SeaWorld with a baby or infant
Sea World is a must see theme park in Orlando, dedicated, as the name suggests, to the sea. There are plenty of attractions suitable for babies and toddlers here and, as any parent knows, small children find underwater creatures absolutely fascinating. It is also at Sea World that you can watch the dolphin and killer whale shows, and get up close and personal with fish and sea creatures. A toddler’s paradise.
Best rides for young kids at Sea World
Sea World is home to Shamu’s Happy Harbor, a dedicated land for little ones. Toddlers can enjoy ‘my first coaster’ Shamu Express (0.97m. minimum height), which thrills children and parents alike while travelling down more than 850 feet of track at 26 mph. Jazzy Jellies (1.07 m. minimum) lifts and spins families in oversized seats, while Swishy Fishies (0.91 m. minimum) takes adventurous youngsters on a spin around a giant waterspout. Shamu’s Happy Harbour also features the Sea Carousel (no minimum height), the Flying Fiddler (1.07 m. minimum), a giant fiddler crab that descends vertically in a quick series of short drops and Ocean Commotion (1.07m. minimum), a fanta-sea themed tug boat that swings passengers side to side.
Sea World’s littlest guests can explore four storeys of colourful climbing nets and tunnels, nine slippery slides and a splashy water maze. There are also lots of shady spots for parents to sit and keep an eye on the fun.
Shamu & Crew costume characters can be found early every morning near the front gate, waiting to meet their little fans and even sign autographs. While older kids are riding the new flying roller coaster, Manta, younger ones can experience the incredible underwater world of tropical fish and rays in the floor-to-ceiling aquariums at the attraction’s viewing area. With over 3,000 fish and rays in 10 aquariums, there’s even a mini ‘pop up’ viewing bubble that puts them into an aquarium for an amazing 360° view, creating a perfect photo-opp for parents as they are surrounded by colourful fish.
Experiences at Sea World
The dolphin nursery is a great chance to get up close and personal with dolphins and their babies. You can’t feed or touch them but it’s a great educational experience. The dolphins are used to people and swim right to the edge of the pool.
For dolphin feeding, head to Dolphin Cove. Here you can purchase fish for around $5 (£3.30) and hand feed the dolphins.
You can do the same thing with rays at Stingray Lagoon. You can buy shrimp for around $4 (£2.70) and feed the rays.
There is also an unmarked tide pool exhibit that allows kids to handle some sea creatures and learn more about a tide pool’s ecology.
Shows at Sea World
Little ones can also enjoy SeaWorld’s popular shows including Believe, featuring an entire family of majestic killer whales performing awe-inspiring choreography and Blue Horizons, a theatrical spectacular that showcases graceful dolphins and false killer whales, a rainbow of exotic birds and an entire cast of world-class divers and aerialists draped in elaborate costumes.
Young families can enjoy up-close animal encounters and incredible shows throughout the park, from the hilarious theatrics of sea lions, otters and a walrus in Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island to the comic talents of a menagerie of dogs, cats, birds, rats, skunks, pot-belly pigs and other animals in Pets Ahoy. Check the park map for family friendly show times.
