Sea World
Sea World is often overlooked compared to the better known parks of Disney and Universal in Orlando, but it is well worth at least a day. There are not as many rides as at other theme parks, but they are all excellent; the park really does go for quality over quantity! It rivals its sister park Busch Gardens for high thrill rollercoasters, alongside animal exhibits and more gentle rides which will please everyone. There is a lot of divided opinion on the ethics of Sea World’s animal shows, and every visitor will have to make their own decision about whether or not to see them. But either way there is so much more to Sea World and it is very easy to spend a day there without setting foot into an auditorium.
The theming of the park is very detailed, which makes it very immersive. Like Busch Gardens, they have rides and the animal exhibits side-by-side, which makes it very easy to enjoy both and really adds to the theming of the rides. Sea World has done a very good job of keeping up-to-date by regularly adding new rides and experiences, all of which are themed around sea life or mythology.
A quick point for our British readers. SeaWorld Parks all play the national anthem to signify that the park is open. Unlike in Britain, it is customary to stand still and listen respectfully to the anthem.
Last visited January 2022
INVESTMENT
8
THRILL FACTOR
9
FUN &
LAUGHTER
8
STAFF &
FACILITIES
9
UNIQUNESS
7
VALUE
10
THEMEING &
IMMERSION
7
THOMPSONS'
RATING
8
Manta
BEST BITS
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The park is very good value, especially compared to Disney and Universal. Three park tickets (which cover Sea World, Busch Gardens and the Aquatica water park) are much cheaper than their rivals.
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The queues are usually shorter than at other theme parks; especially for the big thrill rides.
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The animal exhibits are mostly very well designed to bring you as close to the animals as is safe. It seems to us that there is a good balance between customers being able to get close to (and interact with) the animals, and them being within a simulated natural environment.
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We really like the way the animal exhibits and the rides are brought together to make a single experience. That said, they are designed so that people who do not want go on the rides can still visit all the exhibits (by taking the ‘non-riders’ route).
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The park is really easy to get to. It is right in the middle of International Drive, just off the I-4. And the car park is right by the park entrance, meaning less walking.
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Although there are not as many rides as at other parks, they are all very good.
DOWN-SIDES
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Some of the rides are opened at staggered times, meaning that not all of the rides are open when the park opens.
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Rides seem to be closed for maintenance rather more than at other parks, and there is not usually much warning before you get there. This can lead to disappointment, especially because there are not as many rides in the first place.
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You have to pay to use the lockers, which are compulsory on the big rollercoasters. However, the minimum locker rental is for two hours which means you can usually do two or three rides without having to pay for another locker.
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The inevitable Orlando thunder storms affect Sea World much more than other parks. This is because most of the rides are high and fully outside, and you don’t want to be at the top of a big metal structure when there is lightening around! We strongly advise that you check the forecast and go on a sunny day, because they will close the rides at the first hint of a storm.
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The car park is completely uncovered. On a hot day, expect your car to be like a sauna when you return!
TOP TIPS
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You don’t have to pay for water if you ask for ‘iced water’ at any kiosk selling soda on tap.
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We suggest going to Mako first as the queue is usually short in the mornings, and the ride opens earlier than others at the back of the park.
Manta
Thompsons' overall rating 7
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
8
8
7
6
8
Kraken
Thompsons' overall rating 7
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
8
7
4
7
6
Journey to Atlantis
Thompsons' overall rating 6
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
6
6
5
4
N/A
Empire of the Penguin
Thompsons' overall rating 7
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
3
8
10
8
N/A
Wild Artic
Thompsons' overall rating 3
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
3
3
5
3
N/A
Mako
Thompsons' overall rating 9
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
9
10
7
7
9
Mako
A hyper-coaster that features lots of high, steep drops, airtime moments and heavily banked-turns. This ride has harnesses that hold you into your seat by closing in on your stomach and the top of your legs, leaving your upper-body and legs to move around with the flow of the rollercoaster whilst still feeling very secure. The ride is themed around the Mako shark (the fastest shark in the world), and sits within a new shark-themed area of the park.
Our view: This type of coaster is our favourite, as we both love the massive airtime and the smooth flying feeling it provides. Mako is the only hyper-coaster of this kind in Orlando and is a wonderful addition to the array of rides which Florida offers. The hills feel slightly steeper than other hyper-coasters, producing even more airtime. And the ride experience is incredibly smooth.
Tips:
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We have found that the ride is smoother and delivers more airtime if you sit towards the front of the car. We particularly like the very front row. It feels faster and more intense seated towards the back.
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Whatever you do, do not keep anything loose in your pockets as it will be gone by the time the ride is over!
Kraken
A floorless coaster which features multiple inversions and steep drops. The ride is themed around the mythical sea monster.
Our view: Kraken is a very intense but enjoyable ride. There is very little time to pause for breath as the ride seems to be always doing something. Yet it remains relatively smooth, although this does depend a lot on where you sit (see tips).
Tips:
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Sitting front or back makes far less difference than sitting on the inside or outside of the row. Whilst sitting on the outside is enjoyable because you benefit from having no track under your feet, it is a lot jerkier than the inside seats.
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For some reason there is very rarely much of a queue for this ride, so don’t worry too much about prioritising it over others.
Wild Arctic
An old-fashioned simulator ride which is intended to replicate a helicopter journey through a snow storm to an arctic research base. At the end of the ride you emerge into a building which houses seals and beluga whales.
Our view: This type of traditional simulator (where you sit in rows looking at a relatively small screen) has been completed surpassed by the immersive simulators created by Universal and others. In our view it is almost wrong to call them both simulators as they are so different! Wild Arctic is rather disappointing; it’s main attributes being jerkiness, a slightly far-fetched story and some very cheesy dialogue. It is possible to visit the animal habitats without going on the simulator, which we would probably recommend for most people. It is certainly not worth queuing more than 10 minutes for.
Tips:
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The most immersive experience you can get on this ride is to sit in the middle of the front row.
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Prioritise everything else at Sea World over this ride.
Manta
A flying coaster, themed around manta rays. The ride features multiple inversions and a very enjoyable element where the ride skims just above the surface of a lake. The ride queue is an aquarium (which is also open to those who do not wish to ride), featuring different species of ray.
Our view: The ride begins with a drop straight into a large loop, which feels amazing although it does briefly subject you to forces significantly beyond normal gravity. Some may find this uncomfortable, and it can cause some dizziness and breathlessness. The ride appears higher than most other flying coasters. We think that is a good thing, but you do have to really trust the harness as you will find yourself face down over a high drop.
Tips:
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As with all flying coasters, being at the front of the car means you will hang down the first drop waiting for the rest of the car to go over the top of the lift hill. We quite like that feeling, particularly on flying coasters, but if you are in any way afraid of it then sit towards the back.
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Avoid Manta at the beginning of the day. It is right by the park entrance and so people who haven’t read our general theme park tips will go on it first.
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The queue is quite cool (as in low temperature) so a good way to get out of the hot sun for a while.
The Sea World lighthouse
The first loop on Manta
The lift hill on Mako
Kraken
Kraken
Empire of the Penguin
A combined dark ride and animal exhibit, the ride uses trackless vehicles to follow the story of a penguin chick. The ride features a combination of sets and big screens to represent the Antarctic ice and sea. At the end, the ride cars pull into a walk-through penguin habitat, which simulates the conditions of the Antarctic, and is home to four different breeds. There are two versions of the ride – wild and mild – and non-riders can also visit the penguin habitat. In the wild version of the ride the cars gently spin and tilt, as if sliding on ice.
Our view: We have only been on the wild version, although this can hardly be described as ‘wild’ and we have seen many young children go on it without any fear. But it does not need to be thrilling as the ride is very enjoyable and immersive. The moment at the end when the car spins around to reveal the real life penguin habitat is amazing. The walk-through encounter itself is fantastic, and you can get close enough to the penguins for them to splash you.
Tips:
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As the habitat accurately recreates the Antarctic it is very cold (the staff all wear skiing jackets, gloves and hats). If you have layers with you then wear them, or you will not be able to stay for long.
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Whatever you do, make sure you are dry before you go in (i.e. don’t go straight to this ride after coming off Journey to Atlantis, as we did!). This will make a cold experience even colder.
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It is very noisy in the penguin habitat as they do like to shout to each other. Be prepared.
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It is worth talking to the staff about the penguins; they are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
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On the ride, the seats are tiered (2 rows of 4). However, we suggest trying to sit small children on the front row as their view is likely to be blocked on the second.
Journey to Atlantis
A hybrid boat ride and rollercoaster, themed around a visit to the fabled city of Atlantis (we think!). The ride features three drops. The first is a traditional big water splash, the second is small but surprisingly wet, and the third comes after some tight corners on a coaster-style track.
Our view: We have tried to work out the story of this ride every time we’ve been on it, but failed. The boat ride element is mainly inside and features psychedelic colours. However, once you are outside it becomes a lot more like a traditional water ride. We really like the combination of water and coaster elements.
Tips:
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You will generally get much more wet sitting at the front of the boat. Ponchos are available, although it does not take much time to dry off in the Florida sun.
The penguins!
The main drop on Journey to Atlantis