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SEA WORLD ORLANDO REVIEW
SeaWorld Orlando - Vacationers Reports
By Andrew Moore
If you love sealife, fast rides and beautiful scenery, then SeaWorld is
for you. This is one place that is a “must visit” for us on every single
trip to Orlando. From the minute you enter the park and you have your
photo taken by one of the official photographers, you just know you are
in for a fun packed day. There are plenty of ticket variations available
including the Orlando Flexticket avaialble from this site, just follow one
of the links above to see what options are available to you and your
family.
We usually pick up a park map, head for the Restrooms to make sure
that everyone is set for the first part of our day at SeaWorld. Having
young twins makes the Restroom trip a must do that you are not
searching for them later on.
We usually study the times of the main shows, which for us is the
Shamu Adventure, Blue Horizons (Dolphins) and Wild Artic. The twins
also love Dolphin Cove and Stingray Lagoon. Once we have
familiarised ourselves with the show times, off we go to the Dolphin
Nursery.
This as the name suggests is where SeaWorld raise their baby
dolphins, a curator is always at hand to explain how they raise the
baby dolphins and regularly give talks on them. This is a great photo
oppurtunity for you budding photographers.
Then its the Penguin Encounter, once you enter this exhibition, and
the familiar music hits your ears, it is hard not to fall in love with these
animals, all stood there in their little black and white suits, they now
have more than 200 penguins for you to see. Their simulated
surroundings enable you to see them diving and swimming in the
freezing conditions of their natural habitat. The habitat is similar to the
Antarctic with its icy water and rocky surroundings, the penguins feel
quite at home here.
To make them feel more at home, SeaWorld produce 6,000 pounds of
snow, this falls daily inside the naturalistic habitat There are several
types of penguins here, these include king penguin, gentoo penguin,
chinstrap penguin and the rockhopper penguin.
Two areas for viewing make it an ideal place to get out of the warm
florida sunshine, one is a 120ft moving standon / walkon belt in front
of their habitat, the second is a slightly raised area where you can
stand and take some wonderful photo’s of the Penguins and other
birds. There’s also an interactive section once you leave the viewing
area
Blue Horizons
Now off to the new dolphin show, Blue Horizons. One valuable tip is to
get there early if you want the best seats in the house! Centre stage
about half way up is where we find suits us all, from here you have a
fabulous view of all the show and is a fantastic photo spot. The show
now involves acrobatic dolphins, whales and exotic birds that soar
above your head in this amazing show. It is more like a theatrical
stage show than a show involving dolphins and a few birds. This is a
show that brings both animals and people together to show you just
how intelligent they are.
Shark Encounter
As you enter this underwater world of sharks, the feeling of being prey
enters your mind. They state that this is the world’s largest underwater
acrylic tunnel you will find. Different species of eels, venomous fish
and barracuda along with an endless variety of sharks swim all
around you as the moving walk way takes you into their habitat.
Although you are 100% safe in this environment, you just can’t feeling
you are being watched. It always reminds me of JAWS
Manatee Rescue
The manatee’s at SeaWorld have all been rescued from the waters
around Florida’s wetlands. These large gentle giants glide through
the water as if floating on air. You can view these fabulous animals
from above and below the water, you are lead down under in to a large
auditorium where the world of the manatee is explained to you in a
short film. After which you can stroll through the underwater world of
the manatee.
Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove can be found in Key West on your park map. An outside
interactive area where you can get up close and personal with these
fabulous animals. At certain times throughout the day, you can
purchase fish so that you can interact with the dolphins, give them a
head rub or just take a few memorable holiday snaps. Beware of the
seagulls trying to take away your fish! A dolphin trainer will explain all
you need to know about these happy creatures. One of the most
popular places at SeaWorld for animal interaction, a great place for
young children to learn about animals without them realizing it!
Stingray Lagoon
Again, as with Dolphin Cove this is located in Key West and is just
before you get to the dolphins. A place where you can interact with
these amazing creatures, feed them, touch and stroke their slithery
bodies as they glide through the water. With more than 200 stingrays
you are sure to see some action. The largest are around 5 ft in
diameter. Although expect to have to wash your hands after you visit
this area, it’s a little bit smelly but still a great place to visit. Its a great
place for young children to get up close with creature you only see on
TV, the twins love this area too.
Wild Arctic
Get ready to enter a multi-level exploration centre. After a short film
about what you will encounter you will be left to explore the hull of a
19th century exploration ship. Surrounded by nearly a million gallons
of seawater, you will get to see Polar Bears, Harbor Seals and
Walruses. Saving the best until last, you will get to see a Beluga
Whale, white in colour and just so cute you want to take them home.
Although how you would get them through customs I will never know!
One of my favorite places and always a hit with the children.
Hospitality Centre and the Clydesdales
Fancy a cold beer? (21 and over with ID) For FREE? The hospitality
centre is the home of the Beer School, and the food court along with a
bar to sample a few of their beers including Budweiser or Bud! The
gift shop carries all things Bud too, so here’s the place for those gifts
and souvenirs.
As you walk through the building, you are then lead to the Clydesdale
stables where you can see up close one of the largest horse breeds
in the world. These fabulous horses are the same ones that pull the
Budweiser Carriage. You also get the chance to have your photo taken
with one of these beautiful horses and also pet them. Them also
parade them several times during the day through the park, amazing
photo opportunity for horse lovers or beer lovers alike!
Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island
This is light entertainment for the whole family and will put a smile on
everyone’s face. This comical show always as our twins in stitches,
especially when the sea lion and harbor seal make the trainers look
so stupid. Set in a Pirate Ship, the trainers have the animals perform
different tricks as they reward them with fishy treats. This is another
one of SeaWorld’s newest shows and always seems very popular on
our visits. If you want to get up close, sit to the right of the stage where
the trainer’s path meets the steps. The harbor seal walks right by you!
Kraken
If you like High Speed Roller Coasters then this ride is definitely for
you. This is a floorless coaster and said to be the tallest and fastest in
Orlando, reaching speeds of over 60 mph, and heights that tower
above all of SeaWorld. I always head for the rear of the ride because
the thrill is heightened as you are flicked over the edge of the multiple
highs and lows. Although the front row is awesome it’s not for the faint
hearted. As you are dangled from your seat, you are pushed through
seven inverted turns, the ride is over before you draw breath. Ride it if
you dare!
Journey to Atlantis
This is definitely not your usual log flume. It’s a log flume come roller
coaster rolled in to one. There’s a near vertical drop of around sixty
feet that seems to come from no where. I love rides like this, it keeps
you guessing throughout the ride. The special effects just add to it but
expect to get wet, very wet. Hold on!
Shamu Adventure and Believe
We have been visiting Orlando since 1998 and even though I have
always loved dolphins, for me, they are nothing compared to the Killer
Whale. The entire Shamu family are involved in this spectacular show,
it always brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. They never
cease to amaze me. I just wish I could be the one they pick to meet
Shamu and get the chance to stroke him. What a fabulous way to end
your day at SeaWorld.
The show involves the trainers bringing the family members out and
interacting with them, showing that they have 100% trust in these
beautiful creatures. You must make sure you have your camera or
camcorder, if not you will be so so disappointed at the missed photo
opportunity. The stadium fills up very quick and so early planning is
essential if you want to see this show.
The children love to get splashed by the Killer Whales as they swim
passed and wet everyone with their fluke. Cutting through the freezing
cold sea water. Although we now sit in the upper tier of the stand to
avoid getting wet, not good for your electrical equipment but amazing
fun for the youngsters. The breathtaking displays of power, grace and
beauty will amaze you and your family.
There’s one part of the show where the trainers water ski on the
backs of the Killer Whales, they then get the Killer Whale to push them
under water and then both trainer and Killer Whale leap up out of the
water before diving back in. Both are airborne for a brief moment and
totally out of the water.
The trainer is also launched from the water by the Killer Whale in
another magnificent display of power and trust. Its just amazing when
you think that the largest Killer Whale they have is around twelve
thousand pounds and they swim in around seven million gallons of
sea water There’s also an underwater viewing area to the front of the
stadium where you can see them playing, this is also a good place to
take photo’s if you have a fast enough camera. By far the most
amazing show you will see at SeaWorld. Memories that last a lifetime.
Our overview of SeaWorld
This can be a fast paced day if your time is limited, but if not we
suggest you allow a whole day to make sure you see all what
SeaWorld as to offer. Get there early and stay till late. Planning your
days around the shows you want to see will help your day go smoothly
and ensure you get the most from your time at SeaWorld.
Written by Andrew P Moore
Owner of http://www.orlandovillas4u.co.uk
Luxury Vacation Home in Orlando, Florida Where everyone's dreams
come true and the magic never ends