Want to Know YOUR Thoughts on Sea World

Updated on September 12, 2011
L.V. asks from Keller, TX
10 answers

I would love to take a family vacation to Sea World in San Antonio. (We have 2 boys, 4yrs and 2 yrs ) What time of the year is best to visit? Where should we stay? Where are the best deals! I would love to hear all the tips from those of you who have frequently visited! Give me the scoop! Thanks Moms!

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V.C.

answers from Dallas on

The last couple of Sundays, there has been a San Antonio insert in the Dallas Morning News with a couple for Sea World.

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V.B.

answers from Miami on

We have been there a number of times. We always stay in a TownePlace Suites by Marriott on Prue Rd. It's a fairly new hotel (only a few years old) and you can get a one bedroom suite so that you can close the bedroom door and you don't all have to go to bed at the same time. They also have free breakfast. It is about a 10 minute drive to Sea World, but is near a bunch of restaurants and a grocery store. There is a small kitchen in the room too, so you don't have to eat out the whole time and you can pack cold water in your bag to take to the park. It always worked out really well for our family.

I would tell you that it is super hot in the summer, so I try to avoid going at that time of year. You need to check their website to see when they start their alternate schedule. At certain times of the year, they are only open on the weekends and have shorter hours. Hope that helps!

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C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

sea world is awesome :) we started planning an orlando/disney trip, and due to funds (and on principal - $700 for the three of us to do disney for TWO DAYS), we did sea world instead (my son is 4, he didn't know the difference). BEST IDEA WE EVER HAD! we had SO much fun. their website does buy one day get one day free, and two days was great. we got to see everything we wanted to, and some shows twice. the kids played in the kid area and would have stayed there the whole two days if we'd let them.

shamu's happy harbor and the shamu show are on the other sideo f the same bridge (at least in orlando). they don't open the bridge until 10:30, for the first shamu show at 11:00. when the bridge did open, EVERYONE went to the shamu show. consequently, the whole of shamu's happy harbor was deserted for a good hour and a half. it was awesome - my son got to ride the flying fiddler and the shamu roller coaster about ten times each, there was NO ONE in line. the shamu show runs a couple times a day, and we went for two days, so there was plenty of opportunity to see it. (which we did, twice lol)

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H.D.

answers from Dallas on

Since your little ones are not in school, take advantage and avoid the extreme heat of July and August. There is so much to do that we get season passes and spend 4-5 days there. The season's pass price is equal to 2 days regular admissions and offers a 10% discount on food and souvenirs, so it was worth it. We have been there 5 times and with season's passes went back for Halloween weekend one year. Have fun!!!

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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

I think 2 is kind of young for sea world. I took my son at 4 and he didn't really enjoy it. We stayed at hyatt hill country, which is close to sea world, and he had a far better time there than at sea world.

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

We love staying at the Hyatt Hill Country and then taking their free shuttle over (across the street) to Sea World. The Hyatt has a lazy river, and smore each night for the kids. And one night they have a movie outside. At least they used to have all this...it has been a few years since we have gone. For sure take strollers for Sea World.

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

Well, you know how the weather is, so I don't have to tell you that. There is a hotel just up the road on 151. It's a Holiday Inn. There's also the Hyatt. It has an awesome spa. (I get massages there regularly!)

Sea World is mostly shows. In the area there are some great restaurants. There are also your typical fast food joints. Rudy's BBQ is right up the road as well. If you take 151 west it'll take you to Culebra. On Culebra there is a Walmart, Target, HEB, tons of "sit-down" restaurants and fast food.

I haven't been to Sea World in a while, so I can't tell you much about that. But I live 5 minutes from Sea World, so if you want to know anything in the area, just send me a message and I'll let you know.

*hugs*

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

We went this summer during 4th of July week. I could of killed my hubby because I thought it was going to be so crowded. It wasnt at all, it was perfect time. We are actually thinking of going again during the same week we had so much fun. I dont think we waited in a line longer than 20 min. I did some research and from what I found if you can go in the middle of the week, its the best time.. Way less crowded.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express right next to the park and our hotel shuttled us there and back. Saved us $20 a day on parking. There are also coupons out there that will give you the 2nd day free. Which is what we did. You just cant see everything and take time to enjoy it in one day.

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

I took my 7 year old daughter there a few weeks ago on our way to the beach. She had been asking to go for years, but each time we were in San Antonio, it was raining so we didn't go. This visit was sunny, but HOT. I would definitely wait to go when the weather is cooler.

My daughter has arthritis and other health issues, so one thing that was tough on her was how spread out everything is. Your children are still young enough to be in strollers, so that may not be a concern for you. I wish I had planned better to avoid criss-crossing the park a few times to get to the various shows. Get the show schedule online for the day(s) you plan to go and decide what you want to see in what order.

I noticed they are opening a new area at the park, so you might want to wait until it opens sometime in 2012 I think, but you can probably learn more on their Website. They have a water park too, which we didn't go to, but something to consider if you go when it's warmer weather.

Sea World has splash zones which my daughter wanted to sit in, but I didn't since we had a 4 hour drive after we left the park and I forgot to pack a change of clothes. If you sit in the splash zone, take a waterproof camera to capture the experience.

We stayed at the Aloft hotel near the airport because I had Starwood points for a free night's stay. It was about 20 minutes from Sea World and an easy drive. It's located near a lot of restaurants and Target is right behind it in case you need last minute stuff you didn't take with you.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Go when the weather is nice, not when it is hot! Stay close to the park if your boys will need a nap. Take a stroller. Check to see if they have a big event planned for the day(s) you are going and avoid the place if they have something on the schedule. Get there when they open. Use coupons if you have them. If you can, pay the extra amount for closer parking. You will be exhausted at the end of the day and won't have to walk far to get back to your vehicle.

Everything I just mentioned we DIDN'T do and we didn't enjoy our visit. Hopefully I will be able to convince my husband to try again some day because I know its a lot of fun. We just didn't think everything through.

Have a great time!!

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