Should we do a day at Sea World?

[jnordan]

We're planning a May 2007 trip. We'll be there for eight days with our two girls, who at the time will be 4.5 and 2.5 . . . In the planning I've done so far, I've built in a fair amount of "down time" (though it seems to be diminishing!!), including a full day or two with nothing planned (we're staying at the Beach Club, so I was thinking of just hanging out at the pool, maybe wandering over to Boardwalk . . .).

But now I'm wondering, should we go to Sea World? Just FYI, though there WILL be other Disney trips, we aren't the sort who go every year (especially since as the kids get older we plan to resume more "exotic" travel). I'm thinking it will be at LEAST another three years, probably four or five, before we're back to Orlando.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Disneytwinz]

I will say first, this will be our first trip to Disney. However, if I could work SeaWorld into our trip, I would in a heartbeat!!

 

[fofinia]

Sea World is great. We don't go on every trip to WDW, but we go every couple of years. The pace is really slow there. A lot of sitting and watching shows. Last time we went my DD was 3 and she loved it. One caution, I remember it being very sunny there and not a lot of shade. We were quite hot walking around. Not that you won't be anywhere in May. But if you're wanting to go, I would. It is really enjoyable.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We're going to take a day during our WDW vacation (May 2007 also) and go to Sea World. It is one of my favorite parks. My kids have never been and they will absolutely love it. In fact SeaWorld is the major reason why we're going to Florida - I just know my DS will have a blast he loves animals but mostly marine animals. And my 2 DDs will too. I've read to go early in the week as it gets busier towards the end of the week and the weekend. Have fun!

 

[Destination Disney]

We just took a trip last Oct. and snuck a Sea World day in and LOVED IT! They haev re-done the park since I have been way back when about 10 yrs. ago and my son (4) LOVED it! He was probably thinking...this stuff actually exsists!

Plus they just re did the Shamu show! Believe!

 

[Dizneydaz]

This will be my DD6 7th trip to WDW and this time I plan on visiting SW (my first time since 1983). We have AP to SW in San Diego and she has always loved it. We don't go as often as we used to however, since it cost $35 in gas just to get there and back! Anyway, we currently have platinum passes which will get us into any AB park for free. So, I'm pretty sure we'll go this time, for sure. Maybe even Busch Gardens. We are going to be at WDW for 10 days this trip.

I also enjoy SW in SD and am looking forward to visiting it in Orlando.

 

[ilovejack02]

We are going in Jan for the first time ever. We will be gone 9 nights so i think we will be hitting Sea World.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

holding baby in 1 hand- srry for lower case.
sw is great! kids love animals, manatee n shark exhibits r nice n cool. go to early outdr shows or late in day to avoid the heat of the day.

 

[puffkin]

I would. We had a great time in December. It is a much slower pace than WDW. Make sure you visit the dolphin cove first thing in the mornign. They are super friendly because they want food (which you can buy to feed them). They aren't as friendly later in the day.

 

[striker3636]

Definitely! When we go to FLA for 2 weeks, we always spend 2 days at Sea World! I love dolphins and my kids loves sharks and whales...can't miss this place! And yes, we spend just as much on dolphin and ray feedings as a park admisssion! Worth it for us though, where else can you pet and feed a dolphin all you want?There are many shows to get out of the heat too - make sure you see Odessea!(sp?)

 

[angelmav]

Im glad I found this thread as we have an open day on our itinerary and have been debating this same questions, sounds like its not to be missed!

 

[english rose 47]

Going April /May and right now the plan is the last day is at Seaworld( It's changed several times ) BUT is a definate DD is the world"s biggest DOLPHIN NUT so it is an absolutely Positively DEFINATE Day. Glad to hear it's a s;ow day as we will be tiered by then. Will use our mini umbrells for shade and lots of sunscreen. So let me see we'll be there May 3rd. Anyone else????

 

[serendipity]

My fiancee and I went to seaworld last April. Before this I had been to sea world several times, all of which were enjoyable. This time however I was a little disappointed. It was VERY HOT, even in April and we found little to no places to cool off. There were crying children everywhere suffering from the heat. However, the shows are nice and the park is very slow pace so it's an ideal spot for a family with young children who need a day to relax. Expect long lines for the shamu show in august. If it's over 85 degrees though I would definately skip the park and spend a day by the pool, at universal studios, or one of the disney water parks. Blizzard Beach has a great section for little ones.

 

[jnordan]

Thanks for all of your replies! I'm leaning toward going. We were there accompanying DH on a business trip in 2003, but DD1 was little then and we had gone more for ourselves than for the girls . . . I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in that it's just NOT Disney. It felt dated and just a like it needed a little love. But I'm sure the girls won't notice that, and I think they'd really love the shows . . .

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My oldest loves seaworld. I'm not much of a repeat fan for that park--but have been meaning to get back. (Put it this way--my favorite show is with the cats, the dogs, and the pig).

I'm not a one day fan though of any of the parks---they are just so expensive for one day. If you can find a discount--then do it....or maybe splurger on a two day pass (if they have them) so that you can go back. The kids will love Shamu's playland (or whatever that place is called).

 

[writersblock42]

I am in the minority here. I did not pay full price (we were active duty in stationed in Tampa at the time at they were doing a military salute), and I would have been disappointed if we paid full price. We decided to go from afternoon to evening as suggested by the Unofficial Guide. Most of the shows were in the morning and we missed the dolphin show. My son at the time could not ride any of the rides which had long lines and it was still hot with no shade. I think if you do go-make sure to show up early and plan around the shows.

 

[ILVPOOH]

We went and paid full price. At the time is was a little over $200. My boys were 7 years old and we went in March. I thought the boys would like it and they did like the dolphin and whale show, but after that they were ready to leave. The boys just wanted to go back to the hotel and swim. You come out of one show, and walk to another then another, etc. Very hot walking around. We won't be going back, it's too much money.

 

[english rose 47]

I'll be lucky to get DD out of the Dolphin area all day!!Went to Seaworld in Ohio (since closed)e all loved it and DD was the one hanging over the side of the dolphin pool fo foever. She (surprise ; surprise ) wants to dine with Shamu. It's going to be an expensive day I know I know!!

 

[the Fidge]

DS LOVED sEA wORLD AND HONESTLY AT AGE 10 STILL IS NOT INTERESTED IN UNIVERSAL YET! HE STILL LOVES THE MAGIC!

hE LOVED ALL THE INTERACTIVE SPOTS TOO AND NATURALLY LOVED LOVED LOVED SHAMU!! HONESTLY ONE DAY IS PLENTY THERE FOR US WE DID NOT FEEL AS IF WE MISSED A THING I AM PRETTY SURE WE WALKED THE WHOLE PARK AND DID EVERYTHING HE WANTED!

ALSO THERE IS ALOT OF GREAT SPOTS FOR PICS TOO!

HAVE FUN AND HAPPY PLANNNING!

 

[karinbelle]

Please go.

The kids love to feed the stingrays and the dolphins. These are one-of-a kind experiences.

Don't forget to visit the Bush Gardens welcome center. They give free full-size beer samples (two per adult). There's a large AC seating area and outdoor seating.

Inside the Kraken (the big water ride) you can stand on the floor and look down through clear glass to see fish. Look up and the same thing. It is a magical place.

Karin