Went to SeaWorld today, experienced Bay of Play!

[Monkey Monkey]

There are 3 rides in the new Bay of Play: a Dumbo-type ride (exactly like Dumbo at DL, except it's Elmo-themed, doesn't go as high, and goes clockwise), a teacups-type ride (which I didn't go on, but it didn't look like the riders were able to spin the cups), and a weird eel ride thingy.

Basically the rides are no different than you would find at any carnival. Many of the features of Shamu's Happy Harbor (which is what Bay of Play used to be) are still there, like the bouncer, big sandbox, and water areas.

It's pretty neat but after a day or more at DL, the rides would be a huge letdown. The line for the Elmo ride was just as long as Dumbo's usually is.

I took a ton of pics and will post them later!

 

[kellynz]

Im looking forward to seeing your pictures, would you recommend spending some time here during our seaworld visit? It'll be out first time.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Im looking forward to seeing your pictures, would you recommend spending some time here during our seaworld visit? It'll be out first time.

If you have small children, then yes. If it's just adults and/or older kids, then you could easily skip it.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

The funniest sign I've ever seen in person:

Abby's Starfish Spin:

They have these colorful signs with information about sealife all over the Bay of Play.

The characters come out and perform a song and dance on the big boat, but I was in line for the Elmo ride so I didn't get a good view:

There is also a meet and greet with some of the characters, but I couldn't tell if there is a schedule for it. There is one set area for the characters, and when I was there, it was closed off for guests with a special event.

Sorry for the overload!

 

[abckid]

Yay, thanks for the pictures! My 2 little ones are going to love it

 

[GrandCanyon]

Hi, I'm going in August. I can either go one full day or two half-days. What would you recommend among the following two items, and your strategy? Thanks.

Mid-August - Option #1
Wednesday: 11:00 - 4:00ish
Thursday: 3:00 - whenever we accomplish everything; (Dolphin Interaction Program @ 5:30 PM).

Mid-August - Option #2
Thursday: 9:00 - whenever we accomplish everything; (Dolphin Interaction Program @ 5:30 PM).

We have already purchased the DIP, but can move it if there is a better strategy? Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[kellynz]

Thanks for the pictures, I dont know if ill be able to get my kids out of there

 

[pumpkin5156]

Thanks for the pics. My son will be 2 in August and I have been debating on whether or not to get the Sea World Silver Pass at Costco. I live in oceanside. Is the commute bad down there in the mornings? We have a DL pass and a Legoland pass, so I am kind of not wantint the SW one. But that play area looks too good to pass up!

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Thanks for the pics. My son will be 2 in August and I have been debating on whether or not to get the Sea World Silver Pass at Costco. I live in oceanside. Is the commute bad down there in the mornings? We have a DL pass and a Legoland pass, so I am kind of not wantint the SW one. But that play area looks too good to pass up!

I have the Silver pass because I go so often that it's more than worth it for the free parking and discounts on food.

Since SW usually opens at 10 in the off-season, you should be ok as far as traffic. The 5 is not nearly as bad past the 56 as the 805 and 15 are, in my experience (I lived in Sorrento Valley and always took the 5; now that I live in Carmel Mt. I take the 15 to the 163 and the traffic is a bit heavier at that time).

DH didn't want me to get a DL pass because I already had SW and zoo passes.

I said "Well, I'm going to go anyway, so I might as well get the pass." LOL.

Honestly I don't think I'll ever NOT have a SeaWorld pass as long as I'm living in SD. It's something that DS and I really enjoy doing together, and there is so much to do there that it's much more fun for DS than the zoo. I like to go after his nap and we usually spend just 2-3 hours there.

I love it!

 

[ozvisiter]

Monkey Monkey Have you ever done the breakfast with Shamu ? Do you know if you get into the park earlier? Does it take a chunk of park time?

If I lived nearby I would be there all the time too...

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Monkey Monkey Have you ever done the breakfast with Shamu ? Do you know if you get into the park earlier? Does it take a chunk of park time?

If I lived nearby I would be there all the time too...

I have not done any meals with Shamu. There is probably an email address on SeaWorld's website where you could ask those questions. I emailed them once to ask about Shamu's Happy Harbor (I was mad that it was closed, until I found out that it was being transformed into the Bay of Play!) and they responded within 24 hours.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

*Bumping*

 

[Stacerita]

What would you suggest is a good age range for kids to enjoy the bay of play?

 

[Monkey Monkey]

What would you suggest is a good age range for kids to enjoy the bay of play?

From crawling to maybe 12 or so?

There is a large sandbox area that my son really enjoyed when it was still Shamu's Happy Harbor and he was around a year. He was pretty delayed and wasn't even crawling yet, but he still had fun sitting there and playing in the sand!

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

Monkey Monkey Have you ever done the breakfast with Shamu ? Do you know if you get into the park earlier? Does it take a chunk of park time?

If I lived nearby I would be there all the time too...

I just did that in May. the whole thing took about an hour. the trainers talk while you eat and then they walk around and answer any questions and then the whales do their tricks. it was pretty neat. not sure if you can get in early, our breakfast was at 9:30 on memorial day, right after the park opened.

one thing I will say-wear lots of sunscreen! we went after the 15 day Panama canal cruise-managed to not get sunburned for the whole cruise and got burned to a crisp at Seaworld in one day. there is NO shade at any of the sows.

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Thank you for the pictures! I'm so glad to see that the play stuff is still there. We have passes but haven't been since the beginning of the year. Now that our DL passes are blocked out and gas is so expensive, we will probably visit SW more.

 

[disneydreamer74]

Loved the photos, they were great! I am taking my darling Bella (2 in aug.) to DL and SW Aug. 15. I was wondering what the new Bay of Play would be like. Sounds like she will have lots of fun!