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If you love sealife, fast rides and beautiful scenery, then SeaWorld is for you. This is one place that is a "must visit" for us on every single trip to Orlando. From the minute you enter the park and you have your photo taken by one of the official photographers, you just know you are in for a fun packed day. There are plenty of ticket variations available including the Orlando Flexticket avaialble from this site, just follow one of the links above to see what options are available to you and your family.
We usually pick up a park map, head for the Restrooms to make sure that everyone is set for the first part of our day at SeaWorld. Having young twins makes the Restroom trip a must do that you are not searching for them later on.
We usually study the times of the main shows, which for us is the Shamu Adventure, Blue Horizons (Dolphins) and Wild Artic. The twins also love Dolphin Cove and Stingray Lagoon. Once we have familiarised ourselves with the show times, off we go to the Dolphin Nursery.
This as the name suggests is where SeaWorld raise their baby dolphins, a curator is always at hand to explain how they raise the baby dolphins and regularly give talks on them. This is a great photo oppurtunity for you budding photographers.
Then its the Penguin Encounter, once you enter this exhibition, and the familiar music hits your ears, it is hard not to fall in love with these animals, all stood there in their little black and white suits, they now have more than 200 penguins for you to see. Their simulated surroundings enable you to see them diving and swimming in the freezing conditions of their natural habitat. The habitat is similar to the Antarctic with its icy water and rocky surroundings, the penguins feel quite at home here.
To make them feel more at home, SeaWorld produce 6,000 pounds of snow, this falls daily inside the naturalistic habitat There are several types of penguins here, these include king penguin, gentoo penguin, chinstrap penguin and the rockhopper penguin.
Two areas for viewing make it an ideal place to get out of the warm florida sunshine, one is a 120ft moving standon / walkon belt in front of their habitat, the second is a slightly raised area where you can stand and take some wonderful photo's of the Penguins and other birds. There's also an interactive section once you leave the viewing area
Blue Horizons
Now off to the new dolphin show, Blue Horizons. One valuable tip is to get there early if you want the best seats in the house! Centre stage about half way up is where we find suits us all, from here you have a fabulous view of all the show and is a fantastic photo spot. The show now involves acrobatic dolphins, whales and exotic birds that soar above your head in this amazing show. It is more like a theatrical stage show than a show involving dolphins and a few birds. This is a show that brings both animals and people together to show you just how intelligent they are.
Shark Encounter
As you enter this underwater world of sharks, the feeling of being prey enters your mind. They state that this is the world's largest underwater acrylic tunnel you will find. Different species of eels, venomous fish and barracuda along with an endless variety of sharks swim all around you as the moving walk way takes you into their habitat. Although you are 100% safe in this environment, you just can't feeling you are being watched. It always reminds me of JAWS
Manatee Rescue
The manatee's at SeaWorld have all been rescued from the waters around Florida's wetlands. These large gentle giants glide through the water as if floating on air. You can view these fabulous animals from above and below the water, you are lead down under in to a large auditorium where the world of the manatee is explained to you in a short film. After which you can stroll through the underwater world of the manatee.
Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove can be found in Key West on your park map. An outside interactive area where you can get up close and personal with these fabulous animals. At certain times throughout the day, you can purchase fish so that you can interact with the dolphins, give them a head rub or just take a few memorable holiday snaps. Beware of the seagulls trying to take away your fish! A dolphin trainer will explain all you need to know about these happy creatures. One of the most popular places at SeaWorld for animal interaction, a great place for young children to learn about animals without them realizing it!
Stingray Lagoon
Again, as with Dolphin Cove this is located in Key West and is just before you get to the dolphins. A place where you can interact with these amazing creatures, feed them, touch and stroke their slithery bodies as they glide through the water. With more than 200 stingrays you are sure to see some action. The largest are around 5 ft in diameter. Although expect to have to wash your hands after you visit this area, it's a little bit smelly but still a great place to visit. Its a great place for young children to get up close with creature you only see on TV, the twins love this area too.
Wild Arctic
Get ready to enter a multi-level exploration centre. After a short film about what you will encounter you will be left to explore the hull of a 19th century exploration ship. Surrounded by nearly a million gallons of seawater, you will get to see Polar Bears, Harbor Seals and Walruses. Saving the best until last, you will get to see a Beluga Whale, white in colour and just so cute you want to take them home. Although how you would get them through customs I will never know! One of my favorite places and always a hit with the children.
Hospitality Centre and the Clydesdales
Fancy a cold beer? (21 and over with ID) For FREE? The hospitality centre is the home of the Beer School, and the food court along with a bar to sample a few of their beers including Budweiser or Bud! The gift shop carries all things Bud too, so here's the place for those gifts and souvenirs.
As you walk through the building, you are then lead to the Clydesdale stables where you can see up close one of the largest horse breeds in the world. These fabulous horses are the same ones that pull the Budweiser Carriage. You also get the chance to have your photo taken with one of these beautiful horses and also pet them. Them also parade them several times during the day through the park, amazing photo opportunity for horse lovers or beer lovers alike!
Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island
This is light entertainment for the whole family and will put a smile on everyone's face. This comical show always as our twins in stitches, especially when the sea lion and harbor seal make the trainers look so stupid. Set in a Pirate Ship, the trainers have the animals perform different tricks as they reward them with fishy treats. This is another one of SeaWorld's newest shows and always seems very popular on our visits. If you want to get up close, sit to the right of the stage where the trainer's path meets the steps. The harbor seal walks right by you!
Kraken
If you like High Speed Roller Coasters then this ride is definitely for you. This is a floorless coaster and said to be the tallest and fastest in Orlando, reaching speeds of over 60 mph, and heights that tower above all of SeaWorld. I always head for the rear of the ride because the thrill is heightened as you are flicked over the edge of the multiple highs and lows. Although the front row is awesome it's not for the faint hearted. As you are dangled from your seat, you are pushed through seven inverted turns, the ride is over before you draw breath. Ride it if you dare!
Journey to Atlantis
This is definitely not your usual log flume. It's a log flume come roller coaster rolled in to one. There's a near vertical drop of around sixty feet that seems to come from no where. I love rides like this, it keeps you guessing throughout the ride. The special effects just add to it but expect to get wet, very wet. Hold on!
Shamu Adventure and Believe
We have been visiting Orlando since 1998 and even though I have always loved dolphins, for me, they are nothing compared to the Killer Whale. The entire Shamu family are involved in this spectacular show, it always brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. They never cease to amaze me. I just wish I could be the one they pick to meet Shamu and get the chance to stroke him. What a fabulous way to end your day at SeaWorld.
The show involves the trainers bringing the family members out and interacting with them, showing that they have 100% trust in these beautiful creatures. You must make sure you have your camera or camcorder, if not you will be so so disappointed at the missed photo opportunity. The stadium fills up very quick and so early planning is essential if you want to see this show.
The children love to get splashed by the Killer Whales as they swim passed and wet everyone with their fluke. Cutting through the freezing cold sea water. Although we now sit in the upper tier of the stand to avoid getting wet, not good for your electrical equipment but amazing fun for the youngsters. The breathtaking displays of power, grace and beauty will amaze you and your family.
There's one part of the show where the trainers water ski on the backs of the Killer Whales, they then get the Killer Whale to push them under water and then both trainer and Killer Whale leap up out of the water before diving back in. Both are airborne for a brief moment and totally out of the water.
The trainer is also launched from the water by the Killer Whale in another magnificent display of power and trust. Its just amazing when you think that the largest Killer Whale they have is around twelve thousand pounds and they swim in around seven million gallons of sea water There's also an underwater viewing area to the front of the stadium where you can see them playing, this is also a good place to take photo's if you have a fast enough camera. By far the most amazing show you will see at SeaWorld. Memories that last a lifetime.
Our overview of SeaWorld
This can be a fast paced day if your time is limited, but if not we suggest you allow a whole day to make sure you see all what SeaWorld as to offer. Get there early and stay till late. Planning your days around the shows you want to see will help your day go smoothly and ensure you get the most from your time at SeaWorld.
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