-
Step 1
Take the time to go to the shows. You will be given a brochure with the show schedule upon entering. Some shows are only shown once during the day so be sure to plan your time to see all of the shows of interest to you. If the park is open into the night, you will have a chance to see different shows too.
-
Step 2
Make the trip educational by reading the informative placards in the aquarium areas. There is a World of the Sea Aquarium and a Freshwater Aquarium, so you get to see an amazing variety of sea life. The hands-on touch pools have staff available to answer questions and provide information on the types of sea life in the touch pool. The Tide Pool is full of beautifully colored starfish which can be touched.
-
Step 3
Save your money at the touch pools. At the ray touch pool (called Forbidden Reef), they sell fish to feed the rays for $5 per plate. You can do the same at Rocky Point Preserve to feed the dolphins. While this seemed like a fun idea, we actually found it be a waste of money since the rays and dolphins were well-fed and not hungry enough to want the fish.
-
Step 4
There are three rides included in the price of admission (there are two additional rides available at a fee of $3 each-- Bayside Skyride and Skytower Ride). Shipwreck Rapids is a raft ride. There are many twists and turns, rapids and a tunnel but no major drops so this one is good for even younger children. Journey to Atlantis is a log-style water ride / roller coaster. This ride starts with a large climb then drop. After the water ride part you go in a dark elevator type of contraption which takes you up to start a roller coaster. This one might be a little scary for young children. The Wild Arctic is a helicopter simulator ride which takes you over a beautiful Artic Landscape, but watch out for the winter storm blowing in. This turns into a rough ride.
-
Step 5
Use the convenient child swap areas if you have young children. One parent can ride while the other waits, then swap places without having to wait in the whole line again.
-
Step 6
Visit the Clydesdales at their barn. There is even a scheduled Clydesdale Presentation and Photo Opportunity time.
-
Step 7
If you have the budget to do so, reserve a spot to Dine with Shamu. Though the price might seem overwhelming at first glance, this could be the highlight of your Sea World trip. The afternoon dining starts at $36 per adult. Breakfast with Shamu is a bit cheaper (starting at $24) and an amazing way to start your day at Sea World. You will be seated pool side, where you can see perfectly how the trainers interact with "Shamu". At the same time, a tasty meal is served.
-
Step 8
If you sit in a soak zone during a show, you will most likely get wet...very wet! Remember that the water is salt water so it is not kind to electronics. If you would like to sit in the soak zone, you might want to purchase a disposable camera to use during the shows. Otherwise, you will probably spend most of the show worrying about shielding your camera.
-
Step 9
Planning on going on the water rides or sitting in the soak zone? Dress appropriately for easy drying. If you wear denim, you are likely to stay wet and uncomfortable most of the day. Light airy cotton clothing dries quickly and is more comfortable even while wet.
-
Step 10
The best show seats fill up early so get to the stadium at least 30 minutes in advance. There are vendors who walk around selling snacks, drinks and other essentials such as water proof cameras and towels or blankets. There are pre-show activities to keep you entertained while you wait for the show to start.
-
Step 11
If you have already seen the shows you wanted to see, try to ride the rides while others are in the shows. We noticed the lines were considerably shorter during show times, especially during Shamu’s show.
-
Step 12
Exiting the parking lot at closing time is difficult. The parking lot is not well sign-posted for easy exiting. It is amazing to see people who have just enjoyed a day at a theme park become so rude and aggressive while trying to exit the parking lot. Be prepared to wait in line for quite awhile.
