Seaworld vs WDW

[Conway733]

As a first timer for both parks which would you choose? Doing WDW or doing Seaworld and DC? My husband and I would like to plan something for next November. We don't have kids...and aren't really into Disney normally, but the parks sound great. We will only have about five days in the Orlando area so I just can't decide which way to go? Any advice?

 

[MrsMud]

Well, it really depends on what type of activities you enjoy. Even being not so much into Disney, WDW has tons of rides and lots of variety between the 4parks. If you have never been to either and cost is not an issue, I would probably choose this. Seaworld only has a couple of rides but tons of marine life exhibits and shows. At WDW Animal Kingdom is the only park that has animal attractions (other than the Living Seas at Epcot). I don't know too much about Discovery Cove other than you can swim with Dolphins.
So what do you and your husband want to do during your park time? If you are primarily animal lovers (especially marine life) and not too into rides, than choose Seaworld/ DC. If you love rides but don't feel the need to be up close and personal with marine life (you can still see plenty of animals at Animal Kingdom), then choose WDW. Good luck.

 

[DOOM1001]

I would do 3 or 4 days at Disney and 1 day at Sea World.In my opinion if you've never done WDW then you must!!!As far as Discovery Cove,I know it's a great experience and many people would do anything to be able to do it.But for me I'm happier at a regular waterpark so another option would be to try Sea World's new waterpark Aquatica which is opening this March.http://aquaticabyseaworld.com/. so maybe 3 days in WDW,1 in Sea World and 1 at Discovery Cove or Aquatica!!

 

[mickeysaver]

Being a Disney girl, I can honestly say that SW was just not my kind of theme park. I love animals, especially penguins, but the park was just not magical for us at all. The people that work there just don't have the customer service thing going on like they do over at WDW. It felt more like going to Six Flags....which I don't care to ever do again either.

Now, I can honestly say that the highlight of our trip in terms of being special and a very relaxing day was going to DC. By all means, even if you don't do the dolphin swim, consider going here. The price may be high, but it was worth every penny. If you do a little WDW first, make this your last day. After the rush of the Disney parks, it's just the day that you need to prepare you to feel up to tackling the real world when the vacation ends. JMHO Maggie

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Sea World and Busch Garden's shows are worlds better than Disney.

Sea World and Bush Garden's rides while fewer are actual rollercoasers which with the exception of RnR and Everest Disney's are more carnival rides.

Sea World and Busch Gardens have lighter crowds.

Food is a toss-up with Disney winning table service hands down.

Disney is a fantasy with little "reality" intrusion and you can stay the whole time there from hotel to park to restaurant with no contact with the outside.Very nice sometimes.

Souvenirs and stuff are generally much cheaper at Sea World and Busch Gardens.

For coaster nuts and Adrenalin Junkies all the other parks in Fla wish they were as fun as Busch Gardens.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We visit and stay onsite at WDW 3-4 times each year. We usually do a day trip over to SW at least twice per year. We can comfortably complete most, if not all of SW in one day.

Nice atmosphere and shows.

 

[HopperFan]

Went to DC the last two years and love it there. This year we decided to use the free ticket to SW to check it out for the first time in 15 years. I was really excited to go.

The park has been upgraded tremendously over the years, many exhibits such as the manatees are so much nicer than they used to be. BUT I will probably not return, especially not paying for our family of teens and up to go. I do understand how my DBro and family love it there, they have preschool children and they were everywhere. Very geared to the younger set and must be a great day for them. Room to run and play. I found there simply wasn't enough to interest us there. Food was okay, but not much to choose from. Shops had tourist items. Overall just not the quality and attention to detail as WDW.

If you can do both, I would. But if I could only do one it would be WDW. I felt like there was no comparison at all.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

With only 5 days, I'd stick with WDW.
You can see animals at AK, eat good food, shop and ride the rides till you drop at all the parks.

I do love SeaWorld so I'm planning a trip there and US/IOA in the summer and then a WDW trip in the fall. That way I can have the best of both worlds.

 

[LindaBabe]

Sea World and Busch Garden's shows are worlds better than Disney.

Sea World and Bush Garden's rides while fewer are actual rollercoasers which with the exception of RnR and Everest Disney's are more carnival rides.

Real adrenaline junkies go to Cedar point. At Disney world, it's all about themeing. Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, and Soaring are not carnival rides, to name just a few.

Sea World and Busch Gardens have lighter crowds.

could it be because they aren't as popular?

Souvenirs and stuff are generally much cheaper at Sea World and Busch Gardens.

They're even cheaper at the local Walmart, but I don't want to spend time there!

WDW is about a lot more than running from thrill ride to thrill ride. It depends what you want.

 

[DTop]

Disney crowds are much more difficult to deal with. Everyone seems to be in a "I must get there first" mindset than at SW IMO. WDW is much bigger and more expensive. If you've never been I guess you should give it a try but SW is a completely different experience. Maybe it's just my experience but I have found the staff at SW to be more personable than the WDW staff. There are great folks working there but I've had many more bad experiences at WDW than at SW.
I do like Disney but SW is a more laid back park than any of the Disney parks. The marine animals are my favorite so it's SW for me most of the time. I do go back to DW for some of their special events like the flower show or the Christmas lights at MGM. Then again, I live right up the road

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

As a first timer for both parks which would you choose? Doing WDW or doing Seaworld and DC? My husband and I would like to plan something for next November. We don't have kids...and aren't really into Disney normally, but the parks sound great. We will only have about five days in the Orlando area so I just can't decide which way to go? Any advice?

If you like fish, wildlife, sea creatures, etc. definately hit Sea World. We completed the entire park with 3 kids in a day and 1/2.

If you like other animals: giraffes, tigers, etc. hit Animal Kingdom.

If you like roller coasters Universal Island of Adventure would probably be the park for you.

 

[JoyMouse]

I love WDW, but DC has stolen my heart. If I could only pick one, it would be hard, but WDW would win out. Is there anyway that you could do both? Oh, SW is good too, but a day there is enough for me. (Of course, this is just MHO...). Good luck with your decision and I hope that you have a blast whatever you choose.