Everything is possible in Florida. Watch an orca fly. Discover the world through the eyes of a turtle. Marvel at the touch of a stingray. Feed penguins and manatees. Release adrenaline in thrilling roller coasters. All of that, in just one place. That’s right, SeaWorld is synonym of top-notch family entertainment, a special place where both adults and children alike can enjoy our world’s wonderful marine fauna in which it is considered by some the most enduring zoological organization focused on animal care and rehabilitation.
SeaWorld. A word that everybody knows, and that makes everyone smile, associated forever to oceanic fauna conservation projects, marine theme park and home of Shamu, the iconic orca whose face has been the symbol of this classic American entertainment for over 50 years. Enjoying a day in SeaWorld is one of the most pleasant experiences you can do during the obliged tour among the theme parks and touristic surprises the Sunny State offers. Care to join New York For Beginners for a memorable journey to the deepest of oceans?
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The whole park is an absolute paradise for animal lovers. The restaurants
and shops, the overall cleanliness and the presence of hundreds of
aquatic animals from every corner of the world immerse you in the
astonishing animal kingdom from the moment you cross the gates of the
park. Penguins, manatees, sea lions, sharks and, of course, the majestic
orcas (wrongly called “killer whales”) are SeaWorld’ true stars, a
unique and outstanding cast of magnificent creatures that will turn your
day into unforgettable memories. One Ocean, the famous
performance where we are taught about the park’s marine species
rehabilitation efforts while looking completely open-mouthed at the
unthinkable agility and astonishing beauty of these animals is an
undisputed must do. Oh, just for the record, when the trainers warn the
first rows attendants about the certainty of getting completely soaked
during the show, they are not bluffing…keep your cameras and personal
belongings, because the water splash courtesy of Shamu and her friends is simply memorable!
But, if apart from an animal lover you also need your daily dose of excitement to put the cherry on top of your day, you don’t need to leave for another park. Both the Kraken and the newest and even more thrilling Manta are two awesome choices for the most daring roller coaster fans, whilst Journey to Atlantis will thrill those keen on free falls with high probability of getting wet. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and TurtleTrek are other two ecosystems that you can’t miss in your visit, where animal presence is combined with a technological display that allow visitors to get under the skin of a turtle and a penguin while we they explore their habitats. Even the shows are one of a kind in SeaWorld, with performances that leave no one indifferent like Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High, an adorable madness where sea lions, walruses and even otters prove themselves better performers than many human beings in a classic high school story.
In order to make the most out of the experience and use the best of your time, our advice is to look for a hotel in the Orlando International Drive Area. True, it’s a bit far away from the famous Disney parks, but in exchange you will be right next to Universal Studios theme parks and SeaWorld, among other family-friendly tourist amenities that literally flood both sides of the road. Moreover, a service of convenient shuttles is available between the main hotels and interest points in order to not get lost in this maremagnum of macro-restaurants and unimaginable recreation options. Finally, it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money in a superhotel: any Best Western or similar offers free buffet breakfast and the essential commodities to rest after an intense day surrounded by the new aquatic animals you will surely have made in SeaWorld Orlando.
LOCATION: 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32821
Intersection of Interstate 4 and FL 528 (the Beachline Expressway), 10 miles south of downtown Orlando and 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport
PARK HOURS: Open year-round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours during summer and holidays. Allow at least a full day to see all shows and attractions.
ADMISSION: Ages 10+ $95.00 (plus tax); Ages 3-9 $90.00 (plus tax); Ages two and under are free. Prices are subject to change; prices shown here at the time of print.
Disclosure level 1: The author received NO compensation to write this
article. The author received a complimentary day press pass to access
the park and experience it firsthand. This didn’t influence the author’s
opinions or the decision to run an article about this location. The
opinions stated are the author’s own and the links provided are
information-only.
