SeaWorld -- Enough to do Over 2 Short Days?
 

We live in South Florida and are driving up to Orlando with the kids (ages 7 and 9) for a quick weekend visit. The kids are interested in SeaWorld, but I'm concerned there may not be enough "stuff" to hold their interest the entire time. We'll arrive in Orlando around lunchtime on a Saturday, so we can spend the remainder of the day until dinner time. Then we could return to the park Sunday morning (and head out and leave for home around 2-3pm). So I guess this would mean a total of approximately 4-5 hours each day in a park.

From looking online, it doesn't seem like there would be enough to do at SeaWorld over the 2 days, especially since the 7-year-old will not want to go on any thrill rides. That basically leaves us with the shows and exhibits... which I was thinking would be a 1-day thing. Am I wrong?

A friend suggested doing Aquatica the 2nd day, but again, the 7-year-old won't do the big waterslides. Personally, I'm trying to talk everyone into Epcot! But not sure that'll fly... we did Magic Kingdom last year and they loved it.

Thoughts?
Carol

We've been to SeaWorld twice and on both trips we were in the park for 2 days and found plenty to do. We have spent the whole of the first day (from opening time to close) in the park and then revisiting highlights on our second (usually half) day visit.

I think it's possible to see everything in one FULL day in the park but you don't have that.


My kids really enjoyed the feeding sessions which are occur once or twice a day for dolphins, sea lions, rays etc. It can get expensive buying lots of trays of fish or pellets so be prepared!

The Atlantis ride is a fairly tame thrill ride and my whole family love it. If some of your party want to go on the rides I recommend heading for them as soon as the park opens on your second day.

Aren't there fireworks on this time of year too? You could leave for dinner and re enter for the fireworks or just eat in the park (definitely not great food but bearable for one night!)

Don't underestimate the show times and be at least 15mins early for shows ( in summer I think you should double this at least as the stadium fills up quickly ).

I'm sure there's a Florida resident discount price but check that it gives you the 2 for 1 entry (a one day regular ticket actually includes a second day free). Sea World is small but very fairly priced I think.

Thanks sassy -- this is good information. I did see the FL resident price with the 2 days included. I'm glad to hear there's plenty to do... the kids are crazy about animals (esp. sea life), so I'm hoping this will hold their attention for the two half-days. Good tip about staying for the fireworks... I'll look into that! Especially since our 4th of July got rained out. Thanks again!

AAA has some discounts for SeaWorld & Aquatica:
http://www.aaasouth.com/asp/acs_page...s.asp?id=50818

Or, SeaWorld alone: http://www.aaasouth.com/asp/acs_page...ates.asp?id=36

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

I've visited Seaworld with my elderly mother who did not go on any thrill rides and she wanted to return for the second day. I think the park is nicely done. Check the schedule for the feedings and shows and plan around them. I think you will be surprised how your time is broken up and quickly used up. Just plan for how to keep the younger one entertained during the inevitable waits (but you know that from Magic Kingdom).

On the other hand, my sister would have been happy never to return to Sea World after one visit with her son. The second visit when we met up with them, they wouldn't even go to the whale show--"we've seen one before at the Baltimore aquarium", so they did not even stay a full day.

We have season passes and we go with my 4 year old granddaughter. She is happy with half days. It all depends on the lines and how crowded the events are. We always stay where there is a pool and she always wants to go swimming versus staying at sea world. There is plenty to do at sea world and if lines are long it can be hot---half days are fine.

I guess it just depends mostly on how much they enjoy watching the animals. I took a high school group to Orlando, including Sea World. We were in the park from 12 until about 7, and the majority of the teens were more than ready to leave. However, some of the parents were complaining that they still didn't get to see everything! If your two love animals, I think you'll be fine with two half days.

Thanks everyone for your responses... these children do love animals, so I'm thinking we'll be fine. I think if we plan on being there for the animal feedings, etc., that will make them happy. And, I suppose, if there's not a ton of things left to do on Sunday, we'll drive home! ;) Anyway, thanks for your feedback, I feel pretty good about going now.

It's a big park, too, so you may get tired and want to come back the second day. There is also a family coaster shaped like Shamu that my son (then 13) and my adult sister would have been happy to ride all afternoon, although it would definitely be appropriate for a seven year old.

It's not cheap, but I'd definitely recommend Sharks Underwater Grill, too. Really neat atmosphere, and much better food than I would have expected. If one of the reasons you wanted to go to Epcot was for the dining, this is equal to most of the table service restaurants there. Unfortunately, I would not say the same of most of Sea World's counter service, which does not compare favorably to Disney's.

Deb, thanks -- good tips! A family coaster sounds about right for the little guy. Also, will check out the Grill :)