What to expect for summer visit

[dancin'girl]

We've been to DW many times in both Septmeber and May, so we're used to traveling during the lower crowd times. This year we are contemplating a trip to Orlando during the summer (sometime in late June, July or early August). We are going primarily to visit family (my children desperately miss their aunt, uncle and cousin - they moved to FLA about a year ago and we haven't seen them since then). SIL doesn't want to pull nephew out of school - hence the summer visit. We'd like to visit SeaWorld and LegoLand while we're there, since we've never been before. What can we expect??? Any tips to help with the crowds? Also thinking of stopping at Gatorland. Thanks!

 

[angelmom27]

Visiting SW during the summer is nothing like visiting WDW. Since you arent standing in lines waiting for rides. The stadiums for the shows are big and fit a lot of people. There are 3 rides with height requirements and then there is Shamu Happy Harbor that has a few kiddie rides and a splash play area. It is a good idea to hit that area as soon as it opens. We did that during the new yrs eve weekend and we walked right on the rides. The splash area is a fun way to cool off later in the day when it gets hotter. The big rides are always busy. Well Atlantis and Kraken not as busy as Manta. There is a single rider line that is usually a much shorter wait. If you guys dont mind riding alone or have just one person who wants to ride. You guys will have a fun time. During the summer the park is open much later and they have some extra shows at night too. Like Shamu Rocks. Which is a bit different than the One Ocean show during the day.

 

[RabFlmom]

We've been to DW many times in both Septmeber and May, so we're used to traveling during the lower crowd times. This year we are contemplating a trip to Orlando during the summer (sometime in late June, July or early August). We are going primarily to visit family (my children desperately miss their aunt, uncle and cousin - they moved to FLA about a year ago and we haven't seen them since then). SIL doesn't want to pull nephew out of school - hence the summer visit. We'd like to visit SeaWorld and LegoLand while we're there, since we've never been before. What can we expect??? Any tips to help with the crowds? Also thinking of stopping at Gatorland. Thanks!

It will be busy but really no big deal. You will have to get to the shows in stadiums about 1/2 hour before the shows start because the stadiums/theaters do fill up in the summer. Expect a line for all the CS places to eat so plan on that in plans. If you plan to be there from open to close consider buying the all day meal plan because you can eat 3 or more meals(entre,side, drink) and go back in for water, sodas, or snacks like watermelon,strawberries, cookies, cake etc. whenever you want one. Check out what is offered at each restaurant on SW web site. At Voyagers platters range from $11-15 depending on how many meats you want. At other places you can get fajitas, pasta, sandwiches, and salads in the $6-8 range. The sides/desserts are mostly $3.39. Soda and water bottles are around $3. So it adds up and really makes the meal plan worth it. There also is Dine with Shamu and the Sharks restaurant that are not included. If you decide to get reservations for one of those I would skip the All Day Meal Plan.

You may want to spend 2 days to try to do most of the park. It will be open from 9AM ro 10 or 11 PM. Plan your day to around the shows since they are set times and some only a few times a day. There are special night shows. You will want to see most of the park before you head to "Clyde and Seamore at Night" because it pokes fun at the other shows and rides in the park.

Turtle Trek is a time consumer somewhat. Can be long wait times so whatever the wait time is add another 30-40 minutes for Turtle Trek. The first time we went there was a 40 minute wait, but it took up 2 hours of our park time Last weekend it was a 10 minute wait and then another 30 for the
aquariums and movie.

Just like at Disney bring your water/fan spray bottles because the temp and humidity can be brutal-even at 10 PM watching the fireworks. To get out of the sun in the hottest part of the day 1. Alure 2. Turtle Trek 3. Shark Encounter 4. Pets Ahoy ( really cool show using rescued animals) 5. Take a long lunch at Voyagers 6. The shops at the Waterfront are all connected so you can walk from shop to shop without going outside. 7. Sit in the splash zones- the water is cold, but you will sit out in the sun.

The kids area is good and you might want to spend an hour or 2 just letting the kids play in the playground and ride the rides.

 

[dancin'girl]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the information!!!
Haven't been to SW since I was a kid. I'm really looking forward to it!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gatorland is also a great park. It has a nice little splash park onsite if the kiddos want to cool down. You can check out the trip report in my signature for a ton of photos .