SeaWorld® Orlando
This first-rate marine park’s 200 acres of fun are certainly worth a day away from Mickey. If you think Shamu is the only show of real interest here, think again. Show after show and exhibit after exhibit lead you through the fascinating world of marine life and its connection with humankind. And it’s all done at a more laid-back pace, a welcome respite from the breakneck speed of Walt Disney World® Resort and Universal Orlando® Resort. And with many new shows, attractions, and dining experiences, it’s better than ever.
Divided into two sections, the North Area and the South Area, almost separated by a 17-acre lagoon, SeaWorld features live shows and continuous exhibits or rides. With a bit of planning and lots of speed walking, it’s possible to go from one show to the next with a short break for lunch, although that doesn’t leave much time for seeing the continuous exhibits, many of which are even better than the live shows. If time allows, plan two days for a relaxed tour of the park and all it has to offer.
New from SeaWorld is an exciting waterpark, Aquatica. Just across International Drive from SeaWorld, it features thirty-six water slides, a high-speed river ride with rapids, and an 80,000-square-foot beach. What’s different are dolphins splashing around in the main lagoon, observable from an observation deck or an underwater viewing area, and a slide that takes guests underwater in clear tubes, zooming past dolphins and other marine life.
