ROA Day 2 (Sea World Orlando)

[BoddaH1994]

Waking up after a rousing night at Epcot, it was time for day 2 of my Orlando Adventure at Sea World.

I had been told that I wouldn't be able to fill an entire day at Sea World -- but boy was that wrong!

We started the day with Manta - a B&M flying coaster that opened earlier in 2009. Not only was this a great ride experience, but the themeing was amazing! You actually had to walk through an aquarium in order to get to the ride area itself.

The ride isn't exactly Diamondback, but I'd take it over Firehawk. The best part is you get very close to some of the landscaping. When I rode on the left side my hand actually grazed the waterfall. There's also a dip right before the end where every time I rode I pulled my hands up convinced that they'd hit the ground.

Following a handful of rides on Manta, we went over to Kracken. Kracken is a B&M sit down with some amazing dips and fierce turns. It's a better ride experience than Manta, but Manta probably wins out between the two rides because of the amazing integration of the theme.

image courtesy of rcdb.com

After that we went to Blue Horizons, which was the dolphin show. I had heard good things about the shows at Sea World, but had no idea of their magnitude. We arrived at Blue Horizons about 20 minutes before the show and the area, which sat about 5,000, was already standing room only.

The show was very spectacular. They had performers jumping from the roof of the venue into the water, animal tricks, traipse artists and much more! I can see why thousands would want to see this show!

Next we went to Journey to Atlantis, which is their dark ride -- and their first attempt at a ride. It actually featured some beautiful animatronics and was a surprisingly thrilling ride for a water coaster.

After riding Journey to Atlantis, we went to Shamu Stadium to see Sea World's flagship show - Believe. Believe was incredible! It had gigantic LCD screens that rotated throughout the performance that just added to the majesty of the show itself. This show, of course, featured killer whales which is something for which Sea World has been famous for decades. The climax of the show involves a trainer coming out to the edge of the water and doing a monologue about how if humans can swim with killer whales then they believe anything is possible, which is quickly followed by the largest whale erupting from the water and doing a back flip. Amazing.

Next I ate some ribs. Freakin' huge meal! I couldn't finish the whole thing.

Following my larger-than-life lunch, I was invited to see a private showing of Believe, which was being performed for about a half-dozen people from Inbev and Blackstone. I of course took up on this offer.

Just think - about an hour before, Shamu Stadium had to close its doors because it hit capacity... a capacity of 8,000. This was quite the contrast.

Following the show, I was able to get quite close to the tanks. I was warned, however, that if the whales saw me they'd try to splash me... and they did... or at least tried to. Apparently that's their way of having fun with you.

They have 11 killer whales at Sea World Orlando. All of which have their own names, identities and personalities - however they're all referred to as Shamu during the performance. I suppose Shamu is less of a name now and more of a representation of man's relationship with the whales. The largest one, Tilly, is typically the one that does the back flip during the climactic scene.

One thing that I learned while I was there was that the trainers are very keen on NOT making the animals perform if they don't want to. I had heard stories of 8,000 screaming fans packing into Shamu Stadium and the show being delayed or canceled due to the animals acting strangely or seeming like they don't want to perform. I'm sure that's a GR nightmare for the park but it's something that I really came to respect in my time spent there.

After that, I walked through several of the aquariums and exhibits before stopping by the gift shop to pick up a stuffed Shamu for my nephew. As you can probably tell, I had a wonderful experience at Sea World and it's definitely on the top of my list of redo attractions next time I find my way down to Orlando.

[gigacoaster2k]

Wow! This is making me want to go to Sea World even more than I already do. That's awesome that you have to walk through an aquarium to get to Manta, and that photo of Manta from RCDB is making me drool! Blue Horizons and Believe sound like amazing shows. I love all animals including marine life, and now I'm dying to see these shows.

Your trip even on day 2 sounds like you had the experience of a lifetime. I can't wait to read the rest of your trip report.

[luff]

Great day 2 trip report!

Our family had a wonderful time at Sea World in 2005 and after your report we are looking forward even more to next year's trip.

[Reclaimer]

I can remember visiting the park earlier this year and having the show delayed for quite some time due to the whales not wanting to perform. It was actually a great experience, as a couple of trainers would explain what was going on while the others were in the back playing with the animals trying to get them excited. I ended up having to leave before the show got started so that I could get ready for work, but was totally ok with it. The way the respect the animals in that park and treat them as friends and co-workers rather than treating them like a display is simply amazing. Truly a great park and I hope that kind of respect for the animals and the theme will continue under Blackstone.

[TylerRider]

Great report. You make Sea World look very attractive!

[pkiboy]

I love B&M sit downs WildFire at SDC is a sweet coaster.

[PKIVortex]

Krakan is not a sit down, it's a floorless coaster. I love that coaster.

[Avatar]

Nice second day report Ryan, we did not go to the Busch parks this year due to vacation fund cut backs but after reading your report and seeing your reviews I know next year we will enjoy the Busch parks even more that we could hope for. We have not been since the early nineties and it looks like a lot has changed since then. Hey by the way the 20% off code you gave out on twitter of "Todd", how long is that good for and is it good for online purchases too? TIA

[Delirium_Guy]

Nice second day report Ryan, we did not go to the Busch parks this year due to vacation fund cut backs but after reading your report and seeing your reviews I know next year we will enjoy the Busch parks even more that we could hope for. We have not been since the early nineties and it looks like a lot has changed since then. Hey by the way the code you gave out on twitter of "Todd", how long is that good for and is it good for online purchases too? TIA

Hey Avatar, the twitter code of "Todd" will be good anytime you head to Orlando if I can work things out Yeah, SeaWorld has changed a tremendous amount since the early nineties. The Manta area is beautifully done, even the Kraken and JTA plazas are very nice as well. Of course, several years back they also created The Waterfront At SeaWorld, which is a beautiful area right by the lake that encompasses the Sky Tower as well. Rest assured that the future is bright for the BEC's Orlando Parks, already there are a handful of projects coming down the pipe in 2010 that will continue to give the other areas of the Park some attention as well in addition to Aquatica's expansion project coming in the spring.

- Todd

[Coaster Kid]

Yea I remember a day I went to Sea World Orlando Earlier in the year so I can ride Manta and Shamu didnt want to perform. When we were leaving the park there was people in GR yellng at them for not putting on the show.

[faeriewench]

I actually saw a canceled show once. lol! Female named Taima wouldn't leave the gates like she was preventing other whales from either coming in or out. It was funny The California park hasn't had a canceled show in like 5 years...even if the dominant female decides she don't want to perform, the trainers just work around her. Which that in itself is amazing due to her powerful personality.. the dominant female at Orlando would have the snot beaten out of her by the Californian matriarch (well both of them 0o)

[Avatar]

Thanks Todd, This just shows what a stand-up guy you are, I was making a joke with Ryan and you counter it with a sincere opportunity. So Yeah. I have been planning a solo trip sometime during the winter months of next year, as my brother lives up the road a bit in Deland. So hopefully I if all goes well and you have the time we could meet-up and tour a park together. I appreciate all the advice you have given me through the years in helping me plan my family vacations down there. The Busch Parks were what my family looked forward the most which included Discovery Cove. When we decided to cut back a bit we thought we would just do the Busch Parks and nothing else. But I had free admission to Universal and was booked for the Disney free dinning this year, so we decided to hold off till next Sept/Oct for the Busch parks. I swear we debated for two weeks on still going to Aquatica or adding the Disney Waterparks & More option to our tickets. It ended up we made the right decision for this year on that issue. So Todd when is the new upcoming expansion for Aquatica looking to be completed by? That's exciting news and one more question if I may Ryan made a post about you working at DC while he was touring at one point. Do you work at one facility or float?

Jesse

Ryan looking forward to your ROA Day 3 report

[Diamondback FOF]

Sounds like an amazing time! When I "I had been told that I wouldn't be able to fill an entire day at Sea World", I was like "What?! Who told you that? We spent the entire day there (from about 11 am to close) and still didn't do everything! Then I continued reading, and I saw that they that wasn't true. Reading this makes me want to go back to Sea World sooooo bad. Did you feed the dolphins while there? That was one of the highlights of the visit for me. I love dolphins and then being that close and feeding them was surreal.

[TTD-120-420]

I loved Sea World when we went. It was so cool. Its more than just an amusement park but an experience.

[Delirium_Guy]

Thanks Todd, This just shows what a stand-up guy you are, I was making a joke with Ryan and you counter it with a sincere opportunity. So Yeah. I have been planning a solo trip sometime during the winter months of next year, as my brother lives up the road a bit in Deland. So hopefully I if all goes well and you have the time we could meet-up and tour a park together. I appreciate all the advice you have given me through the years in helping me plan my family vacations down there. The Busch Parks were what my family looked forward the most which included Discovery Cove. When we decided to cut back a bit we thought we would just do the Busch Parks and nothing else. But I had free admission to Universal and was booked for the Disney free dinning this year, so we decided to hold off till next Sept/Oct for the Busch parks. I swear we debated for two weeks on still going to Aquatica or adding the Disney Waterparks & More option to our tickets. It ended up we made the right decision for this year on that issue. So Todd when is the new upcoming expansion for Aquatica looking to be completed by? That's exciting news and one more question if I may Ryan made a post about you working at DC while he was touring at one point. Do you work at one facility or float?

Jesse, by all means hit me up when you come to town! I'd love to hit some of the parks with you. I forget, did you and your family do Discovery Cove already? If not, make sure its on your list and make sure you get with me before you book your reservations :-) To answer your question, I originally started at SeaWorld in merchandise. I recently got a promotion and because of said promotion, I was moved over to Discovery Cove in merch as well. I am there permanent, I don't float between Parks unless a situation arises where another area would need help. From time to time, it seems every few years, they do shake the management (not directors and such) up and rotate managers to different areas. Its a bit different, however, with Aquatica and Discovery Cove as the merchandise managers at the two parks also act as buyers. Obviously, because of that, they are more in tune with the specific needs of these parks. My manager, for example, has been at DC for 3 years now, its not real likely that she'll be moving back to SeaWorld anytime soon.

About Aquatica, all that is being said is Spring 2010. Before the InBev buyout, there was a fairly impressive second phase supposedly planned but was put on the backburner when the buyout happened. At this point, it looks as though its just a new slide going in for now....it will actually load from the same tower that houses Whanau Way (the tube slides over by the wave pool). The platform was pre-installed on the structure already and the current slides will only operate on Friday-Sunday each week. I'd imagine that details will be released relatively soon as construction will be well underway soon.

[KI Kevin]

Its more than just an amusement park but an experience.

Could it be a Theme park?

[keiko_coaster]

I have been at Sea World days on end and still miss it. I remember 2 years ago I went to Sea World Orlando 5 days straight, and also that year i lived at Sea World San Antonio for 10 days straight, and then last year i lived at Sea world San Antonio for 7 days straight. I also went to Sea World Orlando last month just for one day, we did the VIP tour, and still didnt get to see everything the park has to offer.