I've always like Sea World. When it was in Ohio, where we live, I took my kids 18 times one summer. (Yes, we had season passes) Went on a Thursday. It was pretty crowded for a weekday, and HOT. Line was not long for Kraken before noon, around 20 min., but Atlantis was much longer. Even though the park seemed crowded, the show stadiums did not fill up completely like I thought they would. In fact, that's why I booked the Shamu Rocks dinner buffet. I wanted to make sure we had good seats, but we could of saved a bunch by not going. The buffet was good, and we did get to see Shamu up close a couple times, it was not worth the $132 for the four of us, especially since the reserved seating for the buffet group was up in the second level to the side. If we would of came two minutes before the show we still would of had decent seats. I just didn't know what to expect. Seems like they are building a new ride of some kind near the Dolphin Cove/Turtle Place. Dolphin Cove was extremely crowded. We didn't even bother trying to get up close. Glad I had a chance to go, even though I truly needed my personal space back after visiting if you know what I mean.

I have gone here several times and the last time on 07/02/08 we went it was way to crowded. They have a new deal, pay for a day and come back all year, and it seems to have brought in a lot of scroungy locals. the staff was nice, everything was clean, the animals are always great, I didnt ride any of the rides becuase the 2 rides they do have had 80 minute wait times! Maybe it was the wrong time of year, I went back in February of 2006, and it was beautiful, no lines and no rude locals. I will most likely go back, just becuase I love animals though :)

June 16, 2008
Make sure to take a shuttle from your hotel, the drive in can be a little hectic and parking is out on the open blacktop (your car will bake in the FL sun all day). And remember where your shuttle picks up and when (most don't wait for you).

The entrance is a little congested but any theme park is trying to funnel in that many people. Be prepared to feel like cattle as you move past the gates into the shopping area at the front of the park.

Guest services is available right after your picture spot with Shamu (Disney like character - good family shot). Book/confirm all your in-park excursions with them. Most helpful and the friendliest people in the park.

We booked the "Pet a Penguin" and "Dine with Shamu" experiances prior to arriving. I would suggest only doing 1 excursion in a day, felt too overbooked and spent too much time worrying about getting to them on time to enjoy all the other exhibits in the park.

Be prepared for lots of walking and it to be hot. After all it is FL. Lots of opportunities for little ones to have melt downs because of the heat. Make it a point to bring a swim suit for them and let them play in the small water/splash area to cool down or it will ruin your day. Saw lots of over-tired over-sun exposed kids crying which lead to a lot of over-animated parents coming close to losing it (a few did and paid the price with a lot of disapproving looks from the crowds of parents around them, had to do the walk of shame as they retreated with their children).

The 'Penguin' experiance was cool. You get to walk around behind the scenes of the beluga whales, sea lions, polar bears, and then take a quick 2 minute shuttle ride (we had to wait for 20 minutes for ours) to the Penguin area (not the Penguin house) this is the care facility area. You get your directions and you can pet the peguin for about 15 seconds then you are scooted along so everyone can get through the line. Watch out for projectile poopers!

"Dine with Shamu" should have been a great experiance but it leaves a lot to be desired. You get your picture taken when you come in to the facility (located behind the Shamu stadium) but you don't get it as part of your admission (everything is extra) and it isn't even with Shamu, just the training area in the background. Dinner is buffet-style. Decent variety, pretty standard stuff. Not high quality but by 5pm after all day in the park it looks like 5 star stuff. Book early (weeks to months in advance) to get a table next to the pool, if not you are one table back and can't see as much or be as close. You get to see some whales jump and listen to the trainers tell you about the training methods. No splashing but Shamu does come up real close to you for picture chances. Take them quick because he is only there for a few seconds. Then the trainers dismiss the animals and come around like they are rockstars to answers questions and sign autographs. Kids thought it was cool but why would I want their autograph? If you are expecting an up close and personal interaction with Shamu don't book this one. If you want to have a decent meal without the hustle and bustle of the park then it isn't that bad. Dessert table was pretty good. And no special seats to the next Shamu show 'Believe' included.

'Believe' (new generation Shamu show) is a lot of broadway and a lot less Shamu jumping. The old show was much better. More whales and more jumps to wow the crowd. No more multiple whales in the pool splashing everyone. If you want to get splashed sit on the sides of the pool. The middle doesn't get too much in the splash zone. Nice tribute to the armed forces before every show. Get there early to get a good seat. Send one parent to stake a claim on an area and have the other one take the kids to the rides just outside the stadium.

Make sure to see the 'Clyde & Seymore' sea lion show. Caught the first show on a Monday and despite some uncooperative sea llions, at times, the show was very entertaining for the kids.

The Stingray exhibit was a hit with people of all ages. You feed them shrimp (where's the cocktail sauce?). Make sure to stand at the end of the pool by where you buy the shrimp or the rays will never make it to your part of the pool. They (the rays) feel like jelly. My kids (7 & 5 girls) had a great time there.

All the other exhibits are pretty standard stuff of what you would expect of SeaWorld.

I cannot say enough about Seaworld, absolutely fantastic, magical, awe inspiring, and an experience you won't soon forget. It cost us £45 each for an unlimited pass for 14 days, to Seaworld and their waterpark Aquatica, and it was the best £45 I have ever spent! We went there for around 12 days of our holiday, and we STILL didn't get round it all properly!
And you MUST go to the evening shows, Shamu rocks, the most fantastic show you will ever see, without a doubt!