Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
301
Shamu Express,
a kid-friendly coaster; the
Jazzie Jellies
samba tower that lifts and spins
kids in jellyfish-like seats; and
Swishy Fishies,
a teacup-style ride, where kids spin round
and round in buckets that surround a gigantic sandcastle. Recent additions include the
Flying Fiddler,
where a series of short drops are sure to surprise your little one;
Ocean
Commotion,
a swinging tugboat that will surely invoke a squeal (or two); and a fan-sea-
ful
Sea Carousel,
perfect for wee ones who love going 'round and 'round.
Shark Encounter
Frommer's Rating:
A
Recommended Ages:
3-adult
SeaWorld has added other species to this formerly shark-exclusive attraction—about 220
specimens in all. Pools out front have small sharks and rays (feeding isn't allowed here).
The interior aquariums have big eels, beautiful but poisonous lionfish, hauntingly still
barracudas, and bug-eyed puffer fish. This isn't a tour for the claustrophobic, because you
have to walk through an acrylic tube, beneath hundreds of millions of gallons of water.
Also, small fry may find the swimming sharks a little too much to handle.
Wild Arctic
Frommer's Rating:
B+
Recommended Ages:
All ages for exhibit; 6-adult for ride
Enveloping guests in the beauty, exhilaration, and danger of a polar expedition, Wild
Arctic combines a high-definition adventure film with flight-simulator technology to
display breathtaking Arctic panoramas. After a hazardous faux flight over the frozen
north, you emerge into an exhibit where you can see a playful polar bear or two, beauti-
ful beluga whales, and walruses performing aquatic ballets (on different levels; you can
see them both above and below the surface). Kids and those prone to motion sickness
may find the ride bumpy. There's a separate line if you want to skip the flight and just
see the critters.
Note:
During the winter holidays, Wild Arctic transforms (practically
overnight) into the Polar Express—offering guests a chance to ride on the train made
popular by the charming children's book turned hit holiday movie of the same name.
7
Moments
Swimming with the Sharks
In addition to the all-day (9-hr.)
Marine Mammal Keeper Experience
(see
above), SeaWorld offers one other interactive program.
Sharks Deep Dive
gives guests a chance to have limited, hands-off contact with more than 50
sharks, including a nearly 9-foot sand tiger, in the Shark Encounter area. Two at
a time, guests don wet suits and a special underwater helmet (it lets you
breathe and communicate with others) for a 30-minute encounter inside a
cage that rides a 125-foot track. Part of the cage is above water, but partici-
pants can dive up to 8 feet underwater for a close-up look at the denizens. The
cost is $149 (minimum age 10). The price includes a souvenir booklet and a
T-shirt, but does not include the required park-admission fee.
The program is not open to expectant mothers or kids younger than the age
of 10. Call
&
800/432-1178,
800/406-2244, or 407/363-2380, or visit
www.sea
worldorlando.com
to make mandatory reservations or for more information.
