Tell me about SEA WORLD, haven't been in YEARS!

[WeLoveLilo05]

Tell me about sea world!! It has been...over 14 years since I have been and am thinking of taking fiance and DD on our next trip in 2010 Disney Trip.
how much is admission?
how much is discovery cove? I'd like to swim with the dolphins.
How much should I budget for this?
what's new/fun to do?
can you go to discovery cove if you cannot swim? (DD and fiance can't swim, I am the only swimmer in the family).
Will my 4 yr old (would be 5 then) enjoy Sea World? What is there for her to do?
Give me some info THANKS!

 

[inkkognito]

What's new? Manta!! Not appropriate for a 5-year-old unfortunately, but kids can enjoy the gorgeous undersea viewing area. Here is my report on Manta: http://bit.ly/gEN96 and here is my general report on SeaWorld (lots about the shows, which are perfect for kids): http://bit.ly/LFbFm

If you're coming in the summer, you might want to check out the nighttime shows and fireworks. DH claims the fireworks are on a par with Disney's, and you can sit in the stadium to see them (I haven't seen them myself). The night sea lion show is also very cute and funny.

I can't help with Discovery Cove because I haven't been there in quite a long time.

 

[scootch]

Discovery Cove has all inclusive admission. If you book 100 days out, you save $50. So total is like $239 per person(I think that is correct). You get all day admission, dolphin swim, snorkel gear to use, all food/drink for the day AND a 7 day pass to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or aquatica. If you want to go to all three of those parks you can pay to upgrade. We are going to DC in november for the first time. I can't wait. We will also spend a day or two at Sea World.

 

[lilheathen]

Just came back from my first theme-park trip to Orlando in nearly 30 years. SeaWorld was the hands-down favorite, and we also did Universal/Islands of Adventure, Gatorland and the Boggy Creek Airboat Ride (a very close runner-up...inexpensive and fun).

You cannot go wrong at SeaWorld, and you will also feel good about being there. They seem to truly care about the animals and the Earth, and they've just done everything right. I didn't have a single complaint, to be honest, except for the drinking water in the water fountains....tastes like the rest of Orlando's public water, sulfuric!

Little ones have their own section called Shamu Harbor with kiddie rides and a play area. Our youngest is 8, so we didn't end up there. You can also feed the dolphins and manta rays (we didn't save time for this and I wish we had), check out the penguin (the puffins are adorable) and shark exhibits, etc. The shows are top-notch and entertaining for all ages. I first saw Shamu in San Diego when I was five, and I STILL remember it. It was the highlight of my week in Orlando to see the new Shamu three times (I have such a crush now!!), and I know my kids will never forget her stunts and getting soaked.

Spend at LEAST a day at SeaWorld. If you buy the single day ticket, you can turn it in before you exit to get a 2nd day free. We also used a SouthWest airlines rewards program card to save 20% off the admission, so for two days for five people (4 at adult pricing, one at kid's), we paid just over $300. And we felt good about any money we spent there!

We did not do any of the sister parks, so I can't comment on those. You will, though, have fun no matter what you do!

 

[lilheathen]

Oh, one more thing...the Wild Arctic exhibit with the walrus, Beluga whale and polar bear was a total letdown. The walrus was entertaining but when we finally saw the polar bear, it just laid on a rock. By contrast, the polar bears at the San Diego Zoo were hilarious, romping around and entertaining us so well we couldn't tear ourselves away for nearly an hour. If you run short on time, you can skip Wild Arctic and not miss a thing.

 

[kc7gr]

Tell me about sea world!! It has been...over 14 years since I have been and am thinking of taking fiance and DD on our next trip in 2010 Disney Trip.
how much is admission?
how much is discovery cove? I'd like to swim with the dolphins.
How much should I budget for this?
what's new/fun to do?
can you go to discovery cove if you cannot swim? (DD and fiance can't swim, I am the only swimmer in the family).
Will my 4 yr old (would be 5 then) enjoy Sea World? What is there for her to do?
Give me some info THANKS!

Neither myself nor my wife have been to any of the Sea World parks since 2002, and even that was a sponsored visit because we were part of a conference the park was hosting. Nothing about any of the parks attracts us any more.

Part of the problem is indeed admission. Although you can find lots of different discounts, list price is in the $60-$70 per adult region.

Discovery Cove is a worthwhile stop if you're into birds, but I cannot in good conscience recommend their version of a dolphin "swim." You get more advertising and Sea World propaganda than time with the animals, and what time you do get with them is so heavily structured there's no way you're going to get an honest perspective of the critters.

If quality time with dolphins is important to you, you'll likely have trouble finding such outside of the Keys or in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Can't give you a solid answer on the budget question.

What's new? Others will know better than I. As for "fun," that's completely dependent on what constitutes fun for you.

You may not get as much out of DC if you're a non-swimmer, but you can still go. Their aviary is top-notch, with a generous assortment of bird species.

Will your youngster(s) enjoy it? I have no idea. Personally, even at that age, I was far more into true zoos than theme parks.

Happy travels.

 

[RabFlmom]

Neither myself nor my wife have been to any of the Sea World parks since 2002, and even that was a sponsored visit because we were part of a conference the park was hosting. Nothing about any of the parks attracts us any more.

Part of the problem is indeed admission. Although you can find lots of different discounts, list price is in the $60-$70 per adult region.

Discovery Cove is a worthwhile stop if you're into birds, but I cannot in good conscience recommend their version of a dolphin "swim." You get more advertising and Sea World propaganda than time with the animals, and what time you do get with them is so heavily structured there's no way you're going to get an honest perspective of the critters.

If quality time with dolphins is important to you, you'll likely have trouble finding such outside of the Keys or in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Can't give you a solid answer on the budget question.

What's new? Others will know better than I. As for "fun," that's completely dependent on what constitutes fun for you.

You may not get as much out of DC if you're a non-swimmer, but you can still go. Their aviary is top-notch, with a generous assortment of bird species.

Will your youngster(s) enjoy it? I have no idea. Personally, even at that age, I was far more into true zoos than theme parks.

Happy travels.

Another perspective.....SW is never the same. You can go every week, every month and it will not be the same. The shows are always different because of the animals and how they are that day.

SW admission for adults is more in the $75 range like the rest of the parks in Orlando unless there is a discount. You do get 2nd day free. I think Aquatica is in the $45 range. If you plan on going to DC($230 price range unless you have a SW season pass), the price gives you free food and drinks at DC plus 7 days at SW so well worth the price. The swim with dolphins is rather short, but there is the snorkeling and the aviary. Because the park attendance is limited to a set amount, it makes for a relaxing day without crowds between the hectic days at Disney, SW, and the Universal parks while in Orlando.

There is the new coaster, good food, funny shows, aquariums, fireworks, and concerts depending on when you are there. Jack Hanna shows depending on when you are there.

We have been going to the park since it opened almost and still never have a boring day there. One thing we never fail to do is go to the dolphin underwater viewing area and see if any of them make and play with rings. It is amazing to watch.