Went to SeaWorld twice last week, not having gone to the parks since Christmas 2003. That was the one and only time I had ever gone before, because when I go to Orlando I typically stay at either Disney or Universal and don't go elsewhere. So glad I decided to go this time.
I bought a 3-day, ticket with all-day dining online through Visit Orlando and they had the best price. My plan was to visit Busch Gardens too, but I did not get up in time to catch the bus after staying up late for HHN (d'oh!). It was only $25 more to get the 3rd day, so I thought why not?
Still, it was a great day to visit SeaWorld last Monday. Short waits for the rides, though the shows I saw were mostly full. Arrived shortly after opening and stayed until 5:00pm. The all-day locker was worth the extra $15 vs paying for each ride. I did the following rides and shows:
Kraken, Mako, Manta, Infinity Falls, Antartica, Atlantis, One Ocean, Dolphin Days, Sea Lion High + I visited the sting ray petting area and the manatees
Kraken was the best coaster IMO. Manta was unlike any other I've been on, but kind of uncomfortable for me. Mako was hilarious IMO because it's basically Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland. Same vehicles and similar track layout (also over a lake). Atlantis was a lot of fun and I was not expecting the second drop. Not the best dark ride, but they tried. I don't know what FX are not working (if any). Antartica was...a thing? Is that little room before you board supposed to do something? The "wild" side wasn't really that, but at least the penguins are cute (holy cow is that area COLD!). Infinity Falls was better than KRR at AK.
I saw Sea Lion High last, and that was a mistake. The other shows were better, though Lion had some good gags it was obviously geared more towards children. I unexpectedly picked a spot at Dolphin Days where one of the bird handlers were standing right next to me so I got a good view of them. I sat in the "splash" zone at One Ocean thinking "how wet can you really get?" and got soaked. Was not expecting the "trick" where the whales intentionally splash you.
One the 2nd day (Wed) I just went in the late afternoon to ride Kraken, Atlantis (x2), look at the Dolphin Nursery and grab dinner. Infinity Falls was not open. Missed the last show of Pet's Ahoy! so that was the one show I didn't see all trip (excluding Countdown to Halloween).
Overall I liked SeaWorld better than any 2nd gate at WDW and would rank it third behind IoA and MK. Ticket and food combos are a better value and it's nice to talk to the animal trainers/caretakers who are always willing to answer questions. Coasters are better and it's not as busy. SeaWorld may outdo WDW in terms of saccharine music, lol. The entry loop and One Ocean soundtracks were pretty cheesy.
I took the Lynx bus from Disney Springs most trips. It's $2 each way and picks you up just west of Cirque and drops you off just outside the parking lot on Sea Harbor Drive. The only downside is hiking across the hot lot to get to the trusstiles. I got lucky not waiting long most trips, but coming back on the 2nd day I waited about 30 min for the bus to come (not that such a thing ever happens at WDW, right? ).
I bought a 3-day, ticket with all-day dining online through Visit Orlando and they had the best price. My plan was to visit Busch Gardens too, but I did not get up in time to catch the bus after staying up late for HHN (d'oh!). It was only $25 more to get the 3rd day, so I thought why not?
Still, it was a great day to visit SeaWorld last Monday. Short waits for the rides, though the shows I saw were mostly full. Arrived shortly after opening and stayed until 5:00pm. The all-day locker was worth the extra $15 vs paying for each ride. I did the following rides and shows:
Kraken, Mako, Manta, Infinity Falls, Antartica, Atlantis, One Ocean, Dolphin Days, Sea Lion High + I visited the sting ray petting area and the manatees
Kraken was the best coaster IMO. Manta was unlike any other I've been on, but kind of uncomfortable for me. Mako was hilarious IMO because it's basically Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland. Same vehicles and similar track layout (also over a lake). Atlantis was a lot of fun and I was not expecting the second drop. Not the best dark ride, but they tried. I don't know what FX are not working (if any). Antartica was...a thing? Is that little room before you board supposed to do something? The "wild" side wasn't really that, but at least the penguins are cute (holy cow is that area COLD!). Infinity Falls was better than KRR at AK.
I saw Sea Lion High last, and that was a mistake. The other shows were better, though Lion had some good gags it was obviously geared more towards children. I unexpectedly picked a spot at Dolphin Days where one of the bird handlers were standing right next to me so I got a good view of them. I sat in the "splash" zone at One Ocean thinking "how wet can you really get?" and got soaked. Was not expecting the "trick" where the whales intentionally splash you.
One the 2nd day (Wed) I just went in the late afternoon to ride Kraken, Atlantis (x2), look at the Dolphin Nursery and grab dinner. Infinity Falls was not open. Missed the last show of Pet's Ahoy! so that was the one show I didn't see all trip (excluding Countdown to Halloween).
Overall I liked SeaWorld better than any 2nd gate at WDW and would rank it third behind IoA and MK. Ticket and food combos are a better value and it's nice to talk to the animal trainers/caretakers who are always willing to answer questions. Coasters are better and it's not as busy. SeaWorld may outdo WDW in terms of saccharine music, lol. The entry loop and One Ocean soundtracks were pretty cheesy.
I took the Lynx bus from Disney Springs most trips. It's $2 each way and picks you up just west of Cirque and drops you off just outside the parking lot on Sea Harbor Drive. The only downside is hiking across the hot lot to get to the trusstiles. I got lucky not waiting long most trips, but coming back on the 2nd day I waited about 30 min for the bus to come (not that such a thing ever happens at WDW, right? ).