SeaWorld San Diego First Trip to SeaWorld Advice

[DavidBrown]

Hey everyone! I am heading to San Diego imminently and am leaning towards knocking SWSD off my bucket list finally. I skimmed this thread for advice but figured I'd ask some specific questions I had:

- About how long would it take to just see the animal exhibits, no rides or shows?
- Has anyone ever taken the city bus there, and if so how recommendable is it?
- How much of an issue exactly are crowds and lines, and would there be any discernable difference between times of day or days of the week?
- Are there any must-see animals or exhibits that are easy to miss if not planned for ahead of time?

Thanks in advance!

The last (and only) time I was there was in 1995. There was only one ride there then, a lame simulator ride. We managed to spend all day there, and that was before the rides took over the park. I think that they have eliminated some of the aquariums, but they also added the arctic animals since I was there.

The penguin exhibit was the only thing that I found worthwhile about the whole place. Be sure to give yourself time in there to absorb everything.

Have you been to the Birch Aquarium? I highly recommend that place. They should be opening their newly remodeled main gallery soon, so maybe now is not the best time to visit. The little penguins and sea dragons are still on exhibit.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Same here, I'll most likely be down in San Diego again at the end of June. Definitely hitting up Birch with their new renovations, but would there be anything noteworthy to see at SeaWorld for someone who's not into the rides or shows? Its been I don't even remember how long since I've been to SW SD. Especially with the Emperor Penguins leaving at the end of this month according to the news thread, that's a pretty huge blow for me. Especially with the hefty ticket price (but it is a theme park too so that's understandable)

• The new Jellyfish exhibit looks incredible
• The Guadalupe Fur Seals i believe are still there?
• Visit Shark Encounter and Penguin Encounter before both close. I'm not sure if they still have their Lemon Sharks though

These are probably the biggest draws for me but if there's anything else noteworthy to sway me, that'd be awesome

 

[Great Argus]

but would there be anything noteworthy to see at SeaWorld for someone who's not into the rides or shows?

Pilot Whale and Common Dolphin, for others not yet mentioned.

Especially with the Emperor Penguins leaving at the end of this month according to the news thread,

Worth remembering there is no official confirmation this is happening - we're having to wait and see.

The Guadalupe Fur Seals i believe are still there?

Yes

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Pilot Whale and Common Dolphin, for others not yet mentioned.



Worth remembering there is no official confirmation this is happening - we're having to wait and see.



Yes

Good to know, I will definitely consider it since the rumor was the Shark Encounter refresh could take a year or two. I got a request to do a SW SD species list when I was in San Diego last time since there's so many tanks scattered around that don't have many species signed, I'll have to see what's doable

 

[Coelacanth18]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I will be heading there tomorrow, so hopefully after that I will be able to provide others my own advice - probably about what mistakes not to make and I did decide I'm going to try taking public transit to save on parking, so we'll see how successful I am.

Have you been to the Birch Aquarium? I highly recommend that place. They should be opening their newly remodeled main gallery soon, so maybe now is not the best time to visit. The little penguins and sea dragons are still on exhibit.

I have, and I agree it's a very nice aquarium. The current remodeling led me to discount it from this trip's itinerary right away, but I'm hoping to be back here later in the year for snorkeling so I'll try and see it refreshed then.

 

[Westcoastperson]

Good to know, I will definitely consider it since the rumor was the Shark Encounter refresh could take a year or two. I got a request to do a SW SD species list when I was in San Diego last time since there's so many tanks scattered around that don't have many species signed, I'll have to see what's doable

Some things to keep in mind when doing a species list for SeaWorld:

• There is a waterfowl pond behind Shipwreck Rapids that as of right now I believe can only be seen seen from the ride que (I think the path that goes up to the exhibit is closed)
• There is a small reef tank inside of a submarine and another waterfowl pond in the shipwreck reef outdoor dining area
• Besides the small aviary’s around dolphin stadium and nautilus amphitheater there are also some aviary’s tucked away next to the explorers cafe.

 

[Jaxson]

Some things to keep in mind when doing a species list for SeaWorld:

• There is a small reef tank inside of a submarine and another waterfowl pond in the shipwreck reef outdoor dining area

That aquarium has been drained since 2020. The Atlantice aquarium is and will be closed until around May or June, when the ride reopens from its refurbishment.

 

[splendens]

Good to know, I will definitely consider it since the rumor was the Shark Encounter refresh could take a year or two. I got a request to do a SW SD species list when I was in San Diego last time since there's so many tanks scattered around that don't have many species signed, I'll have to see what's doable

There is also a tank in a bar or cafe that's close to the orcas which contained a few species like a hawk fish of some kind, black tang, yellow tang, broomtail wrasse, and copperband butterflyfish at least.
Even if you do not go onto the Manta ride there's a large California marine tank visible somewhere from the queue.
Also of note, in the giant pacific octopus and Japanese spider crab tank there are some interesting cold water species, several rockfish including a Helicolenus sp., Splitnose Rockfish, and another unsigned species which is probably not a rockfish. I also took a picture of what might be a goldeye rockfish which would be the only one outside of Japan, though it may have been another species. It would be nice if you got better pictures for ID as none of them are signed.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

There is also a tank in a bar or cafe that's close to the orcas which contained a few species like a hawk fish of some kind, black tang, yellow tang, broomtail wrasse, and copperband butterflyfish at least.
Even if you do not go onto the Manta ride there's a large California marine tank visible somewhere from the queue.
Also of note, in the giant pacific octopus and Japanese spider crab tank there are some interesting cold water species, several rockfish including a Helicolenus sp., Splitnose Rockfish, and another unsigned species which is probably not a rockfish. I also took a picture of what might be a goldeye rockfish which would be the only one outside of Japan, though it may have been another species. It would be nice if you got better pictures for ID as none of them are signed.

Oh wow, thank you for the notice. You already know I absolutely love rare fish so this is intriguing to hear lol. I'll probably be down there for about 4 days so the SDZ Safari Park was also on my "maybe" list since I've never been before, I will have to weigh my options for sure.