Im going to Sea World for one day and San Diego zoo and park two days, and was wondering what to expect from going to both of these places. And what were the best places to eat and in case of San Diego Zoo watch animals. Thank you for your help :)

Speaking on behalf of what SeaWorld has to offer, don't miss the following shows: The Shamu Adventure, Fools with Tools (Sealion and otter show), Dolphin Discovery and Pets Rule! Cirque de la Mer and Haunted Lighthouse if you have time. The major exhibits are Wild Arctic (with simulator ride), the Shark Encounter, Manatee Rescue, Rocky Point Preserve and the just opened Commerson's dolphin exhibit. There are 3 aquariums as well. If you're into rides, Journey to Atlantis, a flume ride/ coaster, that just opened. Shipwreck Rapids is a standard rapids ride. The Skytower and Skyride are an additional charge. As for meals, if money is no object, Dine with Shamu should be considered - it's all you can eat, poolside with Shamu and his buddies. All the other restaurants are cafeteria-style with Shipwreck Reef Cafe at the top of the list. Italian food at Mama Stellas, barbeque at Calypso Bay Smokehouse, sandwiches at the Deli (with free beer at the nearby Hospitality Center) and fajitas at Mango Joe's Beach Cafe. Hint: if you want the freshest food, eat *just prior* to a show letting out - so in other words, eat lunch right before the peak lunch period (usually after the first Shamu show).

Hope that helps.

Is Journey to Atlantis that wet of a ride, and my mother gets nausiated really quick but she can do Splash and Space, but not Star Tours type of rides, so is JtA any problem for her?

Enjoy the Zoo--don't miss the Panda exhibit with the fairly new baby Mei Sheng (http://www.mouseplanet.com/beyond/btm040122lp.htm) ; check at the front gate as to when it opens (usually an hour later than the gates do.) It may look like a long line, but it moves quickly.

Also, don't miss the polar bear exhibit, Tiger River, and the new Heart of the Zoo area. The children's zoo is very cool, too--even if you're a grown-up :).

For a special lunch at the Zoo, try Albert's. The outdoor seating area is by a pretty waterfall, and the food is very good. Most of the other Zoo food is pretty forgetable. Another good option is to pack lunch in a cooler and eat in Balboa Park--just a short walk from the Zoo.

Have a good trip.

The water drop on JTA is comparable to Splash. The coaster drop isn't that bad - you do pull some G forces around the swoop, but shouldn't be a problem if she can handle Space... the interior lift could be a problem since the lift tilts two times... but that's being overly cautious. You get the wettest after the first drop - mostly upper-body unless you're in the front. The water cannons will get you too. But as with all water rides, you may get kinda wet or really wet. Just luck of the draw! BTW, the ride was up and down all day today, so good luck on your visit!

I love the zoo, if you're going to go only for one day i suggest getting the full ticket with the bus pass, it is a LOT Of walking for one day, I've done it and I really regretted it. I'd take the bus first, see what you like and then walk through areas to find things you like. I have been to the zoo about 10 times now and I didn't even discover two areas until this visit. There is alot to see and do, behind the place where the snakes are is a nearly deserted area with reptiles and turtles, it was really cool, but no one was around. I also like the skyfari, if you like walking, i take it up both times (you get 2 trips with your full price admission) and walk down one way for one trip and another way for the other trip, although there are probably tons of combos you could do, but if you take the bus, you get the horn and hoof mesa, which is probably enough unless you want to spend a long time looking at the giraffes or any of the hoofed beasts, there are other areas that the bus doesn't go into detail on that you'll have to go by foot (ie panda). Definately don't miss the panda, don't be scared of the long line it moves pretty quickly b/c they don't let you dawdle.

Good luck
jt

We are doing the the Sea World, San Diego Zoo/Park thing. So we will have a day for all three at least. So time isn't an issue, how big is Zoo and Park, i've seen maps but maps are nothing to the real deal

I just recently went to the SD Zoo.
I agree, take the bus ride first off. When we would go with the kids, we would go when it opened, ride the bus {the top is fun if you can get it but hot if it is sunny}, make note of things we wanted to go see again, come back, do the children's zoo, snakes, tortoises, sea lion show then head down into the canyons. You can go either way~by the elephants and see those things over there {things you would see on the bus except the koalas up close} and head down to see the lions, tigers and bears. We then head up on the escalator, see the hoof mesa {?} where you go and check out the polor bears. After all of that, you can take the Skyfari back to the other side of the zoo. The gorillas are great to see, too.

When we went, Tiger River was closed. I don't know how long that will take {meaning it may be done but it looked pretty intense}.

It definitely is huge. Definitely wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, take water, watch the kids and Grandma. ;) Make use of the moving walkways and sit and enjoy the animal exibits when you can {hippos, polor bears, gorillas have seating viewing areas}.

I agree with the food issue. If you can manage it, you may want to pack a lunch and go out and enjoy it at the park. If you are there on a weekend {or possibly just lucky} the train will be running and the carousel. Love them both.

Have a great time!

edited to add a link to Balboa Park. I hope it is current, it was on my favorites.... http://www.balboapark.org/

If you're doing the Zoo and the WAP both, consider getting memberships instead of two one-day tickets. The memberships come with 2 one-day tickets so right off the bat, you could get someone in for free to both locations. You also get coupons off bus-tours. In the past, the price for the membership was only a few dollars more than the price of one ticket to the zoo and one ticket to WAP.

BTW, for "locals"- the memberships are usually good for 14 months if you get the coupons that appear on the website and/or in the LA Times. We often go to the zoo one day and then go to the WAP a year later. Really, for the price, it's been a great deal.

Adrienne