As with other major Central Florida theme parks, SeaWorld Orlando is very popular. While it may not draw the large crowds that Disney World and Universal Orlando generate, it welcomes many visitors eager to experience its marine-themed attractions, exhibits, attractions and shows. Depending on when you visit, that can mean long lines. And nobody likes long lines, right?
Zag, no zig
To help minimize wait times at SeaWorld, consider our general tips for all parks: zag when everyone else is zigzagging . That is, try to plan your vacations and visits at less busy times whenever possible. If you can, avoid periods of heavy traffic, such as the week between Christmas and New Years, early summer, Easter, and school holidays. Fall, for example, can be a wonderful time to visit the park and communicate with dolphins, rays, penguins, and other animals without a crush on other guests.
If you’re in Orlando during a peak attendance period, try these other tips to avoid huge waits (which are mostly variations on our zag / zig principle):
- Go to the park when it first opens and head straight to one of the attractions that probably have the longest line: Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, Infinity Falls and the roller coasters, Manta, Kraken and Mako.
- If you want to see polar bears, belugas, and other creatures (and escape the Florida heat to a chilly environment) at the Wild Arctic attraction and the lines are long, you can avoid the simulated helicopter ride (which is old and outdated) from anyway) and proceed directly to the animal exhibits in the wild Arctic habitat.
- If the lines are prohibitively long at the TurtleTrek attraction, however, you might see the animals swimming in the pool next to the attraction.
- If possible, take a break at noon when the park is generally the most crowded. Maybe you could go back to your hotel to hang out in the pool or take a nap. Or maybe you could go to a nearby restaurant for a leisurely lunch.
- Return early in the evening when the crowds have thinned, and you should find shorter lines. (Be sure to save your ticket and parking receipt, and get your hand stamped for re-entry.) As a bonus, SeaWorld hosts special evening shows during peak hours.
- Whenever you visit, do some advance planning. SeaWorld’s official website lists show times (and shows are among their highlights) and other park information well in advance. Develop a rough itinerary so you have an idea of what you would like to include.
Help! The lines are crazy for a long time!
If you’re visiting the park during an especially busy time, and the general suggestions above wouldn’t affect the amount of time you’ll spend in line, SeaWorld offers some nifty options, but they will cost you.
Quick Queue Unlimited is SeaWorld’s skip-the-line program. In December 2018, the cost started at $ 19 per person and increased to $ 35 during busy seasons. Please note that the fees are higher than the regular cost of admission to the park. The Quick Queue pass allows riders to go to the front of the line as many times as they want at seven attractions (which, with the exception of Infinity Falls, have the longest lines):
- Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin
- Mako
- Kraken
- Blanket
- Journey to Atlantis
- TurtleTrek
- Wild arctic
For an additional $ 20 over the cost of Quick Queue, SeaWorld offers an extended pass that includes their newest trip, Infinity Falls. The river raft ride is very popular, and the lines can be quite long. The park also offers a reduced-price Quick Queue Jr. pass that allows visitors to skip the lines on all rides included with the regular Quick Queue, except for the three main roller coasters.
Worth it? Only you could answer that. But consider how much you’d already be paying for general admission to the park, and then consider how long you might end up stuck in long lines. Without the pass, you may not be able to fit into everything you would like to experience. If you had a gang of four, an additional $ 76 or more to buy unlimited Quick Queue passes wouldn’t be much of a change (unless you’re lucky enough to be one of those people for whom money isn’t an issue), but It could offer good value if you could skip the long lines, have a relatively stress-free day, and be able to pack everything on your bucket list.
Another option SeaWorld offers is Signature Show Seating . It can be purchased alone or as part of a discounted package with Quick Queue Unlimited. Offers reserved seating at the One Ocean whale show and the park’s three other shows.
Worth it? Prices start at $ 14 per person and increase to $ 30 during the busiest times of the year. In general, the capacities at SeaWorld’s stadiums and theaters are large enough to accommodate visitors, as long as guests arrive at least 20 minutes before show times. If you don’t mind planning ahead and waiting a bit, you should be fine without the Signature Show Seating option. Exceptions can include especially busy times, such as the week between Christmas and New Years.
If money is no problem
Speaking of which money is not an issue, you can explore the SeaWorld Private VIP Tour. Includes a four-hour guided tour, includes Quick Queue Unlimited, offers reserved seating for one of the shows, and offers a food voucher, a dolphin encounter, and a penguin gathering. VIP tours cost $ 200 per person and do not include park admission.
Would a tour be worth it? Again, only you could answer that. While it would offer a generally stress-free day in the park, maybe it’s more about pampering and less about managing lines.
