I have posted a couple other questions with regard to our upcoming California Vacation in August. What I haven't asked so far is anything specific about Sea World. We already have our tickets, and will be in San Diego on a Weds and Thurs. It may sound like a silly question, but has anyone noticed a difference in the crowd volume right at opening (say the first hour or two) compared to the final hour or two. Reason I am asking is that we just have the one day and I doubt that we can do a full 9am to 11pm. Besides, if we choose to go the day we arrive into San Diego, we would have no choice but to arrive at Sea World around 11am. Time is precious and I want to make the best choices. The other question I have is about the Skyride/Skytower attraction. Is that worth doing? If so, I think I would opt to purchase a ticket in advance. Your input is appreciated.

We went a couple of weeks ago on a Sat. and got there right when the park opened at 9. The shows don't start until 9:45 so we just visited the exhibits and rides until then. If you go in the morning you get to see them do the feedings. Also it is cooler and the seals, etc. seem to be more peppy then. We left around 2:00 pm and it was really getting crowded - long lines at the restaurants. You can do most of SeaWorld in a few hours. My kids loved the Pets Rule and Shamu Show but they thought the Sea Lion show was boring. The Wild Artic ride is really cool.

I'm pretty sure it's much more quiet when it's closed.

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Tho morning is quieter. Lots of people stay late to watch the fireworks, and the park is cooler in the evening. During the day it's a major sunburn zone.

Thanks for the responses. I notice that a lot of posters think that you can "do" certain attractions in less than a half day in many cases. We must be die hards because I usually feel we don't have enough time even when we have a FULL day (8+ hours) at an attraction like Universal Studios, for example. After checking out the Sea World site, I was thinking we should have opted for two day passes. We will probably be spending a very full day at Sea World....whether we get there right at open, or at around 11am, we will still likely be there for 10 hours or so. Are we crazy? Maybe just theme park deprived, since we don't have much around here.

From our experiences going there, we've never needed a full day to see most of the park. It's not like at Disneyland where you have to stand in long lines to go on rides.

I think the early morning hours when the park opens would be a bit less crowded than the closing hours.

Every park I have ever been to is best when they first open. People have a hard time getting there early which makes it great for those of us who can. When we visited Sea World we got there at opening stayed till about 3 or so left and came back at 7 saw some shows and the fire works. Had a great time. BTW San Diego park did not seem nearly as crowded to me as the Orlando Sea World.

We always go to Sea World toward the end of the day--the weather is cooler and the crowds are smaller. We love the fireworks. Note that some shows are on only during the day, while others are on only at night. Check out the website for a schedule. If you have kids, bring their bathing suits so that they can play in the water play area (which is enormous). Don't miss the shark tank and the various touch pools (dolphins, manta rays, sea stars). Wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen.