Also while in Orlando – my family visited SeaWorld.
We had a great day there. My sons saw their first dolphin, orca, and beluga. I saw my first ever mantaee and walrus.
The animals were all amazingly beautiful!
We had a great day there. My sons saw their first dolphin, orca, and beluga. I saw my first ever mantaee and walrus.
The animals were all amazingly beautiful!
Here’s the 411 for families who plan to visit SeaWorld Orlando on their own…..
1) Getting There
There are a dozen shuttle and taxi services that can take you anywhere you need to go in Orlando. I say: Skip ‘Em! The public bus system is simple, safe, and a steal of a deal when comparing prices. Lynx Bus #50 goes from Disney World to SeaWorld every half an hour and costs just $2 per rider.
2) The Clock is Ticking
Plan to spend a full day at SeaWorld. Then plan ahead to see only your favorite exhibits. Although the lines were minimal on our visit – the overall size (read sprawl) of the park makes it impossible to cover that much ground with kids. You just won’t have time to see everything the park has to offer. We came with a plan and so really enjoyed ourselves without feeling rushed. I also recommend balancing your time between exhibits, shows, and the enormous playground at Shamu’s Happy Harbor. The rope bridges were a family favorite!
3) Take a Break
Shark’s Underwater Grill is the nicest restaurant in the park. And… when I say nicest I mean: expensive. However nice also means dark, cool and quiet -- which on a hot Florida day spells heaven. I called ahead (407-370-1573) to make early dinner reservations and found that the hearty meal was just what we needed to keep us going strong right up to the park closing.
1) Getting There
There are a dozen shuttle and taxi services that can take you anywhere you need to go in Orlando. I say: Skip ‘Em! The public bus system is simple, safe, and a steal of a deal when comparing prices. Lynx Bus #50 goes from Disney World to SeaWorld every half an hour and costs just $2 per rider.
2) The Clock is Ticking
Plan to spend a full day at SeaWorld. Then plan ahead to see only your favorite exhibits. Although the lines were minimal on our visit – the overall size (read sprawl) of the park makes it impossible to cover that much ground with kids. You just won’t have time to see everything the park has to offer. We came with a plan and so really enjoyed ourselves without feeling rushed. I also recommend balancing your time between exhibits, shows, and the enormous playground at Shamu’s Happy Harbor. The rope bridges were a family favorite!
3) Take a Break
Shark’s Underwater Grill is the nicest restaurant in the park. And… when I say nicest I mean: expensive. However nice also means dark, cool and quiet -- which on a hot Florida day spells heaven. I called ahead (407-370-1573) to make early dinner reservations and found that the hearty meal was just what we needed to keep us going strong right up to the park closing.
4) Soak Zone
When SeaWorld posts signs that you may get wet – they mean it! “Soak Zone” seating is not for the faint of heart. You will get wet. In fact…You will get wetter than you’d ever imagined possible. You will take hours to thoroughly dry.
The same is to be said for the ‘Journey to Atlantis” ride. Back seats in this roller coaster are a 6 on the 1 to 10 scale of amusement-park-wetness. The front seat is a 12! We braved this fun ride (twice) as a family and giggled as we tried to ring out our clothes. (A handy extra shirt in the family backpack is a bonus. Otherwise – prepare to follow the crowd straight to the gift shop.)
When SeaWorld posts signs that you may get wet – they mean it! “Soak Zone” seating is not for the faint of heart. You will get wet. In fact…You will get wetter than you’d ever imagined possible. You will take hours to thoroughly dry.
The same is to be said for the ‘Journey to Atlantis” ride. Back seats in this roller coaster are a 6 on the 1 to 10 scale of amusement-park-wetness. The front seat is a 12! We braved this fun ride (twice) as a family and giggled as we tried to ring out our clothes. (A handy extra shirt in the family backpack is a bonus. Otherwise – prepare to follow the crowd straight to the gift shop.)