Our SeaWorld Favorites
I know those other two parks get all the attention around here, but I would like to take a moment and share some love for Seaworld. Cash and I have had season tickets since right after we moved to town, and we still love to visit regularly. Their tickets are priced very low for all of the amazing stuff there is to see and do (and eat!).
Holiday Events
Cash and his friend trick or treating at Seaworld’s kid friendly Halloween event
Their Christmas event has become an official family tradition of ours. From the miniature train village to the ice skating show, the nativity, and so much more; we love coming here for everything during the Christmas season. Last summer, their Electric Ocean event was incredible. It's hard to compare anything to Disney's magical castle show, but Seaworld's night show included incredible pyrotechnics and water shooting up over the lake, along with an impressive fireworks display, and it was my favorite park event all summer. I watched it numerous times and was amazed at every single viewing. Their Halloween Spooktacular is super fun and kid friendly. Their Seven Seas Food Festival is fantastic. Be sure to check their event calendar when planning your next visit, you will not be disappointed.
The Wild Arctic Ride
This is Cash's must-visit attraction. At the beginning, you choose whether you'd like to take the flight simulator, which makes you feel like you are riding on a small plane to the North Pole, or walk right into the exhibit. Personally, I would love to walk in; the simulator makes me super sick, but Cash insists on riding the simulator, so I go in and keep my eyes closed. It has really neat footage flying over a family of polar bears, then down into the water to see the wildlife there, all before crashing in at the North Pole at camp in the middle of a storm. I can see why he likes it, and if it didn't make me dizzy, I probably would too. Once you "land" and exit the simulator, you walk immediately into an icy wonderland with a beluga whale tank, a wall of real ice, and many more really neat animals. I especially love the walruses. The exhibit includes aquariums, models of base camp, and fun things like a replica polar bear habitat that kids can climb into. As a side bonus, be sure to pet the sharks right before or after you go in; they have a little petting tank in the space right next to this ride.
Update: The Wild Arctic ride has been closed permanently. However, you can still tour the Arctic exhibit, which we highly recommend!
The French Fry Cone
Outside Voyager's Smokehouse restaurant is a window called Voyager's Snacks that sells French Fry Cones and they are hands down the best snack in the park (in our opinion). We get the Bacon, Ranch and Cheese cone, but they have another with brisket, and a few other options. They fill up a paper cone full of hot fries, then smother them in nacho cheese, crumbled bacon and a heavy drizzle of ranch. We have to get one every time we go, because Cash says they are "the best times one million".
Update: Sadly, the french fry cone was retired in 2020, but we keep hoping that it’s not gone for good. We have seen some versions of it pop up at food festivals from time to time.
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin
This is my favorite ride. You get to follow the life of a new baby penguin on a small spinning trackless cart that is pretty fun, but the real treat is at the end, when the wall opens up to their penguin exhibit. Once you exit the carts, they lead you right in and you can watch all of the penguins play above and under water. A friendly heads up; it's super cold in there, so don't go in wet, and you might want to ride this one in the hottest part of the day.
Update: The ride has been closed down permanently to make way for a new roller coaster, but the exhibit is still open and definitely worth a visit!
One of our favorite photo ops is in the Shark encounter
The Shark Encounter
The beginning of this exhibit leads you though huge aquariums filled with all kinds of interesting fish, a display of living baby shark eggs (you can turn on a backlight and actually see the babies inside!), and our favorite photo op from the inside of a shark's jaws. The main event is at the end. You get to walk through a viewing tunnel with the aquarium in a semicircle above your head and all around you, swimming with multiple species of sharks. They are so close that you can count their teeth. It's super awesome.
The Pineapple Ice Cream
This is Seaworld's version of Disney's famous Dole Whip, and it does not disappoint. You get a great amount of smooth, tasty pineapple ice cream served in a real fresh pineapple. It's really really delicious. You can find this in a few different locations throughout the park; look for the signs.
Live Concerts
They have a number of concert series here. We've been to quite a few and always have had an amazing time. Most of the concerts we have been to were held in their indoor arena which is spacious but feels intimate. Bigger concerts are held at their Bayside Stadium, where they also host seasonal events like bubble dance parties. I've taken Cash to see some of my favorite artists for no extra cost.
Shamu's Happy Harbor
Their kids area is another one of Cash's favorite places in the park. They have a number of small kid's rides here, including a kid's Shamu themed roller coaster which is short but really fun. There is a large jungle gym type play area, and a splash pad. It also includes a concession stand, bathrooms, the clinic, and lots of seating. It's a perfect place for parents to recharge and let the little ones run wild for a few, especially in hotter parts of the day.
UPDATE: This area has been updated to a Sesame Park themed land which is very cool. They still have the original rides mentioned above, but now it’s all Sesame Street themed, and they have a parade that comes through each day.
The only downside we've ever experienced is with parking. On a normal day we can get right in and the walk is not far at all, but I would like to warn you about a little thing called "Bring a Friend" month. There are two, and they normally occur in January and September. This is when pass holders are allowed to bring a friend for free. Anytime that we have gone while a bring a friend month and another event are going on at the same time (Halloween, a concert), it has been absolutely miserable trying to get into the parking lot. The only way around this that I can think of is to park offsite, and catch a bus or walk. At the very least, plan ahead and bring water and snacks and a zippy mix tape (is this still a thing?) for sitting in traffic.
Also, while writing this post, I remembered that I am not a huge fan of their website. It doesn't feel like the map is complete, or that it always has the information I need. If you have any questions about visiting, I'd be happy to answer them if I can. Shoot me a message, or leave a comment below! (I'm not getting paid for this, nor am I a representative for Seaworld in any way, just a friendly fellow visitor.) Cash loves to give his opinion too!