SW / DC Questions

[KRFillion]

A few questions that I would appreciate help with:

1. Plan is to go to Sea World on Martin Luther King day in January 2014 to avoid the large crowds at Disney. Will Sea World be just as nuts?

2. I have touring plans so I have mapped out our days for the Disney parks. Do I need to do something similar for SW or can we just show up and wing it?

3. We are also doing DC. My DD will be 5 1/2 and my son will be 8. I know you can't do the dolphin swim until your are 6. So my question is, do they check ID? Will I need to bring passports to proove my kids age?

TIA!!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

A few questions that I would appreciate help with:

1. Plan is to go to Sea World on Martin Luther King day in January 2014 to avoid the large crowds at Disney. Will Sea World be just as nuts?

2. I have touring plans so I have mapped out our days for the Disney parks. Do I need to do something similar for SW or can we just show up and wing it?

3. We are also doing DC. My DD will be 5 1/2 and my son will be 8. I know you can't do the dolphin swim until your are 6. So my question is, do they check ID? Will I need to bring passports to proove my kids age?

TIA!!!

1. Generally speaking, if Disney is busy, SeaWorld will be too (just on a lesser scale). The nice thing is that if the crowds are heavy, you have the option of purchasing Quick Queue to give you front-of-the-line access for the rides . There are many SW highlights that absorb crowds very well, such as the shows (which can accommodation very large numbers of visitors).

2. Certain things, such as feeding the dolphins, should be made priority (as they only accept a certain number of people at a time, and I think a max number of people per day). You will want to work around the show schedules (to be sure you get to see all your must-do shows during your visit), so check the park schedule for your visit day on the SW website a day or two before your travel, and make a loose plan of acation. But you won't need the kind of rigid touring plan that is a necessity for Disney parks. One of the things we LOVE about visiting SeaWorld!

3. I have no idea of they actually check for proof of age, but I would have it ready in case they do.

 

[3mmm]

I just did DC with a small 6 year old and an 8 year old. No one asked for anything. I was a little bit surprised that no one even asked his age. He is very talkative ( and unfortunately does not have an off switch) and his vocabulary exceeds that of an average 6 year old so that may have been why.

 

[scdak]

I went to Seaworld on Easter Sunday which was a 9-10 on crowd level at the Magic Kingdom, and although SW was crowded it was not as bad as MK , as pp said, since alot of SW is shows it absorbs the crowds better in huge groups. My nephew rode Mantra (single rider line) time and time again without any wait but I can see where a family might want to consider the pass they sell to speed up the wait time but its only good for a handful of the thrill rides and none of the kids rides (that I can remember anyway). We stayed the entire day and never felt that we were "crowded" but 2 days later at the MK we admitted defeat about 2pm and left for a few hours, returned at 7pm and got more done from 7-MN including eating supper than we did for the entire time we were there that morning 7:45-2pm.

 

[KRFillion]

I just did DC with a small 6 year old and an 8 year old. No one asked for anything. I was a little bit surprised that no one even asked his age. He is very talkative ( and unfortunately does not have an off switch) and his vocabulary exceeds that of an average 6 year old so that may have been why.

Thanks for all the replies.

I wonder if I can get away with getting her in at 5 1/2 years. She is a strong swimmer for her age..hmm what to do. If I purchase the tickets with the dolphin swim and they end up telling us she can't do it will they refund my money?

 

[warrenjess79]

I took my daughter last year and she was almost 6. It was a few months prior to her birthday and they didn't question her at all. She is very small (38lbs at 7 years old). It was fine, I had her prepped to say she was 6. They didn't even ask. Hopefully that helps. I wouldn't worry about it!!

 

[momtoaaliyah]

I would just book the swim and assume they wouldn't even bat an eyelash, If they were going to require proof of age they would indicate that on their website. I booked for my 8 year old recently and it didn't indicate that anything would be needed to prove how old she is. You could always call and ask.

I wouldn't encourage your child to lie about their age though - I think its silly to teach our children to be honest and always tell the truth and then ask them to lie because it will benefit them/mom/dad ect.....sorry if that sounds harsh - just my opinion.