Seaworld Plan of Attack

[jackal]

We have never been to Seaworld and we are going in a few weeks. Our DD's are looking forward to it so much. I'm new to Seaworld and really do not know. I'm looking for any advice on our plan of attack. I know the girls would love to feed the sealions and dolphins. That is first on the list. Second on the list would be for DD8 to do some of the things in the Harbor(?) area - the smaller rides. I am sure DD16 would love to do the bigger rides. And of course, a few of the big shows. What order should we be doing things in? We will be there on the Monday after Easter. Plan on getting there at open and staying till close (8:00 p.m.) if necessary.

Also, would doing a tour benefit our family on getting all those things done timely. I see that have 2 doors that would work for us. The that includes the smaller rides for DD8 and the other tour that would satisfy the rides for DD16. But I really don't want to split the family up on doing two different tours if I do not have to. DH with one and me with the other.

 

[JLR]

We have never been to Seaworld and we are going in a few weeks. Our DD's are looking forward to it so much. I'm new to Seaworld and really do not know. I'm looking for any advice on our plan of attack. I know the girls would love to feed the sealions and dolphins. That is first on the list. Second on the list would be for DD8 to do some of the things in the Harbor(?) area - the smaller rides. I am sure DD16 would love to do the bigger rides. And of course, a few of the big shows. What order should we be doing things in? We will be there on the Monday after Easter. Plan on getting there at open and staying till close (8:00 p.m.) if necessary.

Also, would doing a tour benefit our family on getting all those things done timely. I see that have 2 doors that would work for us. The that includes the smaller rides for DD8 and the other tour that would satisfy the rides for DD16. But I really don't want to split the family up on doing two different tours if I do not have to. DH with one and me with the other.

Order of touring is not as important at SeaWorld - but you should have a plan of attack.

Get a park map and figure out which shows you want to see (One Ocean, Clyde and Seamore, and Blue Horizon are not to be missed, we also enjoyed Pets ahoy, but many people feel they can miss that one.) Remember that One Ocean is CLEAR across the park from the other shows - it takes a while to get there. Most of the attractions can be fit in around the shows if you leave enough space between. Avoid too much backtracking - SW is a big park! I have pasted in the show schedule for the Monday after Easter.

Get there at opening and find out when the first dolphin feeding is and plug it into the schedule. The other animal feeding aren't as difficult to do and can be done when you get to that part of the park - just be aware the animals may be hungrier in the morning. Ride the rides early on (but I don't know anything about shamus happy harbor - maybe someone else knows when they open). Manta First (even the nonriders should check out the aquariums!), then Kraken, JTA if you don't mind getting wet. Wild Arctic is across the park. Once you've ridden the rides you want and fed the dolphins you can tour at your liesure following your show schedule.

People who have done the tours have really enjoyed them - it takes some stress off and can be fun and educational. But I wouldn't think they were necessary.

This is from the website - go to the calendar/park hours and click on the day you want to get the show schedule. They are usually available about 1 month in advance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One Ocean
12:30, 2:00, 7:30
Shamu Stadium

Blue Horizons
10:00, 11:30, 2:00, 5:30
Whale & Dolphin Theater

Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island
11:15, 12:45, 2:30, 6:00
Sea Lion & Otter Stadium


A'Lure, The Call of The Ocean
1:15, 4:15
Nautilus Theater

Pets Ahoy!
10:45, 1:45, 4:45
Seaport Theatre

 

[jackal]

Julie, thank you so much! Great information! From the looks of the park map, the Dolphin feeding is to the left side of the park as you enter? Is that correct? We should head there first to see when it starts?

We have discovery cove on another day, I thought maybe we could hit anything at Seaworld we didn't get done on our first day and head over to SW after our day at DC. The park will be open another 2 hours. From what I understand SW and DC are very close to each other?

 

[JLR]

Julie, thank you so much! Great information! From the looks of the park map, the Dolphin feeding is to the left side of the park as you enter? Is that correct? We should head there first to see when it starts?

We have discovery cove on another day, I thought maybe we could hit anything at Seaworld we didn't get done on our first day and head over to SW after our day at DC. The park will be open another 2 hours. From what I understand SW and DC are very close to each other?

Yes - I would go in, ride Manta and then check out the dolphin feeding. (All close and to the left) The ray feeding is right there too and is pretty fun!

DC is right across the "street" so very close.

 

[Best Aunt]

I spent a lot of time walking from one part of the park to the other, only to find out that the feeding didn't start yet. If the Customer Service line is short when you get to the park, get in line and see if they can tell you when the feedings start.

I walked all the way to the shark area at about 9:30 only to find it roped off. The area didn't open until 10:00. I walked back at 10:00 only to find the shark feeding booth closed. Apparently it didn't open until 11:15.

The dolphin feedings are scheduled, and people were lined up a good 20 minutes ahead of time. The sign tells you when the next feeding is, but not when later feedings will be.

Feeding the stingrays is very cool. You put your arm in the water, and they suck the food from between your fingers. That's near the dolphins.

If you feed the dolphins, they have a photographer taking pictures. Not everyone gets a picture. If you do, and if you choose to buy it, your receipt entitles you to 20% off your next purchase of $25 or more at any Merchandise Shop or Culinary Facility, day of visit only.

So if you think lunch for your group will cost more than $25, you might want to feed the dolphins before lunch.

 

[GalDisney]

I liked the dolphin area better before they started the feeding "thing:. You used to be able to have access to the entire area.. Now they have a large portion of the area roped off unless you pay to feed the dolphins...plus now the line is huge to feed the dolphins..but i suppose it is a way for SW to make a huge profit on the dolphin food..

 

[chiamarie]

I liked the dolphin area better before they started the feeding "thing:. You used to be able to have access to the entire area.. Now they have a large portion of the area roped off unless you pay to feed the dolphins...plus now the line is huge to feed the dolphins..but i suppose it is a way for SW to make a huge profit on the dolphin food..

Actually, it's not. The dolphins don't eat anymore food than they used to. Therefore, they don't sell anymore food than they used to. And come to think of it, you used to only get 3 fish, now you get 4 or 5 fish. Which means they're probably actually selling less, not more. It's a safe way for you and the dolphins. Before, if you bought food, people who didn't, would crowd around you trying to touch the dolphin because they know They probably the dolphin will come to you because you have food. So imagine how the dolphins feel; looking up trying to find food, and see on little fish and 20 hands out there trying to touch it's face. The way it's setup now, the dolphins know that everyone in there is going to have fish, it's less stressful on them; and less stressful on those feeding, because they don't have to elbow their way up to the wall just to feed.

Now, if you want to debate that they're trying to make more money by upping the price to $7 instead of the old $5; then perhaps you might have an argument.