SeaWorld Orlando

Must See Attractions for Adults

By Lisa Fritscher

SeaWorld Orlando is a completely different type of theme park. While the park certainly offers thrilling rides in the form of Kraken, Journey to Atlantis and Wild Arctic, the focus is on the animals. SeaWorld is the only place in Orlando to experience dramatic dolphin and killer whale shows as well as amazing in-depth animal encounters. From petting a stingray to feeding a dolphin, you will be up close and personal with a wide variety of beautiful sea life.

SeaWorld Orlando truly offers something for everyone. This is a great park for the whole family, as the kids can play safely in Shamu Harbor while the teens ride Kraken and Journey to Atlantis. The adults will greatly appreciate that SeaWorld is owned and operated by Anheuser Busch.

An adult itinerary would not be complete without a visit to the Hospitality Center. The Brewmaster’s Club is a free 30 minute experience that teaches you about a variety of Busch brand beers. Basically the beer equivalent of a wine flight, each beer that you sample will be paired with a food item, from cheese to chocolate to fruit. You will experience several types of beer from lager to stout and learn more about the history of each type, as well as why certain beers pair well with certain foods. You must make same day complimentary reservations for the Brewmaster’s Club either at the Information Desk at the front of the park or the host stand inside the Hospitality Center. All participants must be 21 or over and ID will be required of anyone appearing to be under age 30.

Before or after your Brewmaster’s Club experience, be sure to visit the Clydesdale Hamlet. Listen to an Educator speak in detail about the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales as they are groomed and hitched for a parade through the park. You will have the opportunity to take photos with the horses as well.

Be sure to spend some time at the fabulous Waterfront shops located near the lagoon in the middle of the park. Custom design your own porcelain doll at Alluras Treasure Trove. Create your own bath and body mixes or enjoy visiting artisans as they create their wares at Tropica Trading Company. Under the Sun offers an extensive collection of pricey and exclusive glassware, china and decorative items.

Adults will enjoy the animal shows as well. Believe is SeaWorld’s newest killer whale show, an amazing blend of exciting special effects, dramatic music and, of course, Shamu himself. Do not sit in a Soak Zone unless you are prepared for yourself and everything you are carrying to be entirely drenched.

Blue Horizons is SeaWorld’s dolphin show. The show is presented as a full musical theater offering, utilizing music, dance, aerial stunts and a spectacular set to frame the story. Of course the dolphins remain front and center, with some beautiful and amazing trained behaviors.

Odyssea is SeaWorld’s modern circus offering. A sort of Cirque du Soleil-style circus set to an underwater theme, Odyssea combines music, dance and acrobatics to tell a convincing and moving story.

Enjoy the animal exhibits at off times for a better chance of personal interaction. The frenzy created during feeding times at Dolphin Cove makes it almost certain that you will touch a dolphin for a brief moment, but that dolphin will likely make only the most cursory contact before departing. How much more fulfilling would it be to use patience and build trust with a dolphin that then chooses to spend some time with you? Visit Dolphin Cove between feedings or after the last feeding of the night, place your hands palm down in the water, and wait patiently. This will also give you a chance to speak with the Educators and Trainers, who may even use hand signals to call a dolphin to you.

Stingray Lagoon, Turtle Point, virtually any outdoor animal interaction exhibit will be more palatable to adults as the day winds down. Screaming groups of school children, while fun, are not the best at drawing positive attention from either the animals or the Educators. Visit at less crowded times for a much better and more personalized experience.

Adults will greatly appreciate the air conditioning provided at the indoor exhibits. Manatee Rescue is kept at a comfortable temperature year round and is a great place to take a rest. Due to the cold-weather natural habitat of the animals housed within, both Penguin Encounter and Wild Arctic are kept quite chilly all year. Visit either or both during the hot afternoon for an excellent refresher.

Be sure to sample the excellent food that SeaWorld Orlando has to offer. Sharks Underwater Grill is a true four star table service restaurant, housed in the Shark Encounter building. Choose from steaks or a wide variety of, yes, seafood. Italian, Barbecue, even a Polynesian Luau are yours to choose from throughout SeaWorld Orlando. Most restaurants do not require reservations, though reservations are required for the Luau and any of the behind the scenes dining programs. Reservations are also suggested at Sharks Underwater Grill.

The world is your oyster at SeaWorld Orlando. Whether you prefer the thrills and chills of Journey to Atlantis and Kraken or your idea of a good time is sipping a beer while shopping for exclusive decorative items, you will find plenty of activities to keep you busy throughout the day. SeaWorld Orlando is a true family park with an excellent balance of things to do. Get a park map/show schedule when you enter the park and plan your day according to your interests. Or do no planning at all and simply let the day unfold. The choice is yours.