Sea World vacation tips?

Looking at taking the family to Sea World, Orlando this winter. (NOT going to Disney)

Any money saving tips / cool places to stay / places to avoid?

Family = wife, 3 y.o and 6 y.o.

Thanks!

Myself and the family ( Wife and 7 yr old ) spent over a week in Orlando in mid Oct. Went to Sea world. It was fun. Not as much fun as I remembered it from the last trip but still fun. It is the one park in Orlando that has not changed much or added anything new since I was there 10 year ago. Given you kids ages I’d think anout going to Universal Island of adventures or universal studio’s – They were my daughters favorites – Have a fun trip. As much as i like ice fishing right now I miss 85 and sunny!!!

we were in Orlando in March.. and its changed.. its much TOUGHER.. I would, however, stay at the Saralargo.. which was the Holiday Inn Main Gate east.. they have a website.. call and negotiate a price. and make sure that you get the breakfest..

I can tell you that for my self.. Sea World is a one day park. .I would take in Universal if you are anti Disney.. Sea World is just not in the same ball park as Disney..

I would also go to Mousesavers .com and check out their off site hotel deals..

I would also buy or go to Barnes and Noble and read the Unofficial Guide to Disney world by Bob Selehiger.. He breaks down each off site hotel in Orlando and tells you all about Sea World and Universal as well.

I hope that this helps you in any way.. also the website WDWMagic has a forum for the off site attractions as well.

just for kicks and giggles.. why no Disney? just asking..

We took the trip to FL a few years ago. The kids loved Sea World. They were able to pet the stingrays and loved the shows. Everyone is right though, it is a one day park.
Enjoy your trip!
We booked through our local travel agent and saved enough on the hotel to pay for the rental car.

Took the wife and boys down in June. Great 1 day park, clean with plenty of hands on stuff.
If you go, be sure to ride on the Manta roller coaster. This ride was amazingly smooth Manta roller coaster

We always stay at the Hampton inn. Nice place.

Universal is great, Seaworld is a one day park. If you are renting a car I would would put Kennedy Space Center on my list to see and take the kids to see the beach. Take in all the 3D shows you can Kenndy Space Center has some really exceptional ones.

There are pretty good dinner shows in the area the kids would enjoy. A lot of smaller attractions like the Titanic, Swamp tours by airboat, There are so many things to do one week is not enough.

HAVE FUN

Places to avoid? Any chair within 40ft of the glass at the killer whale show …RR

I would hate to be the people underneath me or behind me, on that ride.. because they would be wet.. my kid says that they would have other problems as well.. something about brown..

that’s not my kind of ride.. not even close..

I’m not terribly anti-disney, but I’m not sure that my 3 year old would be able to take in a whole day (or days) at Disney. He still naps halfway through the day, and it would be a long day if he got cranky… Maybe in a year or two. Or possibly this year, we’ll see I guess… Still in the planning stages. It’s been so long since I’ve been there, maybe I’m not sure where to even start with so many options/activities. Maybe if we could find a hotel/ticket deal in close proximity to the park… We’ll see….

Kennedy space center, Universal sound cool. We’ll hit the beach(es) at some point… Is Busch Gardens worth going to?

Honestly I haven’t been to Busch Gardens in over 40 years.. It was pretty, and you used to get free beer.. however, I never hear anyone speak about it ever.. .

If you stay on base.. even my book recommends going back to your room at one point during the day.. We don’t but we have all adults..

as for going to or staying at the beach.. let me recommend the Gulf side like at Clearwater or St. Petes’ beach.. and NOT the ocean side.. unless you want to freeze you butt off.

the Gulf has a warm water current.. and in March/ April its about 70 plus degrees.. the ocean about 10 -12 degrees cooler.. I have been there when it was like bath water.. its very very nice on the gulf side.

My wife couldn’t or didn’t want to be persuded like this until I took her to St. Pete’s beach.. in an INSTANT , she got the message.. its that much of a difference..

if you are going to Disney.. let me recommend staying on base.. Not eating there.. at least not all your meals, but staying there..

THe Pop Century is gated.. and very, very secure. I wouldn’t even have mentioned this 10 -15 years ago.. but Orlando has changed. a ton.

if you stay on base the buses will take you to and from your hotel to any park. and for the most part work great.

this means you don’t pay for parking which now is $15 .. which you would add onto your room outside of Disney.. I never recommend using the “van’s from a hotel.” NEVER. it just doesn’t work, and they have no incentive to make it work.. not right now..

outside hotels in Orlando are in tough shape..they really are. I have seen four abandoned hotels my last trip in March.. and that was just driving to Walmart..

and again.. I urge you to buy this Unofficial Guide to Disney World book.. or read it in Barnes and Noble.. it will really , really make a difference.. its like going fishing without have read how to really use a depthfinder..

I wish you well.