Although our original trip had not included plans to go to a theme park, we couldn’t resist. We used the concierge at our hotel to purchase one-day tickets to SeaWorld Orlando. I have been to SeaWorld San Diego many times, but this was my first time visiting the Orlando park. Dan had not visited since he was a child. We were both so excited.
We arrived for the 10am park opening and the heat was already intense.
Due to Covid, we had to make reservations a day in advance. Masks were mandatory at all times, except when eating or drinking. This wasn’t a huge deal, except for it was definitely hot and we were sweating buckets. Cast members walked around the park to enforce the masks and social distancing. All of the queues had spacing markers and the arena shows had sections blocked-off to promote distancing. When the show ended, we were dismissed from the area row by row. At the front entrance, our temperature was taken, which couldn’t have been easier, as we just had to keep walking through a screening tent. The process didn’t even make us slow down. We observed employees spraying the rides vehicles with sanitizer between guests and loading attractions in a spaced-out manner.
As a former theme park employee, I was very interested to see how SeaWorld would handle Covid. This was my first theme park visit in 2020. I was impressed. I felt safe at SeaWorld and felt like the employees were knocking it out of the park- pun intended.
We snapped some pictures at the entrance, including my obligatory flamingo shot.
Our first ride a coaster called Manta. Rays of all sorts are my favorite sea animals and I hopped in the queue without realizing that it was a flying type of coaster, where you ride belly down. I had never done this type of coaster and it was terrifying. I would have cried, but I was too stunned by the intensity. Besides being one of the scariest rides that I’ve ever experienced, it was uncomfortable as the blood rushed forward in my head from the positioning of the ride. I can’t imagine getting stuck on Manta during a malfunction. Never again will I ride Manta. I did appreciate the gorgeous aquariums in the queue. I also think the theming of a flying style coaster is appropriate to the how Manta Rays physically look and glide through the water.
Somehow, I agreed to ride a second coaster immediately following Manta. The queues were virtually empty, so we wanted to take advantage of the low crowds. Kraken is an older coaster and bit of a rough ride, but not terrifying like Manta. I could handle it.
Next we hopped on Journey to Atlantis, a hybrid ride that combines flume/coaster/dark ride elements. I rode this many years ago at the San Diego park and I’m here to report that it has not aged well. The story is loose and it didn’t help that many show elements were broken. Dan had not previous ridden it and was caught out when it switches from a flume to a coaster, which is a great trick, but otherwise this attraction needs an overhaul. We got soaking wet and did the dumbest thing possible; we headed to the Antartica to visit the penguins.
It was so, so, so cold.
I wanted to see the other Antarctic animals, like the Polar Bears, but our teeth were chattering. We needed to be outside in the furnace. The day was heating up and we were soaked to our underwear, so we decided to leave the park and go swimming at our hotel. Our plan was to return in the evening.
A few shots as we exited the park.
We really needed to take the midday break. I think we would have needed the break, even if we hadn’t been wearing masks, but the masks definitely didn’t make it easier. We returned around 6pm and went straight to the Sea Lions Tonite show. Sea Lions Tonite is a SeaWorld classic, featuring groan-worthy comedy and cute animals. It was always one of my favorites. The current iteration pokes fun at the other SeaWorld shows and attractions, unfortunately, it didn’t do much to give information on the animals. The complete lack of an educational element was disappointing.
Next, we went to the shark exhibit. I love the immersive tunnel. I always think of the Jaws film where the shark breaks through the tunnel and the tourist run screaming. The experience is always serene, unlike the film.
After visiting the sharks, I had to brave Mako, the tallest and fastest coaster in the park. I actually loved Mako. It was smooth and thrilling, without being utterly terrifying like Manta. We rode it twice. The first drop is incredibly steep and my mask nearly flew off!
The best ride in the park, which we rode four times, was Infinity Falls. Infinity Falls is a rafting ride with a surprising elevator element followed by an enormous drop. It’s crazy and dizzying with both show elements, and tons of water. We got soaked, so wet that Dan splurged on pricy souvenir towels. I could have ridden this all day, it was so much fun and a perfect way to cool down in the steamy Florida humidity.
We capped the day off with fireworks. Many of the other parks have eliminated fireworks due to covid crowd concerns, but we felt that SeaWorld handled it well and we felt properly spaced from other guests. It was magical and made us feel like we were having a normal summer.
We had a great time at SeaWorld and even discussed getting annual passes as they are currently such a good deal. I wish we had more time to spend seeing the animals. I’m curious to see how they have changed the Shamu Show as part of their shift to animal education, rather than showing tricks. Having worked for a zoo, I know that SeaWorld is making efforts to change with the times, and I also know that both education and conservation are a big part of their mission.
