Great Florida Vacation Ideas

It surprises me that I really haven’t talked much about Sea World in Orlando, as it’s a wonderfully fun theme park.  It is, of course, a marine park, so the primary focus is on the animals.  Still, there are worlds to explore, above and below water, at this Central Florida theme park.

The Sea World Parks

There are three parks in the Sea World family — Sea World, Discovery Cove and Aquatica.  And they each are very different, even if they all focus on water and/or marine life.

Discovery Cove I talk about in a separate post, and if you have the money, it is one of those must-do parks.  If you love the sea, then this is the park to experience it in.

Aquatica is Sea World’s answer to all the other water parks in central Florida.  However, there’s a difference from the others — Aquatica has “hosts” that show up at various places in the park, and the hosts are animals!  Aquatica tries to mix watery play-time with some fun learning.

Then there is Sea World proper.

Rides, Shows and More – Oh My

Back in the Stone Age (i.e. when I was a teen living in Orlando), Sea World was little more than some exhibits, three marine shows and some restaurants and gift shops.  My, how things have changed over the years!

Sea World really has become a world of its own.  The exhibits have expanded, the shows are better and now there are rides of all sorts splashed about the park.  It’s become a park for all ages.

One thing that I notice is the Kraken, a large roller coaster along one edge of the park.  That reminded me that Sea World and Busch Gardens are owned by the same company (Busch Gardens has the best roller coasters in the state.)  There’s also the Manta, a smaller (but no less thrilling) coaster closer to the center of the park.  And let’s not forget Journey to Atlantis; while not quite a coaster, you do have a flume ride with it.

The three main shows — Shamu, the dolphins and Clyde and Seamour — are still there, ready and waiting for your visit.  Just remember — if you sit in the first row of any of these shows, you have a very good chance of being splashed!

Sharks Underwater Grill

Sharks Underwater Grill takes a cue from EPCOT’s Coral Room, as a restaurant with an aquarium…except that you are in the aquarium, so to speak.  Located next to the Shark Encounter, this restaurant has one wall that looks out into the shark’s tank.  There are more than 50 sharks present, so who is eyeing who?

Sea World, Getting Better

I will have to admit, the last time I visited before Anheuser-Busch took it over, Sea World was looking pretty run down and ragged.  Now there is new life in the park, new things to see and do.  Definitely worth a trip!