Sea World 101 - no longer your half day park

I have always been a huge fan of Sea World, in every trip it's been the first park I visit. Traditionally this has been because it's great to visit a park on our first full day there, where you don't need to be their at rope drop and you could get pretty much everything done in a little over half a day and be out way before the park closes. Allowing you to rest back at the hotel to really get over that jet-lag before you hit the bigger parks.
Well nowadays things have changed, to compete with the other parks they added some thrill seeker rides and interaction tours. They also have two sister parks, Discovery Cove and Aquatica, but more about them later.

Sea World 

Even with the added rides, this is still and easy park to visit. And as with most zoological and marine parks, there are four types of attractions; exhibitions, shows, rides and interactive tours.
Your day mainly revolves around show times across the park, then fitting in the interactive tour, exhibitions and then rides in-between. There are six shows in total, one of which is performed only once during the day, but most of them repeat the show several times a day giving you plenty of chances to see each one. 

Interact with them

There are seven different interaction tours (at an extra cost or course).


These range from being up close with Dolphins, sea lions or a general behind the scenes tour and this is where Sea World come into its own as a theme park. The decades of research and interaction with these marine animals have resulted in them providing an educational but entertaining experience. So in my opinion, if you're heading over to Orlando, I'm guessing you're not doing this trip too often (unless you're as freakishly obsessed as me) splash some cash and try to get on one of these tours fitted into your schedule. Kids (like me) will love them and they'll actually learn something about these creatures and the dangers they face in our world.

Show business

At the time of this post there were six shows running in the park. The most popular show would be what is regarded as the heart of the Sea World attractions and just so happens to be its logo, the Shamu Show. This is the hugely popular Orca (Killer Whale) performance. Now don't tell the kids, but Shamu is just the stage name, there have been a number of be "Shamu's" performing here since it opened.
There has been a lot of controversy regarding this show recently, when one of the trainers was tragically killed and last year a documentary film was made about the tragic events and how the marine park treat their Orca's.  I'm not going to make any judgments on this post, but I can tell you that the show has been adapted resulting in the investigation and now, trainers do not enter the pool with the Orca's. But in spite of that, the show is just as entertaining and recent attendance records have confirmed the park is as popular as ever.
But there are other great shows too, such as the Clyde and Seamore show (again, stage names). This is a really fun sea-lion show I guarantee the kids will howl with laughter.

The thrills and spills

OK, Sea World knows what it has to compete with and has some pretty cool rides in their park. The first one they introduced to the park nearly 20 years ago is Journey to Atlantis, this is a cross between a flume ride and roller coaster. You start off rolling down a river thinking, this is easy even with the inevitable drop, but then it joins the tracks for a while just like a usual roller coaster before it hits the water and boy do you get wet on that one.
Manta is a head first ride that skims you on the water and flies through the air so smoothly giving you such a different experience than most roller coasters.
But nothing beats Kraken in size and speed. A true thrill seekers ride that will not disappoint the most seasoned of riders.
So when you add the other smaller rides and simulators, Sea World really has something for everyone. And it doesn't stop there.

Aquatica

Sea World's own water park. For most of the time, these rides are much like the ones you would see in most parks, but there are a couple of exceptions in this park. First of all, Dolphin Plunge is a closed flume ride that goes under water where you ride along side, no I mean race! Commerson's Dolphins, this is just spectacular.
And secondly, we wait in anticipation for their newest ride, Ihu's Breakaway Falls. Planned to open in 2014, this is claimed to be the tallest, steepest and only multi-slide ride of its kind. But details are being kept secrete. So I can't tell you anymore at this time. But not to worry, because what's next is the ultimate client experience in a marine park.

Up close and personal

Discovery Cove is your own all inclusive VIP day at to swim with Dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays, meet otters or exotic birds and relax on a beautiful beach.

In this park, there are no crowds or queues as your day is booked in advance with per-arranged meeting times. Lunch is also included and you can take your time with each section of the park. You can even take it one step further and take out a "trainer for the day" package that goes behind the scenes and shows you what it's like to work as a marine life trainer. It is advised to book this months in advance to avoid any disappointment. 
This is not a cheap day ($400-$600), but certainly a once in a life-time experience.

So Sea World, Aquatica and Discovery Cove have become a main player in the theme park arena in Orlando and you would need 3 days to cover all three parks. So if you do visit these parks or have a change to purchase any of the interactive experiences, I would love to hear from you and let me know your views and pictures.

So what ever you do on your next rip to Orlando, I just hope you enjoy more.

Dale