Disclosure: We are not being paid or compensated by SeaWorld. This is all our honest opinion. A few links in this article are affiliate links, and we receive a small commission if you book through our links, which is what keeps this site alive and we truly appreciate it! But our opinions are not swayed by affiliate programs.
Disney and Universal are the kings of theme park entertainment, and for good reason. They offer a level of theming and immersion that no other park can match, plus they have a lot of great IP they can pull from since they are media companies. BUT…every time we go to SeaWorld we have a moment of “oh man – this is great! Why don’t we come here more often?”
This is most true in Orlando, where SeaWorld is only a few miles from Disney World and Universal Orlando (the largest locations of the theme park brands worldwide), so it can easily get overshadowed. But we’re going to talk about why we think it’s worth taking time to visit SeaWorld during a trip to Orlando, or even making SeaWorld the focal point of a budget-friendly Orlando trip.
In this article: The top 6 reasons you should visit SeaWorld Orlando:
1. Roller Coasters
Do you have older kids or teens who love thrill rides? Is Velocicoaster their favorite thing at Universal or do they claim that Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is the “only good ride at Disney”? Then it’s time to try SeaWorld! They have 6 roller coasters that are all fantastic! Here’s a quick description of each and a video:
Penguin Trek
At only a 42″ height requirement, this family coaster is great for kids to try before they try the bigger coasters. But the small height requirement does not mean it’s not fun! It starts out inside where you’ll go through beautiful scenes of the Arctic, then it has a launch start that takes you outside for exciting twists and turns. There are no big drops and it does not go upside down – similar to Hagrid’s Motorbike adventure.
Ice Breaker
This is a unique coaster with 4 launches that send you backwards and forward up a beyond vertical drop, before getting over a huge hill and going through lots of turns and humps. It has a 48″ height requirement and does not go upside down, but does get very sideways and does have straps over your shoulders to help hold you in. It is fun, it has a lot of air time, and we have yet to go on another coaster quite like it! But I do wish it had more theming – that would really help set this one apart.
Kraken
For those who love going upside down, this one is for you! This is a floorless (but not inverted) coaster where your feet dangle and you have a strong harness over your shoulders. It has several drops and 7 inversions and is a lot of fun! Height requirement is 54″.
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
Orlando’s only stand-up coaster! This coaster has a launch start, several drops, and one inversion. You’re “standing up” but there is a bicycle-like seat thing between your legs. Make sure you push down on it at first so when it locks in, it’s not too far up and uncomfortable. You will also have a large harness over your shoulders. We have done other stand-up coasters at other parks and this one is smoother and more comfortable than others! The height requirements are between 54-78″. There is a test seat outside the ride to make sure you fit before you get in line.
Manta
Fly like a manta ray in this coaster that sends you head-first through dips and inversions, over ponds and past waterfalls. It’s very smooth and has good theming! The scariest part of this one is the seat. You will enter it like a normal seat and they will make sure it’s tight and locked, then the seat will tilt so you’re headfirst with nothing below you. It’s a really unique way to ride a coaster and you feel like you’re flying! There is a 54″ height requirement. Our older kids rode this as soon as they were tall enough and were very scared in line and when the seats moved up, but then decided it was their favorite after they rode it!
Mako
The tallest and fastest roller coaster in Orlando! It has a 54″ height requirement, a classic uphill/gravity start, reaches speeds of 74mph, has some great hills with airtime, and does not go upside down. There is nothing in Orlando to compare it to, but it is similar to other hypercoasters like Candymonion at Hersheypark, Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point, Fury at Carowinds, etc. It is intense! But so fun! If you have kids, have them try other coasters before you go to this one.
They may not have as many roller coasters as some Six Flags/Cedar Fair parks, but the quality of the park overall is better. And in Orlando, SeaWorld is the roller coaster king.
2. Animals
The animal habitats and presentations at SeaWorld are truly excellent. All ages will enjoy seeing all the incredible marine animals up close and personal. If you have people in your family who can’t ride or don’t enjoy roller coasters, you can still easily fill a day enjoying the animal experiences.
There are three animal presentations/shows:
- Dolphin Adventures – learn more about bottlenose dolphins and watch them flip and jump out of the water. The seats near the front will get splashed.
- Orca Encounter – the presentation focuses on education and will also feature some of the whales jumping and showing off behaviors. The bottom section of the stadium is the soak zone, and they do mean soaked! (If you saw this show when you were younger, it is a bit different now. The trainers don’t swim with the animals and it’s more focused on education than entertainment. See box below for more info on SeaWorld’s orcas.)
- Sea Lion Experience – learn more about sea lions and watch them do some fun tricks. This is the funniest of the shows, but still based on education.
There are also some great animal habitats to explore at SeaWorld, including:
- Antarctica Realm – view penguins up close! This habitat has no glass between you and the penguins, so you can see them more clearly than at other penguin exhibits, and includes underwater viewing to watch them swim. Just be warned – it’s cold in there!
- Dolpin Cove – view dolphins up close both above and below the water.
- Dolphin Nursery – when there are baby dolphins, you can watch mother and baby interact in the nursery.
- Expedition Odessey Habitat – see walruses and beluga whales! Beluga whales are one of the friendliest and most playful whales and do very well in human care. They are so fun to watch!
- Jewel of the Sea Aquarium – classic aquarium exhibits plus a plexiglass floor area where fish are swimming under you.
- Manatee Rehabilitation Area – view the manatees in the rescue and rehab facility, both above and below the water.
- Manta Aquarium – see lots of rays and sharks! There’s a plexiglass pop-up area in one of the aquariums that kids can climb into to feel like they’re inside the tank!
- Pacific Point Reserve – watch sea lions talking, sun bathing, and swimming!
- SeaWorld Rescue Center – learn about SeaWorld’s rescue and rehabilitation program and see animals that are receiving care.
- Shark Encounter – one of the largest underwater viewing tunnels! Watch as sharks swim all around you.
- Stingray Lagoon – pet a stingray in this shallow pool. A kid favorite!
3. Family Rides and Kid Rides
There are several rides that the whole family can enjoy together if some can’t or don’t want to ride roller coasters. Not as many as Magic Kingdom, but still enough to add some thrill in between seeing animals.
- Journey to Atlantis – 42″ height requirement. This attraction is similar to Splash Mountain – part dark-ride where you’ll see scenes of Atlantis, and part log-flume where you’ll go down a big hill with a splash at the end.
- Expedition Odyssey – 39″ height requirement. If you love Soarin’ at Epcot or California Adventure, you will love this one! It’s a similar ride vehicle but with a bit more motion. You’ll see some incredible scenes and feel like you’re flying through the Arctic.
- Infinity Falls – 42″ height requirement. It’s a white water raft ride (like Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom or Popeye’s Barges at Island of Adventure), but with a lift that takes you down a big hill ending in a splash (like Space Mountain but less steep).
- Coming Soon: SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep – this one is opening in 2026 and is said to be the world’s first suspended dark ride. We are excited to try it!
- Abby’s Flower Tower – sit in a bucket that takes you in the air and spins
Cookie Drop – small drops and bouncing - Elmo’s Choo Choo Train – a train!
Meet and Greets with Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Gadabby - Rosita’s Harmony Hills – play area with musical activities
- Rubber Duckie Water Works – water play area. You may want a bathing suit.
- Slimey’s Slider – a swivel ride
- Sunny Day Carousel
- Super Grover’s Box Car Derby – kids coaster with a 38″ height requirement
- Sesame Street Parade – see Elmo, Big Bird and more friends on colorful floats
4. Three Unique Parks
So far in this article, we’ve only discussed the main SeaWorld park. But one of the best parts of SeaWorld Orlando is that it has 3 parks, and often has great deals if you bundle the parks together. The three parks are:
1. SeaWorld
The classic park described in the sections above, which is a combination aquarium/zoo/theme park. This is the most popular park and will be the most pricey for a 1-day ticket.
2. Aquatica
A really great water park! It is heavily debated which Orlando-area water park is the best, but many think it’s this one! There are several things that stand out at this park:
- A waterslide that goes through an aquarium so you can look at fish and sharks as you slide down!
- A new immersive waterslide where you slide through a circular room with projections of the ocean and music playing. It’s unlike anything else!
- THREE Family slides that can fit your whole family in one raft. Our family loves these!
- 2 huge side-by-side wave pools
- An awesome lazy river where you get to float past aquariums and see fish, sharks, and dolphins as you relax
- My personal favorite – the lines never seem to be too long! Maybe we’ve gotten lucky, but compared to Volcano Bay (Universal), Typhoon Lagoon (Disney), and Blizzard Beach (Disney), on similar good weather days, this water park is not as crowded. Especially on weekdays, because this park is more popular with locals.
3. Discovery Cove
An entirely different experience from everything else in Orlando! This park is a relaxing, tropical oasis that makes you forget you’re in central Florida. It’s all inclusive and includes:
- All meals, snacks, beverages, and select beer and wine
- Snorkeling with sting rays and rish
- Snorkel equipment, life jackets, and wet suits (if the water is cold in the off-season)
- A lovely lazy river through lush landscapes, caves, waterfalls, and the aviary. Voted the best lazy river in the US by USA Today.
- Sand beaches on lagoons with plenty of loung chairs and umbrellas
- An aviary where you can feed the birds
- Relaxing at Serenity Bay – a lovely sand-bottom pool that is always 85 degrees and features lovely water features, cave areas, and
- A wading river where you get up close to otters and monkeys
- Sunscreen, towel service
"It's my favorite thing to recommend for trips to Orlando! Split up your classic theme park days with a day at Discovery Cove and you'll feel like you've escaped to an island for a day! They limit the tickets so it's never crowded and it's so beautiful and relaxing. You don't even need the extras to make it a great day. You have to try it!"
5. Crowds and Wait Times
Compared to Universal and Disney, the crowds and wait times at the SeaWorld parks are much lower. This makes for a better experience and an easier day that does not require a lot of planning or expensive skip-the-line passes. SeaWorld does offer skip-the-line passes if you happen to come on a very crowded day, but many days do not need it.
Average Wait Times in 2025:
Wait times from Thrill-Data.com. Click on a chart above to view larger.
6. Price and Value
SeaWorld has deeper discounts more regularly than other parks. The savings and value really add up if you do multi-park bundles. We always recommend checking Undercover Tourist for discounts, especially on multi-park bundles, and compare them to the main SeaWorld site. Undercover Tourist will also have discounts for adding other parks like Universal and Disney in one transaction that saves even more.
Annual Passes
They also offer very affordable annual passes. The passes include Sea World, Aquatica, PLUS Busch Gardens and Adventure Island (these are a short drive away in Tampa).
Multi-park passes available to non-Florida residents:
- SeaWorld 4 Park Silver Pass – $270/year (sometimes even cheaper during promotions)
- Universal Orlando 2-Park Power Pass – $475/year
- Universal Orlando 3-Park Power Pass (adds Volcano Bay, no Epic yet) – $565/year
- Disney World 4 Park Incredi-Pass – $1629
In summary, we think SeaWorld parks are worth checking out on your next trip to Orlando! If you want to avoid the larger crowds at other parks, you love animals, or you love roller coasters – it will be worth it!
Addressing the Elephant…err Orca…in the room: There are some people who do not want to support SeaWorld because of their orca program and we understand that concern. In 2016, SeaWorld announced the end of their orca breeding program and the current generation of orcas will be the last (the current orcas are domesticated and not able to be returned to the wild). The orca presentations have changed to be more about education and natural behaviors. SeaWorld provides excellent animal care and is heavily involved in conservation efforts. I have known several people who have worked there and can attest to the excellent care the animals receive.
