Welcome to the third & final installment in the special “all San Diego” week here on Go Explore Nature. Today, a review of our September visit to SeaWorld, currently one of the big explorer’s favorite places.
When the big explorer created his “Best Times With Mom 2010” book, our September trip to SeaWorld definitely made the list. In fact, he loved everything about it.
Which makes sense, of course. He is fascinated with dolphins and whales but doesn’t get to see them very often – let alone up close.
Now I know that there are those among you who swore off all marine parks after watching “The Cove” (which I still haven’t seen, by the way). But as of yet, SeaWorld remains the one place where I can introduce my kids to some of the marine animals I so cherish. Don’t worry; you can bet they’ll get to see these creatures in the wild some day, too.
A word of warning: This place is probably one of the most extravagant ways to explore wildlife in the city (see pricing under “Planning Essentials” below). To make this visit more doable, we searched and found seriously discounted tickets online.
Okay, now that all of that is out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff. The big explorer shares his five favorite things about our end-of-summer visit to SeaWorld:
1. Touching a dolphin
At Rocky Point Preserve, guests can feed and touch a bottlenose dolphin under close guidance of a trainer. The interaction is brief but leaves a big impression on little ones.
Insider tip: Check the dolphin feeding schedules when you enter the park. Be prepared to pay extra ($6 per person). And bring along a little patience (there was a long line during our visit).
2. Seeing a killer whale
No visit to SeaWorld is complete without seeing the killer whales. We were all a little awe-struck to see these magnificent creatures up close during the Shamu Show.
Insider tip: Choose your seats wisely. If you want to get wet, sit in the splash zone. If not, sit elsewhere, wear a poncho or bring a change of clothes.
3. Getting up close views of so many polar animals
We’d seen polar bears at the San Diego Zoo, but SeaWorld also features a beluga whale and tons of different types of penguins.
Insider tip: The very cool Wild Arctic and Penguin Encounter polar exhibits make great places to visit when the temperatures soar.
4. The shows
We chose two shows to catch: The Shamu Show and Blue Horizons (featuring dolphins). Although both kids enjoyed the shows, I was a little disappointed. The programs felt overly emotional and dramatic and offered much less in the way of education than I remember from visits in my youth.
Insider tip: Use the online map and list of show times to plan your day ahead of time. Pick & choose a few of your favorites instead of trying to see it all.
5. Riding the rapids
As if all the exhibits, aquariums and animal interactions aren’t enough, SeaWorld also features several rides. And although we hadn’t planned on trying any, the big explorer took one look at Shipwreck Rapids and wanted to give it a go. It features a ride in a raft-like inner tube. Does this mean river rafting is in our future?
Insider tip: Head to the rides (and restaurants, for that matter) while others are watching shows. You’ll find your wait times drastically reduced.
Planning Essentials
- 1-day admission is $69.99 for guests 10 and older, $61.99 for guests 3 through 9; kids 2 and under are free
- Ticket price includes all shows, exhibits, aquariums & rides (with the exception of the Skyride & Skytower)
- In addition to several shows, SeaWorld also features rides, animal encounters & animal feeding opportunities, some of which require an additional fee
- Opening & closing times vary by season, with extended hours during holidays & summer nights; check here for park hours & show times
- Restaurant & concession stands are available throughout the park (you are not allowed to bring in your own food or snacks)
- Parking is $12 per car
- For safety reasons, all strollers must be parked outside of most exhibits & attractions (which left us wishing we’d left ours in the car); single strollers rent for $12
- Younger kids may enjoy a stop at the Sesame Street Bay of Play (we skipped it)
- Summer visits can get very hot, so plan to be inside at one of the aquariums or other indoor exhibits
SeaWorld is located at:
500 Sea World Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
This review is based on my family’s personal experience. We did not receive any incentive to visit (i.e. no free tickets), nor any compensation for sharing my opinions. If you have any questions, read my full disclosure policy.
@Abbie: I share your feelings about experiencing zoos & marine parks pre- and post-kids. I'm thrilled you were able to see a whale in the wild. We saw dolphins once from the shore in Oxnard, CA. Truly magnificent!<br /><br />@Anonymous: Thanks for sharing your concerns about SeaWorld. I think it's especially important to talk about this issue with our kids, making sure we've got
While I think that experiencing whales and dolphins with your children is really fun, I think that taking them somewhere like SeaWorld really tells your children that you think that holding animals in insufficient accommodations for the purpose of entertaining humans is totally fine. Financially supporting SeaWorld tells the company that very same thing.<br /><br />Don't compromise ethics for
i really like your blog, it's very cool. However I have to say I will never, ever take my kids to Sea World after seeing the Frontline expose on Sea World that aired about 10 years ago, how they secretly bought dolphins from awful place called the "Auschwitz of dolphins" don't know if it was the Cove or not, but then laundered the import licenses to look like they came from
Zoos always make me a little sad, I just don't like seeing animals in captivity. But going to them with my daughters has been a whole new experience. The awe, joy and excitement that they see when they can look at a lion or giraffe up close is just amazing. <br />Seeing marine wild life up close like that would be incredible. This Christmas while deep sea fishing in the Pacific we saw whale &