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Top Reasons to Go | Getting Oriented | What’s Where | Planning
By Gary McKechnie
Just as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are much more than just a single park, the same is true of SeaWorld. The original park—which includes the Shamu shows as well as presentations featuring dolphins and seals—has expanded to include Discovery Cove (an immersive tropical retreat), and Aquatica (a water park loaded with aquatic excitement). So, as you plan your vacation, consider that SeaWorld can easily fill a single day or, if you’re really eager to take to the waters, perhaps a day or two more.
There’s a whole lot more to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove than being splashed by Shamu. You can see manatees face-to-snout, learn to love a shark, swim with dolphins, and be spat at by a walrus. These two parks celebrate all the mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles that live in and near the ocean.
Then there’s Aquatica, a wild water park that takes its cues from SeaWorld and Discovery Cove in design and mood—marine-life motifs are everywhere. It also gives competitor water parks a run for their money with thrilling slides, broad beaches, calming rivers, and an area for small kids.
The park also takes some tips from the tropics. Right after you clear the parking lot, you see a tropical pastiche of buildings. Yup. That’s definitely an island vibe you’re detecting. Upon entering Aquatica, you feel as if you’ve left Central Florida for the Caribbean or Polynesia, even.
You might be drawn to the series of superfast waterslides (some of which conclude by sending you into serene streams), or you might feel the pull of the white-sand beaches beside the twin wave pools, where you can laze in the sun, venturing out every so often to try a ride or climb into an inner tube and float down a river. Whether you’re spending the day at SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, or Aquatica, just go with it. Get into a groove, relax, and enjoy yourself at some of the most pleasant theme parks in Orlando.
Top Reasons to Go
Animal Magnetism: If you love animals—slick, shiny, feathery, or furry—SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica are where you want to be. No robotic wildlife here; just well-cared-for and talented dolphins, whales, seals, otters, penguins, cats, dogs. . . .
A Slower Pace: The shows and natural settings of SeaWorld and Discovery Cove let you enjoy a theme-park vacation without racing from one attraction to the next. Living in the moment is the lesson here.
Getting Smarter: No one leaves these parks without learning a little something about nature through shows, backstage tours, instructional signage, and well-versed educators and naturalists who are always ready to answer questions.
Memories in the Making: Chances are SeaWorld and Discovery Cove will afford you the chance to pet a penguin, feed a dolphin, or watch a 5-ton whale leap out of the water. You can’t forget things like that.
Getting Oriented
SeaWorld is just off the intersection of Interstate 4 and the Beachline Expressway, equidistant from Universal Orlando and the Walt Disney World Resort, which are only about five minutes away. SeaWorld is also a mere 10 minutes from Downtown Orlando and 15 minutes from the airport. Discovery Cove is its own oasis across the street from SeaWorld. Aquatica, a little ways down the road from both, is the first of the three that you’ll see after exiting the expressway.
What’s Where
SeaWorld. With the exception of a handful of thrill rides, the original park (which opened in 1973 to reroute visitors heading to the then recently opened Walt Disney World) maintains a slow and easy pace. Here it’s all about clever shows, shaded sidewalks, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the natural grace and intriguing personalities of marine life and other animals.
Discovery Cove. SeaWorld spun off this park to give you the chance to enjoy a lot more time (and to spend a little more cash) with the animals. A trip to this aquatic oasis feels like a trip to the islands; a daylong, all-inclusive experience that includes breakfast and lunch, drinks, a private beach, snorkeling equipment, and—for approximately an extra $100—the chance to swim with dolphins. Paradise.
Aquatica. SeaWorld’s water park offers the chance to slip and slide at adrenaline-rush speeds, relax in the current of two wave pools, laze on a wide beach, and take the wee ones to pint-size play areas of their very own. All in all, there’s something for everyone, showcased in a tropical, tiki-themed setting.
Planning
Getting Here and Around
Heading west on Interstate 4 (toward Disney) take Exit 72; heading east, take Exit 71. After that you’ll be going east on the Beachline Expressway (aka Route 528), and the first right-hand exit leads you to International Drive. Turn left, and you’ll soon see the entrance to Aquatica on your left. Sea Harbor Drive—leading to SeaWorld’s entrance—will be on your right. To reach Discovery Cove, follow International Drive past Aquatica a half-mile to the Central Florida Parkway and turn right. The park’s entrance will be on your left.
Operating Hours
SeaWorld opens daily at 9 am and usually closes at 7 pm, with extended hours during the summer and holidays. Hours at Discovery Cove also vary seasonally, although it’s generally open daily from 8 to 5:30, with check-in beginning 30 minutes earlier—which is not a bad idea considering Discovery Cove serves a complimentary breakfast until 10 am. Aquatica is open at 9 am, with closing times varying between 5 and 9 pm, depending on the season. Allow a full day to see each attraction.
Admission
SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay fall under the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment umbrella, and you can save by buying combo tickets. Regular one-day tickets to SeaWorld cost $95 (adults) and $90 (children ages 3–9), excluding tax, but if you order in advance over the phone or online, you’ll save as much as $20 per ticket—which just may be the best money-saving option you’ll find. Combo-park admission prices, which include 14 days at each park, are as follows:
SeaWorld/Aquatica Online | $89
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Tampa Online | $99
SeaWorld/Aquatica/Busch Gardens Tampa Online | $109
Flex Ticket (14 days at SeaWorld/Aquatica/Busch Gardens Tampa) | $345/$325
Aquatica Online $37 (at the gate $56)
Reserve Discovery Cove visits well in advance—attendance is limited to about 1,000 a day. Tickets (with a dolphin swim) start at about $229 (off-season, in January and February) but are generally around $289. Forgo the dolphin swim and save approximately $80. This park has what’s called dynamic pricing (meaning prices change by season, and also at other times without notice). Admission is less expensive the earlier you book (so call well in advance) and includes access to all beach and snorkeling areas and the free-flight aviary; meals and snacks; use of a mask, snorkel, swim vest, towel, locker, and sunscreen; parking; and a pass for 14 days of unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica. Upgrade to an “ultimate” pass (about $20), which includes admission (and free transportation) to Busch Gardens Tampa.
Quick Queue Unlimited Passes. SeaWorld’s Quick Queue passes ($19–$35 per person, depending on season) get you to the front of the line at major attractions and shows for one admission each. The higher price unlimited pass is good for unlimited admissions. Neither Discovery Cove nor Aquatica has such a pass.
All-Day Dining Deal. Available at select SeaWorld restaurants (Voyager’s Smokehouse, Seaport Pizza, Terrace Garden Buffet, The Spice Mill, Seafire Inn, and Mango Joe’s), adults will pay about $30 and kids from $15 to chow down on an entrée, side dish, drink, and dessert for each meal. Skip it if you plan on having just one meal in the park.
SeaWorld Strategies
Avoid weekend and school-holiday visits. These are the busiest times, so plan around them if you can.
Wear sneakers or water shoes—no heels or slip-on sandals. It may not seem like it, but there’ll be a whole lot of walking as you roam from one end of the park to the other, stand in line, and walk through attractions.
Pack dry clothes. You can get wet just by being toward the front at the Shamu show or riding Journey to Atlantis. Alternatively, carry a rain poncho.
Budget for food for the animals. Participating in animal feedings is a major part of the SeaWorld experience, although it comes at a price: a small carton of fish costs $5.
Pick up a map-and-show schedule inside the entrance. SeaWorld has its show schedule down to a science. If you start by catching the show closest to the entrance, shortly after that one’s over, guests are moving farther into the park to grab a seat at the next performance so you’ll end up moving with the crowd. Instead, start off at a show farther inside the park so you are ahead of the crowds. Spend a few minutes planning so you can casually stroll from show to show and have time for learning, testing out thrill rides, and enjoying a leisurely meal.
Be open to learning. SeaWorld’s trainers and educators are always at the ready to share information about the park’s wildlife.
Discovery Cove Strategies
Make reservations well in advance. Prized June dates, for instance, can sell out in March. If there aren’t openings when you call, though, don’t despair. Call back often to inquire about cancellations.
Think about your eyewear. Park masks don’t accommodate glasses, but there are a limited number of near- and far-sighted prescription masks (first-come, first-served) available. Just step into a booth and you’ll be able to try on a few different pairs with different magnifications. If you don’t mind risking lost contacts, just wear those beneath a nonprescription mask.
Don’t bring your own wet suit or fins. Every guest must wear a Discovery Cove–issued wet suit or vest—not a bad idea, as the water can be cold.
Leave belongings in your locker. The plastic passes you’re given are all you need to pick up your meals, soft drinks, and—if you’re over 21—alcoholic drinks.
Be flexible when it comes to weather. If the weather on your reserved day looks like it’ll be an all-day downpour, attempts will be made to reschedule your visit while you’re in town. If that’s not possible, you’ll have to settle for a refund.
Have a dolphin relay a message. The Special Occasion Package enlists the help of a bottlenose dolphin to deliver love notes, wedding proposals, birthday or anniversary greetings, and the like.
Aquatica Strategies
• Buy tickets in advance. Tickets bought ahead of time online or at another SeaWorld park allow early entry (and discounts) to Aquatica, which, in turn, increases your chances of hitting all the big-deal flume and tube rides—possibly more than once.
• Be open to animal encounters. The Commerson’s dolphins of Dolphin Plunge have scheduled feeding times, and you can see macaws perched on tree limbs and small mammals on display in Conservation Cabanas—usually attended to by knowledgeable educators.
• Pack beach supplies. You’ll save a few bucks by having your own towels, lotion, water shoes, and snacks.
• Take care of yourself. Fight fatigue by eating a good breakfast, drinking plenty of water, and nibbling on high-energy snacks. Avoid sunburn by reapplying sunscreen often—even the waterproof stuff washes off.
• Save your soles. Water shoes protect your feet from hot sand and sidewalks and the rough surfaces in some pools.
Contacts
Aquatica | 888/800–5447 | www.aquaticabyseaworld.com
Busch Gardens Tampa | 888/800–5447 | www.buschgardens.com/bgt
Discovery Cove | 877/557–7404 | www.discoverycove.com
SeaWorld | 888/800–5447 | www.seaworld.com
Parking. Parking is $17 for a car or motorcycle, $20 for an RV or camper. For $22 you can pull into one of the six Preferred Parking rows closest to the front gate. At Aquatica, cars and motorcycles are charged $12, RVs $16—although if you already have your parking slip from that day at SeaWorld, it’s free. Parking is free at Discovery Cove.