Planning your day at SeaWorld

The more you know before you arrive, the less you will have to worry about. Vacations are supposed to be an escape from the stress and worry of your everyday life, and planning your trip while you're still at home will give you an energizing peek at what's to come.

SeaWorld Orlando is a growing park. An aquarium and theme park for years. it is moving more towards the themed park arena to be a coaster capital in Florida.

Where do I start?

Before you book your SeaWorld vacation packages or order your SeaWorld tickets, consider first what time of year you'll be visiting. During the summer the park is more crowded but the weather is perfect for splash zones and kiddy rides. During the winter it may be too chilly for the wetter attractions but the lines can be shorter.  Either way, it's easy to have a great time, but what makes it great may differ. If a major holiday corresponds with your travel there will probably be special events within the park to add to your experience.

Plan on what you are going to bring to SeaWorld

In the summer it gets very hot and most people wear a t-shirt and shorts and call it a day. What they aren't expecting is what every local knows it's going to rain, no matter how clear the sky looks in the morning. It rains just about every day, at just about the same time. This is good because if you know it rained around noon the day you arrived, you can plan to be indoors around noon at the park. Bring an umbrella anyway, or ponchos for your family. No matter how hot it is outside you may also want to pack a lightweight jacket. It seems that the hotter the weather the colder the A/C in restaurants throughout Florida, and a fit of chills can ruin a fabulous meal.

Meet your new best friend - The Map

A map is a useful innovation for any theme park. You can look at a map online and get general information.  It's a good idea to have a smaller map for quick reference to bathrooms and such, but the full-size informational version will be like a personal travel planner throughout your day.

The basic layout of the park is composed of a large lake to the right with attractions circling it, and a series of winding paths to the left. There's a good reason for this, and it's not just to confuse you into staying in the park.

Unfortunately, this is the part that you cant pre-plan completely. The number of shows per day varies by the season and is determined by the number of people expected in the park that day. You may be able to call ahead and get some idea of how frequently your favorite show will be performed that day, but your best bet is to show up knowing which shows you most want to see. If you've never been to SeaWorld before you'll probably want to see it all. Go for it! But try to prioritize just in case. The larger the stadium, the less frequently the show is performed. Because Shamu Stadium holds around 1,000 people, it has the fewest shows on an average day. Whale and Dolphin Theater is smaller, the show performs more frequently. If, however, the park becomes a lot busier than anticipated, most of the shows will try to add performances. They really want you to have every opportunity to see it all. Listen to the announcements that break into the muzak throughout the park. They will tell you when a showing is full, canceled, or being added. One last variable to consider Rescue Tails and Elmo Rocks are indoor shows so if it's raining they'll fill up faster. Got your ponchos? Go to one of the others and have elbow room galore! There are rides here, right?

Can't consider SeaWorld a theme park without a coaster? We've got you covered. Kraken, Mako, manta, and Icebreaker are all coasters for different levels of thrill. Journey to Atlantis is a coaster/ log boat ride hybrid. For the little ones is Seasame Street land. There you can ride Elmo's Choo Choo and other kids' rides. meet Sesame Street Characters and watch a parade.

We're Huuuuungry!!!

There are plenty of options for SeaWorld dining throughout the park, so whenever the hunger strikes you'll be near an eatery of some type. It's probably a wise idea to eat before a show and leave a little time before getting onto the rides! If you have any special dietary concerns, two restaurants stand out. Mamas Kitchen is the newest restaurant on-site and offers healthy eating for all tastes. Primarily salads and sandwiches, the menu is filling without leaving you with that post-Thanksgiving feeling. If you have specific dietary needs, Sharks Underwater Grill is your best bet. This is the premier dining experience in the park the sit-down, classy spot, and the place where special requests are most easily met. Most dining is fast-food style, with entrees being made nonstop and put on a hot-line to keep service flowing smoothly. If you usually remember a good meal long after your vacation is over, go to Sharks or one of the add-on dining experiences. If you're just really hungry and want to get back to the action, hit any other spot in the park for good food fast.

What else can we do while we are here?

Dine with Sharks. In the restaurant Sharks Underwater Grill has a special experience of eating fine dining while surrounded by an aquarium with sharks.

Put it together and what've you got?

The simple rule to remember is to focus on why you want to be at SeaWorld. The shows are spectacular, but if they're just not your thing you can browse exhibits at your leisure. If you desperately want to see a comedic Sea Lion then make sure to be near the theater where they perform and explore the nearby food and exhibits before and after the show.

Where's the exit?

Believe it or not, this is the most frequently asked question among visitors to SeaWorld. The short answer is it's where you came in. Assuming you don't remember where that was and how could you after all the day's excitement? just ask. The easiest way to find the exit is to stay until the park closes, enjoy absolutely everything the park has to offer, and then follow all of the other families leaving with a smile and a sigh.