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Old 03-14-2015, 02:11 PM   #1
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SeaWorld booked...advice for a newbie?

We just booked SeaWorld. We booked the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld that has the free meal plan at the parks, and we can visit SeaWorld and Aquatica multiple days, although we will only have 1.5 days to spend at the parks. Our primary reason for the trip is to scout out areas that we may move to next year.

I know absolutely nothing about SeaWorld, so if anyone can tell me the best plan of attack for getting as much done as possible, I would be forever grateful. We are going towards the end of Easter week, so I anticipate very busy parks. Hopefully we can get the quick queue thing when we check in at our hotel.
Also, if there are must dos, or things that should be skipped, please share! Also, where are your favorite places to eat?
TIA!

Ha! I just realized that my Mac autocorrected my title! Silly computer! I can't correct it....:P
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Old 03-14-2015, 02:56 PM   #2
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Ok, I'm going to be absolutely no help when it comes to coasters and thrill rides there, as we just don't do those.

The must-dos for us are the animals - the dolphins, the sharks and the sea lions immediately spring to mind. Don't miss the rays in the aquarium next to Manta - that's been very well done. There are now some animal exhibits that involve a ride/film to get to, so you may need to plan those into your day, as waits can build for those and there's no way round them. They are Wild Arctic, Antarctica (both rides and you can take an easier version for both - we do) and Turtle Trek (film). We were there a week ago Monday and walked on to Antarctica, but we hit it as soon as we got there, as it's still their newest offering. We had very little wait for Wild Arctic, but had to give up on Turtle Trek, as it was a 20 minute wait and we just didn't have time for it.

There are also the shows - One Ocean, the Shamu show is excellent, but we'd seen it on its opening day, so skipped it on this visit and Blue Horizons, the dolphin show, is well worth seeing too. They're introducing a new Clyde and Seamore show (sea lions), which is due to debut soon. They were rehearsing when we were there, but sadly only I guess to an invited audience, as we could hear it, but couldn't see it. Their last show was a lot of fun though.

As far as eating goes, I can thoroughly recommend Shark's Underwater Grill - we had lunch there and absolutely loved it. It was one of our favourites of our entire vacation and you eat with a wonderful view into the shark tank - a bit like the Coral Reef, but higher quality food.

Hopefully that helps...
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Old 03-14-2015, 03:27 PM   #3
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Wonderful! Thanks so much!
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Old 03-31-2015, 03:39 AM   #4
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Old 03-31-2015, 09:25 AM   #5
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I can help with the thrill rides. Personally I dont waste time with Atlantis. Just dont feel that it is worth the wait. Now if you can walk on fine do it, but I would not wait. My favorite coster is Mana sp? I would wait for that. It is really as close to flying that you could ever be.
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Old 03-31-2015, 12:20 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by disneydeva View Post
I can help with the thrill rides. Personally I dont waste time with Atlantis. Just dont feel that it is worth the wait. Now if you can walk on fine do it, but I would not wait. My favorite coster is Mana sp? I would wait for that. It is really as close to flying that you could ever be.
It's Manta....and it is completely AWESOME!!!! Flying is the perfect description! I don't really remember Atlantis, but the Kraken was a disappointment - especially after the Manta. We rode that multiple times and loved it everytime!!!!

The shows were entertaining. The food was edible...that's about it (we did counter service...maybe the table service places were better). I wasn't impressed. Overall the park was nice, but a little worn around the edges, however, it has been almost five years since we went there so they have hopefully done some upgrades/refurbs.
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Old 03-31-2015, 02:17 PM   #7
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Out of curiosity, I looked at the SW website to see what rides you could actually use the quick queue for and this is what was listed:

Manta® - we don't do this kind of coaster
Kraken® - same as Manta
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin® - when we went it was new and had one hour waits. We skipped it because I watched it online and it looked really lame. Unless things have changed, it's the only way to see the penguins but we didn't miss them.
Journey to Atlantis® Abby and I waited only about 5 minutes thanks to a very helpful CM and for us, it was not worth even that short of a wait.
TurtleTrek® - This was literally a walk in attraction for us. I couldn't watch the movie though, it made me nauseous
Sky Tower - It's so slow moving, we never did it
Wild Arctic® - You have two versions you could do - one that moves, one that doesn't (it's a simulator like Star Tours). The non moving one that we did was pretty much walk in (and completely through if you really wanted). I know one time the moving line was long but I think the next time we went back, it was really short. This is the only way to get into the Polar exhibits with the Polar bears, walrus, beluga whales, etc.


When we went in 2013, it was something like 30 per person. For us, it was not worth it but if these are rides you'd want to do multiple times (keeping in mind two send you through exhibits at the end) then it could be. If by staying at the hotel you get it for free then definitely do it.

And if you're up for some reading, in my 2013 TR, I have our experiences with the park. We went for 2 days, back to back, at the beginning of our trip. We did the animals and shows and just that one ride but it might give you a good idea of timing for things.
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Old 04-01-2015, 05:46 PM   #8
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Red face

I noticed for the seal/sea lion feeding they mention on the website a bucket you can buy and you reserve the time. Is that the only way you can feed them or are they still doing the regular where you buy a small cardboard thing of fish?
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Old 04-01-2015, 07:48 PM   #9
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I noticed for the seal/sea lion feeding they mention on the website a bucket you can buy and you reserve the time. Is that the only way you can feed them or are they still doing the regular where you buy a small cardboard thing of fish?
I know recently they stopped doing the dolphin feeding so it's possible this has changed too.
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Old 04-03-2015, 12:40 PM   #10
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The shows are all great. Kraken and Manta are very cool if you're into thrill rides - both beat anything at WDW. Skip Antarctica if there's a big line
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Old 06-08-2015, 02:30 AM   #11
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Funny how different perspectives can be. I personally *Love* Journey to Atlantis and plan my attire for Sea World around that. (you may get drenched). But hands down Manta is the most exciting thing I have ever done. I cannot usually handle Manta more than once but Atlantis I can and will do over and over

Bottom line advice: Have your quick queue in hand, get to the park at rope drop. Walk on to whatever you can, enjoy the indoor animal exhibits in the middle of the day to cool off then use the quick queue lines later when crowds are greater.

Most important advice: Have a great time!
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