What not to miss at Seaworld for 6 year old animal lover...?

[igitur]

We're headed down to Orlando Feb 9 - 19th and we'll be tackling SeaWorld during that time, along with Universal before ending up at WDW. My 6 1/2 year old daughter is over the moon about animals and is hugely excited about SeaWorld, and also wanted to do Discovery Cove. I told her no DC this trip...it was just going to be too much.

My question is....what will she enjoy the most at SeaWorld, being the animal lover that she is? She loves all the hands-on opportunities too.

I want to make sure she experiences all that she can while there.

Thanks,

Deb

 

[greeny]

There were a few cool hands on things that we did at Seaworld when we went this past November.

Feeding the dolphins and the sting rays was awesome, although expensive. Three fish cost $4.00 for the dolphins and the rays cost $4.00 for six fish. That said I would do it again. If you decide to do this go to the dolphins lagoon at key west early in the morning to get your fish. Have your daughter hold the fish up high and make the dolphin work for his meal. He'll get up high and give you a good show. If there is more than one adult get a place accross from her to take great pictures or video. After you feed the dolphind head over to the ray lagoon right accross the way and feed them before they get full, so again do it early. It's cool feeding these guys but a bit more work as you have to get your hand well under the water. We also feed the seals but it wasn't as good.

The shows are great for that age, Shamu, Clyde and Seaymore (my favorite) and Shamu rocks. If the Dolphin show is open (it was closed when I was there) see that as well.

We also enjoyed Pet's Ahoh which was a really cute animal show. She can pet a Clydesdale as well if she wants more hands on stuff to do.

Don't miss Wild Arctic and Shark encounter either, both were great.

As for rides Journet to Atlantis was awesome, if she likes that sort of thing go on it.


Have fun, we loved Seaworld. I'm sure you and your daughter will have a blast!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Someone posted that Seaworld can be done in 1 day, so i would try to hit everything.

 

[Cass]

Oh you have to do Pets Ahoy.... I know I know, it's sea world and these are not sea creatures... but it is the best little show... cats, dogs, ducks, racoons, rabbits, skunks.. you name it ~ everything except humans.. not a soul.

It was the highlight of our day there (LOL)

 

[spiceycat]

she can also feed the seals - but you can't touch them.

they will beg for food.....

you have to throw the food out to them.

there are a couple that try to get closer - but they can't.

if your child is sensitive the dolphins will come up to her without food - it just depends upon them.

I would go not doing one of the feeding but when everyone else is doing the show.

of course one of the feeding is also fun!

the sting rays are never as crowded as the Dolphins.

I love the pet shows one of the very best!!!

I just wish there kennel was as well designed - they put the cats in open cages between the dogs......

for cats that like dogs not a problem. for cats who are frighten of dogs - especially when the dogs are barking at them - BIG problem.

we had to leave and take Spicey back to a WDW kennel.

 

[RabFlmom]

Not sure I would tell a little one to hold the fish up so the dolphin has to come out of the water. LOL I tried that last week when I was there, even though the CMs said not to and that you should just throw the fish to them because of their teeth, etc. I had one of the big white birds sweep down at me and steal my fish before the dolphin even decided to try to get it. LOL

 

[pbharris4]

My 8 yr DD loves animals too! She wants to be a dolphin trainer. The Shamu show is great, the dolphin show, also somewhere in the back of the park you can buy little fish and feed the dolphins and pet them and they'll take a picture of you doing it. Also, we DIned with Shamu..the food was OK, but it's really neat to be that close to the whales. My DD lost a tooth while we were eating so that made it extra special.

 

[SimonV]

I would definitely recommend doing either Dine with Shamu or Sharks Underwater Grill for your main meal - both provide excellent close-ups with the animals in question. If you go for Sharks Grill, be sure to check out the bar top in the lounge adjacent to the restaurant - quite unique!

Even if you don't do Journey to Atlantis, check out the gift shop there as it doubles up as an aquarium - both above and BELOW your feet!

Wild Arctic can be done as a walk-through as well as a simulator ride, just in case your DD is worried about the ride part. You then get to view polar bears, walruses and beluga whales from both above and below water. It is a very clever and realistic environment.

And please don't miss the Manatees: Last Generation? exhibit, as this too is a great animal encounter.

You might also like to consider some of the behind-the-scenes tours at SW, several of which are geared towards children. They vary in price from $16 to $89 (on top of park admission), but might be worth thinking about. Here's the SW link: http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/fla/sp_park_tours.aspx

 

[erinch]

when my budding marine biology DS was 7, we ended up spending 2 HOURS at the sting ray tank. He went into this zone petting the rays and just never emerged.

Also loved the aquarium

It's not animals, but there's a huge ropes/nets/jumping/climbing playground which can easily "eat" a couple of hours

 

[Immelman]

get to the park before opening and go straight to the 9:15 dolphin feeding. they're ready to interact. don't just throw fish into their mouths. interact with them. look them in the eyes, talk to them. I've had them lay on their sides and come out of the water so I can touch their fins. if you work with them, they'll let you kiss them before they take the herring. and bring a camera.