Planning a trip to SeaWorld Orlando

Getting There

By Car

The marine park is south of Orlando and Universal, north of Disney. From I-4, take exit 72, Beachline (previously Bee Line) Expressway/Highway 528, and follow the signs.

Parking — SeaWorld Orlando parking costs $25 (closer “Preferred” spaces are $30 and not worth it); $30 on peak days

I-Ride Trolley — An excellent shuttle bus with plenty of clearly marked and well-maintained stops, benches to wait on, and genuinely useful routes—except it doesn’t go to Disney. Its Red Line (every 20 min.) plies International Drive from the shops and restaurants just north of I-4’s exit 75 all the way to Orlando Premium Outlets, near Disney; along the way it touches down at SeaWorld and the Wheel at ICON Park. The second route, the Green Line (every 30 min.), takes in SeaWorld, too, but heads down Universal Boulevard, making it more of an express route, and turns around at Orlando Premium Outlets. (www.iridetrolley.com; 407/354-5656; adults $2 per ride, seniors 65 and over 25 cents, kids 3–9 $1; day pass $5, 3-day pass $7, 5-day pass $9; free transfers; passes not sold on board; daily 8am–10:30pm).

County bus — Route 8 does most of International Drive, including the Convention Center and SeaWorld. It duplicates the service offered by the I-Ride Trolley. Route 50 goes from downtown Orlando to Disney Springs and to the gates of the Magic Kingdom. It stops at SeaWorld where passengers can connect to I-Drive on Route 8.

Calendar of Events

SeaWorld sprinkles plenty of mini-festivals across the calendar to entice locals to visit more often. Most of them won't intrude on how you visit—they tend to come in the form of special food to eat and alcoholic beverages to enjoy, mini concerts at performance stages around the grounds, and some fun decorations. Many times, the fun things to do will be scheduled for weekends and are less likely to be in effect on early weekdays.

Festivals may include: the Seven Seas Food Festival (Thurs–Sun, February through April); Mardi Gras (February and March), St. Patrick's Day (March), Cinqo de Mayo (April and May), Viva La Musica (Latin music festival in May), Independence Day, Electric Ocean (nighttime illuminations and fireworks in the summer), the Craft Beer Festival (August and September), and the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration (mid-November through December)

In October, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular moves in. SeaWorld throws a sweet, toddler-approved weekend Halloween event of its own, with trick-or-treating (kids dress up), a few encounters with sea fairies and bubbles, and a show starring Count von Count from Sesame Street. Target audience: people who have a naptime. It’s included in admission. Its adult-oriented nighttime event, Howl-O-Scream (haunted houses, scare zones, coaster riding in the dark), happens over about 25 nights starting in mid-September and is separately ticketed

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

The park publishes an accessibility guide for guests with disabilities, although most of its attractions are easily accessible to those in wheelchairs. SeaWorld also provides a Braille guide for the visually impaired. For the hearing impaired, there's a very brief synopsis of shows. Sign-language interpreting services are available at no charge, but must be reserved by calling tel. 407/363-2414 at least a week in advance of your visit. Assisted-listening devices are available at select attractions for a $20 refundable deposit. For a complete rundown on all of your options, head to Guest Services when you enter the park; you can also call tel. 407/351-3600 or go online to download the park accessibility guide in PDF format.

Tips for Travelers with Special Needs

The park publishes an accessibility guide for guests with disabilities, although most of its attractions are easily accessible to those in wheelchairs. SeaWorld also provides a Braille guide for the visually impaired. For the hearing impaired, there's a very brief synopsis of shows. Sign-language interpreting services are available at no charge but must be reserved by calling tel. 407/363-2414 at least a week in advance of your visit. Assisted listening devices are available at select attractions for a $20 refundable deposit. For a complete rundown on all of your options, head to Guest Services when you enter the park; you can also call tel. 407/351-3600, or go online to download the park accessibility guide (in a PDF format).

When to Go

Crowds are lightest Tuesday and Wednesday. However, if there's a food or musical festival on, the entertainment and special-event kitchens are less likely to be open on those days. If you're coming for a special event, you may need to come on later weekdays or during the weekend.

Important: If the weather forecast shows prolonged rain (as opposed to Florida’s typical spot showers), reschedule your visit. Not only will you spend lots of time outside, but it’s also harder to see marine animals when the surface of the water is pelted by raindrops—not to mention the fact that if there’s so much as a twinkle of lightning anywhere in the county, these water-based attractions and tall coasters close faster than a shark’s mouth on dinner. 

Orlando is the theme-park capital of the world, and you could almost argue that there really is no off season here, though the busiest seasons are whenever kids are out of school. Late May to just past Labor Day, long holiday weekends, winter holidays (mid-Dec to early Jan), and most especially spring break (late Mar to Apr) are very busy. Do, however, keep in mind that kids in other hemispheres follow a completely different schedule altogether. Obviously, an Orlando vacation -- and especially a Disney vacation -- is most enjoyed when the crowds are at the thinnest and the weather is the most temperate. Hotel rooms (likely the largest chunk of your vacation bill) are also priced lower (albeit only slightly) during the off season, though don't expect that period to follow the traditional winter/summer patterns of most areas.

Peak-season rates can go into effect during large conventions and special events, either of which may occur at any time of the year. Even something as remote as Bike Week in Daytona Beach (about an hour's drive away) can raise prices. These kinds of events will especially impact the moderately priced hotels and resorts located off Walt Disney World.

Best times: Try the week after Labor Day until the week before Thanksgiving, when the kids have just returned to school; the week after Thanksgiving until mid-December; and the 6 weeks before and after school spring vacations (which generally occur around Easter).

Worst times: The absolute worst time of year to visit is during spring break -- usually the 2 weeks prior to and after Easter. The crowds are unbelievable, the lines are unbearable (my kids have waited upwards of 2 hr. to hop on some of the most popular attractions), waiting times at local restaurants can lead to starvation, and traffic -- particularly on International Drive -- will give you a headache. The December holidays and summer, when out-of-state visitors take advantage of school breaks and many locals bring their families to the parks (the latter also flock to the parks during Florida resident discount months, which usually fall in May and Nov), can also prove a challenge. Packed parking lots are the norm during the week before and after Christmas, and the summer brings with it oppressive heat and humidity.

Seriously consider pulling your kids out of school for a few days around an off-season weekend to avoid the long lines. (You may be able to keep them in their schools' good graces by asking teachers to let them write a report on an educational element of the vacation. Epcot, SeaWorld, and the Orlando Museum of Science offer the most in the way of educational exhibits.) Even during these periods, though, the number of international visitors guarantees you won't be alone.

One other time-related hazard: For several weeks in May and September, you will find yourself in the midst of the dreaded "love bug" season in Central Florida. These small flylike insects emerge twice a year, get into practically everything, and like nothing more than to commit suicide on your car windshield, leaving a messy splatter. They don't bite, but they are a serious nuisance. If you can avoid them, I highly recommend it.

Weather -- It's not uncommon for the skies to open up on Orlando, even when the day begins with the sun ablaze. Florida is well known for its afternoon downpours, so don't be too concerned -- storms don't usually last too long. Most people simply run for temporary cover, and then resume their activities when the rain slows to a drizzle or stops altogether. It is wise, however, to bring along some type of rain gear, as storms can spring up rather quickly. A small fold-up umbrella can protect you until you can get to shelter. If you forget your gear, rain ponchos can be purchased throughout the parks for about $6 for a child-size poncho, or $8 for an adult size. The child-size poncho also happens to cover the average stroller quite well, protecting camera equipment and souvenirs -- not to mention the child sitting inside it.

Don't let a rainy afternoon spoil your fun. Crowds are dramatically thinner on these days, and there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy, particularly at Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Universal Studios Florida, where many of the attractions are actually indoors. The flip side, of course, is that many of the outdoor rides and attractions at Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are temporarily closed during downpours and lightning storms.

Note: If you're taking advantage of a land/cruise package, make sure you take into account hurricane season, which generally runs from around June 1 to November 30 (when the majority of Central Florida's afternoon downpours tend to occur). Inland, the worst is usually only sheets of rain and enough wind to wipe the smile right off your face. That said, the summer of 2004 (when three hurricanes passed through the area) was a noticeable reminder that the worst can happen, and 2005 brought with it what seemed like an endless number of storms, extending the rainy season well beyond the normal timeline. And while 2006 was relatively quiet weather-wise, tornados touched down and devastated areas just north of Orlando in 2007. Although the past few years have been relatively quiet, forecasters predict an increased number of storms in 2012 -- but how many will actually reach land (or affect areas as far inland as Orlando) is unknown. The moral of this story: Be prepared, because almost anything can happen. If you are on the coastal areas or at sea, you will likely be at the point where the storms hit their hardest, making them extremely dangerous. Tornadoes and lightning -- two particularly active summer curses -- should also not be taken lightly.

Holidays -- Banks, government offices, post offices, and many stores, restaurants, and museums are closed on the following legal national holidays: January 1 (New Year's Day), the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day), the third Monday in February (Presidents' Day), the last Monday in May (Memorial Day), July 4 (Independence Day), the first Monday in September (Labor Day), the second Monday in October (Columbus Day), November 11 (Veterans' Day/Armistice Day), the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day), and December 25 (Christmas). The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is Election Day, a federal government holiday in presidential-election years (held every 4 years, and next in 2012).

Best Time of Year to Visit

Because this is a mostly outdoor, water-related park, you may want to keep in mind that even Florida gets a tad nippy during January and February. The months of January through April are when crowds are smallest.

Best Days to Visit

Weekends, Thursday, and Friday are busy days at this park. Monday through Wednesday are usually better days to visit because tourists coming for a week in Orlando go to the Disney and Universal parks early in their stays, saving SeaWorld for the end, if at all. Tip: Be advised that if the weather report for the day calls for sustained rain, save SeaWorld for another time. Many attractions here are outdoors or involve -- surprise! -- water and animals, a combination that can be lethal in a lightning storm. These close down at the merest hint of storm activity in the area, which will leave you with a whole lot less to do for your money.

Hours

The park is usually open from 9am to 7pm (later during the summer and around holidays), 365 days a year. Call tel. 800/327-2424 or 407/351-3600 for more information.

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

At SeaWorld (and its sister parks), hydrogen fuels power shuttles, dinnerware and utensils are made from sugarcane and vegetable starch, and seafood (even for its animal inhabitants) is purchased from sustainable fisheries. SeaWorld has partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to ensure that foods purchased are farmed and harvested in ways that protects area wildlife, habitats, and people. Roughly 50% of park waste (animal, food, and construction) is recycled. Visitors (and residents) are encouraged to recycle while exploring the theme parks thanks to the addition of special bins for the disposal of cans and bottles, with others for actual trash.

For more about SeaWorld's current conservation efforts, check out the company's mission statements on the subject at seaworld.com/orlando/commitment/.

Animal-Rights Issues

Some conservationists say SeaWorld’s animals endure misery in captivity. Other conservationists laud SeaWorld for being an advocate for marine life. Each side presents statistics that seem convincing but are then shot down by rivals. And therein lies the ongoing tug-of-war over this profit-generating amusement park. SeaWorld is hostile to accusations of mistreatment and exploitation—in 2013, the low-budget documentary Blackfish asserted that the 2010 death of senior trainer Dawn Brancheau, which was witnessed by an audience at Shamu Stadium, was the result of inadequate care. (For its part, the Brancheau family distanced itself from the documentary, saying in a statement: “Dawn would not have remained a trainer at SeaWorld for 15 years if she felt that the whales were not well cared for.”) 

An anti-SeaWorld social media campaign has raged ever since. Although SeaWorld’s San Diego park was fined about $26,000 by OSHA in California for improperly protecting its human employees, it sharply rebuts some of the film’s points, objecting to one-sided reporting and complaining that the editing deceives viewers into believing the park collects its performing animals from the wild, something it hasn’t done for decades. Excepting a few aged animals that were born in the seas and rehabilitated from accidents in the wild, SeaWorld insists, most of its animals were born in captivity and raised by hand and so they would not know how to survive in the wild. The orcas that live there, SeaWorld promises, will be the last generation to do so and will not be bred. The park says it has rescued more than 30,000 animals to date, and reminds the media that when marine animals are threatened in the oceans, it regularly steps in to help. But Blackfish also alleges that the tanks at SeaWorld could never be large enough to contain animals biologically programmed to roam wide territory—a charge that’s harder to deny, and one the company promised to address but hasn’t. Defenders say that opens up a new can of worms—why single out SeaWorld, they say, for things that zoos and animal parks across the country do every day?

General Ecotourism Resources

Sustainable tourism is defined as conscientious travel -- in other words, being careful with the environments you explore and respecting the communities you visit. Two overlapping components of sustainable travel are ecotourism and ethical tourism. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. TIES suggests that ecotourists follow these principles:

• Minimize environmental impact.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation and for local people.
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates.
• Support international human rights and labor agreements.

You can find some eco-friendly travel tips and statistics, as well as touring companies and associations -- listed by destination under "Your Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. Also check out Ecotravel.com, which lets you search for sustainable touring companies in several categories (water based, land based, spiritually oriented, and so on).

Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices and manages a directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.

While much of the focus of ecotourism is about reducing impacts on the natural environment, ethical tourism concentrates on ways to preserve and enhance local economies and communities, regardless of location. You can embrace ethical tourism by staying at a locally owned hotel or shopping at a store that employs local workers and sells locally produced goods.

Fast Facts

ATMs -- An ATM is located at the front of the park. It accepts Cirrus-, Honor-, and PLUS-affiliated cards.

Baby Care -- Changing tables are in or near most women's restrooms, and in the men's restroom at the front entrance near Shamu's Emporium. You can buy diapers in machines located near changing areas and at Shamu's Emporium. There's a special area for nursing mothers near the women's restroom at Friends of the Wild gift shop, near the center of the park.

Cameras & Film -- Film and disposable cameras are available at stores throughout the park.

First Aid -- First Aid stations, staffed with registered nurses, are behind Stingray Lagoon and near Shamu's Happy Harbor.

Lockers -- Day lockers are located next to Shamu's Emporium, just inside the park entrance.

Lost Children -- Lost children are taken to the Information Center. A parkwide paging system helps reunite guests. Children younger than 7 should wear name-tags inside their clothing.

Stroller Rental -- Fabric joggerlike strollers (replacing the old hard plastic dolphin-shaped ones) can be rented at the Information Center near the entrance.

Wheelchair Rental -- Regular and electric wheelchairs are available at the Information Center.

Visitor Information