How much time to budget?

[awoogala]

We have tickets to Seaworld.
First time for my family (I went a few times about 20 years ago!)
They do not want to see any shows. They want to see all the animal displays, and ride the rides.
I am guessing this will not take all day, since we won't have to squeeze in the shows.
How long would you budget?
The park is open 9-6 pm that day, we will have early admission through a group, so I am assuming we will run to Manta first, to get that out of the way? (unless antartica gets worse lines?)

 

[919Florida]

We have tickets to Seaworld.
First time for my family (I went a few times about 20 years ago!)
They do not want to see any shows. They want to see all the animal displays, and ride the rides. I am guessing this will not take all day, since we won't have to squeeze in the shows.
How long would you budget?.

Run to Antarctica first. Those lines get longer and faster then Manta. Early entry will get you in there very fast with probably little to no wait. When I had my early entry we rode it Antarctica three times in the hour before the park opened. You should be able to easily ride Manta and Antarctica in that time. The animals can be very fun to watch. For animal exhibits I would budget 15 – 30 mins to see each one. Since you’re not seeing shows make sure to enjoy the animals. Talk to the educators about the animals and learn more facts about them and how SeaWorld cares for them. I would say plan to be there till around 2 if you are getting there at 8. That should give you plenty of time and not feel in a hurry. There is a lot of animal experiences all over the park.

 

[awoogala]

Run to Antarctica first. Those lines get longer and faster then Manta. Early entry will get you in there very fast with probably little to no wait. When I had my early entry we rode it Antarctica three times in the hour before the park opened. You should be able to easily ride Manta and Antarctica in that time. The animals can be very fun to watch. For animal exhibits I would budget 15 – 30 mins to see each one. Since you’re not seeing shows make sure to enjoy the animals. Talk to the educators about the animals and learn more facts about them and how SeaWorld cares for them. I would say plan to be there till around 2 if you are getting there at 8. That should give you plenty of time and not feel in a hurry. There is a lot of animal experiences all over the park.

Thanks!
I knew we wouldn't be there all day! Nice to know, now I can book some fp+ for later in the day.

 

[luv]

I think you're going to change your mind about the shows. They're the big attraction. Big productions in stadiums. My least favorite is Clyde and Seamore, whatever that is called, but kids love that one best. It's cute and funny, if you've never seen it. (If you've seen it 100 times, it's less cute.) The Shamu show is great (though they're no longer riding on him) and the dolphin show is fantastic. If I had to recommend just one, it would be the dolphins!

The Antarctica ride is barely a ride. It really isn't very good at all. It's extremely short!!!!!

Going to Sea World and skipping the shows is a lot like going to Disney or Uni and skipping the attractions. Sea World is a very different and unique experience. It's not a rush-around-and-get-things-done kind of park. The only way to enjoy it is to slow down and take it all in.

If you just want to ride a few rides and look at displays, you should be able to get that done in less than a day very easily. You can feed the sea lions, if you go at the feeding times. There is a sink to wash the stink of the fish off your hands.

When I eat at Sea World, I go to the Smokehouse. It's the only good quick food in the place, IMO. I've never eaten in any of the restaurants.

 

[awoogala]

I think you're going to change your mind about the shows. They're the big attraction. Big productions in stadiums. My least favorite is Clyde and Seamore, whatever that is called, but kids love that one best. It's cute and funny, if you've never seen it. (If you've seen it 100 times, it's less cute.) The Shamu show is great (though they're no longer riding on him) and the dolphin show is fantastic. If I had to recommend just one, it would be the dolphins!

The Antarctica ride is barely a ride. It really isn't very good at all. It's extremely short!!!!!

Going to Sea World and skipping the shows is a lot like going to Disney or Uni and skipping the attractions. Sea World is a very different and unique experience. It's not a rush-around-and-get-things-done kind of park. The only way to enjoy it is to slow down and take it all in.

If you just want to ride a few rides and look at displays, you should be able to get that done in less than a day very easily. You can feed the sea lions, if you go at the feeding times. There is a sink to wash the stink of the fish off your hands.

When I eat at Sea World, I go to the Smokehouse. It's the only good quick food in the place, IMO. I've never eaten in any of the restaurants.

My kids are huge animal fans, but they don't like to see them doing trained acts, they think it's cruel. They love to see animals, but only if they are just being themselves. We do the Bronx zoo and the Aquarium a lot- we saw the sea lions perform once, and they are done with it. I've asked them numerous times and they are adamant about not going to the shows. Since we are part of a group, our tickets were cheap, and they are doing a presentation for us in the morning for 30 minutes, so I think that will be enough for them. Thanks!

 

[919Florida]

My kids are huge animal fans, but they don't like to see them doing trained acts, they think it's cruel. They love to see animals, but only if they are just being themselves. We do the Bronx zoo and the Aquarium a lot- we saw the sea lions perform once, and they are done with it. I've asked them numerous times and they are adamant about not going to the shows. Since we are part of a group, our tickets were cheap, and they are doing a presentation for us in the morning for 30 minutes, so I think that will be enough for them. Thanks!

Can understand that. Maximize the animal interactions. There are lots to see and its fun to talk to the educators to learn what they have to tell you. Ask questions ete and ask for facts. You really can learn a lot. Enjoy your trip and just make sure not to miss Antartica (as long as its not a long wait) ride the wild side. Its about a 2 min ride. Its not no thrilling ride but its still a fun journey to get to the penguins. Be prepared to be freezing in there but seeing penguins is very worth it. At the end of the exhibit is a 20 foot glass window that is an underwater viewing area where you can see the penguins swimming and taking dives etc. Lots of fun.

 

[OFTeric]

My kids are huge animal fans, but they don't like to see them doing trained acts, they think it's cruel. They love to see animals, but only if they are just being themselves. We do the Bronx zoo and the Aquarium a lot- we saw the sea lions perform once, and they are done with it. I've asked them numerous times and they are adamant about not going to the shows. Since we are part of a group, our tickets were cheap, and they are doing a presentation for us in the morning for 30 minutes, so I think that will be enough for them. Thanks!

If your kids are like that, they honestly might really like Blue Horizons, which has dolphins a lot of times acting without the trainers and humans doing more tricks than the dolphins! lol

The show is emotional, and beautiful. Just give it a chance, and if your kids won't join, I honestly recommend that you sneak and go see it by yourself then!

But I also recommend the dolphin feeding, Sea Lion and Seal feeding, and Stingray feedings. If you can, I also suggest you do one of the inexpensive behind the scenes tours either the Penguin or the Wild Arctic. It will give you a look into the behind the scenes at SeaWorld, so you can see how incredible their facilities are, and how dedicated to the animals the staff is!

I hope you have an incredible time!