Stay away from SeaWorld in February

[akmomesq]

We just returned from our DL trip. We decided to take advantage of the SW trip offered by Greyline (Grayline?). We went on a Wednesday. The bus experience was great - it was a super easy process and so nice not to have to deal with driving.

The park however was a HUGE disappointment. We estimated that a good 75% of the park was just closed. We'd pass a row of stores/food stands and maybe one in every 5 or 6 was open. And what was open shut down by 4:30 in preparation of the park's 5:00 closing. Our bus left the park to return to the hotels at 5:30 so we decided to eat at one of the main restaurants at 4:30 so the kids wouldn't be starving on the bus. The restaurant closed its doors at 4:30 and informed us there would be no more service that day.

Ignorning the fact that the whole vibe there was icky (the blatant attempts to make money off its visitors at every opportunity got really irritating. I realize the park is in the business of making money - just like DL - maybe it's just that DL is less obvious about it), and ignoring that the only Shamu show scheduled that day was canceled (we just happened to be there the same day the tragedy in Orlando occurred) - the experience was so unfriendly and NOT fun that I doubt I will ever return to SW.

 

[PHXscuba]

The Shamu thing was tragic timing, That part couldn't be helped or anticipated. But I happened to agree with you about the closures, if not the general park vibe.

We were just there in January on a Saturday with a school field trip, and I had forgotten how if a few things are closed in the off-season it can make a huge difference. The dolphin show is closed for major renovations, and the Cirque de Mer only runs in the summer or other peak times. Plus both of their rides (Atlantis and the rapids) can get you wet, so not fun on a chilly/cloudy day! When you take out all of that, it's not much more than a big aquarium. With really pricey food.

I'm sorry your visit didn't work out; I think Sea World is one of those places that is best in the summer, even though the crowds are larger.

PHXscuba

 

[LavenderPeach]

Thanks (to both posters) for sharing your winter SW experiences. DH and I went a few years ago during summer and had a lot of fun but it was SO crowded and it was hot. I had been thinking about going in winter sometime to avoid crowds and heat but also because i wanted to see the emperor penguins with the lights turned on (the sign said they keep the lights dim during the summer to be more like the arctic which made it hard to see them). Now I'll have to rethink that idea. I didn't even think about how there would be less attractions in winter. Makes sense, i just didn't think about it because i was too busy thinking about those cute penguins!

I agree that the food isn't very good there. Our shamu picnic lunch was pretty good though and i would do that again. I also didn't like how they charged extra for a few of the attractions.

Anyway, thanks for the reviews.

 

[DLtorgo]

I just came back from a trip there this Sat. It was the first time going for me since childhood. It was pouring rain and we still had a great time. I agree that it is more like a giant aquarium than a theme park like Disney, but still really fun. We got to see the first Shamu show since the incident. They did a nice tribute to the trainer but didn't scare kids with details. It was very moving, even in the rain! They didn't get in the water with the whales. They also modified the Pets Rule show since the ground was wet. We didn't do the rides because DD was too short and we didn't care about getting wet.

If you are going for the shows I would expect less to be scheduled and some modifications. The rides may not be as appealing since it is cold. If you are going for the animals you won't be disapointed. It was not crowded and we got to see everything and DD got to pet the starfish and rays. IMO the animals are the stars of the park and the reason to go.

 

[tamis]

We felt the same way when we went to Sea World in California a couple of years ago. It was January and the crowds were very light, but I would say more than half the shows and buildings were closed the day we were there. Our party of 16 kept going to different building hoping to find something to do, but a couple hours later we called it a day and drove back to LA. Sadly, it was a waste of a vacation day and a waste of money for all of us.

 

[soaringirl]

I'm going there in mid-September, are the shows closed too? I was very excited about Cirque du Mer...
And what are the shows that they charge you???

 

[Peri]

I was with DLTorgo, above and we just returned after going this past Saturday in pouring rain. We liked the park a great deal - ALL the shows were going and there was no extra charge. Food, souveniers and duck food was extra, but not a big deal IMHO. We are not into the rides so that was not an issue for us.

The penguin exhibit was very empty so you could stay and REALLY SEE THEM as long as you wanted to - we even had a quick chat with one of the workers - he was telling us the temp in there (5 degrees! yikes!). The Shamu show was truncated, but fine. Flamingos were all pinked out (because of the weather) and looked so great!

You should definately get the breakfast with Shamu - that should be back by next year - it is only closed because they are doing over a new tank area (it was closed before the Orlando accident). They have substituted in a "breakfast with the Dolphins" and we attended that - it was wonderful - the first half hour was the pilot whales (because of the wierd weather) and we just stayed for that as the child with us was only 5. But it was an interesting and wonderful show, in any event and there were going to be 7 dolphins in the pool in the second half. Also the buffet was not bad. For lunch, the Deli over by the defunct budweiser stables was pretty good and no more pricey than the Phoenix zoo or DL for food.

The park is certainly not disneyland in any way, and to me, not an annual type of place to go, but it is an interesting sea zoo that you would be hard pressed to find somewhere else.

I have been in the summer (a few years ago) when the park was packed, the shows were packed, and the heat was tortuous. I still liked the park but much preferred this low key tour - it would be different, I think, if we had teens or people who really like rides.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I agree that you don't get as much bang for your buck on a weekday in the winter. I love taking the kids on weekdays because it's not crowded, and since we have passes, we can spend as much or as little time there as we want. But I can see how a day visit would be disappointing.

For anyone else considering it, the show schedules are on the SeaWorld website, so you can plan your day ahead of time. In the off-season, the shows often are only performed once a day, and if you plan well, you can hit all of them (and there are some good ones WHEN they are up!).

For families with little kids, the Sesame Street Bay of Play is a really fun area. My son could spend hours running around there and going on the rides. Disneyland it's not, but it is a fun diversion from back-to-back shows.

Cirque de la Mer is shown during warmer weather, so I think September might be ok, but I don't remember for sure. It's a great show. There are no shows that charge admission.

 

[PHXscuba]

SOARINGIRL: For Cirque de Mer, it runs during "peak season", so I'm not sure if it runs past Labor Day.

The sky tower is extra admission (and not worth it IMO, I did it once). There's a sky ride that only runs in the summer over the bay that is extra. You have to pay if you want to feed the dolphins and sea lions.

When the dolphin show is back running regularly after its reno, there will be another headliner show even in off-season. You can currently only see the dolphins in their cove. SLOW SEASON HINT: When they have the dolphin feeding where you buy the food ($6 for a 3-fish tray, I think) if you wait until near the end of the feeding they discount the food greatly because they still need it in the dolphins. I think my girls paid $1-$2 a tray.

Doing your homework is very important -- short hours and off-season closures could definitely leave a bad taste.

PHXscuba

 

[snickerboo]

SW is like this for all off-season, as are many things in So Cal (ie: Santa Monica Pier rides). We found this out when we went in the fall.

For Cirque de Mer, it runs during "peak season", so I'm not sure if it runs past Labor Day.

It was not open when we were there on a Sunday in early November.

The one good thing about off-season, though, is in So Cal it will be quiet when you go places. We went to the SD Zoo on a Monday and it was dead which was great for us. We didn't even have to wait for the pandas.

 

[kwally]

We just got back, went on Sunday to Sea World. It rained all day, it was awful! We had no rain gear as they say it rarely rains...spent $45 on ponchos for the 5 of us! Anyway, atleast a lot is indoors, well all the aquariums you could do indoors, the bulooga whales and polar bears were very active due to the rainy weather! Almost all of the food stands and outdoor carts were closed. They closed all the rides and all Elmo/ Seasame Street area were closed. The shows were shorter due to the weather. Luckily we did Shamu last at 5pm and it had stopped raining so that show was perfect! We LOVED the 4D Elmo show, a must see! But yes, not a good time to go, lots of stuff closed!