Sea World

I can only speak for Sea World Orlando, but it is pretty amamzing. Every time Shamu comes jumping out of the water for the first time, I have the same thought, how could that ever get old. The new One Ocean show is really impressive. My best friend still says feeding the dolphins is her favorite thing to do in the entire world. The Sealion and Otter show is a must, epspeically if you get to see the mime performance before hand. There are several decent rides such as Manta and Kraken, but usually when you are talking about Sea World, you are there for the animals, and they are entertaining.

The shows are very good but the conservation message is still there, especially with things like the Manatee. If you stop to talk to any keepers about the animals they usually know lots about them and the projects that Seaworld sponsor.

I used to love going to Sea World. It's been close to 20 years since I've been to one.

It's probably been about 15-20 years since I have been to Sea World as well.....the last time I went to one was when they still had one in Ohio....which I never really understood how that made sense anyways.

I did one of their behind-the-scenes tours a couple of years ago and we got to go back to the area where they keep the sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees that they rescue but aren't on display. They actually try to have as little interaction with them as possible because they release them back into the wild. It was really cool to see them and one of the dolphins would put his head out of the water and squeak while we were learning about the manatees because he wanted us to pay attention to him!

Going to Sea World for the first time when we go down to Orlando in July. My boys are HUGE animal lovers, so I have no doubt we will enjoy ourselves. Does anyone know if the dolphin feeding is an extra charge or is that included in admission?

I think that I would probably love that behind the scenes tour. How cute that the dolphin kept trying to get your attention!

Dolphin feeding at Seaworld is an extra charge, it's a few dollars to buy a tray of fish that you get to give them. IIRC they only do it at certain time though.

Seal and Sealion feeding goes on all day, you buy a tray of fish for them and turn round from the fish counter to see expectant faces watching and waiting. It's much more fun than the dolphin feeding.

LoL... I can imagine the Sea Lions sitting there like my dogs do.
"Is that for me?" "Are you gonna drop something?" "I'm good! Feed me!"

The sea lion and seal feeding is my favorite! I learned one time that alot of them are trained. I don't know if maybe they used to be in the shows or something, but when you hold the fish and clap, they slap the rocks or water like their clapping too! It soo cute! And almost all of the sea lions can do it! Just watch out for the birds! They are so mean!

Thanks guys!

Oh yes, the birds. They can swoop through a catch a fish in mid-air before it even gets near the sealion. Throw them straight, not up in the air first.

WEEEEEEEEEEEeee

I am starting to plan a SeaWorld day, last time I was there they had some sort of luau show (long time)

What's the best times for seeing everything (if you have a preference)

If you want to see all of the animal shows you'll have to plan carefully to fit them in. Most are on 2-3 times a day but iirc some are only once.

The Luau dinner show was still running last time we went. If they have started it again the Dining with Shamu is worth doing. It was suspended for a while after the death of Dawn Brancheau.

You have to check the map where they have all the show times listed. You of course have to see Shamu, but after that I'd recomend Clyde and Syemore.