Awesome Family Fun at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando is definitely one of the most popular attractions not only in Florida, but in the whole U.S. as well. Known for providing world-class family fun with its spectacular rides, amazing shows and memorable animal encounters, SeaWorld Orlando is considered as the world’s premier marine adventure park. In 2008, it drew almost six million visitors and ranked as the seventh most visited park in the U.S. and 12th worldwide. This is more than enough reason why the park should be included in your list of places to visit while in Florida.

Most theme parks are divided into sections or separate lands, and this is not the case for SeaWorld Orlando. However, the park has several distinct areas:

This area was designed to imitate the appearance of Key West, another city in Florida.

The Waterfront has the look of a Mediterranean village and houses restaurants, shops and the Sky Tower ride.

The Home of Shamu, the park’s famous killer whale

This is the location of the stables of the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Hospitality House, where guests can learn about beer-making and sample Anheuser-Busch products.

Animal encounters are one of the top reasons why people visit SeaWorld Orlando. It is not everyday that you get to see these lovely sea animals, much less interact with them. The park has several interactive programs:

Get to know how it feels like to train sea lions, dolphins and sharks with the Trainer for Day program. A group of six guests will be guided through training techniques done by the most experienced sea animal trainers.

Feeding these sea creatures is definitely something that you should experience. With this program, you will be able to feed orphaned manatees through feeding bottles, as well as learn the caring techniques for beluga whales, walruses and seals.

If you have the guts to touch a live shark, then this program is for you. For one whole hour, you will get to uncover the mysteries of these mysterious predators.

With the assistance of SeaWorld trainers, you can get the chance to interact with huge, 12-foot long killer whales and participate in animal training sessions.

Can’t get enough of the sharks? Then go swimming with them. The Sharks Deep Dive program will have you donning wet suits and scuba dive or snorkel inside a real shark cage in no time.

Adorable polar bears, huge Beluga whales and beautiful penguins are what you will see when you avail of this one-hour tour.

This program will allow you to tour the rescue and rehabilitation programs for the park’s manatees and sea turtles.

If you seek adrenaline rush, then try SeaWorld Orlando’s state-of-the-art rides. First on your list should be Challenge Kraken, said to be the tallest, fastest, longest roller-coaster in Orlando. It is also the only “floorless” roller coaster in the city. The Kraken takes you 15 stories high into the air and turns you upside down seven times, at the speed of 65 mph. Obviously, this is only for the brave of heart. Those who are not so brave have a great alternative in Journey to Atlantis, which is part roller coaster and part water ride. The ride has two of the wettest and steepest drops among all the theme park rides in the world.

Looking for the highest point in the park? Take the Sky Tower ride, a 400-foot tall rotating observation tower. It is one of the park’s most iconic rides.

If you do not mind a freezing adventure, then try Wild Arctic, which allows you to ride on motion-simulated jet helicopters and explore the danger and beauty of the Arctic. You will experience a quick avalanche and fierce snowstorm during the ride. A close encounter with polar bears, walruses and Beluga whales caps off the unforgettable journey.

Other rides include the Sea Carousel, the Jazzy Jellies, The Flying Fiddler, Ocean Connection, Swishy Fishies and Pirates’ Net.

After going through the park’s awesome rides, visit the wide array of spectacular shows that will surely delight you and your family no end. The Shamu Adventure showcases the incredible prowess of Shamu the killer whale. Get a seat in the Soak Zone and prepare to get drenched as Shamu performs tricks taught by his trainers, which will have him move his fins and tail. Heaps of water will definitely drench the spectators nearby.

If pirate shows are your thing, then check out Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Show, a hilarious, swashbuckling adventure which stars two California sea lions, who perform their acts with the help of a trainer.

There is also something for the land animal lovers. Pets Ahoy! Is a show which features animals such as cats, dogs, skunks and pigs performing comical stunts and silly skits, with the assistance of a trainer. You will be delighted to know that most of these animals were rescued from animal shelters around the city before SeaWorld took them in and trained them to become performers for the park.

SeaWorld has several venues which hosts the park’s regular and special shows. The Shamu Stadium keeps the killer whale performers in its seven-million gallon pool. The Sea Lion and Otter Stadium is the venue for Clyde and Seamore while the Whale and Dolphin Theatre features macaws, dolphins, false killer whales and the occasional Andean condor.

Other venues include Bayside Stadium, which hosts the park’s music concert series and other special events. The Nautilus Theatre hosts the acrobatic show while the Seaport Theatre features the performance of the animals rescued from the shelters.

After an exciting day of rides and shows, satisfy your hungry stomachs at the park’s numerous restaurants. Do not leave the park without going to the Sharks Underwater Grill. Here you will have a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable dining experience because the underwater restaurant is surrounded with an aquarium where you can see the sharks swimming by.