I'll be in the Los Angeles area for a couple of days in late October and I'd like to take a day trip down to Sea World on my free day. I'll be taking Amtrak from LA and back and I'm trying to get an idea of how much time I should allow myself with regard to scheduling my return train.

I don't need to see everything in Sea World. From researching their site, I have a pretty good idea of what I want to see. If it helps, I'm interested in:

Clydesdales(I know it's Sea World, but I love horses.)
Wild Arctic
Manatee Rescue
Rocky Point Reserve
Shark Encounter
Dolphin Show
Shamu Show
4-D Movie
The Skytower

I know that no one is clairvoyant or anything, but input from people with Sea World experience would be helpful. I don't think that it should be too crowded on a late October weekday(I hope) and it doesn't seem like it should take a whole day.

I haven't been to Sea World for a while, but it sounds like a pretty full day to me. You can breeze through some of the exhibits fairly rapidly, but for the show-type attractions you are locked into whatever Sea World's show schedule is on the day of your visit. I don't know if you can access the show schedule on their website, if so that would be useful. Sea World is a lot of fun and rather than rush through it, I'd be inclined to plan on a pretty full day there. Also, you need to allow time to walk from attraction to attraction, time for lunch, and time to stop and see any attractions that look good enough to add to your schedule. One of my guidebooks lists the average time to tour Sea World at six hours and the minimum time at three hours. I think three hours would be way too short. Have fun!

Thanks. Their site says that they will be open from 10-5 on that particular day and I plan to get there before 11 at least. I have planned to give myself about 5 hours. I'm hoping that the big crowds are diminished because of the time of year.

By nature, I'm just not a lingerer, so I know that the exhibits won't take me forever, but the shows are the wildcard. It really would help if their show schedules were posted, but apparently that's not a concrete thing, so I won't know until I get there.

Thanks again.

i'd plan on being there the whole day. the shamu show is fabulous so i usually try to catch the first one (which will probably be at 10:30 or 11:00) and then you can go see it again during their last show. the Clydesdales show is a great time to grab some lunch and sit back and enjoy. there are table by where they are. if you happen to finished early, sea world is quite close to mission beach. you could go for a walk down there if there is extra time.

I was there in late September last year on a weekday. It wasn't crowded at all, so I don't think you have to worry about that aspect. As already mentioned, the main factor with regard to how much time you will need is the time schedule for the shows. The other exhibits you just walk through at your own pace. I stayed for about 3 1/2 hours and saw the Shamu show and the movie. I had wanted to see the Dolphin show but didn't want to wait around for the next one. If there's any way to get the show schedules in advance, that's what you'd really need to answer your question.

We went to Sea World a couple of years ago and were there all day. We got there when they opened and got a schedule for shows as we entered.We loved Sea World, the day flew day way to fast.We did manage to see most everything, plus we took part in there Dolphin interaction program, which was fantastic.It took us about 1 1/2 hours for that.
You will love it.

Kostroma if your worry is the time for your return Amtrak ticket, I wouldn't worry too much. That is an unreserved train and if you purchase your ticket for say 4PM and you miss it you can get on the 5PM train with no problem.

If you can spend all day there, I would do it. I have been to that Sea World twice, it's great! Lots to see and do.

Thank you. You all have been very helpful. I'll give myself a leisurely 5 or 6 hours.

I didn't know that the Surfliner was open ended as far as the ticket goes. Since that is the case, my best course of action would be to purchase a ticket for the 4 o'clock return train, get to Sea World when it opens, and just take the next train if I can't make it. That makes me feel much less pressured. I don't think that I could fully enjoy myself if I had to keep track of time the whole day.

As for the showtimes, I'll call them a week or two beforehand to see if they have a tentative idea of when the shows will be performed that day. I'm flexible, but I do like to have a game plan when I plan a trip. I've found that it's better to get most of the stress and questions out of the way during the planning stage rather than getting to the destination and being overwhelmed.

I'd add two more to this list - the Fools with Tools Show (sea lions and otter show) and the Penguin Encounter (they're so cute).

Have Fun!

If you go on the water rafting ride, make sure you go at the end of the day, just before you leave so you can change clothes in the car. You will definitely get soaked from head to toe. Lock up your valuables/purse/wallet in the lockers provided at the entrance to the ride. They will get soaked also.

Found this older post and wanted to add a question. Can you feed the dolphins at San Diego's Sea World or do you have to register for the $140 swim with dolphins program? That's way too steep for our family of 5....but have been told there's some type of feed to dolphin program? If so, do you sign up as soon as you arrive? Also, do you recommend buying tickts on line, or buying at the gate? Is there a big time savings by getting an e-ticket?

slipperblue-

When I was at SeaWorld SD 1.5 yrs ago, they have fishes for sale at the dolphin area which you can buy and feed the dolphins. I think it's about $5 for 5 fishes or so (or maybe more expensive than that, but you'll get lots of fishes for $140!)

slipperblue--as soon as you walk in the gates, go to Rocky Point Preserve, which is where you can feed the dolphins. They will have posted specified times during the day (4-5 times, I think) when fish are available for purchase. Just plan your day around one of those times and the shows you'd like to see. Be aware of the birds--they are very aggressive and will take the fish right out of your hand. Even if you don't go at feeding times, the dolphins are very friendly and will usually allow you to touch them.

I'll add some more info to the Sea World pool (pun intended):

It's difficult to gauge how crowded it will be, as some days it seems every school in the county has a field trip to Sea World and there are big groups of kids everywhere. Expect big crowds, and if it's empty, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Whenever I go (several times a year), I get there as soon as it opens and head straight for the shark exhibit. It's a fascinating exhibit, allowing you to see the sharks from many perspectives, but if you go later when it's really crowded, it's hard to see much and the lines get really long.

Get to the Shamu show early as it often fills completely before the show starts.

I agree the Fools with Tools show is well worth as visit.

Thanks for all the tips - we're looking forward to our visit!