All You Need to Know About Visiting SeaWorld Orlando with Kids
Our three kids are obsessed with thrill rides and sea animals, so a trip to SeaWorld Orlando was inevitable for us. I had reservations about visiting the park, but I was pleasantly surprised by everything the park has to offer. Over the last couple of decades, the park has grown from more than aquariums and animal shows. It’s now a mecca for rollercoasters and thrill rides and home to some of the most unique rides in all of Orlando, Florida.
In this post, we’ll break down all of the attractions and ocean-themed fun by age group so you can see just how much SeaWorld Orlando has to offer!
Table of Contents
Getting Around SeaWorld Orlando
The rides and attractions of SeaWorld Orlando encircle a lagoon at the center of the park.
If you’re traveling with little kids, you may want to head to Sesame Street, first. There are signs posted around the park showing you how to get- how to get to Sesame Street. Just past the entrance (when you see the first coaster), head right down a path and follow it to Sesame Street Land.
If you’re a mission to tackle some of the most insane coasters in Orlando, you’re going to want to head left.
We suggest hitting up Sesame Street Land, or a few of the coasters, before heading to the animal shows, encounters, and aquariums.
It’s easy to do a lot of unnecessary walking at SeaWorld Orlando- since the attractions circle a lagoon, you’ll have to backtrack if you don’t do the attractions as you come to them.
The Animals of SeaWorld
Thousands of animals call SeaWorld Orlando home. Here, you can get up close and personal with dolphins, whales, rays, octopus, sharks, penguins, fish, and more!
Be sure to take a look at the daily schedule to see what shows and learning experiences are available during your visit. Choose from Dolphin Days, Orca Encounter, Sea Lion High: The New Class, Pets Ahoy, and Ocean Discovery.
Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove is a 700,000 gallon lagoon that is houses a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. This is one of the largest interactive dolphin pools in the world. If you pay for a dolphin feeding/encounter, it will take place here.
Pro-Tip: Dolphin feeding tends to draw a large crowd, so plan on going first thing in the morning.
Dolphin Nursery
Is there anything cuter than a baby dolphin? We think not! The Dolphin Nursery is home to new dolphin mommies and their calves.
Pro-Tip: This is one of the most popular attractions in the park. It is located right near the entrance of the park. If you’re interested in visiting, stop by right as you enter the park. If the area is closed off that means there’s a dolphin in labor or one that has just given birth.
Jewel of the Sea Aquarium
Located next to the Journey to Atlantis ride, this aquarium boasts jellyfish illuminated by an interactive backlight.
Manatee Rehabilitation Area
Each year countless manatees are injured by boats and ships, or malnourished when their food source is wiped out. Florida zoos, aquariums, and SeaWorld Orlando take in these gentle creates to rehabilitate them and release them- when it’s possible to do so.
In the rehab area, you may be able to wish these creatures a speedy recovery and learn how you can help keep them safe.
Manta Aquarium
Our favorite spot to watch the marine animals was the Manta Aquarium. We watched in amazement as thousands of graceful animals danced in front of our view.
Pro-Tip: Hit up this aquarium before or after you ride Manta. The aquarium is air conditioned and is a great spot to take a break for the Florida heat.
Pelican Preserve
Located near the Manta Ride and Manta Aquarium, these outdoor exhibit is home to several rescued pelicans.
Antarctica Empire of the Penguins
I’m going to be very honest with you- we were really disappointed with this exhibit. We waited in line for 40 minutes to see the penguins…and it was literally just tank with penguins. Perhaps we should have done our research, because we though that it may be a ride (considering the line).
Don’t get me wrong, the penguins were a lot of fun to watch, but the line was really long considering it was just another aquarium.
Shark Encounter
Surround yourself by sharks, barracuda, eels, and venomous fish in the world’s largest underwater acrylic tunnel! The 60 foot tunnel is an absolute must-see!
Stingray Lagoon
Stingray Lagoon is another popular animal attraction. This habitat showcases over 200 stingrays- some of them as large as 5 feet in diameter! Don’t miss the opportunity to feed and touch these gentle creatures!
Turtle Trek
This habitat offers underwater viewing rooms that give visitors an up-close-and-personal view of turtles. Follow a sea turtles journey their sandy nest to the ocean.
Wild Arctic Habitat
Learn all about belugas, walruses, and harbor seals in this freezing cold habitat!
SeaWorld Orlando with Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers (+ Family Rides)
Believe it or not, there is plenty to do with young kids at SeaWorld Orlando! Although our boys (age 5) weren’t tall enough for the rollercoasters, they still had loads of rides they could experience in Sesame Street Land.
Rides for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers
Abby's Flower Tower
With a bit of magic from Abby Cadabby’s wand, you’ll be sent up, up ,up in a colorful flower pot on Abby’s Flower Tower. This ride gives you great views of the hustle and bustle of Sesame Street.
Height Requirement: 42″
Big Bird's Twirl 'n' Whirl
Hop into one of Big Bird’s nests and twirl ’round and ’round on this family-fun ride! Riders control the speed of the spinning with a steering wheel at the center of the nest.
Height Requirement: 36″
Cookie Monster's Cookie Drop!
Buckle up and hold on tight as you bounce up and down on Cookie Monster’s Cookie Drop!
Height Requirement: 42″
Elmo's Choo Choo Train
All aboard Elmo’s Choo Choo Train! Be on the lookout for butterflies, caterpillars, and Twiddlebugs on this family-friendly ride.
Height Requirement: 36″
Infinity Falls
Climb aboard a circular raft and prepare to get drenched on this family water ride! Explore tropical ruins filled with breathtaking waterfalls, surprise geysers, and flowing fountains before plunging down one of the tallest drops of its kind into a pounding waterfall! Infinity Falls is the world’s tallest river rapids attraction!
Height Requirement: 42″- 77″
Pro-Tip: Plan on wearing clothes and shoes that will dry easily if you’re going to ride the water rides. Use a dry bag or rent a locker to keep your items dry. Hit up the ride early in the day for the lowest waits- and time to dry off.
There are family dryers available for an additional charge.
Journey to Atlantis
This family-friendly flume rollercoaster transports you to the mythical paradise known as Atlantis. You’ll explore dark passageways in the sunken city before being catapulted 60 feet out of the city gates into the waters below.
Height Requirement: 42″
Pro-Tip: Try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon for shorter wait times- this is one of the most popular rides at the park! Avoid queueing up for the ride after one of the shows lets out- people tend to catch a show and then do the ride since it is close to the Whale and Dolphin Theaters.
Rubber Duckie Water Works
If your little one isn’t up for the larger water rides, or isn’t tall enough, they can still have fun splashing about in the Rubber Duckie Water Works- an outdoor splashpad.
Slimey's Slider
This is my favorite ride in all of Sesame Street Land (who am I kidding…it’s my favorite in the entire SeaWorld Orlando theme park!). This exhilarating swoop and swivel ride spins, rocks, and slides!
Height Requirement: 42″
Sunny Day Carousel
This classic ride is perfect for young kids and family’s alike.
Guests under 42 inches tall must be accompanied by a supervising companion (at least 14 years old) standing next to the rider on the inside of the Carousel to ride. One supervising companion (at least 14 years old) per child under 42 inches. Hand-held infants are only permitted to ride on the bench seats.
Pro-Tip: Ride the carousel during the Shamu show times for the shortest wait times!
Super Grover's Box Car Derby
If your kiddo isn’t quite tall enough for some of the larger coasters (listed in the section below), they’ll be happy to know there’s a kid-friendly coaster in Sesame Street Land! Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a family-friendly coaster full of hills, twists, turns, and small dives!
Height Requirement: 38″
SeaWorld Orlando with Big Kids and Teens
Our adrenaline junkie daughter was super stoked to see how many thrill rides there are at SeaWorld Orlando. The rollercoasters there are insane– some of the best in Orlando! If you’re older kids like thrill rides, this is definitely the place for them!
Rides for Big Kids & Teens
Ice Breaker
The Ice Breaker is SeaWorld’s first launch coaster. It features four airtime filled launches (both forwards and backwards!) and a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida! The ride has a series of exhilarating twists, turns, and airtime hills that will send your heart racing.
Height Requirement: 54″
Kraken
Designed to mimic the mythological beast that terrified sailors for centuries, Kraken is Orlando’s only floor less roller coaster. Riders feet dangle as the zoom across this exhilarating coaster at heights of 150 feet!
Height Requirement: 54″
Mako
You guys! Our 9-year-old is obsessed with this ride. Mako is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Orlando! This hyper coaster is known for it’s high speeds, deep plummets, and racing turns. Named after one of the ocean’s fastest sharks, this coaster hits speeds of 73 mph.
Height Requirement: 54″
Manta
Soar like a manta on the only flying roller coaster of its kind in Florida! The ride will send in in a head-first, face-down nosedive before you are sent spinning, gliding, and flying like a giant manta ray.
Height Requirement: 54″
Pro-Tip: The lines are the shortest during the first hour of the park opening. You cannot take anything with you on the ride, so unless you have someone sitting this one out- you’ll need to rent a locker to store your stuff.
Food Options at SeaWorld Orlando
No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into SeaWorld Orlando, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle.
Breakfast is available at the Panini Bistro Cafe until 11 am.
Eateries include:
- Altitude Burgers -accepts All-Day Dining Deal
- Captain Pete’s Island Hotdogs -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering is available
- Coaster Coffee Company- serves Starbucks coffee, pastries, and treats
- Dine with Orcas
- Edy’s Ice Cream Parlor
- Expedition Cafe -accepts All-Day Dining Deal
- Flamecraft Bar- a full-service bar
- Glacier Bar- serves Coca-Cola Freestyle, frozen drinks, and ice-cold beer
- Lakeside Grill –accepts All-Day Dining Deal
- Mama’s Pretzel Kitchen
- Panini Shore Cafe -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering is available
- Seafire Grill -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering is available
- Sharks Underwater Grill and Bar
- The Sand Bar
- Voyager’s Smokehouse- -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering available
- Waterway Bar- full-service bar
- Waterway Grill- -accepts All-Day Dining Deal & mobile ordering available
All-Day Dining Deal- if you purchase this package, you’ll be able to eat and drink all day. Orders can only be placed once every 90 minutes at participating restaurants. Receive 1 soft drink or tea, 1 entrée and 1 side or dessert.
Learn more at SeaWorld.com
Visiting SeaWorld Orlando in the Winter
On our first family visit to SeaWorld Orlando, we visited in January and it was freezing! Without warning, every single rollercoaster was closed and we were told that due to the temperatures, most of the animal shows were unavailable. We got to see the dolphin show, but all of the other animals were tucked away elsewhere.
Sunny Day Guarantee
If you’ve ever visited Florida in the summer, you know that afternoon showers are almost inevitable. If it rains, some of the park’s attractions may be unavailable. Whether it’s a mere sprinkle or a torrential downpour, stop by Guest Services and you can get a complimentary pass for a return visit. The visit must be used within 1-year of the initial visit.
This offer is not valid for complimentary tickets, 14 Day Length of Stay tickets and packages, Discovery Cove ticket packets, or for visitors who do not have their original admission ticket or order number.
Our Favorite Orlando Theme Parks Ranked
For Toddlers, Pre-School, & Young Kids
For Older Kids & Teens
- Disney World (especially Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom)
- Legoland Florida (located just outside of Orlando)
- Peppa Pig Theme Park (located just outside of Orlando)
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Universal Studios
- Universal Studios
- Islands of Adventure
- Disney World (Hollywood Studios)
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Legoland Florida
Save these SeaWorld Orlando Tips and Start Planning Your Adventure!
For future reference, be sure to save these tips for visiting SeaWorld Orlando with your kiddos. Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
If you’re interested in seeing manatees in the wild, check out our post on one of our favorite state parks: Blue Spring State Park or read our post about the 12 Best Places to see Manatees in the Wild.
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