Sea World, Orlando

You will be thrilled to the max at the three watery attractions that will get you wet and wild in Orlando. A roller coaster will surprise you into a dark and watery passageways through the sunken city that flung into the waters below. This can happen only at the SeaWorld Orlando, a place where you will encounter the mystery of the sea and the sea life. The Discovery Cove Resort is an inclusive park that will give you a chance to snorkel through stunning coral reefs and exotic fish. You can hold on to the dolphins and play with them and have a ride of a lifetime. Aquatica is another water park just across the SeaWorld. Enjoy a shaded area with your own lounger and umbrella or stay cool and relax at your private cabana.

DO NOT PAY FOR THE SEA LION TOUR. I would give it no stars, but that was not an option. Save your money because you will not be up-close with a sea lion like the title and the picture suggest. First, you go to Pacific Point Preserve and they tell you the difference between a sea lion and a seal; which can be read on the signs around the exhibit. Next, you go to where the “Clyde & Seamore” show takes place. You are asked to sit in the first two rows and then are quickly taken up to the tank, a group at the time to have your picture quickly taken. You are not allow to look at the sea lion (you keep your back towards him) and have to take a large step forward before you can walk back to your seats. Then you head back to Pacific Point Preserve where you are given a bucket of fish to feed them with everyone else. Just save your money and get to the show early to sit in the first two rows and spend $20 and get five trays of fish to feed the seals/sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve.

4 more images

Sea World Orlando

Of all the theme parks in the Orlando area, Sea World reigns as my favorite. Of course, the park is most known for its animals and animal shows, but it does have a growing collection of impressive roller coasters as well. Personally, I'm not into roller coasters, but I love sea life a great deal. At Sea World, the viewing windows are such that you can get right up close and personal with dolphins and even a killer whale! I also do like taking the ride up to the top of the Skytower. The views of the surrounding area, from Downtown Orlando to Lake Buena Vista are simply amazing!

Be aware that they are no longer owned by Busch but by the company that own Alton Towers and their service is appalling. We were wrongly advised of prices, then they would not respond to our complaint forcing us to purchase fast passes (as we said to the children that the original price quoted was acceptable to our budget) at an exorbitant price as they fail to display their charges at all and change the price charged on a 'day to day' basis. When trying to speak to a supervisor or manager they refuse to come to see you. When trying to complain in writing they refuse to respond to your complaint at all. Staff are rude and have to follow directives from senior management and have no discretion. A family with a child with a disability was asked to prove the disability - we could see that the child had mental disabilities but they were totally unable to get away fro their 'rules'.
Overall a waste of money as even with the fast passes the rides were not all open (even from the start of the day) and staff selling the fast passes were not even aware of this. The food and drink was overprices even at theme park prices. The staff were rude and unhappy with the new owners (many would advise of this). Not a place to have a great time unless you have an endless amount of cash and are willing to put up with second class service.

This is a fantastic experience for young and old alike. See dolphins, killer whales and other rare species.

If you like to be part of the action, sit near the front of the arena when Shamu is performing - guaranteed to cool you down in the hot Florida sun.

4 more images

This show is very much for the kids as pets turn on their act and the performers keep an engaging dialog on through out the performance. Be prepared for pigs, dogs and cats that perform some very cute acts and keep you laughing!! It was touching to note that all these animals had been rescued from shelters, I really think that is a very noble deed to bring them to this place. They all look very happy and healthy!

Look out for the dog marriage duo and the nice piggy (should I say rear?) end :)) See pics for details

4 more images

Early this year I remember seeing on the TV a news report about how in the San Diego SeaWorld, this Shamu show turned into a nightmare as 'Shamu'- the popular Orca Whale ambassador of SeaWorld horribly killed one of it's trainers even as crowds were watching on. Now the show is not trainer intensive- atleast the trainer does not enter the water with the whales. However Shamu and baby shamu performed in perfect harmony as we watched on and the whales sure seem to have a sense of humor as they whack their tail onto the water ensuring a good portion of the onlookers get a good dunking in the ice cold water. Ofcourse we sat in the wet zone and it was loads of fun to be dunked by a whale! Whales sure don't look bouncy but after watching the tricks they perform it is hard to believe they weigh what they weigh!! Gravity sure seemed well defied in this act!

4 more images

A breakthrough theatrical spectacular that “unites sea and sky with visions of Broadway”, Blue Horizons showcases majestic animals such as dolphins and false killer whales, as well as talented divers, trapeze artists and exotic birds such as macaws and Andean condors. The action takes place at the renovated Whale and Dolphin Theater, we had a blast at this show. Now that the Shamu show is much less spectacular we felt this took the cake!
While somecharacters sway through the sky and dive off the set, the true stars of
the show grace the waters below. SeaWorld’s dolphins and pilot whales leap their way into
this dreamy adventure. African crowned cranes, coral bills, black vultures and other bird
species soar over the audience as they ascend toward the horizon.
The stirring, original musical score for “Blue Horizons” is performed by the Seattle
Symphony Orchestra.

4 more images

Sea World is a park for all ages and a day is enough to explore it, but it took us 3 days in a row to do it. My daughter really enjoyed roller coasters and spent a whole day just riding them. There are 3 of them Manta (the most famous), Kraken and Journey to Atlantis. The last one resembles one in Bush Gardens parks. Another exciting part are animals, each has its interesting story and most of them were rescued, cured and adopted by park. You can touch sting rays, dolphins, and even feed them for additional fee.
All shows are great! My personal favorite is the one with Sea Lions, I think sea lions are the best actors among other animals. They taught them to splash people during the show though, every single animal from dolphin to killer whales. It’s very hard to watch all shows in one day. We spent three days in a park, so we caught every single one, and saw some even twice. They have a sea garden area with a little arbors, where they bring out some unique animals from all over the world like African bush baby, ants eater, eagle, caracal and so on. Some of them you can even pat .my daughter loved it and checked all the time the schedule for animals, they take them out at the certain time for 15-20min. The whole park is really a one-of- a-kind experience, and worth visiting if your kids are “too big” for Disney now .

1 more image

Very good value for the money, lots of things to do & see. A Must do if visiting the Orlando area. Try and see as many shows as possible, I think that is where you get your reward.

Since the death of the lady Shamus trainer, the employees are not allowed to get into the pool with the Orcas. I have seen both “Believe” shows and when the trainers were allowed to interact with the animals in the pool was a better show - no comparison.
(Still no more free beer or Clydesdale horses)