SeaWorld Orlando Parks Travel Tips

July 15th, 2008 by Jeannie - NWA WorldVacations

Here are my top 10 (+3 more – there was so much to do!) SeaWorld Orlando Parks to-dos with an almost 5 year-old, along with some tips for those planning similar family vacations. These are the things that were winners with my daughter on her first trip to these SeaWorld Orlando Parks: SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Discovery Cove Orlando in June of 2008. We tried a lot more than what is listed here – these were the biggest hits.

1. Wave Pools at Aquatica (Big Surf Shores)
First, we were very impressed with the newly opened Aquatica. Lots to do for young and old. The wave pools offer lifejackets for your beginning swimmer to ride the waves (you can also wear these throughout the park). Note that one of the two pools, called “Big Surf Shores” has smaller, more even wave action. Both are located on soft sand beaches – great for castle building for those who have not seen the ocean before (we live in Minnesota).

2. Lazy River at Aquatica (Loggerhead Lane)
Under the larger “Tassie’s Twisters” ride, you can float along a lazy river called “Loggerhead Lane”. This journey features waterfalls and a cave. Inside the cave, you can view the park’s Commerson’s dolphins through large windows. We especially liked that the river has no time limit (do as many laps as you please) and double inner tubes for families to share.

3. Kata’s Kookaburra Cove at Aquatica
This is a great place for starter waterslides located right by the wave pools. There was even a double inner tube slide for us to slide together, plenty of lifeguards, and a nice sandwich shop nearby called Mango Market.

4. Dine with Shamu at SeaWorld
Located behind Shamu Stadium, “The Cove” offers a backstage dining experience. This cost beyond the park ticket was worth it for us (I would advise booking in advance). The buffet was good, we got to see the largest of the whales at the park (12,000 lbs) perform just feet from the table my daughter and I were sitting at. We got to meet a trainer, ask questions, and get her picture taken.

5. Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens
Located at the entrance to the “Edge of Africa” trail exhibit, the “Serengeti Safari” is an open-truck tour of the plains. We saw zebra and rhino families with new babies. The highlight of this 30-minute ride is a stop to hand-feed romaine lettuce leaves to several giraffe. This is a wonderful opportunity. The cost is in addition to the park ticket but we, again, thought it was well worth it (I would again advise booking in advance). We found the guides to be really fun and entirely willing to take family pictures of us with our own camera or via the professional photographer who comes along for the ride.

6. Shamu’s Happy Harbor at SeaWorld
Be sure to visit this ride area for the little ones. There is a fun water fountain area to play in – bring your suit. There is also a really large net climbing structure that is well shaded for a break from the sun.

7. Jungala at Busch Gardens
This is a new area for kids at Busch Gardens. It features tigers and a lot of climbing structures that will give kids - and Moms - a pretty good workout.

8. Blue Horizons at SeaWorld
This was our favorite show at SeaWorld (we went twice). Dolphins and whales perform with trainers while acrobats and divers perform above the pool. A lot of action going on and live birds flying throughout the crowd – very impressive.

9. Land of the Dragons at Busch Gardens
See this dragon-themed ride area combining rides, water play and climb ons – really fun. There are iguana outside for viewing as well as monitor lizards.

10. Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island at SeaWorld
We really enjoyed this really funny show with some talented sea lions, a really huge walrus and a cute otter.

11. Feeding seals and sea lions at SeaWorld
This attraction is worth standing in line for to get a chance to feed seals and sea lions. There are a lot of babies to watch. Keep a tight hold on your fish – there are plenty of birds around, poised to steal it from you!

12. Critter Castaways at Busch Gardens
This animal show at the “Bird Gardens Theater” has cats, dogs, birds, mice, pigs, llamas, kangaroos – and a lot of them. It was very entertaining and also offered a chance to meet animals after the show.

And…
13. Discovery Cove Orlando
I give this one its own list. If you can swing it – schedule it right now. I am already trying to figure out when we can go back. Let me list the highlights:

• Since it’s a private park, Dicovery Cove lets in a limited number of visitors per day.
• Once you pay, everything else is provided: lifejackets, wetsuits, towels, snorkels, sunscreen, shampoo, all food and beverages.
• A huge coral reef to swim in, well stocked with tropical fish and rays (I have snorkeled in Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii and really thought this was on par).
• A rocky beach pool with a large waterfall and cave to explore.
• A 30-minute dolphin swim that includes small groups (4 sets, each with dolphin and trainers in large natural setting pools), feedings, teaching of hand signals, and performance of small and large individual and group tricks, hugs, kisses, photo ops galore, lots of dolphin facts and an individual ride across the pool on your dolphin!

This trip was just my little one and myself (Daddy had a conference during the day). My daughter loves animals and water,so this was a no-brainer activity to choose. The big positive –SeaWorld Parks have a lot to offer, with great staff and so many experiences that make the visit quite reasonable. I may not be buying a lot with the current economy; however, I still want to make memories while my daughter is young.

The big negative – Florida in June is HOT. Bring a fan/water bottle combo if you have it (they sell these at most drugstores and also at the parks, if you forget). Also expect brief afternoon showers (a nice respite if you ask me).

Happy family vacations! Our next vacation will be somewhere with a beach (I’m still deciding between Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean). My daughter has yet to see the ocean and that is another experience we’d like to have. We’ll let you know how that goes.