SeaWorld Orlando

Must-See Attractions for Children

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.

Children at SeaWorld will be thrilled to discover that unlike the other theme parks, where their small size restricts them from many of the attractions, there are only a few from which they may be prohibited at SeaWorld. Indeed, an entire section of the park called Shamu’s Happy Harbor is dedicated specifically to children.

Below is a guide to the height requirements currently in effect throughout SeaWorld Orlando. Measure your children before your visit to avoid any disappointment or misunderstandings during the day. For your child’s safety, please do not attempt to take a child who does not meet the height requirements on any attraction.

Kraken -- This high-speed, floorless roller coaster is the only attraction that most children will be unable to experience. The minimum height requirement is 54”.

Journey to Atlantis -- Part log flume, part dark roller coaster, this is a must-see for children who are tall enough to ride. The minimum height requirement is 42” for children accompanied by a responsible adult. Children must be 48” to ride alone.

Wild Arctic -- You can reach the Wild Arctic base camp in two ways, via motion simulator or through a stationary seating area which plays the same film that is played in the simulator. In order to experience the simulator, children must be 42” tall. If your child does not meet the height requirement, you can steer him or her easily to the separate queue for the stationary seating area.

Paddle Boats -- This separately priced attraction allows riders to pedal boats through SeaWorld’s waterways. Children must be 56” to ride alone, but there is no height requirement to ride with an adult. Only handheld infants are not permitted.

Sky Tower -- This slow moving observation tower ride provides breathtaking views of the park. There is a small additional entrance fee to ride the Tower, and for safety reasons the attraction will close when there is lightning in the area. Children love the feeling of gently moving up, up, up as well as the view from the top. Children under 48” tall must be accompanied by an adult.

Shamu’s Happy Harbor -- Children will love this area, which was designed specifically for them. Most attractions can be experienced by children of any size other than handheld infants, provided a responsible adult rides with the child. The Shamu Express coaster requires riders to be at least 38” to ride with an adult or 41” to ride alone, and a very 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. Check your park map for feeding times, as the dolphins tend to be reticent and hard to reach in between feedings. Keep a close eye on your child and encourage him or her to follow all safety rules. Never set your child on the wall surrounding the pool or dangle him or her over the edge.

Stingray Lagoon and Pacific Point Preserve are interactive areas where children and adults may feed stingrays and seals and sea lions respectively. The stingrays may be petted as well and don’t worry, the tail barbs have been removed.

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.

Even the most timid children generally get a laugh from the Clyde and Seamore show as well as Pets Ahoy. Clyde and Seamore are a pair of highly trained sea lions who perform as pirates during the day, while by night they parody the other shows throughout SeaWorld Orlando. In Pets Ahoy, you will see an astonishing lineup of well trained domestic animals such as dogs and cats performing with skunks, potbellied pigs and other animals.

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 animal. 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-8^th 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. Call 1-866-4SW-CAMP for more information, or inquire at the Tour Desk in the park for information on any of these programs.