Shamu Shamu Shamu !!!! (Seaworld Adventure Park (Florida))

Member Name: docpov

Product:	Seaworld Adventure Park (Florida)
Date:	15/04/07 (217 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A wonderful day out and a learning experience too

Disadvantages: The crowds and the fierce sun.

The sun is in a cloudless sky and excitement is rising as it always does when a day out is getting closer by the mile. Our trip to sea world was no exception

Arriving…

The easiest way to get to Seaworld is from Interstate 4 either exit 72 if you are coming from Orlando or exit 71 if you are coming from Tampa. Seaworld is signposted at both exits.
If you are coming from further in town get on International Drive and follow that and you will see Seaworld on your right hand side.

Parking…

Parking will cost you $10, all the parks charge extra for parking, something that I think is a bit steep considering what you pay for a ticket.
Parking is well managed with staff showing you where to park. If you park in parks A-E then you are in walking distance but higher and there is a tram shuttle to take you to the entrance.

Docpov tip:-
Tie something bright to the aerial of your car to help you find it when you come out as the car parks are huge.

Admission…

There are so many different deals and ticket pricing but if you arrive to pay on the day then it will cost:-
Adult $ 64.95
Child $ 53.95

We visited on a 4 park Orlando flexiticket which gave us unlimited admission to Seaworld as well as the Universal parks and wet and wild.
This cost :-
Adult $ 194.95
Child $ 160.95

There are so many different tickets and multipark tickets that I would suggest either working with your travel agent or checking out what ticket is going to offer you the best value in advance of your visit.

As we had booked this as part of our package we could bypass the ticket buying part of the entry process.
Part two involves a security search of any bag you may have brought with you. A pain but necessary in today’s world I guess.
Finally you show your ticket and get your index finger scanned then you are in to enjoy a world of discovery and adventure.

When can I go?...

Seaworld opens at 9.00AM daily and closes at varying times dependent on season. Summertime closing is 10.00PM but earlier closing times as early as 6.00PM occur at different times of year.

The park…

Well we are in now what?
It is slightly daunting, especially if this is the first park you are visiting so grab yourself a map from just inside the entrance and see what you want to see and see what time the various shows are on so you can at least partially plan your day.

Docpov tip 2 :-
If you have youngsters with you, even up to the age of six or seven it really is worth hiring a stroller as there will be a lot of walking involved in your visit. Also it is handy for carrying the drinks and purchases etc that you will accumulate thro8ughout the day.

Strollers and wheelchairs…

Both are available to hire near the entrance.
Cost:-
Single stroller :- $ 9.39 + tax
Double stroller :- $ 16.90 + tax
Wheelchair :- $ 10.00 no tax
ECV (electric wheelchair) :- $35 no tax. There are conditions applied to this rental though minimum age 16 and a deposit is applied if hired on the day.

Docpov tip 3:-
Prices as in most places in the US don’t have the tax added (VAT equivalent) to the advertised price so expect to pay a little more than the price you are shown on all taxable purchases.

A quick word about our visit :-

The first day we visited turned a bit wet, well we were getting soaked actually so we revisited again the next day in brilliant sunshine thus with some of the shows I am able to give a view on shows at different times of day and describe the experience in different weather conditions.

Where to start?...

The highlight of your day will quite possibly be the “Believe” killer whale show. It is an amazing spectacular which will not fail to leave you awed and emotionally touched.

Docpov tip 4 :-
We visited shows at 11.00 and 5.30PM. While both shows were awe inspiring the shows were different and we found the earlier one to be slightly better than the later as the show seemed to be longer and Shamu certainly did more. So I would suggest the earlier show.
Believe.
“Believe” is a perfect title for this show, I call it a show but it really is an experience unlike any other I have witnessed. It is set in a huge stadium with a covered, semicircular tiered grandstand overlooking a huge pool and stage area. The backdrop includes four massive rotating screens that make up the first part of the show. This is educational with a strong environmental message that is the perfect warm up to actually seeing the whales. It does include a tribute to America’s and the UK’s personnel that are involved in conflict throughout the world. It is an emotional moment when members of the armed forces past and present are asked to stand and are applauded but I do wonder if this is a bit misplaced, anyway back to the show.
The first part of the show is performed by the ladies and their young. To see these wonderful animals in their element is wonderful. They are so graceful and their size alone is awe inspiring and just watching them as they interact with the trainers throughout the show is a great experience. Throughout the whole show the environmental message is put forward very strongly.
The first part is a fantastic experience but now the trainers come to the crowd and whip us up for the arrival of Shamu, the male killer whale. This part of the show can not fail to affect you and as the chanting rises Shamu bursts from the water. It is something I will never forget. He is such a majestic animal, proud and strong, he is enormous and I defy anyone not to be affected by his presence. Overall this show is not to be missed. The whole show is set to and many of the whales actions are set in time to a musical score by the Czech Philharmonic orchestra that adds another whole dimension to the show.

Show times on the day we were there were :-

11.00, 12.30, 2.00, 3.30, 7.45 and 9.15 at the Shamu stadium
These times may vary according to day of visit and time of year.

Docpov tips 5 and 6:-
Don’t sit in the soak zone unless you want to get VERY wet.

Get to the show a minimum of half an hour before the show time as although it is a big stadium all the shows fill up quickly.

What next then?
Things to see:-

Shark encounter.
This starts with a walk though an educational area that tells you about sharks, their environments and the dangers they face in today’s world. There are also environments with many types of fish including barracudas. The highlight of this exhibit has to be the moving walkway that transports you though an arched corridor of plexiglass under an enormous shark tank. This is fantastic as you get to see the graceful sharks swimming all around you. The moving floor also makes sure that you get a great view without having to barge through the crowd.

Penguin encounter.
Set out much like the shark encounter and there is another moving walkway that you ride past a huge habitat where you can see both above and below the water and see the penguins in both. Also in here are the puffins, the same as the penguins you can see them both above and below the water.
It is a touch smelly in here but its not too bad.

Manatee rescue.
These are amazing animals and probably like us one that you won’t have seen before. They are an incredible gentle animal that has been sadly much diminished by human disregard as with many other species. Seaworld does a lot of work rescuing these animals as well as a breeding programme and much more work behind the scenes as with many of the other species within the park.
Manatee rescue has the same educational message as the other exhibits and allows you to see these wonderful creatures both above the water outside and under the water inside.

Dolphin cove.
Dolphins within reach, another once in a lifetime experience. This is a huge habitat where the dolphins can be touched and interacted with. Throughout the day there are feedings and educational lectures take place and there are always staff on hand to ensure the welfare of the dolphins as well as to answer any questions you may have.

Turtle beach.
See Loggerhead and Green turtles up close and again learn more about them from either information stands or from keepers that are only too happy to answer questions.

Dolphin nursery.
This is where the baby dolphins and their mums live before they are old enough to go to dolphin cove. Lectures again provide an education into these wonderful creatures and just seeing them up close is a wonderful experience.

Stingray lagoon.
Another interactive experience, there are lectures to learn about stingrays and you can trail your hands in the water to touch them, also you can buy fish to feed them, just watching them is a great experience in itself.

Pacific point preserve.
Here you can get up close and personal with sea lions and harbour seals. The environment is a recreation of a Northern pacific coast and is well worth seeing. Here again you can learn more about the animals.

Wild arctic.
This is part of a ride as well as a chance to see some amazing animals, more on the ride part later but for now you have the chance to see both above and below water Polar bears and Walrus as well as the incredible Beluga whales. All these animals are housed in a massive 900,000 gallon seawater tank that is complete with a fantastic above water habitat to make their home as real for them as possible it is kept at a low temperature. These are seen below ground and it can get a bit hot and stuffy in here especially after the ride.

Docpov tip 7:-
In all probability unless you are unlucky as we were on our first visit it is going to be hot so make sure you have plenty to drink. Drinks on site are quite expensive as you would expect so I would suggest taking some of the much cheaper supermarket bought drinks or a good tip is to put a couple of bottles of water in the freezer the night before you go and then you will have ice cold water throughout your visit as it gradually melts.

Want a break from animals for a bit? Then it might be time for a ride. Be prepared for a long wait !!! The queues do get very long for the popular rides.

Rides :-
There are only a few big rides at Seaworld, thrill rides are not really what this park is all about but there are a few for you thrillseekers.
I must admit that I am not really one for the big coasters and as we had our little one under the height restriction we didn’t dare them apart from wild arctic but this is what you can expect.

The Kraken
As you can probably tell from the name it is a bit of a monster, seven inversions at speeds of up to 65 mph rising to heights of 140 feet so if that is what gets you going no shortage of thrills there.

Journey to Atlantis
This is a water roller coaster combining special effects with turns and sharp drops. We heard that one of the drops is 60 feet almost vertical. Again height restrictions apply.

Wild Arctic
This is one that we did dare, wished we hadn’t too but that is just us.
There are two choices in this ride, the pedestrian route and the helicopter route. On the pedestrian route you watch the film from a stationary perspective before moving on to see the animal habitats below.
Take the helicopter option and you are in for it. This is a high speed helicopter simulation with a dramatic film of the arctic in front of you. You are certainly thrown about in there as the copter goes through a series of dramatic manoeuvres. I have to say we were all left feeling rather more than vaguely sick by that and then to have to go into the enclosed atmosphere of the underground habitat was a little more than we had bargained for but seeing the magnificent animals more than made up for an iffy stomach.

Shows…

Of course the main attraction is the “Believe” show but that is certainly not to say that the others are not worth a look because they all are. All very different but all well worth looking at.

Odyssea
This is an inside show in a large theatre called the Nautilus Theatre. The show is one of dramatic music and dance mixed in with high and low acrobatics and a touch of comedy all set in a mystical underworld scene. As with all the shows it is only about half an hour so it doesn’t take that much time out of your day but you are advised to get there early to get a seat as all the shows fill up fast.

Show times on the day we were there were:-

12.30, 3.15, 5.00 and 6.30 at the Nautilus theatre
These times may vary according to day of visit and time of year.

Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island

More comedy in this show, it features Clyde and Seamore, two sea lions who generally help and hinder their fellow human actors in their quest for the treasure aided and abetted by otters and even a huge walrus. Great fun for the kids this one with plenty of visual as well as vocal gags. My kids were both in hysterics and I raised a smile or two as well.
This show varies with the weather as it is outside and some of the dry weather things that occur would not be safe for the animals to do in wet weather.

Show times when we were there were:-

10.00, 11.30, 1.00, 2.30, 3.45, 5.45 and 7.15 at the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium
These times may vary according to day of visit and time of year.

Blue Horizons.

This show is fantastic and not far behind the “Believe” show in being dramatic and a great spectacle. The show is a mix of dolphins, high diving and ariel acrobatics.
Add to that blue macaws swooping over your head and you have a spectacle to behold.
I can’t fully put into words all the drama of this show, there are just too many elements to describe but the dolphins are spectacular and a joy to behold as they leap and somersault through the air and propel their human friends though the water and the air. The human diving and acrobatics compliment the dolphins perfectly and the musical score rounds off the experience.
We saw one of the last shows of the day and the whales didn’t feature but I think they do in the earlier performances although I am not certain of that.

Show times on the day we were there were:-

12.30, 1.45, 3.15, 5.15 6.45 and 8.15 at the Whale and Dolphin Theatre
These times may vary according to day of visit and time of year.

Other shows that we didn’t see include
Elmo and the bookaneers
Show times 1.15 and 4.15 at the Bayside stadium

Pets Ahoy
Show times 10.45, 12.15, 1.45, 3.15, 5.15 and 6.45 at Seaport theatre.

Mystify
A water and firework spectacular
Show time 10.00pm at the waterfront.
As we didn’t see these shows I don’t know what they are like but I am sure they are up to the very high standards of the other shows.

There are other shows and special attractions such as behind the scenes with “Believe” and personal encounters with the sharks and other animals. These special shows and encounters are limited and book up very quickly, I don’t know but I would imagine that they are all booked up before the day because on both our visits they were sold out and as on our first visit we were there soon after opening and they were sold out then so although they would all be brilliant experiences I think the chances of getting on them are very slim.

Docpov tip 8:-
Arrive early for the shows as apart from it being better to wait sitting down in your seat if you turn up[ near the start of the show there is a good chance you will miss out

Still not had enough?

Well if you have any time or energy left there are still plenty of things to do like visit some of the many shops and stalls that are to be found throughout the park. To some extent they are themed to where they are situated like the shops near the manatees sold goods with a manatee theme and so on.

If the kids have more energy than you do there is Shamu’s happy harbour, situated by the Shamu stadium it is a kid’s play area complete with bouncy castles (enclosed) and a four story net adventure as well as small children rides. It is a good area for the kids to run off while the aged parents take a breather in the shade for a little while. That was how we used it anyway. Also near here are stalls where you win cuddly toys, you know the sort, putting rings over bottles or fishing for ducks etc. Of course these are pay for activities. We gave them a miss as we might have had a job getting a five foot tiger or life-sized Spiderman on the plane.

Oh I almost forgot, there is a 400 foot observation tower that you can go up in a large revolving structure. Must be a great view over the whole area but we didn’t go on as there is a height restriction and we just didn’t have time.

Eating and Drinking:-

With all the walking and the hot sun you are going to get hungry throughout the day and drinking plenty is a necessity to stave off dehydration in the hot sun as well as satisfying your thirst. I mentioned a couple of ideas in a previous tip but believe me drink plenty and regularly during your trip it is necessary.
There are stalls selling drinks throughout the park as well as selling Budweiser, yes the park is owned by the Anheuser-Busch family who own Budweiser, but they sell plenty of soft drinks and water as well. One good option is to buy a plastic souvenir cup and get cheaper refills throughout the day.
Eating, there are many restaurants and snack bars in the park selling a large range of food just a small selection includes:-

Smokey Creek grill
Barbequed food including ribs and chicken

The deli
Sandwiches and salads. These sandwiches are huge and are a meal in themselves. I had a turkey one and it kept me going for ages.

Mama’s Kitchen
More sandwich style eating plus salads and chicken.

There are many others all offering reasonably priced (for a theme park) food of many different styles and tastes.

There are many stands selling popcorn and crisps amongst other snack fare dotted around the park so you are never far from a bite to eat.

Something we did was booked an all in picnic. This is set in a private area with indoor and outdoor seating. For a price of $13.95+tax per adult and $7.95 +tax for kids this makes for a great relaxed meal.
For your money you literally get all you can eat plus free soft drinks. I think this is great value.
The fayre is basic, burgers and hotdogs style of food but it is well cooked and you can have as much as you want.
The picnics are available to be booked at a desk just inside the entrance.
Picnic times are 1.30 and 5.30, space is limited so booking is essential.

Special needs:-

As I mentioned at the start wheelchairs and ECV’s are available to hire and are catered for at all the show venues. There are special viewing slots for wheelchairs and entry ramps to enable wheelchairs to be easily taken in. There are very few steps anywhere in the park so wheelchairs and unsighted guests can go virtually anywhere within the park.
The park seems to take the needs of its less able guests very seriously and staff are on hand should you need assistance.

A mention on the staff, we found them all to be very friendly and helpful and always had a cheery word for our little one. The trainers and keepers were knowledgeable about the animals, habitats etc and were always ready to answer questions which we found really helpful. Its amazing what questions a five year old can come up with.

A word from me.

I think you can probably guess that we loved the place and I would be more than happy to make another visit should the opportunity arise.
There is so much to do, we didn’t cover everything on two visits although one was cut short by the rain so I would recommend making sure you see the shows and attractions you want to the most first and then see what time you have left. I am sure you would enjoy a visit as much as we did.

A word on conservation.

Just by visiting you are helping toward conservation efforts with part of your entrance fee going toward conservation projects.
Just as importantly you and all the other visitors are learning and in learning maybe becoming more conscious of the world around us. That is the message I came away with, I love wildlife especially aquatic wildlife and this visit made me even more aware of what the human race is doing to our planet.

There is so much more I could have mentioned, like the beautiful landscaping and the cleanliness of the park to the clean and fresh restrooms.
There is nothing that I can say against Seaworld except for the crowds but I guess that is just something that has to be put up with although I must say that the crowds were not as bad as Disney.

Docpov’s final tip :-
When you want to visit an encounter or grab something to eat if you time it so one of the big shows is on you will find the queues are shorter than at other times.

And on that note all that is left for me is to wish you a great visit should you have the opportunity and I am sure you will enjoy the experience as much as we have.


A few bits.
There are more Seaworld parks in San Diego and San Antonio.
More info can be found at Seaworld.com or telephoning local number 800-327-2424

©Docpov April 2007

Summary: A wonderful place to visit and you will learn a lot there as well.