Seaworld--Can It Be Done? About This Page:

[P&B's Mom]

I am planning to visit Seaworld in early June with DD(9) and DS(5). DD is a beluga whale freak! I was wondering if it was possible to get there at opening (9 am) and be done with things by 3 pm.?

These are our musts:
Lunch with Shamu
Arctic Tour to touch penguin/up-close to belugas
Clyde/Seymore
Dolphin show

No rides at all.

Any advice would be great!

[Eeyoresmom]

It might be possible. When DH and I went we just saw shows too, no rides. We didn't get there at opening (can't remember what time we got there though), and we were done by 5:00. But, I'll encourage you not to rush through. It's nice just to watch the the dolphin nursery and some of the other similar exhibits. Shamu and the dolphin show are things you definitely don't want to miss. DH added that the sea lion show is a lot of fun too. And while we're at it, the water skiing show was a lot of fun too.

[chezp]

It's possible, but be warned, we booked the lunch with Shamu, expecting to be just that - lunch. When we were there, it was scheduled for 4pm. It's called Dine with Shamu, but I made an assumption it would be lunch and I was wrong. It's worth double checking what time it will be on when you're there.

[P&B's Mom]

Thanks for the info. on the meal. I, too, thought that it was a lunch and saw on the webiste that it is more of a dinner. There is another meal option that is for earlier in the day. I cannot remember the exact name, but that is the one I will book.

I really need to know if it is possible to get Shamu lunch, Shamu show, dolphin show, sea lion show, feed dolphins, and short arctic tour done by midday.

Thanks.

[CRCrazy]

You may be able to get most of what you are looking at done - but it will be really tight!
Experience Home - Orlando
I looked at the show schedule posted for February vacation - since the June schedule is not out yet - and here is what I've found -

Arrive at 9 am - first shows don't start till 10 am.
10 am - Clyde and Seymour show (sea lions)
11 am - Blue Horizon show (dolphins)
12 pm - Backstage @ Believe - buffet lunch w/behind the scenes info on Shamu - I think this is the one you were talking about.
1:30 - reserved seating @ Believe - comes with the Backstage lunch
Then when Believe is out - you could do the Wild Arctic - which is considered a ride - it's a simulator helicopter tour. I think that's the Arctic tour you're talking about, but I'm not sure. You may be talking about the Penguin Encounter - which you should be able to do either here, or at arrival at 9 am. If there is any kind of line or wait - you'd have to cut something.

This doesn't allow time to see Odyssea - or any of the other great stuff at Seaworld - but it will allow you to hit most of your must dos.

[BarryH]

I would not recommend visiting Wild Arctic after any Believe show. Wild Arctic is the closest attraction to Believe. Many guests will head to Wild Arctic after Believe, causing the line to become very long, very fast. If you can, do Wild Arctic first thing at 9 am (if it is open then). That way, the line for the simulator ride will generally be very short. If you do find a long line at Wild Arctic and are pressed for time, try to do the non-motion ride. You see the same ride film, but you sit on stationary silver benches. The line for the non-motion ride is generally a lot shorter than the one for the simulator.

[RobDVC]

You should be able to take care of the Shamu lunch, Shamu show, dolphin show, sea lion show, feed dolphins, and short arctic tour by 3 PM. Just double-check the schedule upon arrival at the park and plan accordingly. Also, purchase your tickets in advance if at all possible. The ticket window lines can be long at park opening.

[jimmymac]

Yes, you can get it done by 3PM. Buts Seaworld is the best park in Orlando IMHO and worth a very full day

[HiddenMickey]

When we went, we had trouble getting into shows that were closely timed together and ended up having to come back another day for the large show, which Believe took the place of. You really have to give yourself at least 1/2 before each show for standing in line and finding a seat or you'll be shut out.

[Skatetigger]

I believe since you want to do the shows it might be tight to get it all in by 3 but possible. It's really going to depend on the timing of the shows, plus factor in time for getting to the different theaters.

It can take probably about 10 minutes to get over to Believe from where the other shows are located.

[modisney]

I think you probably need to extend your stay if you can to 4 or 5 to fit everything in that you want to see and not feel rushed. Sea World is such a terrific park, very different from Disney. By rushing to fit in too many shows, you might miss out on all that the park has to offer. We've been in June a few times, and if my memory serves me well, the Shamu shows were offered later in the day. The current one, Believe is terrific and I'd recommend it. The lines do get long but the stadium is large. Right there is Shamu's Happy Harbor which could offer a break for your kids while someone holds a spot in line. It has a small roller coaster and a jelly fish themed dumbo type ride. A climbing structure, water play area, a moon walk type deal and skill games. I'd agree with trying to do Wild Arctic earlier in the day. The stimulator side of the attraction does seem to get the longer lines. It's set up that you're in a helicopter coming into a base camp in the arctic. You either sit and watch the movie and then enter the attraction or do the simulator w/the movie before entering. The exhibit itself has great themeing. It's set up to look like an arctic base camp. My kids love playing around in the exhibit. As far as the animal viewing. There are views from the top of the tanks and then below. We easily spend 20 to 30 minutes in Wild Arctic. The penguin exhibit is a great one too although I'm not sure of any encounters with them. You can move through the exhibit on a slow people mover or spend time in the viewing areas. Another favorite is the dolphin feeding but it's always hard to get a spot to feed them. I'd also recommend the Blue Horizons Show. It's in a smaller stadium but it has a variety of animals (inclu. Beluga whales if I remember), birds, acrobatics and swimming stunts. As for Clyde and Seymore, well, maybe it's just me but it's not one that I go out of my to see. Most zoos have similar shows and I try to take in the things that are unique to Sea World. I will say we've had better success at feeding the sea lions than the dolphins. We've also done the dine with Shamu but it was dinner and we did it at 4:00. It was a buffet in an area behind the main stadium. After dinner there is a short "show" with Shamu and one of the trainers w/some Q & A (a few big splashes here too). If your kids are animal lovers, most of the shops have nice books, storybook and non-fiction books, about the animals which are my fav kind of souvenirs. I think you'll really enjoy Sea World. Enjoy your day there!!