See the World (Seaworld Adventure Park (Florida))

Member Name: charlieuk

Product:	Seaworld Adventure Park (Florida)
Date:	02/08/05 (216 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An Original Florida Theme park

Disadvantages: Some of the restaurants and eateries a little pricey

See this World

Seaworld is quite different from other attractions in Orlando in that the thrill rides are not the main focus of the park. As such, the pace and queues are not quite as painful, although be aware that if you want to see every show and attraction a good deal of walking will be required. Seaworld are (or at least were, at the time of writing) offering a free day pass return within 7 days of your first visit. Assuming that you are on a two-week vacation, plan to visit sometime during your first week so that you can make use of the free second admission. A half day second visit will easily allow you to fill the gaps on anything you missed out on first time around.


Now for the park itself. There are 6 key visitor attractions, consisting of 2 of rides and 4 shows. Queues and time restrictions mean that it is better to plan these in and fit the rest of your day around your schedule. It is worth planning ahead to make sure that you make the most of your time. Seaworld is one park where it really pays to organise your day as so many of the attractions are running to specific times.

The 2 adult ‘thrill’ rides are Journey to Atlantis, and the Kraken rollercoaster. My advice is to arrive early and ride these before the park gets really busy. (they are next to each other at the back of the park) Atlantis is a pretty good water ride with some pretty quick twists & turns, and Kraken is a mean floorless coaster, which in my experience is for adults only! After doing these hopefully the rest of the day will not be the marathon sprint that Universal and Disney subject the visitor to.

4 hugely entertaining shows must not be missed;

Shamu Adventure (day show, several) and Shamu Rocks America (evening, one only)

Killer whale shows that demonstrate the power and beauty of these magnificent mammals. The evening show, as the name suggests, is set to a soundtrack that pumps out music as dusk draws in. Arrive early to get a good seat, the video screens provide plenty of entertainment (for the kids!) and be warned that the soak zones will get soaked. (Seriously, make sure that cameras/electrical kit is protected if you sit at the front.

Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island (day show, several)

Slapstick, pirate-fest, with sea lions & otters stealing both the treasure & the show. A wonderful show presented on a great set – in keeping with the other shows this has some great pre-show entertainment too, in the form of a pirate humiliating & embarrassing all and sundry, particularly late arrivals.

Key West Dolphins (day show, several)

A similar theme to the previous shows, although I hear that this has been rebranded Blue Horizons and includes birds, whales and dolphins in a whole new experience. Will update next month when I get back to let you know the detail!


In between all these shows, there is still plenty to do. Some of my favourites are as follows: Dolphin Cove & nursery, where you have the opportunity to feed the dolphins (great marketing – make your guests pay to enter the park, buy fish and feed the population themselves!) and see some rather small new arrivals. Manatees: The Last Generation, which is a rather poignant look at the shrinking number of these incredible creatures. Shark encounter, which after all these cuddly Disney-esque characters is quite a refreshing change!

If you really can’t take anymore sealife then try the Annheuser Busch hospitality centre for a few cold ones (nominate a return driver before you arrive!)

There are plenty of places to eat at Seaworld, and the park remains open after the attractions close for dining and night-time fun down at the Waterfront. The choices are generally more upmarket than some of the other parks in the region, but there is still enough variety to please most.


Anything not so great? What should I miss out?

Every main attraction in Florida is big enough to pretty much demand a second visit by all but the most seasoned park-goer. If you aren’t one of these then perhaps avoid the following:

The wild arctic is a fun ride-simulator adventure followed by entry into an icy climate as the name suggests. This attraction is on the far side of the park in relation to many of the other attractions, and I found that some of the animals were no shows. Worth a look, don’t get me wrong, but if it’s getting late in the day and your children are complaining of sore feet then give it a miss.


Hope this review helps someone, gives a flavour of what is good and how to see it, without spoiling the SeaWorld experience!

Summary: Seaworld might not be number one before you arrive, it will be two weeks later!