Touring plan tips

[jehender]

We are planning a Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens trip. Does anyone have any touring plan type tips? We are typically rope drop people and go hard until early afternoon, head back to the motel for an afternoon break, and then back to the parks for evening events.

Some specific things I have been wondering about...
If the park opens at 9, what time should I be there to be one of the first ones in?
Is there a rope drop like at Disney?
Do all the attractions open the same time as the park opens?
Any particular rides that we should head to first to avoid lines?

We will have one time quick queue at SeaWorld, but not Busch Gardens. We have all types in our group, from roller coaster kids to animal lovers, but do have multiple days to visit, so hoping to see it all.

 

[mgpan]

Looking for the same information, any updated advice from those who have been to SW recently would help. I've seen the UT touring plan, but it seems perhaps out of date as it recommends four rides and two exhibits before seeing the first Blue Horizons show which currently starts at 10 a.m. following a 9:00 a.m. park opening. Even with no lines, two major attractions, plus two roller coasters plus two exhibits plus walking times in an hour seems impossible to accomplish. This is especially true since you should be a little early to the show for seating.

 

[eyehartdisney]

We are planning a Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens trip. Does anyone have any touring plan type tips? We are typically rope drop people and go hard until early afternoon, head back to the motel for an afternoon break, and then back to the parks for evening events.

Some specific things I have been wondering about...
If the park opens at 9, what time should I be there to be one of the first ones in?
Is there a rope drop like at Disney?
Do all the attractions open the same time as the park opens?
Any particular rides that we should head to first to avoid lines?

We will have one time quick queue at SeaWorld, but not Busch Gardens. We have all types in our group, from roller coaster kids to animal lovers, but do have multiple days to visit, so hoping to see it all.

1) it really depends on what time of year you are going, and if it's the weekend. For seaworld, if you arrive around 8:30, it's not bad regardless of how close to the front you are.

2) They often have a 'party' similar to the dance parties for disney at/close to the front of the park when it opens and shuts. Cool music, actors similar to animal kingdom actors.

3) Mostly, yes, there's always that one ride that doesn't work right away.

4) Head to the penguin ride, and the new roller coaster first, as they get the most action.

This is for SW, I don't do busch gardens often. As far as heading back to the park, most of these close at 5pm, so it wouldn't be worth it to go back, imo. If you are still looking at tickets, you can get 14 day passes to the other parks from Discovery cove. OR if you plan to come back to florida, Seaworld does a BOGO for annual passes and that gives a discount to discovery cove (but doesn't give you entry to the other parks.)

 

[ktate82]

1)

OR if you plan to come back to florida, Seaworld does a BOGO for annual passes and that gives a discount to discovery cove (but doesn't give you entry to the other parks.)

I didn't see a BOGO offer for annual passes for Seaworld. Is this only during certain times?

 

[eyehartdisney]

I didn't see a BOGO offer for annual passes for Seaworld. Is this only during certain times?

I am so sorry, I meant to say that it was during black friday, I got a phone call and posted without proofreading!

 

[FLOIR]

We are planning a Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens trip.
Some specific things I have been wondering about...
If the park opens at 9, what time should I be there to be one of the first ones in?

You don't mention what date you are attending but according to the calendar on their website they are going to 10 AM open times. It looks like it starts September 6. Not sure how that might change things for you - I can't honestly remember them having any open time other than 9 AM. That may also affect the show schedule once they do open.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Looking for the same information, any updated advice from those who have been to SW recently would help. I've seen the UT touring plan, but it seems perhaps out of date as it recommends four rides and two exhibits before seeing the first Blue Horizons show which currently starts at 10 a.m. following a 9:00 a.m. park opening. Even with no lines, two major attractions, plus two roller coasters plus two exhibits plus walking times in an hour seems impossible to accomplish. This is especially true since you should be a little early to the show for seating.

I would suspect that most touring plans will be implementing a hectic schedule to ensure you see as much and do as much in a day as humanly possible. During a busy time of year (Christmas, 4th of July, spring break) I would think that the Touringplans itinerary might very well be impossible....especially if you want really good seats to the show.

I know the original post was way back from December (so the OP may have long since completed her trip by now) but I will answer a couple of her questions anyway, for the benefit of anyone who is reading currently. In our experience, Kraken and Journey to Atlantis always open one hour after the park itself opens up. So use that time to hit up Mako and Manta specifically, since the coasters will have longer lines. I can't recall for sure if Antarctica opens when the park does, because its not something we make first priority (since we generally have quick queue).