Brent). Its part magic, part comedy, very family friendly, has LOTS of audience participation, and includes an all-you-can-eat meal of popcorn, salad, pizza, and cake.

Gina, we were wondering about the Outta Control Dinner Show, but read that it was inside Wonder Works. Do you have to pay to enter the Wonder Works, just to go to the dinner show? We have no interest in Wonder Works

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina, we were wondering about the Outta Control Dinner Show, but read that it was inside Wonder Works. Do you have to pay to enter the Wonder Works, just to go to the dinner show? We have no interest in Wonder Works

Nope, you don't need to pay to enter Wonder Works in order to take in the dinner show. You can buy admission to each separately (or just one of the two), or there is a combo ticket available if you want to do both and save a little money. Wonder Works didn't really appeal to us either.....so we took a pass and did the dinner only with no issues .

I can't stress enough how fantastic Tony Brent is. Its hard to craft an entertaining show that really appeals to a broad cross section of ages, but he has done it (and done it really, really well). We laughed until our sides split, and his magic was astounding (I won't tell you where he made my husband's $50 bill end up, as it might ruin the show for you guys if that particular trick is still in it.......but let me tell you, two years later we are still trying to figure out "how the HECK did he do that?!?!").

At under $25 per person (which includes the show and your meal, including unlimited alcohol) I think its one of Orlando's lesser-known bargains. I can't figure out why its not packed in there every night.

 

[aubriee]

Nope, you don't need to pay to enter Wonder Works in order to take in the dinner show. You can buy admission to each separately (or just one of the two), or there is a combo ticket available if you want to do both and save a little money. Wonder Works didn't really appeal to us either.....so we took a pass and did the dinner only with no issues .

I can't stress enough how fantastic Tony Brent is. Its hard to craft an entertaining show that really appeals to a broad cross section of ages, but he has done it (and done it really, really well). We laughed until our sides split, and his magic was astounding (I won't tell you where he made my husband's $50 bill end up, as it might ruin the show for you guys if that particular trick is still in it.......but let me tell you, two years later we are still trying to figure out "how the HECK did he do that?!?!").

At under $25 per person (which includes the show and your meal, including unlimited alcohol) I think its one of Orlando's lesser-known bargains. I can't figure out why its not packed in there every night.

Thanks! We may have to check it out during our Dec trip.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks! We may have to check it out during our Dec trip.

If you decide to go, I hope you will come back and let us know what you thought of the show. I would love to hear about your experience!

I can't believe you leave in two weeks. Yay!!!

 

[alac1980]

The SeaWorld forum offers some fantabulous advice for visitors. You can check out the latest threads here:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Definitely WAY less planning needed vs. your Disney days .

A couple of other ideas for your family (that aren't on the list of exclusions you have already provided)......

Showcase of Citrus (tour of an orange grove via monster truck)
Discount tickets are available via Groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/showcase-of-citrus-2

thanks so much for your suggestions, gina!

I booked showcase of citrus monster trucks and gift cards

unlimited aquatica admission comes with our discover cove ticket and our hotel is within walking distance!

as for a dinner show, well, we are going to the Disney hoop dee doo revue, and I don't know if this is really considered a dinner show or not, lol, but I think it will do the trick in terms of keeping the kids entertained!