SeaWorld with a toddler

[Crazy4Disney43611]

I am going to SeaWorld for the first time and we will have a toddler 40". I was wondering if there are any things we have to do, or are there things that we should do right away when we get ther? (I.e. get to Dumbo asap cause of slow loading etc.) Thanks for all the help, Sean

 

[clownboy007]

IMO, the great thing about Sea World is that you don't have to rush around and see it all in the first couple of hours to have a good time (and within a couple of weeks the crowds will be down everywhere anyway). Get a show schedule when you arrive and plan the ones you want to see. Unless you absolutely HAVE to sit front row center all of the theaters and stadiums are big enough that you can usually arrive 10 or 15 minutes early and find a great seat...and frankly, there really aren't any bad seats.

The only ride that I've ever experienced real slow loading on is Wild Arctic. It's a great exhibit but the ride portion wasn't thought out too carefully so if long waits are an issue you might start there (it's located at the back of the park) and then work your way back toward the front.

Going with small children is so much fun when you're also enjoying seeing their reaction to coming face to face with a manatee, a sea lion, a killer whale or even a parrot. I think it's the best park to go to and just relax and go with the flow. It's a BIG park and it's no fun if you wear yourself out before lunch!

 

[dougsmom98]

The first thing we did was to head over to the dolphin feeding area. They have a feeding at 9:00 and for a $3-$5 depending on the number of fish you want, you can feed them. My kids thought this was the coolest thing. Next, we went to the Clyde and Seamore show (sit up high under the awning because the sun is so hot there), then we did the dolphin show and finally made our way to Shamu. Once we got the headliner shows out of the way we slowed down and went to the smaller exhibits. I agree the park is very big and we had a hard time figuring out the map, so allow plenty of time to get from one show to another.

 

[perdidochas]

I am going to SeaWorld for the first time and we will have a toddler 40". I was wondering if there are any things we have to do, or are there things that we should do right away when we get ther? (I.e. get to Dumbo asap cause of slow loading etc.) Thanks for all the help, Sean

Take your time--heck, take two days to see the park, and don't rush. We took our 2 1/2 yr old (now 7) and 4 yr old (now 9) and went for two days. We saw all of the shows, and took our time with all of the exhibits. I still vividly remember my youngest playing peekaboo with the walrus in the Wild Arctic, and my oldest son, when we asked him his favorite thing--the sharks. His second favorite--the sharks at night

 

[KayR]

I am going to SeaWorld for the first time and we will have a toddler 40". I was wondering if there are any things we have to do, or are there things that we should do right away when we get ther? (I.e. get to Dumbo asap cause of slow loading etc.) Thanks for all the help, Sean

I agree with other posters - take your time. If I were going for the first time, I would take two days over Seaworld. There are lots of things to see there between the animals and the shows. Night time has the fireworks and the evening Shamu show.

Do take swim wear and towel for your toddler - there are plenty of places for kids to get wet / soaked and have a great time. (and keep cool!)

There is an area called Shamu's Happy Harbor which has rides in for the younger kids. They have recently increased the number of rides. I don't know about the newer ones, but the original ones are slower loading rides like Dumbo. We have never been there during a busy period, so I can't say if you need to rush there for the rides one morning.

Have fun,

-Kay