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 Something
about dolphins, manatees, whales and
even sharks brings out the emotions
in all ages – in a range from
delight to delicious fear. Pre-schoolers
especially thrill at the simple prospect
of seeing the creatures and watching
their behaviors. Grade-schoolers are
more likely to pick up on the park’s
educational aspects, as will older
guests, who also love the thrill rides.
Pre-Schooler
Favorites
SeaWorld Adventure Park presents many
ways to experience sea creatures –
as removed or close-up as you desire.
Touch tanks, aquariums and exhibits
allow pre-schoolers to gaze endlessly
at their favorites. Take them
to see the Beluga whales and polar
bears in “Wild Arctic,”
one of the park’s most impressive
recreated habitats. It also happens
to be a great spot to cool off if
it’s hot outside. A thrill ride
goes with this attraction, but you
can watch a milder film version or
simply visit the animals and skip
the drama.
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The
toothy stars at “Shark Encounter”
are fascinating, as are the residents
of the “Penguin Encounter.”
“Manatees: The Last Generation?”
gets tikes up sclose to these gentle
and endangered creatures.
Many
of the shows are kid-oriented. Don’t
miss “Pets Ahoy!” and
“Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate
Island.” Of course, Shamu is
the headliner of the park shows. “Shamu’s
Happy Harbor,” a cool interactive
playground, lies nearby. Kids could
spend hours here, so budget your time
accordingly. New in 2004, your star-eyed
whale lovers can meet the big guy
and friends at Shamu & Crew Character
Breakfast, with live music and photo
and autograph opportunities.
Grade-School
Winners
Kids 42 inches tall or higher will
want to do the motion-simulator “Wild
Arctic” ride. Other attractions
grade-schoolers especially enjoy include
the “Shamu Splash Attack”
water balloon station, the pink flamingo
paddleboats and the Sky Tower, all
of which incur extra charges. At the
Shamu show, kids this age often want
to sit in the “Splash Zone,”
where Shamu douses guests with truly
chilly water. Satisfy their affinity
for dolphins by attending “Key
West Dolphin Fest,” the educational
presentations at Dolphin Cove.
Terrific
for ‘Tweens, Teens and Upwards
Bring on the thrills for your older,
adventurous family members. Head to
one of Orlando’s most sensational
roller coasters, the floorless “Kraken”
(must be 54 inches or taller) and
the get-wet “Journey to Atlantis”
(42-inch height requirement). Older
children and adults will most appreciate
the “Fusion” water sports
stunt show and new “Odyssea,”
an underwater-themed, non-traditional
circus performance in the Nautilus
Theater.
The
Hospitality Center is exclusively
for adults, a place where the over-21
crowd can enjoy a complimentary Anheuser-Busch
beverage and even attend beer-making
school. One of the favorite forms
of entertainment for adults is the
Makahiki Luau dinner show at The Waterfront
(see below).
For
All Ages
SeaWorld’s newest attraction,
The Waterfront, is certain to bring
a smile to all weary theme park-goers.
The Waterfront's collection of restaurants,
entertainment and shops (one where
they free dive for your pearls) is
designed to emulate the world’s
most vibrant seaside cities.
Guests
can enjoy several wining and dining
options, including the Seafire Inn,
which features chefs preparing stir-fry
dishes in a four-foot Mongolian wok.
The SandBar specializes in sushi and
martinis, while Voyagers Wood Fired
Pizzas serves up gourmet hand-tossed
pies and the new Spice Mill serves
jambalaya, jerk chicken and other
seaport specialties cafeteria-style.
For
a combination of food and fun, The
Waterfront offers the Makahiki Luau.
For an added charge, you can enjoy
authentic Polynesian fare and rhythmic
music, dance and costumes. During
the summer months, watch the finale
fireworks and fountain show, Mistify,
from the village.
For information, visit www.seaworld.com
SeaWorld’s
Sister Park: Discovery Cove
If your kids are truly dolphin-addicted,
make advance reservations at Discovery
Cove, an all-inclusive dolphin encounter
and snorkeling experience across the
street from SeaWorld, its sister attraction.
Besides the centerpiece dolphin interaction
experience, the park offers a sand
beach, a pool where you can swim with
“stinger-free” stingrays,
a lazy river-type snorkeling adventure
that ends in a pool where sharks nose
up against glass barriers, tropical
birds you can feed and a buffet meal
– all for one price. Grade-schoolers
get the most out of Discovery Cove,
but even older kids enjoy it if they’ve
never before snorkeled in a real marine
environment. |
