Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
302
Tips
On the Water
SeaWorld's 5-acre
Water front
area, which debuted in late spring 2003, added a
seaport-themed village to the park's landscape. On High Street, look for a blend
of shops; street shows; and the Seafire Inn restaurant, where lunch includes a
musical revue. At Harbor Square, the Groove Chefs make musical mayhem with
pots, pans, trays, and cans. The park also added street performers, including a
crusty old captain who tells fish tales and makes music with bottles and brandy
glasses. The array of Waterfront eateries includes the Spice Mill, Voyagers Smoke-
house, Seaport Pizza, and the Seafire Inn.
ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS
The park's other attractions include
Pacific Point Preserve,
a 2
1
/
2
-acre natural setting
that duplicates the rocky home of California sea lions and harbor seals. And
Turtle Point
showcases sea turtles swimming in the lagoon or lounging on the beach and sand dunes.
The Extreme Zone
tests your climbing and jumping skills with a rock wall and trampo-
line jump (both for an additional fee). A ride on the
Sky Tower,
open only seasonally
and at an additional fee, lets you look out over the entire park.
The
Makahiki Luau
is a full-scale dinner show featuring South Seas-style food (fish,
chicken, and pork) while you're entertained by music and dance of the Pacific Islands. It's
hardly haute cuisine or Broadway but is very much on par with Disney's Spirit of Aloha
Dinner Show—minus the characters (p. 332). It's held daily at 6:30pm. During the
winter holidays, a Christmas Luau temporarily replaces the original experience. Park
admission is not required. The cost is $46 for adults, $29 for children 3 to 9. Reserva-
tions are required and can be made by calling
&
800/327-2424
or online at
www.sea
worldorlando.com
.
7
SHOPPING AT SEAWORLD
SeaWorld doesn't have nearly as many shops as Walt Disney World and Universal
Orlando, but with the opening of the Waterfront has added some rather unique bou-
tiques, including
Allura's Treasure Trove,
featuring fanciful dolls, mermaids, fairies,
jewelry, and more. The
Tropical Trading Company
is filled with handcrafted gifts made
by artisans from exotic ports all over the world. At
Oyster's Secret,
guests can watch as
pearl divers dive in search of just the right oyster, which will be pried open for the pearl
inside. Guests can have the pearls made into jewelry. There are, of course, also lots of
cuddly toys for sale around the park. Where else can you get a stuffed manatee but at
Manatee Gifts?
The
Friends of the Wild
gift shop (it's near Penguin Encounter) has one
of the larger and more varied selections in the park. The shop attached to
Wild Arctic
is
good for plush toys as well.
Shamu's Emporium
near the entrance is one of the largest
stores in the park, featuring an array of souvenirs ranging from T-shirts to toys.
And, because of the Anheuser-Busch connection, the gift shop outside the entrance to
the park offers a staggering array of Budweiser-related items.
DISCOVERY COVE: A DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER
Anheuser-Busch spent $100 million building SeaWorld's sister park, which debuted in
2000. Prices for the
All Inclusive Day Experience
run $289 per person (plus the 6.5%
