Something about dolphins, manatees, whales and even sharks brings out the emotions in all ages - in a range from delight to delicious fear. Pre-schoolers especially thrill at the simple prospect of seeing the creatures and watching their behaviors. Grade-schoolers are more likely to pick up on the park's educational aspects, as will older guests, who also love the thrill rides.


Pre-Schooler Favorites

 SeaWorld Adventure Park presents many ways to experience sea creatures - as removed or close-up as you desire. Touch tanks, aquariums and exhibits allow pre-schoolers to gaze endlessly at their favorites. Take them to see the Beluga whales and polar bears in "Wild Arctic," one of the park's most impressive re-created habitats. It also happens to be a great spot to cool off if it's hot outside. A thrill ride goes with this attraction, but you can watch a milder film version or simply visit the animals and skip the drama. Several new kiddie rides help the younger visitors experience the park the way their big siblings do!
SeaWorld Adventure Park presents many ways to experience sea creatures - as removed or close-up as you desire. Touch tanks, aquariums and exhibits allow pre-schoolers to gaze endlessly at their favorites.

The toothy stars at "Shark Encounter" are fascinating, as are the residents of the "Penguin Encounter." "Manatees: The Last Generation?" gets tykes up close to these gentle and endangered creatures.

Many of the shows are kid-oriented. Don't miss "Pets Ahoy!" and "Clyde & Seamore Take Pirate Island." Check out the two newest shows, "Believe Me" and "New Horizons." Of course, Shamu is the headliner of the park shows. "Shamu's Happy Harbor," a cool interactive playground, lies nearby. Kids could spend hours here, so budget your time accordingly.


Grade-School Winners

 Kids 42 inches tall or higher will want to do the motion-simulator "Wild Arctic" ride. Other attractions grade-schoolers especially enjoy include the "Shamu Splash Attack" water balloon station, the pink flamingo paddleboats and the Sky Tower, all of which incur extra charges. At the Shamu show, kids this age often want to sit in the "Splash Zone," where Shamu douses guests with truly chilly water. Satisfy their affinity for dolphins by attending "Key West Dolphin Fest," the educational presentations at Dolphin Cove.


Terrific for 'Tweens, Teens and Upwards

 Bring on the thrills for your older, adventurous family members. Head to one of Orlando's most sensational roller coasters, the floorless "Kraken" (must be 54 inches or taller) and the get-wet "Journey to Atlantis" (42-inch height requirement). Older children and adults will most appreciate the "Fusion" water sports stunt show and new "Odyssea," an underwater-themed, non-traditional circus performance in the Nautilus Theater.

The Hospitality Center is exclusively for adults, a place where the over-21 crowd can enjoy a complimentary Anheuser-Busch beverage and even attend beer-making school. One of the favorite forms of entertainment for adults is the Makahiki Luau dinner show at The Waterfront (see below).


For All Ages

 The Waterfront, one of SeaWorld's attractions, is certain to bring a smile to all weary theme park-goers. The Waterfront's collection of restaurants, entertainment and shops (one where they free dive for your pearls) is designed to emulate the world's most vibrant seaside cities.

Guests can enjoy several wining and dining options, including the Seafire Inn, which features chefs preparing stir-fry dishes in a four-foot Mongolian wok. The SandBar specializes in sushi and martinis, while Voyagers Wood Fired Pizzas serves up gourmet hand-tossed pies and the new Spice Mill serves jambalaya, jerk chicken and other seaport specialties cafeteria-style.

For a combination of food and fun, The Waterfront offers the Makahiki Luau. For an added charge, you can enjoy authentic Polynesian fare and rhythmic music, dance and costumes. During the summer months, watch the finale fireworks and fountain show, Mistify, from the village.


SeaWorld's Sister Park: Discovery Cove

 If your kids are truly dolphin-addicted, make advance reservations at Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive dolphin encounter and snorkeling experience across the street from SeaWorld, its sister attraction. Besides the centerpiece dolphin interaction experience, the park offers a sand beach, a pool where you can swim with "stinger-free" stingrays, a lazy river-type snorkeling adventure that ends in a pool where sharks nose up against glass barriers, tropical birds you can feed and a buffet meal - all for one price. Grade-schoolers get the most out of Discovery Cove, but even older kids enjoy it if they've never before snorkeled in a real marine environment.