SeaWorld topics in this post…
Hello, fellow sea-creature and roller coaster enthusiasts!
As mentioned in my last post about Discovery Cove, Daniel and I spent the beginning of this month soaking up the sun (and a lot of saltwater) at SeaWorld’s Orlando parks! We spent a day each at Discovery Cove and Aquatica and 2.5 days trying to catch every ride and show at SeaWorld.
SeaWorld is such a fun and expansive park with so many things to do! There are shows, rides, exhibits, animal encounters, and aquariums to pack in, which can be a bit overwhelming—especially if you only have a day. Hopefully, this guide will help you know when and where to concentrate your efforts based on your personal interests.
Now, as you may have noticed in the headline, this is the “adult’s” guide to the park. There is a large Sesame Street area for little kids, but if you have older (or no) children, you won’t be in that part of the park. Since we only experienced this as a married couple with no kids, I’ll be focusing on the parts that you won’t be doing with your little ones in tow.
What to Bring/Wear to SeaWorld
- Breathable walking shoes or a change of shoes that can get wet
- Lightweight clothing–moisture-wicking material is a lifesaver!
- A lightweight poncho or rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Small bag for valuables–bonus if it’s also waterproof!
- Something to do in the lines that can be easily packed up.
- A mask if you’re not vaccinated–especially if you plan to do an animal encounter. Some of the animals are highly susceptible to respiratory illnesses.
Tips for a Fun & Carefree SeaWorld Vacation
- If possible, visit in the spring and fall. I know not everyone can do that, but the heat makes a huge difference.
- If you have more than one day, go in the evening. The park clears out around 7 when all the parents and small children go home.
- Embrace the fanny pack lol I caved and bought a “money belt” to keep our phones, passes, and cards in. It fit under my shirt without being obvious, and we didn’t have to pay for a locker or leave them in the bins. Plus, it’s waterproof and kept everything dry, even through Infinity Falls.
- Save money and stay hydrated by asking for a cup of water at the food stands instead of paying for a bottled drink. They’re required to give it to you for free.
- Remember their line policy at closing. If you’re in a line when the park closes, they will not kick you out until you’ve ridden the ride.
- Arrive at least 20 minutes early to all the shows to make sure you get good seating (and seats, period).
A Guide to SeaWorld Orlando 2021
The Rides in Order of Intensity
While SeaWorld’s focus is definitely on sea creatures, it still has a show-stopping lineup of fantastic rides to check out. There are currently 3 roller coasters and 2 water rides open, with the new Ice Breaker ride scheduled to open this year. As of June 2021, the iconic Sky Tower is still closed for social distancing but should be open again soon.
As someone who’s ridden many roller coasters, I have to say SeaWorld’s lineup is one of my favorites, even with the limited selection. We rode the Kraken and Mako multiple times in a row, and Infinity Falls was probably the best water ride I’ve been on! However, if you’re not a fan of big drops and intense rides, you may want to stick to the aquariums and shows.
#1 Mako
Our favorite ride was Mako by far! We rode it twice in a row on two occasions because it was such a thrill. The first half of the ride was definitely the most intense, with 9 zero-gravity drops from up to 20 stories high! After that, riders go through some fantastic twists and turns with smaller drops at a slightly lower speed.
It’s just such a smooth ride, and those stomach-in-your-throat plummets are fantastic, plus it’s the fastest roller coaster in Orlando, according to SeaWorld! It’s definitely an intense ride, so be prepared!
#2 Kraken
From what we could see, Kraken is grossly underrated. This could be due to its location, tucked away behind the Journey to Atlantis and the Antarctic section. But whatever the reason, we never waited for a ride on this coaster! Every single time, we just walked right on and rode it once or twice. It was great, especially since we loved the ride.
The Kraken takes you high above the park then plummets beneath the surface in a fantastic series of drops, twists, and loops. There are 7 inversions and loops, and it gets 15 stories high, so it definitely ranks big on the extreme-ride scale. Plus, it’s a “floorless” coaster, so your feet are dangling the whole time, which makes those loops and drops even more intense.
#3 Infinity Falls
Infinity Falls is one of the park’s most popular rides, with wait times consistently topping 100 minutes. And it’s no wonder, considering the Florida heat! However, if you can, be sure to take at least one turn on this great rapids ride!
Infinity Falls takes you on a soaking adventure through a tropical-themed area, complete with ancient ruins and plenty of waterfalls and drops. There’s really no way to avoid getting drenched as the ride incorporates pretty much every rapids ride technique possible to splash you. But the real thrill of Infinity Falls comes right at the end when a lift transports your raft up a tower for the final 40-foot drop!
#4 The Manta
Personally, the Manta was the calmest roller coaster of the three. Although it is unique, I felt that the ride itself lacked any breathtaking twists, turns, and drops. However, the Manta is really more of an overall experience and is still a great ride.
To get to the roller coaster, guests file through a series of caves that wrap around the giant ray exhibit at the Manta Aquarium. It makes the in-line experience much more interesting and offers some really epic panoramic views of the sea life.
As for the actual ride, what makes the Manta stand out is that you do the whole ride on your stomach, just like a manta ray! This positioning makes the loops and inversions a lot more interesting, but it limits your visibility of anything except what is directly below you.
#5 Journey to Atlantis
The Journey to Atlantis is the only ride not classified as “high-thrill” at SeaWorld, and that’s fair. This water ride-meets-roller coaster is also more of an experience, but in a different way than Manta.
In Journey to Atlantis, guests hop in a boat and take a trip to the legendary city of Atlantis. You spend a lot of the ride weaving through underwater caves and exploring the cityscape. Then, you pop outside on the top of the ride and take a drop down the chute to the water below. But you’re not done yet! The ride loops around and takes you back up into the giant Atlantis building for a quick high-speed run in the dark and the final chute drop.
Overall, it’s really immersive and such a cool setup! Plus, it also has some roller coaster elements, so you get to experience a few indoor thrills in addition to the big chute drops that you’d expect from a water ride.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Shows 2021
SeaWorld currently has 3 animal shows running: Orca Encounter, Dolphin Adventures, and Rescue Tails. The dolphin and rescue shows are both new, and all shows run several times throughout the day. During the summer, you can also catch the Ignite Fireworks Spectacular show, which is a great way to end the evening.
At the time of this post, the Sea Lion and Walrus show is currently closed to let the animals rest and renovate the stadium.
Orca Encounters
SeaWorld’s iconic orcas are a long-standing part of the park experience, although their shows have changed drastically over the years. Due to complaints about the orcas’ treatment and a few untimely trainer deaths, the current orca shows are not the “theatric” experiences you may traditionally think of. However, that does not make them any less spectacular.
The current show puts a strong emphasis on how the orcas are cared for, the specific behaviors they’d exhibit in the wild, and how we can do our part to protect them.
But don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of jaw-dropping feats as the orcas show off their natural born talents for splashing, breaching, flipping, and more! Check out my video below for the highlights from the Electric Ocean night show and the daytime zone in the splash zone!
Dolphin Adventures
The dolphin show is another classic part of SeaWorld’s animal performance lineup. Like the orca show, Dolphin Adventures combines an educational approach with astonishing displays of the dolphins’ natural behavior.
The trainers do get in the water for this show, so the audience can see how they interact directly with the dolphins. And the flippered performers do an incredible job showing off their coordinated jumps, flips, tail waves, spins, and more!
There is a splash zone, but it’s not nearly as intense as the orca show, so I definitely recommend sitting close! (We found that about 8 rows back was perfect). Take a look at my YouTube video to see the highlights from 2 different showings!
Rescue Tails
Rescue Tails is a brand-new addition to SeaWorld Orlando that takes you away from sea creatures for a bit and focuses on land animals. This particular show is entirely educational, so no fancy tricks here, although you’ll definitely see some cute critters! Plus, it’s inside, so you’ll get a nice break from that Florida sun.
Every single animal in Rescue Tails is a rescued animal that was unable to return to the wild. Now, they are animal ambassadors that travel around with SeaWorld’s conservation group to teach people about conservation. The show has a heavy emphasis on what humans can do to protect the animals that live near us to keep them from being injured like the ones in the show.
You’ll see plenty of different animals including a monkey, possum, snake, vulture, a kookabura, and more!
Ignite Fireworks Spectacular
During the Electric Ocean summer event, guests can finish off the night with an epic neon party and fireworks!
Prior to the event, performers in blacklight-friendly attire put on a show with fun lights, hula-hoop tricks, and dancing. They’re all in ocean-themed costumes with fish-markings, jellyfish tentacles, etc. This performance leads right up to the main event: the fireworks and laser light show!
For the next 10 minutes, guests can watch a dazzling display of lights, fountains, and fireworks go off above the central lake. It’s very vibrant, action-packed, and incredibly well-done! For those who want to get right up next to the action, you’re welcome to go down onto the stage and watch from the water’s edge. Otherwise, you can enjoy the show from the comfort of the stadium seats.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquariums & Aviaries
As you can probably imagine, SeaWorld Orlando has a bunch of aquariums scattered throughout the park. Some of these are pretty basic, with just one or two viewing windows, while others are impressive indoor adventures. There are also a few small aviaries with gorgeous birds! Here’s a quick guide to each aquarium and aviary, going clockwise around the park. They’re all great, but I’ve starred the ones that I think are worth prioritizing on busy days!
Flamingos
Right across from the Manta ride, there’s a long, fenced area where a colorful flock of flamingoes live!
Manta Aquarium*
The Manta Aquarium was my personal favorite. While you get a pretty good view of this aquarium from the Manta ride line, the experience from the main exhibit is so much better. Our first time through, we got stuck with a crowd, which took away some splendor. However, we came back later that night and had it to ourselves, and it was stunning.
There are several smaller exhibits in addition to the main manta tank, including an octopus, starfish, and leafy seadragons. But the main tank is the real eye-catcher. The aquarium offers several viewpoints, including a dome where the fish swim over you and an epic panoramic window into the tank. The decor looks like a sunken city, and it is absolutely magical to watch the rays and other fish gliding around so majestically.
Check out this video to see what I mean!
Pelican Preserve
Next up is the Pelican Preserve. This is a minimal exhibit, but you’ll get a close look at the impressive beaks of several of SeaWorlds’ resident pelicans! All of these are rescued birds that couldn’t be released due to injuries (some rather apparent), but now they have a nice home!
Stingray Lagoon
If you’d like to experience the slimy touch of a stingray, be sure to stop at Stingray Lagoon! This shallow touch-pool lets you get some hands-on experience with a school of small rays. You can even buy food (dead fish, just FYI) for some major 1-on-1!
Dolphin Cove
Behind Stingray Lagoon is one of the two dolphin aquariums in the park, Dolphin Cove. According to SeaWorld, it’s actually one of the largest interactive dolphin pools in the world! You can watch the dolphins from ground level as they play and as guests take part in the Dolphin Encounter experiences. They’re so cute! There is also a small underground viewing area on the far side of the cove that lets you see them swimming beneath the surface.
Turtle Trek*
Another one of the more immersive aquariums is Turtle Trek. Here, you can view a variety of creatures from indoor viewing windows and above-ground walkways. As the name suggests, you’ll get to see several rescued sea turtles in a large, panoramic tank. This part is actually rather sad because you can clearly see the injuries on some, like missing flippers and scarred shells. 🙁
There’s also a 360-degree theater with an educational video on sea turtles and how we can keep them safe in the wild.
The other half of this aquarium is dedicated to cool fish and a bunch of manatees! There are even some cute, pudgy babies right now, and they look adorable eating their cabbage!
Manatee Rehabilitation Area
The Manatee Rehabilitation Area gives guests a sobering glimpse at what happens when we’re careless out in the ocean. Behind Turtle Trek, two large tanks hold manatees that are still recovering from injuries. It was so sad to see them because we could clearly see the scars and injuries they’d recently suffered.
This area has a lot of educational information about being responsible on the water and how SeaWorld rescues, rehabilitates, and releases many manatees every year.
Jewel of the Sea Aquarium*
Right outside of the Journey to Atlantis ride, you’ll find the Jewel of the Sea Aquarium. This is just a small room, but it is packed with literal floor-to-ceiling aquariums! In keeping with the Atlantis theme, it’s incredibly colorful and extravagant, with mosaic work, pillars, and decorative murals.
The center of the room features an awesome dual-aquarium: one below your feet and one directly above your head! There’s also a fun jellyfish exhibit and some fun tropical fish.
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin*
The penguin exhibit is so fun–but be prepared to wait in line for quite a while. We waited long enough that it was almost* not worth it for me. But they’re so cute, I couldn’t help but love it. I’d recommend hitting this at the very beginning of your day or right at the end when the line is under an hour. (If you can see the line by the Sea Lions, you’re in for an hour wait.)
Inside the giant iceberg-shaped exhibit, you’ll immediately feel a temperature difference, and it only gets colder. This exhibit is for Antarctic penguins, after all! There’s a short waiting room video about a newborn penguin, and then you actually get to start filing into the penguin exhibit.
It’s a huge room featuring five adorable species of penguins! If you can stand the cold (and the smell), take some time to watch them enjoying life because they are so fun and energetic! We loved watching them waddler around and jump off the land to zoom around in the water at high speeds.
Once you exit the main exhibit, you’ll also get a chance to watch the penguins underwater from a tall viewing window in the next room. This is a great place to really see them in their element!
Pacific Point Preserve*
Next up is the Pacific Point Preserve, home to SeaWorlds’ noisy sea lion and harbor seal community! This large above-ground environment will let you get as close to these creatures as you probably ever will be. In the wild, you’re required to stay at least 50 feet away from them. But here, you can be almost an arms-length away!
The sea lions are very vocal in asking guests to toss fish to them, which you can buy at a stand on the side. Some of them have even learned to raise a fin as they call out to say, “Hey, pick me!” Overall it’s very entertaining! There are several bull males in here as well, which can get up to 2500 lbs! You can tell them apart by their massive bulk and their head shape.
And of course, we can’t forget the harbor seals! While much more reserved than their sea lions friends, the harbor seals still love to get fish, but we found that they mostly stayed on the backside of the exhibit. You can tell them apart from the sea lions by their rounded heads, spotted bodies, and lack of ears.
Shark-Side Aviary
Right outside of the large Shark Encounter building, there is a small, unmarked aviary filled with colorful birds! There are pink ibises, blue-billed ducks, and plenty of other water-loving birds to see here!
Shark Encounter*
Another one of SeaWorlds’ star-aquariums is the Shark Encounter. This giant indoor exhibit immerses you into the world of sharks and other deep-sea creatures.
The show-stoppers here are the giant underwater tunnels that give you 180-degree views of the sharks, rays, and fish. The longer tunnel has a moving walkway to keep guests flowing, so it is a quick but fascinating journey. Further in, there are smaller tanks with lionfish, giant moray eels (so creepy), tiny sharks, and more!
Outside the exhibit and right in front of Shark’s Underwater Bar & Grill, you can also see more sharks and rays swimming around in a large, shallow pool.
Watch the video below for a quick video tour of the tunnels and moray eel exhibit!
Orca Underwater Viewing
Frankly, this exhibit was a bit disappointing. It was rather unclear how often the orcas are in the underwater viewing area. These are the same orcas that perform, so this area will be empty during shows. It’s also unlit, so at night, it’s just a pitch-black expanse of water. (One of the workers told us that the orcas like to swim up and smack the glass to scare people when it’s dark, though lol!)
We finally walked by and saw one orca slowly float across the tank and then disappear about a minute later. There are no other fish in here, either, so it’s really about timing. I’d recommend catching a show instead of waiting around at the viewing window.
Wild Arctic*
Another of my favorite aquariums was the Wild Arctic. Here, you’ll see many adorable cold-climate animals, including beluga whales (my new favorite animal), harbor seals, and walruses.
The belugas frequent the indoor pool more during the evening, so keep that in mind if you want to see the three cuties swimming around.
There is also underwater viewing on the lower level.
The harbor seals in this tank seemed to be a lot more active than their friends over at the Pacific Point Preserve, and they were quite entertaining as they zoomed around their environment! One of their favorite activities was floating on their back toward the glass, then popping upward at the last second.
Unfortunately, the walrus exhibit is currently closed for renovations, but we were told that when it reopens, guest will be able to see a baby walrus!
Dolphin Nursery*
The final animal exhibit is the Dolpin Nursery. This is back toward the front of the park, and was actually the first thing we saw our first day. You won’t have to wait in any lines to see this exhibit, although you may want to stay awhile!
At the moment, there is only one baby dolphin in the nursery, but there’s a whole pod of “companions” in the tank with the momma and baby. They’re there to keep momma company and help teach the baby.
The tank is above-ground, but there are a few viewing windows built into the sides to give you a glimpse of what’s happening underwater. The dolphins are very playful, however, so you’ll likely see them popping out of the water to say hello! And if you happen to come during a dolphin encounter, you’ll be able to see more of the companion dolphins playing around with guests and doing tricks!
A Word About Add-Ons
If you’re interested in interacting with any of the animals at SeaWorld, you have lots of options: penguins, orcas, belugas, walruses, dolphins, and sharks! These range from $20 to $155 per person, depending on the animal and date you choose. We absolutely loved our up-close encounter with the dolphins, and it was worth every penny!
Just be sure to keep those encounters in mind as you travel across the park and gauge wait times because you don’t want to miss your timeslot.
And there you have it! On a busy day (and most days throughout the summer will be), I recommend choosing your must-do activities and hitting them first. And if it gets too crazy, consider leaving for a couple of hours in the afternoon, then coming back from 7 until close for shorter lines.
Do you have any questions for me? Please feel free to leave them below, and I’ll be happy to answer from my experience here!
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If you’re interested in visiting Discovery Cove during your vacation, be sure to check out this article from last week detailing our awesome day at SeaWorld’s day resort. And if you’re hoping to hit up a few parks while you’re in Orlando, take a look at these other articles to help you plan!
- Best of the Park Guide for Exploring Universal Studios, Orlando
- Best of the Park Guide to Islands of Adventure, Orlando
- How to Make the Most of a Busy Day at Aquatica Orlando
Thanks for checking out this post, and I wish you many adventures in the days ahead! Happy travels!
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