Since SeaWorld combines fun with wildlife education, the theme park's animal trainers offer these suggestions to parents regarding how to enhance a child's experience while visiting this theme park:
At the end of each day, encourage your kids to draw pictures or write short stories about the favorite parts of their day at SeaWorld.
Take lots of pictures, with a focus on your kids interacting with the various animals. Later, spend time reviewing the photos with your kids.
Throughout your vacation, keep a "memory bag" close by. A "memory bag" can be a purse, pocket, or a backpack pouch reserved for holding fun keepsakes that your kids collect.
While the trip is still fresh in their minds, ask your children what they learned during their trip and what they would like to do next time.
Located adjacent to SeaWorld is Discovery Cove, which opened in summer 2000. This truly unique theme park re-creates an exotic tropical island, complete with sandy beaches. Unlike most theme parks, however, only a limited number of visitors are granted admission each day to Discovery Cove. Advanced reservations are definitely required.
Instead of rides, shows, and attractions, Discovery Cove offers a one-on-one, up-close, and hands-on look at marine wildlife, including dolphins.
The park is staffed by a team of highly trained and knowledgable animal trainers and caregivers who work directly with guests to provide an extremely personalized experience that includes interacting one-on-one with dolphins and other sea creatures.
This seven-hour program allows guests to work with SeaWorld's expert animal trainers as they interact with a wide range of animals, including killer whales, sea lions, and dolphins. Priced at $389 per person, this experience is open to people over the age of thirteen. It includes lunch, a "Trainer for a Day" T-shirt, a waterproof disposable camera, and a seven-day pass to SeaWorld.
SeaWorld charges a daily parking fee of $7 per car or $8 per RV or camper. If you're staying at a non-Disney hotel, consider utilizing shuttle bus service to the SeaWorld theme park. Ask your hotel's front desk attendant or concierge for details.
There are a handful of other activities and exhibits at SeaWorld. For example, the Penguin Encounter is an exhibit featuring penguins, while the Rico & Roza's Musical Feast offers a 25-minute musical revue celebrating food, family, and fun. The Clydesdale Hamlet is the home to SeaWorld's famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses. Guests can pet the horses and have photos taken with them.
Over the next few days, we will be outlining Sea World Orlando's special tours and educational programs which can be purchased for additional fees in addition to regular admission to the theme park.
Sharks Deep Dive
Located inside the Shark Encounter attraction, participants will either scuba dive or snorkel in an authentic shark cage. This cage moves throughout the 125-ft. long underwater habitat as guests experience a close-up look at more than 50 sharks.
The 2 hour program is $150 per person (scuba diving) and $125 per person (snorkeling). Remember, this price DOES NOT include regular park admission to Sea World.
The most popular show at Sea World Orlando continues its tradition of entertaining adults and children alike. Shamu's Adventure Show features killer whales interacting and performing tricks alongside their human trainer counterparts. Be sure to stick around for the nighttime version of the show, Shamu Rocks America...it's quite a show!
