Sea World, San Antonio, boasts itself as the world's largest marine life park. This should come as no surprise, however, since it is located in the Lone Star state of Texas, where everything is big. Home to Dallas,( aka, The Big D,) big pick-up trucks, big cowboy boots and big hair, Texas promises big fun and big entertainment and Sea World of San Antonio is no exception. So, grab your flip-flops, your cut-offs, sunscreen and some Texas-sized attitude, and come on down ya'll for some summer fun!
Hotels & Lodging
Before you hit the road, be sure and do a quick Google search for hotels in the area. Many luxury hotels offer reasonable packages for a weekend stay. You can not only enjoy the luxurious amenities of the hotel, but you can purchase a two or three day pass to the park as well. But, if you prefer a more economical route, there are plenty of choices to choose from that are family friendly and within a reasonable driving distance from the park.
Most of your national chains have hotels in the area and you can likely call direct to secure a room. Depending on the season, it may be more difficult to get a room close to the park, so be sure and give yourself plenty of time to plan. In addition, Most hotels will have park information, complete with brochures, maps, etc. and many offer shuttle services as well if you prefer to leave the driving to someone else.
Entrance Fees & Passes to get in:
As with most theme parks, Sea World offers single or multiple day passes. Adults and children, ages 3 - 9, can enter the park for one day at the cost of $43.50, or with a two day pass, the cost is $52.99 for adults, and $44.50 for children ages 3 - 9.
With all there is to see, it is more economical purchase a two day pass and save a little cash in the process. Checking Sea World's website, you may also be able to secure some discount prices at various times during the season. If your travel times are flexible, you can end up getting some pretty good deals.
How to dress/what to bring:
If you choose to travel in the summer, the San Antonio temperatures will likely be very hot and humid. Sweltering 90-plus degree temperatures with 70 - 80% humidity is not uncommon in south Texas, so be sure to dress appropriately. Comfortable shoes are a must, as are sunscreen, hats and plenty of water.
Sea World is primarily a water experience whether you are taking in the shows, or swimming in the Lost Lagoon, so water moccasins, flip-flops or shoes and clothing that you do not mind getting wet are always a good idea.
If you have young children, you might also want to bring your own stroller, as stroller rentals can be expensive. Not to mention, with the popularity of the park with young families, strollers are often difficult to secure unless you arrive very early.
Hands free, lightweight backpacks or the ever popular fanny packs are also good choices in lieu of heavy handbags or bulky purses to store credit cards, cash and identification. With all the excitement and thrills to be had in the park, the last thing you want to do is keep up with an extra bag.
Rides
If adrenaline rushes and thrill-seeking is what you are after, Sea World promises not to disappoint with several of the best teeth-rattling, stomach-turning, and hair-raising coasters around.
The Great White, an inverted roller coaster, and the Steel Eel, the first and only hyper coaster in Texas, are both guaranteed to wobble the knees, pull some G's and suck the spittle out of even the most seasoned coaster fans.
The Rio Loco and Texas Splash Down, your traditional soaker rides, offer fun river rafting and log flumes with two sixty foot drops. One of the newer rides, Journey to Atlantis, which opened in 2007, combines both the thrill of the roller coaster and the soaking splash of a water ride.
For children and adults who are of the more delicate persuasion, you can enjoy the Jumping Jungle, a two story high lift, which slowly drops and bounces the riders, Pete's Pinwheel, a miniature ferris wheel, or maybe even Shamu's Happy Harbor, a tropical themed adventure area.
Shows
Many park goers choose to break up their experience into a water day and a show day, spending one full day at the water park and water rides and the other day taking in the shows. Though some do not mind sloshing around the park in their bathing suits and flip-flops, many prefer to take in the shows in dry clothes. If you choose the later, there are plenty of shows to see. Here is a small sampling of the most popular:
- Believe - features Shamu and other killer whales in spectacular underwater performances with the highly skilled and ever entertaining trainers. Sea World has a breeding program with its whales, and if you are fortunate enough, you may be able to see one of the whales with its calf.
- Viva! a high energy show with plenty of oohs and aahhs, Viva! features high diving aerialists and synchronized swimming a long side Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales.
- The Cannery Row Caper (one of my favorites) offers loads of laughs and knee-slapping humor with the ever entertaining and endearing sea lions, Clyde and Seamore as they attempt to solve the madcap caper mystery of the disappearing cannery fish.
Exhibits
For bird enthusiasts, the Aviary habitat is a must see. Beautiful and exotic birds from all over the world wow the crowd with their elegance and grace as they fly freely through the area. But, be sure and wear a hat or have an umbrella handy, as these colorful Aves are not house trained!
If you would rather spend the day relaxing by the water, the Lost Lagoon can offer plenty of sunshine; fun water slides, tubing and a wave wash pool. There are plenty of chairs to relax on, a sandy beach side if you prefer a more natural lounging area and plenty of kid-safe and kid-friendly areas for the younger tots to swim.
As with the rest of the park, the Lost Lagoon also offers plenty of snacks and eatery's so that you do not have to leave the area for food or drink. You can easily spend an entire day just in the Lost Lagoon by itself and have a full day of it.
Finally, be sure and take in the sharks & coral reef, the seal and sea lion community, the penguin encounter, and the dolphin cove. You don't want to miss an opportunity to feed and interact with the dolphins or simply view some of the world's most vicious, yet intriguing creatures of the sea.
With Sea World, San Antonio celebrating its 20th year in 2008, you're bound to have some fun and make some memories with your family while you're at it. If you have the time you can also take in some sites in historic San Antonio, but either way, Sea World in San Antonio offers everyone a Texas-style good time.