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SeaWorld Orlando Update – Just For Kids, TurtleTrek, Antartica, and more


For me, the highlight of the day were the hula-hoop artists from China.

Went to SeaWorld Orlando on Saturday to sample their new “Just For Kids” festival. While there we checked in on the construction for TurtleTrek, schedule to open later this year, and Antarctica, targeted for Spring 2013. The park was very busy, but not too crowded and we definitely had a good time.

SeaWorld has a number of events through-out the year, but none focused on the youngest park visitors. Just For Kids gives families with pre-school and elementary aged children some activities and shows that are just for them. With the addition of Legoland to central Florida, this audience has become the latest battle ground.

There are some good savings for families with kids too. For the next three Saturdays, parents can rent strollers at half-price, and the following items are free for kids with each paid adult: all-day dining deal, sky tower ride, and free Penguins Up-close, Dolphins Up-close, or Behind-the-Scenes tours. The all-day dining deal is a great value if you’re planning on eating twice while in the park.

My biggest criticisms with the event were a) it was hard to get information about the event and b) the big stage show wasn’t as good as it could be. The shows are advertised using the original cast members from the TV show, but the actors were all different, with different voices. The kids around me picked up on that pretty quickly, but for the youngest kids, it didn’t appear to matter. I understand why the cast was different, and the actors did give it their all, but something was lacking. Part of the problem was also the poor puppet design and the fact that it was basically a 4-person cast. Lazy Town should be populated with many more of the citizens from the show.

That’s on the ticky-tack side of complaints. Who knows, the next three sets of shows could be a lot better. Plus the opening act featured a small troop of acrobats from China. The women hula-hoop performers were particularly talented. I would rather have seen a half-hour show of them then Lazy Town.

Festivals like “Just For Kids” are at least partially targeted at getting locals into the park. Flyers advertising SeaWorld’s Summer Camp opportunities were seen all over the place.

Join me below the jump for more photos of Just for Kids and construction around the park:

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SeaWorld offers Employees raises after Good Year, Is this a Sign?

The Orlando Sentinel reports that SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has given its employees (both hourly and salaried) an across the board 3% raise. This is good news after three difficult years, from 2008 through 2010, where wages were frozen and many employees were let go.… Read More »SeaWorld offers Employees raises after Good Year, Is this a Sign?

PreSchool Pass Offers Free Admission for Kids 5 and Younger to SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens sit at opposite ends of the I-4 corridor and count on the tourist traffic that Central Florida delivers. When a newcomer targets what SeaWorld perceives as their target market, it makes sense that they’d counter with something. That newcomer is Legoland Florida and they’re going directly after families with young kids, the core of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

Both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are now offering a Preschool Pass good for free admission for all of 2012 for kids 5 and under. You have to sign up online, but it’s a great deal. Especially when combined with an AP or Fun Card for locals. SeaWorld Orlando is also adding an all-new festival that’s “Just for Kids” with concerts by some kids shows that will be very familiar to the pre-school set.

Update: Great minds think alike, the Orlando Sentinel has a story with more details on the theme park’s fight for kids.

The full press release is below the jump:

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Miss America Pageant Contestants Visit Walt Disney World

It’s always a good time when the Miss America pageant contestants visit Orlando. They usually make a stop at Give Kids The World and then spend a few days at Walt Disney World. Often this is the first time all 50+ women get a chance… Read More »Miss America Pageant Contestants Visit Walt Disney World

Orlando Theme Parks Reach Capacity

The week between Christmas and New Years is always a busy one in Orlando. This year with both major holidays falling on weekends and twin bowl crowds in town, everyone was expecting it to be crazy. The first part of this week has actually been… Read More »Orlando Theme Parks Reach Capacity

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at Aquatica January 21st

SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica is usually warm and tropical, but for one day only they’re chilling down their wave pool so the brave of heart can experience the “thrill of the chill” by plunging into cold water, while supporting a great cause! Supporters of Special Olympics… Read More »Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at Aquatica January 21st

Orlando Museum hosts Themepark Concept Art Exhibit

Orlando is no longer thought of as solely the house of the mouse; since the boy wizard set up shop up International Drive, people have begun to take notice that Universal has a terrific staff of creative developers of its own. That shouldn’t be a… Read More »Orlando Museum hosts Themepark Concept Art Exhibit

Universal Orlando Resort Hosts Holiday Festivities

Universal Orlando Resort showed a bit of restraint waiting until after Thanksgiving to launch its Christmas celebration. That’s appreciated by us purists, but means you only have a short window of time to get yourself to the resort and enjoy the festivities. For a list of their offerings, read our earlier post.

I recommend arriving early and exploring both parks. They have a lot of decorations up and the Holiday Village has fun games and treats for the whole family. I would have liked to see more entertainment options like they had for Mardi Gras, but there was still plenty to see and the treats all smelled delicious.

This year marks the 10th year the Macy’s Holiday Parade has run through the streets of Universal Studios. In theory these are the floats and balloons from the actual parade in NYC and I think I saw a few (the Polar Bear float and some of the balloon characters), the rest are from past parades. But it is the next best thing to being at the real parade, and it was a balmy 78 degrees instead of 42 degrees.

The highlight of the parade was Santa Claus lighting the Christmas Tree. But you have to be standing near the tree (opposite the Macy’s facade near Revenge of The Mummy).

Also returning is Grinchmas – a fun ‘wholiday’ stage show. The show was moved indoors a few years ago, which means you won’t encounter any weather issues. You will have to leave Suessland in Islands of Adventure and venture to one of the Soundstages, however. I found all of the featured performers to be quite talented. That includes Max the dog. Definitely catch this show when you visit.

Wrapping up the evening on the studios side is a special concert from Mannheim Steamroller. We didn’t stay to see the whole concert, but if you like their music, like I do, it is fun to see it made live and in person.

Please join me below the fold for more photos of our special evening at Universal Orlando Resort for their Christmas celebrations:

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