Family Travels – Seaworld San Diego
I know the colder weather is starting to arrive in most parts across the country but today as I write this it’s a sunny and clear day here at home. This day is bringing back some wonderful memories that we created this summer on our mini road trip where our stop at Seaworld in San Diego was definitely a highlight of this trip!
I met up with my husband and daughter in Las Vegas after my conference in Chicago at the end of July. My father-in-law flew in from Seattle and joined us on our mini road trip. From Las Vegas we went to what was to be our main goal of this trip to go to San Diego and spend some time at Sea World!
Both my husband and I hadn’t been to San Diego since we were kids and we’ve never taken our daughter there before. So we thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to visit SeaWorld on our little road trip. Not only that but we were going to have three generations of the family there with my father-in-law, husband and my daughter so what a wonderful opportunity for all of us to enjoy it together.
We got to SeaWorld just before it opened and since my father-in-law is elderly (he’s in his 80s) we decided to spend the few extra dollars (I think it was $5) for the parking that was much closer to the entrance. Now it was a Saturday so as you might imagine it was packed. I was a little concerned at first as we had to line up for our tickets and it seemed that it might take hours. Well, I have to give the folks at SeaWorld credit they know how to get this line moving efficiently and what I thought would be an hour or more line up was significantly less time.
They had all ticket windows open, directed people quickly to the ones that were ready to take the next customer, constant announcements about the different options, if you already had a ticket directions as to where you could go next etc.. It was extremely efficient and I was very impressed, something that rarely happens when I’m in any sort of line up so kudos to Seaworld San Diego!
We decided to purchase the meal plan for all four us which allowed us to eat a variety of restaurants at SeaWorld. It’s worth it if you’re going to purchase more than two meals while you’re there and as we had headed right to SeaWorld before eating breakfast we went to one of the restaurants immediately. It was the perfect time to go as the restaurant had just opened and no one was yet eating there. all the buffet items were fresh and you could also have made to order items. One of the employees said it was the perfect time to go as it would be extremely busy she said once one of the first shows was finished. She said everyone would be coming right after the show so we were smart to go then.
However, one thing we did learn was that when those same restaurants got busy not even a few hours later that you could end up in line-ups for a long time just to get a bottle of water. So my one suggestion to SeaWorld on where they could improve would be to have lineups where people could just pick up beverages and not have to wait in the much longer line-ups for food. It turned out to be a warm day and several times we just wanted bottles of water (you could only take one per person each time). Shh don’t tell but hubby snuck in and sweet-talked an employee to handing us some bottles without having to wait 30 minutes for it :). With our bellies full we started off on our SeaWorld adventure.
We consulted our map of SeaWorld which also listed what time the shows were and where and so from there we plotted out our day. We didn’t want to be running from one end of SeaWorld to the other so we mapped out our path and stops for shows which helped immensely as there is a lot of ground to cover so you don’t want to have to walk even more than you already will.
We managed to see almost all of the shows with maybe the exception of two which weren’t on our list to see, along with stopping by all the stations we wanted to got except the Sea Otters. For some reason, we just could not find the sea otter section even though we tried several times. The shows were all very entertaining and gave us several times to sit down and rest our sore legs. My husband and father-in-law even went on a few rides, my daughter believe it or not at 12 years of age is not into rides, but she really loved the shows.
Some of the stages for the shows were amazing, they were so elaborate but did not take away from the magic of watching the Dolphins and Killer Whales and all the other wonderful creatures of the ocean. Here’s a picture of the Blue Horizon’s stage that we took a picture of, it was a fun show with our favorites dolphins of course!
Our favorite shows were the Cirque de la Mer, the Sea Lions shows (we went to 2 of them) with Clyde and Seamore and the last show of the evening Shamu Rocks followed by fireworks simply stunning.
I would have to say if you’ve never been to SeaWorld have children who have never been or it’s been a really long time it’s definitely worth a trip, stay the day or if you enjoy a slower pace go over a couple of days. I can’t see you being disappointed with a visit there between the various animal interactions, shows and rides there really is something for everyone and it’s for all ages. We were there until the park closed so it was a 12 hour day, long, exhausting but a highlight of our trip.
As you can see someone was tired (we all were) as she fell asleep as soon as we got back to the hotel with her Shamu blanket (which by the way was the best souvenir deal out of all the ones we saw). SeaWorld San Diego was definitely the highlight of our Summer vacation!
Sindy Murray says
Great pictures! I have never been to Seaworld but I would like to take my kids. I think we would wait until our oldest one is around 10 and the youngest one will be 5!
JUDY FREDERICK says
After Disneyland I love going to Sea World. There is so much to do & see there.
amanda whitley says
i have always wanted to go there! it looks like so much fun
Nicole Becker says
I haven’t been to the one in San Diego but I did go to the Sea World in Orlando Florida and it was awesome!! We had so much fun!! My favorite was the dolphin shows they put on, they are amazing!! I can’t wait to go back one day and take my almost 3 year old granddaughter, she would love it there.
Athena S says
I went to Sea World when I was around 3 but I dont remember much. I would love to go back and take my daughter .
Sarah L says
I was there many years ago and enjoyed it very much. Glad you all had a good time.
Lisa K says
I had never been to Sea World as a kid and it was always something I wanted to do. I would love for our Family to go now that we have 3 young kids all ages 3, 6 and 8. I think we would love it. Love the pic of your Daughter sleeping, lol, that’s how you know they had a great time!
Holly Thomas says
I have never been to Sea World, but I do enjoy looking at pictures from people who have been there!
Tiffany F says
Glad you all had such a good time !! I haven’t been in 20+ yrs myself and would love to take my daughter and husband (he has never been) there for a family trip sometime soon. I agree with you on the water thing…maybe they could get up stands that offer only drinks, rather than combining food / drink in the same place.
Bob deale says
Love Sea World, glad you had a great time. I know we do when we go there.
Minta Boggs says
Went to Sea World one time and sat in the splash zone and OMG we got soaked!!! it even fried my husbands black berry.
rochelle haynes says
nice vacation
Lisa Lancaster says
It seems as if no matter how old we are we still have some kid in us. When I looked at your pictures of Sea World I remember as a little girl dreaming about going to Sea World but I never did get the go. Thanks for sharing.
Richard Hicks says
Looks like a magical and fun place. Hope to visit CA and see this one. Loads of fun!
Melissa Green says
We have a Seaworld near us in San Antonio, but the San Diego one looks nicer! Can’t wait to take my son next summer when he’s three. 🙂
June S. says
(Powered by Mom and family went to Seaworld San Diego this Summer!) Sea World is a great place to take the kids for Summer vacation. We took our three children years ago when they were younger, they loved it too!
Melissa Douglass says
I have always wanted to go to Sea World!! It looks like so much fun!
Jill A. Collins says
It’s been years since I’ve been to Sea World in FL, but I have very fond memories of the experience. I’ve always wanted to go back. I never made it to the one in San Diego, but I’m betting it is just as exciting!
Jennifer Mae Hiles says
I’ve never been to Sea World but I’ve always wanted to go. Now that my daughter is old enough to enjoy it, I think it’s time to plan a vacation! Great pics.
Anita L says
Thank you for sharing your photos and the details of your SeaWorld vacation. It sounds like you all had a wonderful time and got lots of exercise! Years ago, when my son was very young, we took him to SeaWorld in Florida. Although it was a real nice visit, they did not have any rides available as you’ve described they do in California. Of coarse, that was a long time ago and there may possibly have been changes since then. Glad you enjoyed your vacation 🙂
Debbie Welchert says
My parents took me to Seaworld when I was young, which was a very long time ago, and we loved it. Sounds like you all had a pretty wonderful day too. I would love for my grandchildren to see it someday. I know they would love it too.
Renee Ashley Hanna says
I would love to be able to take my family here one day!!! Awesome review. Hope y’all had a great time!!!
Donna Evans says
I love Sea World have have been fortunate to visit them in Texas, old one in Ohio, and of course Florida
rebeka deleon says
i have been to this sea world and also the one in orlando. i hope one day i can bring my kids there. they would love it! it is so much fun.
Diana Ward says
I’m a major animal lover and grew up going to zoos and aquariums whenever possible, and love them. Sea World sounds fantastic.
On another note: As an adult I’ve seen most of the expose books and videos against zoos and aquariums, and am a little more ambivalent about it all in my old age, but I’d still never miss another chance to see Sea World or any zoo. Most zoos and animal shows care for their animals well, and many are doing wonderful things in preserving endangered species. If I have to choose between knowing, for example, that tigers are caged in a zoo or that they are nearly extinct, I’ll choose zoos any day. Whales and dolphins being killed by fishermen or performing willingly at Sea World? Three guesses.
Alejandra Carrillo says
I don’t go to shows like that. i’ve seen documentaries that show how the animals are treated and trained.
Powered by Mom says
Alejandra,
there are sadly some places where the animals are not treated well, this is not the case for all nor should it be assumed that all are good or all are bad. SeaWorld has an excellent reputation.
Paula V says
Sounds like a great trip. I think dolphins and whales are the most beautiful and unique animals. Cute pic of your girl sound asleep. 🙂
JJ Caraway says
I wish I would have tried to go to Sea World when I was younger, I know I would have loved it. Maybe one day when the grandchildren go I can tag along. I would love the shows.
Tamarae Ellis says
Such a great place for a family vacation! I went when I was 8 and completely loved it! Its been over 20 years and I remember so much! Thanks for the great reminders and I am glad you had an awesome time!!
Powered by Mom says
Thanks Tamarae! 🙂
Robin Coxon says
We used to have a Sea World in Aurora, OH. Went there many times when I was single with my friends. Tried taking my son who is autistic but it was too much stimuli for him. It’s a wonderful amusement facility for families to go to.
Rebecca DeCamp Bryant says
I think that anything that involves spending time with family is awesome. Thanks so much for this awesome review. It sounds like all of you had a fantastic time.
JennyA says
I hope to get to Sea World with my family soon!
Tandi Cortez-Rios says
Sounds like an amazing time! I need to plan a trip to take my kids!
Susan Wilder says
Sure looks like everyone had a wonderful day! I have been to the Sea World in Orlando, Florida some 35 years ago, and it was just as neat as Disney World I thought! I loved the shows and animals!! It was a great day with my friends!! I’m sure they’ve added a lot more onto it since I went years ago. Just wishing I could have taken my kids there some day..
Hollie Lorange says
Love sea world, miss living in san diego so much to do and see.
sally guenterberg says
Sounds wonderful. I have heard so many great things about San Diego and now here is another. We certainly dont have anything like this in Wisconsin!
cheryla lister says
Living in southern California, I’ve been to Sea World a couple of times, but judging from your pictures and descriptions, things have changed since I was there. I’ll have to plan a trip soon. Looks like fun.
Anna Parks says
I just wish there wasn’t such horror stories about how the animals are kept. Makes it hard to tell what’s true and what’s exaggerated.
margaret mansell says
I’m so jealous now!! I would love to go there. Thank you for this review and the tips. 🙂
Jennessa Voss says
I’ve been there a couple times!!
Angie Agerter says
How wonderful!! This is one of my dream places, some day!!
peggy fedison says
what a well written review!! thank you for sharing your tips on the restaurant and water bottles hehehehe sounds like you all had a blast!! ive not been fortunate enuf to have gone but i would love to one day. so glad you all had a great time! thank you for sharing !!!
lana simanovicki says
you had a blast we were actually planning on going there next year.it looks like lots of fun
Trish F says
Sounds like you had a great time at Sea World San Diego. I’ve been to Sea World in San Antonia and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the tips about the restaurants, I will keep that in mind next time we go.
Sandra McFadden says
I have always wanted to visit Sea World since I was a young girl……….I was always intrigued by Whales and still am .
melissa leyh says
I love Sea World, when we had one in Aurora, Ohio, I worked there for 5 plus years and it was the best job ever, on my days off I used to visit there whenever I got a day off….best job ever I miss that place so much:)
Edna Myers says
I have always wanted to visit Sea World. Now more than ever!