Taking the Family to SeaWorld – More than just a Theme Park

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Theme parks come in all shapes and sizes. Some are world-renowned, while others are small local favorites where friends and families gather for day-long fun. All parks feature similar elements—rides, carnival games, and plenty of fast food.

SeaWorld, however, is so much more than just a theme park, even though it’s classified as such. While you’ll find a few rides, perhaps an arcade game or two, and lots of on-the-go finger food, what truly makes these marine zoological parks special is the incredible animals ready to entertain the crowds of thousands who visit SeaWorld’s three parks every day.

The Origins of SeaWorld

The first SeaWorld opened in San Diego, California, in 1964. It was the brainchild of four UCLA graduates who initially set out to build an underwater restaurant. Instead, they pooled together their resources—$1.5 million—and purchased 22 acres of land along the city’s beautiful Mission Bay. They built two seawater aquariums, acquired several dolphins and sea lions, and hired 45 employees to run their new establishment. The result was nearly half a million visitors during the first year of operation.

The company went public in 1970, and a second park was built in Aurora, Ohio (which is now owned by Six Flags). Capitalizing on the success of Walt Disney World, another park opened in Orlando in 1973. Finally, another SeaWorld location took shape in San Antonio, Texas, opening in 1988. The parks have been owned by Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. since 1989.

The owners of SeaWorld and their employees take their mission very seriously. The parks boast one of the largest and most respected marine zoological collections in the world. The care they show for the animals has allowed them to maintain accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. SeaWorld remains committed to not only entertaining the masses but also to education, research, and conservation.

The SeaWorld Family Experience

SeaWorld, thanks to its diverse collection of attractions, is a theme park suitable for families with kids of all ages. Furthermore, though the parks are expansive, they’re not so overwhelming as to require several days to complete your visit. If you organize your day correctly—arriving early and carefully reviewing the show schedules—you can fit your visit into a single day. However, the parks offer a deal that gives you a 2nd day’s admission within seven days of your first visit for less than $10 more than a one-day ticket. So, if you have the luxury of time, you can enjoy two leisurely days exploring the park.

Shows

The centerpiece of the SeaWorld theme parks is not the rides. Those are secondary. The wonderful shows are the highlight of everyone’s visit, regardless of which of the three parks you choose to visit. The great thing about SeaWorld’s shows is that they’re appropriate for all ages, and the length of each show ensures no one gets bored.

Shows featuring the park’s many marine animals are, of course, the most popular and have been for decades. Shamu the whale has long been the star of SeaWorld, and one lucky guest per show usually has the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with this famous whale (well, actually, there are several Shamus). Everyone from toddlers to teens loves Shamu, and the show is always packed.

Other shows feature SeaWorld’s huge family of dolphins, who endear themselves to the crowds with their amazing twists, turns, and jumps. Sea lions Clyde and Seamore also have their own show at each park, surprising visitors with their silly antics and impressive learned behaviors.

SeaWorld is also home to a variety of other shows that don’t involve marine animals but are equally entertaining for both kids and parents. You can enjoy circus-type extravaganzas at some parks, as well as shows featuring water skiers and high divers. SeaWorld Orlando even boasts a unique nightly event called Mistify, which is similar to Disney’s Fantasmic. This spectacular show features images displayed on mist screens, 100-foot fountains, flames on water, and breathtaking fireworks. You might even catch a show that includes other incredible animals, such as cats, dogs, birds, and even pot-bellied pigs.

Rides

Each of the three SeaWorld locations has its own small selection of rides. Though there are only a few rides per park, Anheuser-Busch ensures they are thrilling. Some are suitable only for adults and older kids, while others can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The San Antonio location currently has the largest assortment of rides, including a kid-sized roller coaster called the Shamu Express. This park also features a river rapids ride, a sky-high log flume, and a few roller coasters.

The original SeaWorld park in San Diego also has a river ride, as well as a sky tower, skyride, and simulator. California’s SeaWorld is also home to one of the park’s signature rides, Journey to Atlantis, a combination roller coaster/log flume that drops riders eight stories into a drenching pool. You’ll also find Atlantis in Orlando, and soon in San Antonio.

Kraken, a unique ride at the Florida location, is the tallest and only floorless roller coaster in Orlando. It is one of just four rides at that location. The others are the Wild Arctic simulator (also found in San Diego) and the Shamu Express family roller coaster.

Other Attractions

A world of other kid-friendly attractions awaits your family at SeaWorld. Little ones can explore Shamu’s Happy Harbor, where they can slide, climb, and even build sandcastles. This attraction is available at all three parks.

All locations also feature an Arcade/Midway area with carnival-style and video games. Try your hand at skee-ball, squirt gun games, pinball, and more, and win a souvenir plush toy and other prizes that your kids will treasure for years to come.

Guests can be entertained by pearl divers at the Orlando location, or visit the “Key West” area, where they can touch dolphins and stingrays and get a close look at sea turtles. In San Antonio, the Sea Star Theater presents amazing 4-D productions, and in San Diego, the 280,000-gallon Shark Encounter puts guests face-to-face with a variety of shark species.

Best Time to Visit SeaWorld

All three SeaWorld locations enjoy pleasant weather nearly all year long. Two of the parks—San Diego and Orlando—remain open 365 days a year, though hours vary by season. San Antonio is closed during January and February, offering limited hours from March through Memorial Day and Labor Day until the end of the year.

Single or multi-day tickets are available on the day of your visit and can be purchased online in advance.

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