SeaWorld Orlando® Adventure Park (not affiliated with TouristFlorida.com, LLC) - (407)351-3600

Sea World Orlando's 200 acre marine-themed park is filled with world-class shows, rides and interactive animal habitats. Open year-round at 9 a.m., their closing times change with the season with extended hours during the summer and holidays. It's a full day of shows and attractions.

Some of the newer features at Sea World include:

The Waterfront at SeaWorld - Opened in 2003, it's a 5 acre nautical neighborhood has new restaurants and shops and makes better use of their waterfront area. Watch for the talented street entertainers who periodically perform here.

Tower Island - located at the 400 foot tall tower is the new SandBar, which is a pub overlooking the water where guests can dine on upscale appetizers such as sushi and enjoy martinis while listening to live musicians.

The Odyssea - a 30-minute fantastic acrobatic stage show with comedy, interesting music and special effects on a stage themed on an underwater fantasy. There is some similarity to Cirque de Soleil, but it's much shorter, and very entertaining!

Dine with Shamu - Enjoy a buffet-style meal with Shamu trainers alongside killer whales. Ask questions and observe training session in an exclusive themed area. Park admission required and reservations are necessary by calling 1(800)327-2420 or by asking at the info counter at the front gate.

Sharks Underwater Grill - an upscale restaurant with a "Floribbean-style" menu with an emphasis on seafood. Priority seating can be arranged by calling 1(800) 327-2420.

Makahiki Luau - In the evening you may want to try the re-named Polynesian Luau which was moved in 2003 to the new Seafire Inn and is an entertaining show that includes polynesian music from various countries, dance, costumes and cuisine (Yes we ate the FISH at Sea World, and it was good!). The show is not as big as some we've seen in person in Hawaii on the beach, but it is excellent and the wahini's faces are captivating. Reservations required, 1(800) 327-2420.

• Journey to Atlantis® - a water-coaster thrill-ride, part water-ride, part roller-coaster, with 2 steep drops.
• Wild Arctic® - a jolting fantasy jet-powered helicopter simulator flight (there's also a non-simulator section where you can watch the same flight projection) where you'll see real polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, harbor seals and more.
• Pacific Point Preserve® -a nicely constructed pacific-coast-like rocky setting with harbor seals and sea-lions and visiting native Floridian birds.

• Shamu's Happy Harbor® - where you can bring the little ones to climb giant nets and tubes and explore a play area that includes water-fun.
• Manatees: The Last Generation?® - See endangered manatees. Sea World is also well-known as an animal preservation park and has been instrumental in preventing the extinction of these creatures (they do alot of rescues of injured manatees and promote public awareness of them).
• Kraken® - the only 'floorless' roller-coaster in Central Florida permits your feet to dangle and is also open-sided while you ride on a pedestal high above the track at up to 65 m.p.h. which they say is the fastest coaster in Orlando.

• Pets Ahoy - great comedic live animal performances by dogs, cats, birds, rats, skunks, pot-belly pigs and other animals and recently updated with 27 new behaviors. Many of the animals are recruited from animal shelters and are very, very well trained!
• The Odyssea - a 30-minute fantastic acrobatic stage show with comedy, interesting music and special effects on a stage themed on an underwater fantasy. There is some similarity to Cirque de Soleil, but it's much shorter, and very entertaining!
• Intensity Water-Ski Show - stunt shows and ultra-high diving.
• The Shamu Adventure® - Shamu and family shows.
• Shamu Rocks America® - Get splashed by killer whales (or not if you sit further away) in this day-ending finale show with the trainers commanding the orcas to perform amazing acrobatic flying feats, featuring American music of many styles.
• Sharks (which includes barracudas, lion fish, moray eels and more.) There's an underwater clear 60 foot long walk/ride-through tube with a conveyor belt transporting you while sharks and other fish swim all around you and over you!
• Shamu Close-up® - see the orca family in-between shows.
• Polynesian Beach Stage - show with dancers/singers performing traditional dance from several polynesian cultures.

• Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island - Comedic sea lion shows that includes an otter and walrus on a pirate adventure searching for lost treasure.
• Sky Tower Ride - fantastic views from the highest point in the park.
• Paddle boats - these flamingo shaped boats are fun.
• Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center - Adults can find free beverage samples here (quite refreshing when walking around, and you can't beat the price.)
• Clydesdale Hamlet - See the famous clydesdale horses at arms length. Also see them hitched as a team of 8 and even pose next to them for a photo.

• Dolphin Cove - where YOU can feed the dolphins! Walk around and see them underwater too!
• Key West Dolphin Fest - a whale and dolphin show featuring false killer whales and comical entertainment.
• Key West at SeaWorld - a five acre area featuring live entertaiment themed on Key West where in addition to feeding the dolphins you can thouch and feed stingrays and see sea turtles.
• Stingray Lagoon - you can touch them!
• Dolphin Nursery - see recently born dolphins with adults.
• Turtle Point - See sea turtles swimming.
• Tropical Reef and Carribbean Tidepool - an excellent aquarium (don't miss it!) with fascinating rare fish that light up with their own light source, incredible alien-looking species of sea-horses and much more, with a hands-on interactive exhibit out in front featuring sea urchins, starfish and sea anemones.
• Penguin Encounter - ride by the odiferous comedians on a 120 foot long moving sidewalk. Over 200 penquins and puffins (they're so cute) who are in a refrigerated environment (30 deg. F.) and cold water at 45 deg. Six thousand pounds of snow fall daily there.
• The Waterfront at SeaWorld - Opened in 2003, it's a 5 acre nautical neighborhood has new restaurants and shops and makes better use of their waterfront area. Watch for the talented street entertainers who periodically perform here.
• and much more!

For a nominal fee they also offer 60 minute behind-the-scenes-tours called "To the Rescue", "Polar Expedition Tour", and "Predators".

There's also a 6-hour guided "Adventure Express Tour" that permits you to gain "back-door access" to some of the rides, provides reserved seating at live shows, permits dolphin feeding, allows you to touch a penguin, provides a box lunch and more. Call 1(800) 406-2244 or visit the Guided Tour counter inside the parks entrance.

Sharks Deep Dive, Whale Swim Adventure and Trainer for a Day are interactive sessions where you can interact with animal trainers and marine creatures for an extra charge, park admission not included, and limited to the amount of guests per session who can participate and you also get an education, a t-shirt, and other things depending on which package you take. Call 1(800) 432-1178 (press 5) or visit the Guided Tour counter inside the parks entrance.

You also might want to investigate their Family Programs (like camping, overnight sleepovers), guest services and more.

Also, if you have AAA membership, your card can gain you discounts. You may also want to go to their website to see some of the other discounts that they offer.

You can print your tickets at home through their website or you can buy a combined Orlando FlexTicket package that includes up to five Central Florida theme parks and includes round-trip transportation between the parks.

We are never able to do everything available at Sea World in one day (your experience may vary). It's a must see/do! There's much more to Sea World than we list here! Consider visiting their site (above) or save some time and just go there, you'll love it!

1 word review - "ATLANTEAN"