Visiting SeaWorld Orlando
On the outskirts of Orlando sits one of the most famous marine parks in the world, the well-known SeaWorld Orlando.
The park
SeaWorld Orlando opened its doors in 1973. The park features 15 massive pools designed for large fish and marine mammals. Beyond these, you will find a series of giant aquariums where you can walk through and observe the inhabitants up close.
In recent years, the park has shifted its focus. Declining attendance prompted the owners to pivot their policy toward marine species preservation and biodiversity. For instance, the sea turtles and manatees you see here are rescue animals that have been rehabilitated and are awaiting release back into their natural habitat.
Keep in mind that you will need to pack your patience for the rides, as the park still draws roughly 6 million visitors annually.
The concept has expanded elsewhere in the United States, and you can also find smaller parks in San Antonio and San Diego.
The attractions
- "Shark Encounter" is an impressive experience. It features what is essentially the largest underwater viewing tunnel in the world, surrounded by a school of sharks so close it feels like you could reach out and touch them.
- The "Wild Arctic" attraction offers a chilly experience where you can view beluga whales and walruses.
- "Dolphin Cove" is one of the largest artificial pools in existence. It houses the park dolphins, which often show off their curiosity as spectators feed them fish.
- Of course, the stars of SeaWorld that anchor the shows are the orcas. "Shamu Up Close" is the viewing area for the orcas outside of the main performance times.
- The "Believe" show remains the main attraction, a large-scale production where orcas and trainers share a pool and interact. It is a high-energy experience.
If you enjoy marine life, this park is worth a visit.
What strikes you most about this park is the size of the tanks. The manatee tank, the orca tank, the dolphin tank, they are all huge. It is really nice to be able to admire these creatures through windows located below the water level. It allows you, for example, to see the orcas and dolphins pick up speed before jumping out of the water.
I found the show with the orca and the trainer very impressive, even if these animals are trained. As soon as they open their mouths, the size of their teeth reminds you of the reality. Seeing an orca have fun launching its trainer into the air is as frightening as it is fascinating.
We were also able to feed the dolphins, which are very playful. It was really quite enjoyable.
The only downside to this park is the ticket price, but when you know that a portion of the money is used to treat injured animals recovering at the park, you can definitely make an effort for nature.