SeaWorld, Texas, United States

3TOB 5:00 PM Mar 15, 2023

Great shows if you can stand a long time, and predatory pricing...
We went as family on Wednesday of spring break. The first thing we did was buy food passes for $49.00, as my daughter cautioned that every food item would be $15-$20. Supposedly you can get an entree, drink and dessert or side item every 90 minutes. Of course, there are many things they do not tell you when they sell you this pass. In the children's area for example, all you can get is a really greasy slice of either cheese or pepperoni pizza. They will not let you get the turkey they sell for about $15 bucks, and there is no dessert available there though they sell cotton candy and ice cream products (dippin dots). We started reading the disclaimers on the map: each food place says 'limitations' on food pass items. What doesn't make sense to me is you can go to their BBQ place and get the $25.99 rib/brisket/chicken combo as an 'entree,' and a drink and dessert as well. So why would they not let you get a $15 turkey leg? The shows were VERY good, but every one we went to was so packed it was standing room only even 30 minutes before the show, except for 'splash' seats where you are guaranteed to get wet. The stinking kicker that bothered me? Our 5 year old grand daughter wanted to go on here first roller coaster. The lines were long, but we sat in many. While waiting in line for that and the carousel ride, they repeatedly did not board anyone waiting in line. You see, if you pay them $17 more, you get a 'fast pass' and get to go in front of everyone else! They even allow the same people to do the ride twice in a row. I get it that this is a money making operation, but when a 5 year old watches group after group cut in line ahead of them, and goes back repeatedly to stand for a long time in line, missing everything else and still never gets one ride? It is certainly a BIG reminder you are not in the same class as those who pay hundreds of extra dollars so their kid's get in front of everyone else! Don't get me wrong, I am NOT a socialist in any form, but a big disclaimer should be given for ticket purchasers telling they will not get on rides on busy days unless they pay more than a 1/3 of the daily ticket price just for one ride! My biggest complaint with the experience was not with the park itself, it was with the throngs of ill behaved, pushing, shoving, 'free range' children that parents did NOTHING to control. With an infant and very petite 5 year old in tow, it was very difficult to navigate the crowds safely. As I would expect, there were many adults who were pushy and rude as well. Probably the parents of those free range children. We would go to SeaWorld again, but probably not on a busy time like spring break.

3Traveler 5:00 PM Dec 28, 2021

Whale show is good, but not much to do beyond it.
The killer whale show is awesome, as is the beluga whale show. Beyond that, they have very little to do here. Unless you pay more for an in-depth experiment, there are no whales to watch, or nice aquariums to look at. There are about 4-5 high thrill rides. They artificially run too few trains on each in order to justify their up-charge on the quick queue pass, which can nearly double the price. On the other hand, you might as well wait in line because there is not much else to do here.