BEST Things To Do With Kids at SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando is home to a wide variety of theme parks — Disney World is just one of many!

Those hoping to visit other theme parks in the area throughout their stay typically make a visit to SeaWorld Orlando, located just a short distance away from both Universal and Disney World. Here, guests can experience a wide variety of attractions — from character meet and greets to rides. If you and your crew are headed to SeaWorld, the rides are an important thing to consider — especially if you have little ones. Let’s talk about it!

If you’re considering taking young children to a theme park, it’s no small feat — so props to you! More planning goes into making these trips safe and memorable for little ones, and a lot of that planning is regarding rides and height requirements. So, if you’re curious about which rides at SeaWorld your child can go on, then this post is for YOU!

There are currently 18 different rides at SeaWorld Orlando and four sit-down shows. From family-friendly, kid-friendly, and extreme – there is a ride or show for anyone in your family to enjoy.

Park Touring Tip

Whether you’re traveling with squirmy toddlers or super active teens, you may want to consider SeaWorld’s option to skip the standby line. Yep, SeaWorld has its own version of Genie+ or Express Pass, called Quick Queue.

Quick Queue has three differently priced tiers:

• $14.99 per person – The most affordable ticket option. Valid for unlimited front-of-the-line access for six participating attractions for one day. This does not include Ice Breaker.
• $19.99 per person – If you are interested in reserved seating at shows, you might consider this ticket. Valid for unlimited front-of-the-line access for six participating attractions for one day. It is also valid for one-time reserved seating at the most popular shows.
• $29.99 per person – If riding Pipeline, the newest roller coaster with no wait, is on your list, this is the only Quick Queue ticket allowing you to skip the line once. It also includes the six other attractions and reserved seating the previous tickets have.

Animal Exhibits

SeaWorld has some of the best and most thrilling coasters in Florida, but the rides are only part of it. The REAL attractions at SeaWorld are the animals! Whether cuddly or fierce, you’ll want to take time to explore and experience all of the animal exhibits. Some even offer personal animal encounters for an extra fee, like feeding the dolphins, so bring some cash, because how often will you get to feed a dolphin?!

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin: Take a walk into the Antarctica area, where you will see five different pieces of penguins swimming and having fun on the land.

Dolphin Nursery: This is an interactive exhibit where children can watch and learn about baby dolphins and their mothers.

Dolphin Cove. Here, you can watch a group of bottlenose dolphins both above and below the water’s surface.

Stingray Lagoon: This is an interactive exhibit where children can touch and feed stingrays.

Pacific Point Preserve: This is an interactive exhibit where kids can feed and touch California sea lions and harbor seals.

Wild Arctic: Take a journey through the Arctic wilderness, where you can see beluga whales and walruses.

Shark Encounter. Walk through the tunnel and see the sharks swimming above you.

Orca Underwater Viewing. You can watch the orca whales swim in the water at this up-close viewing area.

Manatee Rehabilitation Area. See the resident manatees who have been rescued and now call SeaWorld home. You can see them in the above-water viewing area and the underwater viewing area.

Jewel of the Sea. Walk into this aquarium, and you will see not only some amazing fish and aquatic life in the exhibits but when you look down, you will see them all swimming below your feet as well.

Manta Aquarium: Leave the stroller at the front of the attraction outside and walk through with your kids.

Comparing Halloween Events at Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld

Shows

Take a look at the daily schedule and choose at least one show to watch during your visit.  You can pay $14.99 per person for reserved seating or use your Quick Queue access at these shows.

Dolphin Adventures. Learn all about the playful and inquisitive Bottlenosed Dolphins at this show in the aptly named Dolphin Stadium. See their athletic ability on display and learn how they are valuable contributors to the ocean’s ecosystem.

Orca Encounter. These killer whales are the mascot of SeaWorld for a reason. They will showcase their striking beauty, their predatory prowess, and their unique vulnerability and sensitivity in this show as their caretakers explain the challenges that Orcas face in the wild.

Sea Lion and Otter Spotlight. This show spotlights (see what we did there?) California sea lions and Asian small-clawed otters. You can learn about these playful, cuddly critters and all about what you can do to help preserve their population. And consider yourself warned now, you’ll leave this show wishing you could adopt an otter.

Sesame Street Party Parade. Lively tunes accompany your favorite Sesame Street friends in this dance party parade.  Dance along with Big Bird, Elmo, and the whole Sesame Street crew.

Rides & Attractions

Pipeline: The Surf Coaster

This coaster restrains guests while they’re standing for a high-thrill coaster experience.

The minimum height for this ride is 54″, and since it is a standing coaster, the maximum height is 78″.

Ice Breaker

This is a moderate-thrill coaster that allows you to soar through twists, turns, and air-time hills.

You must be 48″ tall to ride Ice Breaker.

Mako

This is an extreme-thrill coaster that speeds up to 73 miles per hour and takes you up to 200 feet in the air. This coaster features a lot of high speeds and deep dives.

You must be 54″ tall to ride Mako.

Kraken

This is another extreme-thrill coaster that is themed after the mythological underwater creature. Riders’ feet dangle as they are seated in open-sided seats.

You must be 54″ to ride Kraken.

Manta

This extreme-thrill coaster takes riders on a head-first, face-down inverted nosedive!

You have to be 54″ to ride Manta.

Infinity Falls

This high-thrill water ride is a great ride for families to ride together! You’ll wind your way around fountains, geysers, and waterfalls on a raft.

You have to be between 42″ and 77″ to ride Infinity Falls.

Journey to Atlantis

Journey to Atlantis is another great family-friendly coaster that takes you through watery passageways and down a deep plunge.

You must be 42″ to ride Journey to Atlantis.

Abby’s Flower Tower

This tower ride located on Sesame Street will take you up in the air in one of Abby Cadabby’s flower pots!

You must be 42″ to ride Abby’s Flower Tower.

Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl

This family-friendly ride will allow you to spin in a nest around Big Bird!

You must be 36″ to ride Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl.

Cookie Drop!

This family-friendly ride will allow you to bounce up and down with Cookie Monster as you drop from way up high.

You must be 42″ tall to ride Cookie Drop!.

Elmo’s Choo Choo Train

This family-friendly ride takes you on a train adventure with Elmo! You’ll see butterflies, caterpillars, and even some Twiddlebugs!

You have to be 36″ to ride Elmo’s Choo Choo Train.

Slimey’s Slider

This family-friendly coaster takes you on a “swoop and swivel” ride through Oscar the Grouch’s compost collection, all with Oscar’s pet worm, Slimey.

You must be 42″ to ride Slimey’s Slider.

Super Grover’s Box Car Derby

This family-friendly coaster takes you on a boxcar race with Grover!

You must be 38″ to ride Super Grover’s Box Car Derby.

Sunny Day Carousel

This family-friendly carousel is truly fun for ALL!

There isn’t a height requirement for this ride, as long as those under 42″ are accompanied by an adult 14 or older.

Sky Tower

This is a family-friendly leisure ride that takes you up 400 feet to get a bird’s eye view of Orlando.

There’s no height requirement for this ride as long as an adult accompanies small ones!

Flamingo Paddle Boats

These family-friendly leisure paddle boats are available to ride for $6 per person.

Children must be 56 inches to ride alone, but there’s no height requirement for those riding with an adult.

And there you have it! If you’re considering visiting SeaWorld, you can refer to this list to go ahead and plan out your stops throughout the park. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more theme park and travel news, so make sure to follow along for more.

Looking for more theme parks in Orlando? Click here for information on different options!

Will you be visiting SeaWorld soon? Let us know in the comments!

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