What day to visit Sea World? About This Page:

[KarenW]

We are planning a trip to WDW and are checking in on the 13th of Dec and checking out on the 20th. We've never been to Sea World and can get in free since my DH is active duty. My DSs are 2, 5, and 7 and we will probably be joined by my DH's aunts.

I've got a couple questions....

How much time do we need to see all the major attractions that we can't see at a normal aquarium? and what are the "don't miss" attractions?

Do we stop there (we are driving down to FL) on the 13th (we'd stay in a nearby hotel the night of the 12th) and check-in to our WDW hotel later in the evening? or should we go the day we check out, the 20th? or stay a night near SW on the 20th and go on the 21st? Will one be busier than the other because of the day of the week or proximity to Xmas vacations?

I'd love any input! We went to WDW last year at the same time and loved that there were no crowds during the week, so we will be spending our 5 days at WDW Monday-Friday.

THANKS!!!

[Sue M.]

I don't know about crowds in Dec, but we need a full day at least to see SeaWorld. So depending on crowds, I'd stay somewhere near SeaWorld on the 20th, if you check in early you could go directly to SeaWorld, spend the day stay over night then drive home the 21st. Because would you really want to start the drive home after touring a park all day? I'd be too tired.
We have stayed at Hilton Garden Inn which is walking distance to SeaWorld, thru parking lot. We could watch the evening fireworks from our room.

We loved the shows, Seamore & Clyde (the sea lions) Shamu, Pets Ahoy, Shows - SeaWorld Orlando I esp. enjoyed the evening shows.

[chezp]

I'm guessing here, but I'd think 20th would be busier, as it's nearer to Christmas. We've been twice around Christmas - once on the 26th (never again - it was mobbed! ) and once on 17th, which was a Monday and it was lovely and quiet. I know at Disney, the crowds for Christmas start to build from the weekend before Christmas, which is why I think you'd be better off with the 13th.

We find we usually need a full day to see and do everything we want to at SeaWorld - to us, the must-do's are the shows, especially Shamu and Clyde and Seamore, although many people would add the dolphin show in too. The attractions we like to see are the dolphins, sealions and manatees. We aren't ride people, so we don't worry about doing those.

Going at that time of the year, you'll want to see the Polar Express too, which will no doubt have long queues - that was the only thing that did have long waits on the Monday we went, when the park was quiet everywhere else.