We woke up around 7:30 this morning, as we were having our breakfast in the POR food court before heading out to Sea World, our only non-Disney activity. We decided on that park, as opposed to Universal because it was supposed to be more relaxed than the typical theme park.
After a good, but not special breakfast, we got in the car & headed up I-4 to Sea World. Pretty short trip. Got to the lot right at 9:00, opening time, and we parked fairly close to the entrance to the park - good new for later that afternoon. We had purchased the 7-day advance purchase e-tickets off the website for Sea World before we left home (we saved 10%). If we were planning on returning to Orlando before the end of the year, we would have bough the annual pass that expires on Dec. 31 - it costs the same as regular admission for an adult. Pretty good deal. We also learned before entering the park that the Journey to Atlantis ride was closed for refurbishment. A disappointment, because we were looking forward to riding it. Another reason to return eventually.
We sort of meandered through the park, making sure we had enough time for the 3 shows we wanted to see: Dolphin, Clyde & Seymour, & Shamu. We entered the Key West area, looking at rescued turtles & pelicans. We then went to the stingray pool, where you are allowed to touch them. Very cool, they feel like rubber tires. We then went to the dolphin tank, where I got to feed the dolphins (they sell small trays of fish for $4). It was fun, although the dolphins are smart enough to know when you're out of food & leave you. After that, we went to see the dolphin show, which was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed being right up against the tank to get soaked.
After the dolphin show, we looked at the very well done manatee exhibit. Not too preachy - they delivered the message without being ham-handed, which I appreciated. We watched the manatees for a while, and then headed over to the penguin & puffin exhibit. They set that up well. They have a moving walkway in front & behind they have a raised platform, where those, like my family, who want to observe the penguins for a while can without people pushing past them. Penguins are a lot of fun to watch, so graceful underwater.
We then went to the sea lion habitat, where my dad & I fed the seals & sea lions. Lots of fun - they really make a big racket to get their food.
One warning - beware of the birds that hang out there - they will snatch a fish right from your hands, and are very persistent. After the sea lions, we went to the shark exhibit. That was also fun, but the moving walkway there doesn't let you spend time watching the fish.
We then decided to get something to eat - unfortunately on our way there, we encountered the crowd exiting Shamu stadium. An insane crowd. Should have checked the park guide before going. We made it through the throng, and waited 15-20 minutes on line to get lunch. Since we had been on so few lines of consequence the whole trip, it seemed longer, but I won't be smug for fear of angering those who can only go in July.
Lunch was good - no different from the fast serve at the Disney parks. After lunch we went on Wild Arctic. Before I joined my family on the line, I called my GF, who was flying from L.A. to NY that day. We spoke for a while on her changeover in Pittsburgh. I told her to get on the connecting plane to Orlando, instead of NY, but she couldnt. Oh well.
We rode Wild Arctic. I was far less queasy on this than BW in Epcot - still not good though. The exhibits there were nice. The walrus & beluga whales were very active & fun to watch. Unfortunately, only 1 polar bear appeared & he was pretty shy. After that, we headed back to the Sea Lion stadium to see that show. Funny, good for kids. Adults who are willing to laugh at extreme silliness (lie anyone on vacation) will enjoy it too.
After the sea lions, we had to race over to Shamu stadium, as the next & final Shamu show was starting w/in a half hour. And if you don't see Shamu, there's really no point in going to Sea World, right? Shamu show was great, but I found the vignettes w/Jack Hanna intrusive. There's nothing he says that one of the trainers couldn't. Attention fellow males: if they ask you to volunteer, do not unless you are prepared to get absolutely drenched.
After Shamu, he headed back to the Key West area; I wanted to check out the souvenir photo they took of me feeding the dolphin & my family wanted to check out the dolphin nursery. I waited on line for the photo for about 145 minutes w/out the line moving, and then game up. I knew my family had nice enough pictures. I met my family by the nursery & took a look at the baby dolphins. Everyone - aww...
We then hit the big shop by the exit, bought out souvenirs & headed out. Sea World is a lot of fun, but it is spread out & you do a lot of walking. We got pretty tired. We stopped at the Goodings on our way back to POR, because my dad needed a new suitcase. His zipper broke on the way down. We were back at the hotel by 5:30, enough time for everyone to shower & take a quick nap before we went to dinner at Spoodles at 8:30.
I got lost driving from POR to Spoodles. Let's just say we met a nice booth attendant at the MK. Anyway, it was a good thing we left at 8:00. I dropped everyone off at the hotel entrance & parked the car in the extremely distant parking lot. The walk to the hotel really worked up my appetite 
We had a nice dinner there, but I think the food at Le Cellier & Kona was better. After dinner, we walked around the Boardwalk. Another nice hotel that I would love to stay at. Are the Boardwalk-view rooms equipped w/soundproofing. I hope so, can't imagine how difficult it is to sleep there w/out. After that, my younger sister & I dropped my dad off at Westside. We went back to the hotel before heading to MCO to pick up her friend who was arriving at 11:30 that night. We got there & eventually met up w/her at the baggage claim. I was not Mr. Sociable that night. If it was my GF we were picking up, that would have been a different story.
We were back at POR by 1:00 & I was asleep by 1:15, hoping as I drifted off that MGM would not be a complete mob scene for Star Wars weekend the next day.
Sea World is a lot of fun. I recommend it for a change of pace day, if you want to get off Disney property. They keep it very clean, and the Anheuser-Busch people seem to take pride in their amusement parks, unlike another large conglomerate that will go unnamed (*cough*AOL-Time Warner*cough*). If you have kids, it's a great time, especially w/the interactive areas w/the animals. Make sure they wear their bathing suits thought, or pack a complete change of clothes. They WILL want to sit in the soak zones for all the shows.
Thanks for reading! Any questions, comments, and/or feedback are appreciated.
After a good, but not special breakfast, we got in the car & headed up I-4 to Sea World. Pretty short trip. Got to the lot right at 9:00, opening time, and we parked fairly close to the entrance to the park - good new for later that afternoon. We had purchased the 7-day advance purchase e-tickets off the website for Sea World before we left home (we saved 10%). If we were planning on returning to Orlando before the end of the year, we would have bough the annual pass that expires on Dec. 31 - it costs the same as regular admission for an adult. Pretty good deal. We also learned before entering the park that the Journey to Atlantis ride was closed for refurbishment. A disappointment, because we were looking forward to riding it. Another reason to return eventually.
We sort of meandered through the park, making sure we had enough time for the 3 shows we wanted to see: Dolphin, Clyde & Seymour, & Shamu. We entered the Key West area, looking at rescued turtles & pelicans. We then went to the stingray pool, where you are allowed to touch them. Very cool, they feel like rubber tires. We then went to the dolphin tank, where I got to feed the dolphins (they sell small trays of fish for $4). It was fun, although the dolphins are smart enough to know when you're out of food & leave you. After that, we went to see the dolphin show, which was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed being right up against the tank to get soaked.
After the dolphin show, we looked at the very well done manatee exhibit. Not too preachy - they delivered the message without being ham-handed, which I appreciated. We watched the manatees for a while, and then headed over to the penguin & puffin exhibit. They set that up well. They have a moving walkway in front & behind they have a raised platform, where those, like my family, who want to observe the penguins for a while can without people pushing past them. Penguins are a lot of fun to watch, so graceful underwater.
We then went to the sea lion habitat, where my dad & I fed the seals & sea lions. Lots of fun - they really make a big racket to get their food.
One warning - beware of the birds that hang out there - they will snatch a fish right from your hands, and are very persistent. After the sea lions, we went to the shark exhibit. That was also fun, but the moving walkway there doesn't let you spend time watching the fish.We then decided to get something to eat - unfortunately on our way there, we encountered the crowd exiting Shamu stadium. An insane crowd. Should have checked the park guide before going. We made it through the throng, and waited 15-20 minutes on line to get lunch. Since we had been on so few lines of consequence the whole trip, it seemed longer, but I won't be smug for fear of angering those who can only go in July.
Lunch was good - no different from the fast serve at the Disney parks. After lunch we went on Wild Arctic. Before I joined my family on the line, I called my GF, who was flying from L.A. to NY that day. We spoke for a while on her changeover in Pittsburgh. I told her to get on the connecting plane to Orlando, instead of NY, but she couldnt. Oh well.
We rode Wild Arctic. I was far less queasy on this than BW in Epcot - still not good though. The exhibits there were nice. The walrus & beluga whales were very active & fun to watch. Unfortunately, only 1 polar bear appeared & he was pretty shy. After that, we headed back to the Sea Lion stadium to see that show. Funny, good for kids. Adults who are willing to laugh at extreme silliness (lie anyone on vacation) will enjoy it too.
After the sea lions, we had to race over to Shamu stadium, as the next & final Shamu show was starting w/in a half hour. And if you don't see Shamu, there's really no point in going to Sea World, right?
Shamu show was great, but I found the vignettes w/Jack Hanna intrusive. There's nothing he says that one of the trainers couldn't. Attention fellow males: if they ask you to volunteer, do not unless you are prepared to get absolutely drenched. After Shamu, he headed back to the Key West area; I wanted to check out the souvenir photo they took of me feeding the dolphin & my family wanted to check out the dolphin nursery. I waited on line for the photo for about 145 minutes w/out the line moving, and then game up. I knew my family had nice enough pictures. I met my family by the nursery & took a look at the baby dolphins. Everyone - aww...
We then hit the big shop by the exit, bought out souvenirs & headed out. Sea World is a lot of fun, but it is spread out & you do a lot of walking. We got pretty tired. We stopped at the Goodings on our way back to POR, because my dad needed a new suitcase. His zipper broke on the way down. We were back at the hotel by 5:30, enough time for everyone to shower & take a quick nap before we went to dinner at Spoodles at 8:30.
I got lost driving from POR to Spoodles. Let's just say we met a nice booth attendant at the MK.
Anyway, it was a good thing we left at 8:00. I dropped everyone off at the hotel entrance & parked the car in the extremely distant parking lot. The walk to the hotel really worked up my appetite We had a nice dinner there, but I think the food at Le Cellier & Kona was better. After dinner, we walked around the Boardwalk. Another nice hotel that I would love to stay at. Are the Boardwalk-view rooms equipped w/soundproofing. I hope so, can't imagine how difficult it is to sleep there w/out. After that, my younger sister & I dropped my dad off at Westside. We went back to the hotel before heading to MCO to pick up her friend who was arriving at 11:30 that night. We got there & eventually met up w/her at the baggage claim. I was not Mr. Sociable that night. If it was my GF we were picking up, that would have been a different story.We were back at POR by 1:00 & I was asleep by 1:15, hoping as I drifted off that MGM would not be a complete mob scene for Star Wars weekend the next day.
Sea World is a lot of fun. I recommend it for a change of pace day, if you want to get off Disney property. They keep it very clean, and the Anheuser-Busch people seem to take pride in their amusement parks, unlike another large conglomerate that will go unnamed (*cough*AOL-Time Warner*cough*). If you have kids, it's a great time, especially w/the interactive areas w/the animals. Make sure they wear their bathing suits thought, or pack a complete change of clothes. They WILL want to sit in the soak zones for all the shows.
Thanks for reading! Any questions, comments, and/or feedback are appreciated.
