Should I go to SeaWorld

[WinGS]

My family and I are going on a 5 night repositioning cruise from Vancouver to LA in September and staying for 4 nights in Anaheim afterwards. I have two kids ages 6 and 9 and would like to take it easy on the whole Disneyland thing. I figure 5 days will be good for us to enjoy all the sights and rides without feeling too rushed. However, I found out that there is a Seaworld tour going for pretty much the price of the one day ticket. So now I couldn't decide whether to buy the 5 day parkhopper or get the 4 day parkhopper and take a day tour to SeaWorld. Help!

 

[skiingfast]

That probably would be a good idea.

For September remember that hours are short and entertainment limited on the weekdays. So you will want to be there on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you want F!, Fireworks and night's in the parks.

Just know on those tours you don't get open to close at SW. Though it should have shorter hours too so you won't miss out on much.

 

[maryrm]

we went to SeaWorld last year and absolutely loved it. We were staying on Coronado Island. The shows were great, my daughter got to pet a dolphin and the rides were so cool. My 4 yo (3 at the time) didn't want to leave the shark tunnell. We went on a Monday so the crowd level was very low..barely any lines for anything. We loved SeaWorld and would definitely return.

 

[WinGS]

That probably would be a good idea.

For September remember that hours are short and entertainment limited on the weekdays. So you will want to be there on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you want F!, Fireworks and night's in the parks.

Just know on those tours you don't get open to close at SW. Though it should have shorter hours too so you won't miss out on much.

Thanks for your reply skiingfast!

We will be arriving on a Sunday, so at least we'll get to see the Fireworks and Fantasmic. The Fireworks is at 9:30 pm and Fantasmic is at 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm. Is it feasible to go see Fantasmic at 9:00 pm then go see the Fireworks at 9:30 pm? 10:30 at night might be too late for the kids.

Also, I did not even think about the hours. Thanks for the heads up. I have to check out what the hours are for both the parks and SeaWorld...

 

[WinGS]

we went to SeaWorld last year and absolutely loved it. We were staying on Coronado Island. The shows were great, my daughter got to pet a dolphin and the rides were so cool. My 4 yo (3 at the time) didn't want to leave the shark tunnell. We went on a Monday so the crowd level was very low..barely any lines for anything. We loved SeaWorld and would definitely return.

Thanks for the reply maryrm! Yes, I have heard that SeaWorld was lots of fun. I will be arriving on a Sunday, so I think if we go Monday the kids might still have Disneyland on their minds and wouldn't enjoy SeaWorld as much... I wonder if the crowds are okay on Tuesday or Wednesday... Thursday we head back home..

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks for your reply skiingfast!

We will be arriving on a Sunday, so at least we'll get to see the Fireworks and Fantasmic. The Fireworks is at 9:30 pm and Fantasmic is at 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm. Is it feasible to go see Fantasmic at 9:00 pm then go see the Fireworks at 9:30 pm? 10:30 at night might be too late for the kids.

Also, I did not even think about the hours. Thanks for the heads up. I have to check out what the hours are for both the parks and SeaWorld...

Hours will be similar in the shorter on weekdays, longer on weekends respect. But if you do SW on a weekday, you won't be missing much because the bus won't get there early and wouldn't leave late anyway. If you go on a weekend you might miss out on some hours.


It's possible to do Fantasmic(F!) then the fireworks(RDCT), but tough, because people are going to be filling up all the good viewing spots for the fireworks an hour or two before you'd arrive after F!. Some people like to stay at the F! viewing area and watch RDCT, but I'd only give that view a 6 or 7 of 10.

If your kids can make it up to the later F!, watch RDCT first, as soon as it's ending make your way to the ROA area for the second F!. The first show's crowd will create a vacuum and it won't be hard to find a good spot. Much easier than doing a F! first FW second. Just be aware of the crowd coming from F! towards the hub. I make my way forward to the castle and cut through Plaza Gardens(you will pass a restroom as you pass through a building. You come out next to Rancho Del Zocalo. It will let you into the ROA area as all the 1st F! viewers are trying to get out the Frontierland exit.

 

[WinGS]

It's possible to do Fantasmic(F!) then the fireworks(RDCT), but tough, because people are going to be filling up all the good viewing spots for the fireworks an hour or two before you'd arrive after F!. Some people like to stay at the F! viewing area and watch RDCT, but I'd only give that view a 6 or 7 of 10.

If your kids can make it up to the later F!, watch RDCT first, as soon as it's ending make your way to the ROA area for the second F!. The first show's crowd will create a vacuum and it won't be hard to find a good spot. Much easier than doing a F! first FW second. Just be aware of the crowd coming from F! towards the hub. I make my way forward to the castle and cut through Plaza Gardens(you will pass a restroom as you pass through a building. You come out next to Rancho Del Zocalo. It will let you into the ROA area as all the 1st F! viewers are trying to get out the Frontierland exit.

I guess I will just play it by ear, see how they are doing at that time. We might have to do the F! first if they are tired/sleepy. Thanks very much for the tips on getting to the second F! showing though, this might still prove to be very useful!

 

[alyssa810]

If you're a AAA/CAA member, there is a code for Sea World tickets for free kids admission with an adult; it ends up being 1 adult and 1 kid for $61.99, and there is also a code from McDonald's for $20 a ticket. We just booked our tickets for the same time as you....but we're spending a couple of days in San Diego before heading up to DL and we'll have a car.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Just to complicate your choices, there's also the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Universtal Studios, Medieval Times, (among other things) and if you need a "day off" you could just go relax at the beach.

 

[It'sKim]

If you're a AAA/CAA member, there is a code for Sea World tickets for free kids admission with an adult; it ends up being 1 adult and 1 kid for $61.99, and there is also a code from McDonald's for $20 a ticket. We just booked our tickets for the same time as you....but we're spending a couple of days in San Diego before heading up to DL and we'll have a car.

Do you happen to know more about this McDonald's code? We will be going to Sea World in about 2 weeks and got 3 of our tickets via airmiles, but we still need to buy another. A $20 ticket would be great.

 

[WinGS]

Just to complicate your choices, there's also the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Universtal Studios, Medieval Times, (among other things) and if you need a "day off" you could just go relax at the beach.

Choices, choices! What beach is it you are referring to? How can I get there besides renting a car?

 

[alyssa810]

Do you happen to know more about this McDonald's code? We will be going to Sea World in about 2 weeks and got 3 of our tickets via airmiles, but we still need to buy another. A $20 ticket would be great.

Check out this thread for the codes:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2708856