Guide To Animal Experiences At SeaWorld Orlando
One of the main draws for visiting SeaWorld is all of the amazing animals that call the park home. You can see penguins, dolphins, and many more amazing sea creatures up close and personal. The best way to make the most of your time at SeaWorld Orlando is with an animal experience. These allow you a behind the scenes look at your favorite animals, and in most cases one on one time as well. Here is a guide for all of the animal experiences offered at SeaWorld.
SeaWorld Orlando Basics
Address: 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 10 am – 6 pm
Thursday – Friday: 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 9 pm
Cost: Single Day Ticket – $89.99
Single Day Ticket + All Day Dining Plan – $124.98
Two Park Ticket – $118.99
Two Park Ticket + All Day Dining Plan – $168.99
Tickets
Keep in mind that these animal experiences will have added costs and you will need to purchase a park ticket to take part in the animal experiences.
There are several ticket options for SeaWorld Orlando. A Single Day Ticket is $89.99. Tickets purchased for a specific date can only be used on that date. For an extra $35, you can add an All Day Dining Pass to your ticket for a total of $124.98.
All Day Dining Passes include 1 entree, 1 side or 1 dessert, and 1 regular sized beverage (non-alcohol), you can go through the line up to once per hour. This is good for the entire day until 30 minutes before the park closes. A photo ID is required when redeeming All Day Dining Passes and only the person listed on the pass can redeem.
Two Park Tickets are also available for $118.99. Participating parks include SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Adventure Island. For an extra $25 you can add the All Day Dining Pass for a total of $168.99.
You can purchase tickets here.
Parking At SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando offers both general and preferred parking.
General Parking – $25 per day
Preferred Parking – $30
You can purchase a parking pass in advance here.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Inclement Weather Policy
SeaWorld Orlando is committed to ensuring that you have a great time during your visit. If rain just won’t go away during your visit you can receive a complimentary visit to the park within 1 year or your original visit. Whether it’s simply sprinkling or down pouring, simply head to the Guest Service Counter to submit your information for your return visit. You must have your valid ticket with you at this time.
There are a few exemptions to the Inclement Weather Policy these include complimentary tickets, certain ticket packages, and guests who are unable to provide their original admission ticket. Promotional and discounted tickets, as well as promotional multi-day tickets may not be eligible either.
Rules For SeaWorld Orlando
No outside food, beverages, or cooler of any size are permitted in the park.
Weapons of any kind are prohibited, as well as drones, skateboards and roller skates.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park and either is marijuana, drug paraphernalia, or any other illegal substances.
Glass bottles, straws, and cans are not permitted in the park. You can bring a refillable water bottle.
Smoking is permitted but only at designated locations.
Children under 2 years of age or younger get into SeaWorld Orlando for free.
Active military personnel get a 50% discount on tickets thanks to the Wave Of Honor program. Find out more here.
Best Animal Encounters At SeaWorld
Animal Encounter
Dolphin Encounter
$25.00
With the Dolphin Encounter, you’ll participate in a training session and get to touch one of SeaWorld’s bottlenose dolphins. The experience takes approximately 15 minutes and you’ll leave with lasting memories and a photo of you and your new dolphin friend. You can book a Dolphin Encounter here.
Penguin Encounter
$35.00 per person
During the Penguin Encounter you’ll join warm weather penguins and their keepers in this exclusive behind the scenes look into the daily life of penguins. You can book a Penguin Encounter here.
Walrus Encounter
$50.00 per person
Have you dreamed of meeting a walrus? Well, here’s your chance! With the Walrus Encounter you’ll come face to whiskers with a behemoth walrus as you discover what makes this creature so magnificent. You can book a Walrus Encounter here.
Beluga Encounter
$60.00 per person
The beluga whale is undoubtedly one of the coolest animals at SeaWorld! In this encounter you will participate in a training session. You’ll also learn about the spectacular beluga as you see how they are cared for on this 30 minute walking tour. You can book the Beluga Encounter here.
Up Close Tours
Shark Up Close Tour
$20.00 per person
You’ll get a behind the scenes look at the ultimate predators that call SeaWorld home in this up close tour. Peer into the 700,000 gallon aquarium, touch smaller sharks and even help feed several different shark species on this tour. You can book a Shark Up Close Tour here.
Sea Lion Up Close Tour
$45.00 per person
On this Up Close Tour you’ll get to meet a friendly sea lion! Not only will you have a photo opportunity, but you’ll also take part in a feeding at the Pacific Point Preserve. Sea lions are famously goofy, and this encounter is sure to be tons of fun! You can book a Sea Lion Up Close Tour here.
Dolphin Up Close Tour
$50 per person
This 30 minute hands on tour shows you just what it takes to be a dolphin care specialist at SeaWorld. You’ll have your picture taken with a dolphin and help the specialist in a training session with a family of dolphins. In the end, you’ll practice what you’ve learned and get the dolphins to perform some tricks. You can book a Dolphin Up Close Tour here.
Penguin Up Close Tour
$65.00 per person
With this Up Close Tour you’ll get a behind the scenes of Antarctica: Empire Of The Penguins. You will get to meet one of these adorable dapper penguins, interact and touch them and even take a once in a lifetime selfie with them. You’ll also learn what goes into taking care of these fancy waddlers. You can book a Penguin Up Close Tour here.
Killer Whale Up Close Tour
$99.00 per person
If you found the Orca Encounter interesting, then consider going beyond, to an Up Close Tour featuring the park’s Killer Whales. After some once in a lifetime one on one interactions with the orcas, you can pose for a very rare photo with one. And you can ask a killer whale specialist any questions you may have about these beauties. You can book a Killer Whale Up Close Tour here.
SeaWorld Rescue Tour
$19.99 per person
On this 30 minute tour you’ll have the opportunity to see manatees and sea turtles while learning about SeaWorld’s animal rescue programs. You can book a SeaWorld Rescue Tour here.
No matter what animal encounter or up close tour you choose, these once in a lifetime experiences are sure to leave a lasting impression on everyone in the family.
- Use extras like quick queue and reserved seating with help from Tripster: When you visit SeaWorld Orlando’s Information and Reservations Counter when you arrive, you can make sure that all of your must-do activities are planned and ready to go!
- Sign Up For a Behind the Scenes Tour: This behind-the-scenes tour, lasting approximately 75 minutes, will explain how animal care experts care for rescued manatees and sea turtles.
You will also touch a shark and interact with a penguin! These were clearly our favorite parts of the tour. We loved our tour guide, and we found that since there was a bus to transport us from one side of the park to the other, that it was an amazing way to get off our feet and relax!
- Meet a dolphin: The dolphin encounter is an affordable option to experience a quick dolphin interaction. Again, even though we are native Floridians, this is not something that we get to experience!
We also learned how the animal team takes care of these amazing mammals and had the opportunity to touch the dolphins. Since cameras are not permitted on this experience, I don’t have any photos to share, but I promise it was really fun! The photo above is from another area in the park (Dolphin Nursery).
