SeaWorld for Children

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Sea World is my favorite theme park in the Orlando area, and it is definitely the easiest park to take children to. Sea World is much smaller than Disney World or Universal Studios, and you can pretty much see everything you need to see in 5 or 6 hours. I often tell families, who have small children, that on the day you are going to visit Sea World that is a perfect day to sleep in and make sure the kids have caught up on their sleep. Sea World stays open until 9 PM on most nights so you will not miss anything if you get to the park in the early afternoon.

One of my favorite things about Sea World is that the park mainly consists of shows such as Believe and Key West Dolphin adventures. This makes the park quite refreshing for there are virtually no lines to wait in, unless you are going to be riding one of the few theme park rides scattered throughout the park. If you have smaller children there is a huge play called Shamus Happy Harbor which has roller coasters, remote control boats, a huge play house which is 4 stories tall, and a splash park. The Shamus Happy Harbor is designed in such a way that it is easy for parents to keep an eye on their kids so the little ones can run free and get some energy out. Shamus Happy Harbor is so neat that we have a full article dedicated to it.

In order to assist you in planning you Sea World vacation we have listed the rides at Sea World and their current height requirements. It is always as good idea to measure your children before you visit any theme park, as there is nothing that will break a parent’s heart more than to see the disappointment on a child's face when they are told that they are not tall enough to ride a certain ride.

The Kraken - The height requirement is 54 inches. The Kraken is a floorless, high speed roller coaster that gives the riders the feeling like they are flying.

Journey to Atlantis - The height requirement is 42 inches if accompanied by a parent and 48 inches if the child wants to ride alone. The Journey to Atlantis is a part log flume and part roller coaster. Please note, you and your children will probably get wet on this ride.

Wild Arctic - The Wild Artic is located near Shamu Stadium and there are a few ways you can see the Wild Arctic Base Camp, via motion simulator or through a stationary seating area which plays the same film that is played in the simulator. Children must be 42 inches tall to ride on the simulator.

Paddle Boats - There is no height requirements for children to ride the paddle boats if they are accompanied by a parent.

Sky Tower - Children less than 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult. This slow moving ride takes guests to the top of a huge observation tower where you can look over the entire theme park. 

Shamu’s Happy Harbor -The Shamu Express coaster requires children to be at least 38” to ride with an adult or 41” to ride alone, and a few other attractions have a minimum height of 35” or 36”. Families with small children should be sure to allow plenty of time in Shamu’s Happy Harbor. The area features a wide variety of child-sized rides as well as play areas, climbing nets and slides. This will probably be your child’s favorite area of the park.

Another must-see attraction for small children is Dolphin Cove. In this interactive area, your child will have the opportunity to feed and pet bottlenose dolphins.  You will want to check your park map for feeding times, as the dolphins tend to be reticent and hard to reach in between feedings.  Next to the Dolphin Cove are the Stingray Lagoon and Pacific Point Preserve which also offer children and adults the opportunity to feed stingrays and seals and sea lions respectively.  Feeding the stingrays is quite an adventure, to feed these great animals you hold a cigar minnows below the water between your two fingers the stingrays swim over your hand and suck the minnows up. This can be quite scary for younger children.

Turtle Point, Manatee Rescue, and the Wild Arctic base camp are just a few of the wonderful animal exhibits throughout the park. At each exhibit, well trained Educators are on hand to tell you more about the animals and answer any questions you or your child may have. Many parents make an educational game out of their visit, encouraging their children to ask tough trivia questions of the Educators.

Parents will need to decide whether to take children to the production shows based on the child’s attention span and tolerance for loud noises, crowds, and large animals. Many children love Believe, the new killer whale spectacular, and the Blue Horizons dolphin show. However, shy or timid children may be overwhelmed. If you sit in a Soak Zone, believe the signs. It is not a Splash Zone, it is a Soak Zone. You, your child, and anything you are carrying will be drenched to the bone. Again, most children love this, but if yours is more timid you may wish to sit outside the Soak Zones. It is important to also note that the water is very cold.

Even the most timid children generally get a laugh from the Clyde and Seamore Pets Ahoy Show. In Pets Ahoy, these highly trained sea lions perform along with other well trained domestic animals such as: dogs, cats, skunks, potbellied pigs and other animals. Be sure to get to the Pets Ahoy Show early as they have a really funny Mine which will keep you well entertained.

Much of what you decide to do throughout the day will depend on your child’s personality and interests. Adventurous children will love the Shark Encounter. Studious children may spend 30 minutes or more quizzing an Educator about their favorite animals. SeaWorld Orlando offers such a range of exhibits and interactive opportunities that no matter what your child’s preferences, you are certain to find opportunities to thrill and amaze him. If your child is truly and deeply interested in marine life, be sure to check into the special behind the scenes activities, parties, sleepovers and even day camp opportunities that SeaWorld provides. Preschoolers have a special half-day program available, while those in K-8th grade may enjoy a week long day camp. Children of all ages will enjoy a sleepover in one of the animal habitats. Both family and children-only sleepovers are available.

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