SeaWorld not as good?

[SamsCalling]

It may just be me but I really was disappointed by SeaWorld this time...it used to be my favourite park but I don't even know if I'd bother going back in the future :confused:

1) They make you pay for your lockers - I know it's only 50cents, but when you're going on Kraken and Atlantis a couple of times a day, plus all the other parks are capable of giving you lockers for free...why charge?

2) The dolphin stadium was only open to AP holders! Seemed VERY unfair -

[Claire_L]

I think the dolphin stadium was only open to AP holders as the show is still being worked on and they wanted to 'test' it on people just as WDW did this for the soft openings of Soarin' recently.
Claire :wink

[SamsCalling]

I'd paid to get in to SeaWorld...so expected to be able to see the dolphin show. I appreciate if they're refurbishing the stadium, but to open it up to some people and not others seems very unfair. If you're going now you should be ok - grand opening was around May 28th I think....but for us it was a dissapointment.

3) Food choice - it's either sit down meals which were quite pricey, pizza, or that's about it. We felt compared to disney they definitely needed a place that just served wraps, fries or burgers!

4) You used to be able to have your photo taken on this big Shamu model - now you have to pay and there's strictly no personal photography. Again, seems a bit money spinning when you compare it to Disney...we asked CM's to take our pictures after they'd taken to official Disney ones and they couldn't have been more obliging. It's a shame seaworld isn't the same!

5) The show....I can't even remember what it was called...ahh...Fusion. We expected a watersports show...what we got was something that looked totally unprofessional, with cocky performers who seemed so big headed when they actually performed their stunts (when there actually were stunts...)...you were distinctly unimpressed. The dancing was just, out of place at Seaworld. It looked like something from an MTV reality show! I'm 19 so I would have thought this would appeal to me....but it didn't at all. I thought it was quite embarrasing!

Don't get me wrong, the Shamu show is amazing and seeing my bf with the dolphins was wonderful...but compared to our previous visits, it's definitely gone down!

What do you all think???

[SamsCalling]

Claire.....I still think this is unfair though, I'd rather have been a member of the test audience than not have seen it at all!!!!!

[mariechez]

Thats such a shame, l went in 03 and really loved it. We didn't go last year but are going back in November so l hope they have all the cliches sorted by then. :(

[Villainlover]

It is a shame that you have gone off Sea World I still find it as nice as ever (apart from the hotdogs at Shamu Stadium yuk!)

when we were in Orlando last year we encountered the same things at WDW. Stitch was only open to Annual Pass holders and we had to pay for lockers so I am a little puzzled at your comparisons.

I love all the parks though in their different ways.

Mind you I never noticed that you had to pay for your photo with the shamu statue and I have not heard of Fusion.

and you don't get free beer in WDW ;)

where are the free lockers in WDW?

[SamsCalling]

Lockers wise, I mean when you go on the rides at Universal and IOA (sorry, not Disney), they allow you to store your stuff for free

[SamsCalling]

grr I keep pressing enter early lol

...at the rides where you can't take your bags on. At Seaworld, you don't have a choice.

Fusion was new for Spring 2005 and to be honest I can't see it lasting! We were torn between that and the sealion show and I'm gutted we chose fushion!

[Claire_L]

Originally posted by SamsCalling
Lockers wise, I mean when you go on the rides at Universal and IOA (sorry, not Disney), they allow you to store your stuff for free

But only for a limited time, maybe an hour, as then it costs $$$ so 50c for a few hours isn't bad IMHO.

Claire :wink

[mariechez]

Fusion did look quite good on their website :D

[SamsCalling]

I think they were free for 1-2 hours - but when you're only using them for your stuff when you're going on the rides...why seaworld can't do this too is beyond me - especially as you don't have any choice! I can understand it on Kraken, but on Atlantis...I took my bag on Dudley Do Right's falls at IOA with no problems...no I don't see what the difference is, we didn't even get very wet!

[Claire_L]

We really enjoyed SW last October even though we had a huge storm whilst there. Going back again next month so hope to catch the shows we missed last time and also the new ones.
Claire :wink

[SamsCalling]

The concept of Fusion is good - but the reality just isn't. It's kind of like a bunch of college age kids - the guys doing the watersports especially seem to think they're amazing, and their constant cockyness just ruined every (admittantly very good) stunt they did.

Then the dancing inbetween stunts - just didn't fit with a family audience IMO!

[SamsCalling]

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it...but certain bits of it had changed since last time and I didn't think they were changes for the better. Seeing Dave with the dolphins was a great experience....we spent about an hour there, and I'd have paid to go into SeaWorld just for that! And the Shamu show (both the daytime one and Shamu Rocks America) were amazing! So I'm sure you'll have a great time Claire :D

[Villainlover]

I still love Seaworld. I love to wander around looking at everything with the pleasant back ground music floating through the air. I love Kracken and Atlantis and do not mind spending 50 cents for a locker (if we don't want to cover my poor mother in bags etc ;) )
I like playing on the fairground games trying to win a cuddly spongebob or such, though don't like actually winning it and having to get it home ;)

The Shamu show is excellent even at the times when they have just had a baby and are just having a bit of a swim, I don't mind as I respect them for caring :D Love Shamu Rocks too :D

I think the Clyde and Seymore show is hilarious, and I love feeding the sea lions, trying to avoid feeding the birds.

And I love to just sit outside the hospitality centre with a bud, relaxing and soaking up the sun by the clear waters ..

havent seen the Dolphin show for ages as it has been in refurb but I look forward to that.

It is a shame you didn't enjoy it but at least you still enjoyed the other parks :D

I want my countdown to go faster!!!!

[pyrotech]

I thought the new show was called Blue horizons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/pyrotech/bluehorizontest.jpg

If they are charging for a photo by the statue that is a bit OTT, will Universal start to charge by the globe, or Disney for all cast member pics. !!!!

To me all the parks have gone a bit down hill with the advent of Digital Cameras, it does seem like Costa Timeshare Touts on occasions.

Fine a picture on certain rides and the odd special but they are every ten yards up Main Street somedays.

[lesleyanne]

i love sea world but i must say we were there 4 weeks ago and it put me off a bit because it was absolutely full of school parties.
i know that you get them everywhere but at sea world you really couldnt move for the school kids.
i didnt bother doing a second trip while i was there.
but i will try again next year.
by the way when do the american kids have their school holidays?
any in march?

[SamsCalling]

I think the new dolphin show is called blue horizons. Fusion is over the lake, and you can see it from the bridge you walk across to get to Shamu stadium.

I agree about the kids parties - seemed to be TONS at IOA during our 2nd week!!

[Villainlover]

though I love Sea World, I have never taken to any of the water ski shows that have been at the bay side stadium. (if this is what Fusion is) they would have to go over a jump on top of each others shoulders to impress me, but as this is impossible, I will be giving the stadium another miss LOL

remember when they called it Bay watch to try and get more viewers. ROFL .. no definitely not my cup of tea either and I have always thought these shows are total naff. :rolleyes:

Let it go Seaworld .. let it go.. :p:

[Sue]

We are a bit ambivalent about Seaworld, we would always go and obviously its now 3 years since we went and there will be some changes; but we really enjoy Kraken, Clyde and Seamore and the Shamu shows - after that its errr..... not much. We have never found a food outlet we really like. Tend to stick to fast food/counter service during the day and this is VERY limited and/or very busy at SW in my opinion.
It's always a half day for us at most with a return one evening to dot the evening Shamu show(with a DC entry that's for free so no extra expense)

[SamsCalling]

Originally posted by soozicue
It's always a half day for us at most with a return one evening to dot the evening Shamu show(with a DC entry that's for free so no extra expense)

I think we'll be doing this in future!

[CeeJay]

We loved Seaworld as always but had one minor niggle on our last trip. There are now two cast members in canoes in the dolphin feeding pool. Now is it just my imagination or are they there solely to spoil your personal photos so that you have to buy theirs. It seemed that every time I lifted my camera to take a picture a very large paddle filled the frame. Sorry girls but it didn't work. Your piccies are overpriced and I managed to sneak my own while you weren't looking. :D

Colin :cool:

[lemontropics]

Went to Seaworld on Saturday and I have to say that this is my least favourite park. I went there in 1998 and nothing much has changed. The service at some of the food/drinks stalls was quite poor. Only the Shamu show and Clyde/Seamore and the dolphins made the trip worthwhile.

Everyone in my group were disturbed to see the 2 polar bears being housed in such a small enclosure. Surely Seaworld should do away with this so called 'wild artic' attraction.

I don't think I will go to Seaworld when I visit Florida again as it will give me more waterpark/pool time.

[Suzie&Stuart]

Originally posted by lesleyanne
i love sea world but i must say we were there 4 weeks ago and it put me off a bit because it was absolutely full of school parties.
i know that you get them everywhere but at sea world you really couldnt move for the school kids.
by the way when do the american kids have their school holidays?
any in march?

Never been to Florida and missed a trip to Seaworld. We just love the place.But we are now taking a break from the big parks [havent done Busch yet though] as we feel we are too familiar with them now.

lesleyanne,we were there at the same time-ish,last week April first week May.We expected it to be quiet but that first week was horrendous,especially the first Monday at MK and the Weds at Disney MGM.Like you say,groups of college kids and then in the second week at Epcot loads of groups of school graduation kids.

Found out from a woman from New Jersey that the New York areas were still on spring break up to the end of April.

Stuart

[thinktink]

I kind of agree with you - Seaworld just doesn't have the buzz that WDW and Universal have, and I can't quite pin down the reason - yes, we all know the food at Seaworld sucks (that is, when you can actually find somewhere to eat!), and the dancers are clearly the WDW and Universal rejects, but I still think it's worth a visit, even if it's only for Kraken, Shamu and Pets Ahoy - ahh, the cheesy factor!

[peter+lynne]

WE ALLWAYS DO TWO DAYS AT SEAWORLD AND LOVE IT!!
THE FOOD AT THE SEAFIRE INN IS REALLY GOOD MMMMM ORANGE WOOD FIRED CHICKEN.
DINE WITH SHAMU FOOD IS OK AS WELL THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD TIME AT DINE WITH SHAMU!
AND THIS YEAR WE ARE TRYING THE SIT DOWN AT SHARKS.
BUT WE HAVE ALLWAYS FOUND CHEAPER OPTIONS AT SEAWORLD LIKE WRAPS AND FRIES AND SUCHLIKE.
THE SHOWS ARE GREAT KEY WEST DOLPHIN FEST NOW BLUE HORIZONS WHICK I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO,CLYDE AND SEYMORE AND THE PIRATE MIME THE SHAMU SHOWS AND DONT FORGET THE REALLY GOOD JOURNEY TO ATLANTIS.
I ALSO LIKE THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE PARK A FANTASTIC FIRST DAY PARK.

[dcmax]

Originally posted by thinktink
I kind of agree with you - Seaworld just doesn't have the buzz that WDW and Universal have, and I can't quite pin down the reason - yes, we all know the food at Seaworld sucks (that is, when you can actually find somewhere to eat!), and the dancers are clearly the WDW and Universal rejects, but I still think it's worth a visit, even if it's only for Kraken, Shamu and Pets Ahoy - ahh, the cheesy factor!

Sharks underwater grill!!

[BevS97]

are we going to the same park? We just love seaworld, have had no pressure to buy any photos, found the new waterside restaurant area to be superb, we ate at a counterservice place that felt like a proper restaurant. (maybe the Spice Mill) There was a guy doing magic tricks who entertained the kids for ages while we ate.

I do agree it's disappointing when you can't see a show you want to see, but it does happen in all the parks. When we were there the dolphin show was completely closed.

The only thing I don't like at Seaworld it the Polar Bear enclosure, I think it's too small and it seems at odds with the superb enclosures for all the other animals, but other than that area, I have never had a complaint. In fact we can visit Seaworld 2 or 3 times in a trip.

[Villainlover]

Regarding the Polar Bears enclosure. Now it was a long time ago that I saw the documentary so the facts are a little vague but I watched the documentary on the birth and bringing up of the two polar Bears and their move to Sea World.
The carers on this docu were really pleased with the enclosure and I have a feeling that the back (out of sight area) is a lot bigger than the 'on show' part.
If it ever comes back on I will watch it..but they were really happy with the move at the time..

I may be completely wrong as it was a long time ago but I am sure that they were really happy when they had to say goodbye to these two polar bears that they had fed and cared for from birth..

[Scotsmomma]

I love SeaWorld....one of the most relaxing parks in my opinion...the only downside for me is the restaurants....ohhh and they changed the show at the Nautilus theatre....not a patch on the old one....I just couldn't imagine doing Orlando and missing SeaWorld out.....not everyones cup of tea..but one thing I loved this yr....was the way they acknowledged the troops...theirs and the Uk's....really moving

[lesleyanne]

scotsmomma i agree about the troops i found it very moving.
dont get me wrong i love seaworld myself but this year it was just too packed with school trips.and boy do the know how to scream on the rides...

[disneydolphin]

This is the park we chose to drop this time so I guess I would agree with you.

We *did* enjoy it in 2003 and found it to be a refreshing, quieter, smaller park than WDW/IOA/US but we reckon we've probably seen it all now.

Only thing Ill miss is Kracken (sp?) and the dolphins. Will get the dolphin fix elsewhere.

:wink

[SamsCalling]

Originally posted by CeeJay
We loved Seaworld as always but had one minor niggle on our last trip. There are now two cast members in canoes in the dolphin feeding pool. Now is it just my imagination or are they there solely to spoil your personal photos so that you have to buy theirs. It seemed that every time I lifted my camera to take a picture a very large paddle filled the frame. Sorry girls but it didn't work. Your piccies are overpriced and I managed to sneak my own while you weren't looking. :D

Colin :cool:

I think it depends where you're stood - I have tons of pics of Dave with no canoist (?!) on them......I think they're there for the dolphins incase anyone does anything stupid IMHO...although I wouldn't put it past Seaworld, lol

[highlander447]

SW for food there are plenty of options the problem I think most people don't plan their day in SW as they do in WDW and Universal which makes u miss eating places just my opinion as for the stadium being closedi ts been closed for months just like they do in every park when they are planning a new show and APH always get to peiew first just as in other parks :beer:

[Ade666]

Sam

I was one of the annual passholders who saw the show and it was brilliant - I saw it 6 or 7 times.

Now at the risk of being throttled - I think you must be the only visitor to the park who didn't see Blue Horizons. As an passholder I was told I had to be in my seat 15 minutes before showtime because that was when they let the general public in - and there were thousands of them!!! Mind you I was also told that as a passholder I could only see one performance but they kept giving me an access badge to access the next show!!

The only day which was different was on the Monday before I came back (25th May). This was the last preview day and the access to the show was restricted to passholders only.

I have loads of pics of the new show which I will post next week. All I can say is that it is totally different to the old Key West show - new set, more dolphins, better tricks, divers, parrots, aerial performers.

[SamsCalling]

Ade666,

I'm glad you enjoyed it - can't wait to see the pics! We had an amazing time with the dolphins...not the show....but in the pool where you can touch/feed them...which made up for not seeing the show. To be honest I think I'd have been more annoyed had I got little children who wanted to see it, so I'm not too disappointed!!

Sam x