Hi, We are going to Calf. in Oct.for 10 days (going to Disneyland for 8 :D ) and were thinking about going to Sea World for a day. Our Family (4 adults, 3 children, 13,9,2) have never been to Sea World. Any advice would be helpful. How is the food there? The price's? What shows to see...etc. Thank You!

We are actually going July 16th and booked online our tickets (came with 2 rides free if booked online-skyride and something else). We are a group of 15 with all ages. We booked a "swim with dolphins" interactive class/tour for some of us and the Shamu lunch buffet for us all. I heard the lunch with Shamu was really fun, so we decided to do that. Their website is great to browse.

I went in 2004 and had fun, now my kids are older and we can do a lot more I hope :)

Here are a couple older articles from 2004...

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=bd040727kb
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=bd040608kb

Excepting the nighttime performers and venues, most of it is relatively current. They were in a Cirque fad in 2004 - most of that is gone. But the restaurants, skybuckets, etc.. all there.

They just opened a new 'Shamu' show, the Florida review from Brian Bennett just a few weeks ago... the California version runs about the same...

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=eo060524bb

As I regular visitor, I coud be a bit biased... Generally the park has a sequence of shows at each venue - the 'Shamu' Killer Whales (each whale actually has a name and a well known history), the Dolphins, a Sea Lion show. Plus there is the Journey-to-Atlantis roller-coaster/log ride hybrid and a raft ride. Expect to get wet on both. The Polar Bear/Beluga whale exhibit has a Star Tours style simulator ride. The Skybuckets and Obs Tower are extra admission, about $5 for both.

There are numerous quiet areas to enjoy the non-spotlight creatures of the oceans, from the Manatee and Shark aquariums, to Batray ponds and even a freshwater exhibit.

Food is decent by theme park standards, but as usual pricey. Check the restaurant guide as offering range from the window-style to Shipwreck's BBQ area.

Some of the shows, notably the Shamu and Sea Lion shows, have night-time versions that have different presentations than during the day. The night-time versions tend to be more party oriented for the night crowd.

I can't Sea World is an all-day park.. but you can make 8 hours of it comfortably.

BTW, the park is near the coast, so watch the beach temps. They can be cooler than Anaheim especially in the summer.

We went last August (DH, kids 9,10 and myself). We spent all day there. 9 til the last Shamu show. Lots to see and do. Check their website to get ideas of what you'd like to do. See both Shamu shows (day and night) if possible as they are different. Shipwreck Cafe is very good and fairly reasonable. Watch the splash zones - you will get wet possibly soaked if you sit in them. They are very clearly marked. Make sure you sunscreen your upper legs as when you sit down your shorts aren't covering them anymore and they'll will burn as there is no cover on the stadiums.

We live down in San Diego and goto SeaWorld a lot. My 3 year old LOVES it! I personally think that you can make it an all day trip, especially with all those people. The new Shamu show is so good, I love it. Almost brought tears to my eyes! All the other shows are great too. Definitely make time to goto the exhibits! The sharks, beluga whales, polar bears, manatenes, aquiriums, ect. They are so worth it. We lived in Hawaii for 3 years and enjoyed the aquirium there, but this is so much better! Also go on the rides! They are fun, but not for the little ones. The one show that we love the best might not be open in Oct. It is seasonal- Cirque de la Mer. Really good if it is open. Oh and the 3D show is good. I am sure I can think of more,lol. You will enjoy it, I personally think it is more fun that the Zoo. Any questions, ask!

Ang

Oh, make sure the kids take swimsuits since there is a water area, that is my little ones favorite area! It might be cold though! They have a big area to play in, we now go for that only some days!

Thank you, to all of you for the info.

Food is more expensive than at any other park.
Get a $1.99 refillable plastic cup (kids cup) and refill it all day for 99 cents.
Beer is only $3.99 a cup or free at the Hospitality Center.
The Deli has pretty good food and is more reasonably priced.

Don't miss the bat ray exhibit. The kids can lean in and touch the bat rays.

If you sit in the front two rows of Journey to Atlantis, you risk being soaked. I don't mean wet; I mean soaked. I was as wet from the waist down as if I had jumped into a pool. The line is fairly short at the end of the night.

Kids love Pet's Rule. You can sit in the soak zone there. You will only get a quick spray of fresh water.

The churros are just gross. Dry, cold, nasty.

Shipwrecked rapids cafe has seats by the turtle pool and the end of the Ship Wrecked ride. It's a cool place to sit.

The Haunted Lighthouse is one of the better 4D shows around, IMO. No too scary for little ones either.

Go to Wild Arctic right away if you don't want to have a long wait. You can see the polar bears after the ride.

Parking is an absolute joke. Follow the crowd and then drive up and park up front. The lot isn't that big. You won't need the tram most likely. If you go off season, they don't even run it.

Sea World is the best off-season. You don't have to arrive early for the shows. Check the park schedule; it closes pretty early off-season.

Also, you might want to get dinner elsewhere. The only restaurant that stays open past 5 pm, usually, is Mama Stellas. You'll be 5 minutes from Old Town San Diego. You might as well go there and get some good food at a more reasonable price. You are also close to Mission Valley or Downtown.

This is a tad off topic, but if I were to take my kids one weekend in September to both Legoland and Sea World, which would you do on Saturday and which on Sunday?

I'd be driving down the 15 going and returning, if that makes any difference. I haven't decided yet where I'm going to stay (Carlsbad area vs. San Diego area).

You might get longer hours if you did SeaWorld on Saturday. The park closes in the early evening after Labor Day, so I would look for a hotel in the Carlsbad area. There is a good selection and price range from Motel 6 to Four Seasons. There is also a nice Outlet Center with some good food choices.

Then check out and spend Sunday at LEGOLAND, then head north on the 5 for a few miles to the 78 east, which will take you back to the I-15 in Oceanside.

Confirming Darkbeer's advice (except that he meant I-15 to Escondido, not O'side).
There are also some good restaurants on the other side of the freeway from the Outlet Center (Sammy's, Claim Jumper, Marie Callendar's, etc.)

Thanks guys, that's sort of how I was leaning. Does the Ted Williams Parkway go all the way to the 15 now? I was thinking I'd take that over to the 5 to get to Sea World on the first day. I guess the other way is the 8? Is that right? It's been a few years since I've been to SD.

Thanks guys, that's sort of how I was leaning. Does the Ted Williams Parkway go all the way to the 15 now? I was thinking I'd take that over to the 5 to get to Sea World on the first day. I guess the other way is the 8? Is that right? It's been a few years since I've been to SD.

Yes, Ted Williams Parkway is finished.

You could also take the I-15 to the 163 (freeway splits) and then take 52 west to the 5 south.

Or the I-15 to the 163 to I-8 west to Sports Arena Blvd and follow the signs.