SeaWorld San Diego First Trip to SeaWorld Advice

[Kudu21]

Hello, everyone!

I am planning on visiting SeaWorld San Diego for the very first time sometime soon. I have never visited a SeaWorld park before, and as far as the animal exhibits and attractions go, from perusing the park’s website and map, it is not always so clear where animals are or when they are visible. As such, I was curious as to what people more familiar with the park would suggest as far as routes to not miss things, must-see shows, and any other tips and tricks for a first-time visitor trying to make the most of the animal experience at the park.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[pachyderm pro]

Hello, everyone!

I am planning on visiting SeaWorld San Diego for the very first time sometime soon. I have never visited a SeaWorld park before, and as far as the animal exhibits and attractions go, from perusing the park’s website and map, it is not always so clear where animals are or when they are visible. As such, I was curious as to what people more familiar with the park would suggest as far as routes to not miss things, must-see shows, and any other tips and tricks for a first-time visitor trying to make the most of the animal experience at the park.

Thank you all in advance!

It's been a few years since I was last there, but here are a few things to keep in mind

• When I visited there were numerous smaller aquarium buildings dotted around the grounds that were unshowy, but pretty high quality. I'm not sure which ones are still around but be careful not to miss them. I recall one that contained a particularity impressive octopus collection, but I believe it may have been demolished.
• Keep a lookout for the Guadalupe fur seals at Sea Lion Point, which to my knowledge are the only ones on display in the country.
• When it comes to shows, the killer whale demonstration was definitely the best one. Very educational and much more professional than the others. Also, be sure to make some time for the dolphin show, which is the only time you can get a good look at the pilot whales. I didn't check out the sea lion show, although perhaps you can go and let us know if it's still as painful as @sooty mangabey's hilarious retelling made it sound.

 

[ZooBinh]

So I've not visited SeaWorld San Diego, but I did visit the Orlando park back in December, and here are some things that I noticed that might be applicable to the San Diego park as well:

• Stadiums fill up fast. Like really, really, fast. At least when I went, especially for the Orca show, people were waiting outside the stadium for quite a while before they let anyone in. If a show started at, say, 4:30? You'd want to be there maybe before 4 to make sure you can get a seat. I was lucky to see the orca show since my family made it into the stadium first and I was able to prove to the security guard that they saved me a seat (and this was maybe around 4:10-ish).
• Download the app! It's so useful for navigating yourself around the park, and it should show where all the animals are exhibited, at least for the Orlando park.
• I'm not sure about the San Diego park, but there are lines for some of the exhibits. At SeaWorld Orlando, they only let a few people in at a time for the penguin exhibit...I think I waited in line about 45 minutes-1 hour before I was let in? Same with the shark aquarium, there was a queue for the tunnel and even when you were let in, workers would rush you and made sure you kept moving.

I feel it is noteworthy to mention that I visited the week of Christmas, and Orlando is insanely busy that time of year, so maybe the crowd issues I noted won't apply for your visit at this time of year in San Diego? But I'm going to assume that the popularity and busy-"ness" of the parks stay somewhat consistent throughout locations. Have fun on your visit!

 

[Kudu21]

@pachyderm pro, @ZooBinh — Thank you both for all of that information! That is all very good to know, and I have taken note accordingly. Looking at the pricing options, and given that we’re going to be local now, we’re considering purchasing passes to spread out the cost and be able to visit more than once, comfortably

 

[Ituri]

@pachyderm pro, @ZooBinh — Thank you both for all of that information! That is all very good to know, and I have taken note accordingly. Looking at the pricing options, and given that we’re going to be local now, we’re considering purchasing passes to spread out the cost and be able to visit more than once, comfortably

I would recommend doing just that. When we were local to SWO, the annual pass was only slightly more expensive than a 1-day ticket. We got a lot of use out of it.

 

[Hyak_II]

Ah Seaworld San Diego! Definitely make sure to scope out all the hidden aquariums and bird exhibits. I believe one of their aquarium buildings is closed down (I think it was the older freshwater aquarium building, which is a shame, they had lot of nice exhibits in there). It’s worth also heading down into the lineup for the manta ride. They have a touch pool/aquarium close to the waiting area of the ride, and you are able to just go down and see the aquarium, without having to wait in line for the ride. Definitely worth it, as there’s quite a few interesting species in there.

Sea Lion show? Trash, skip it. I personally like the dolphin show, it’s an entertaining watch, and the best chance to see both the pilot whales, and the common dolphin hybrid. There is also an animal that’s primarily offshore Pacific bottlenose dolphin, which once again, is quite rare, but she’s difficult to pick out from the rest. Her name is Koa, and she’s somewhat larger, darker, and bulkier than most of the others.

The dolphin point exhibit is fairly poor, but the only place to see a Hawaiian locale pacific bottlenose dolphin in the world outside of Hawaii. She’s the only big, dark animal there, and is noticeably blind in one eye with scars along the same side. Her name is Kolohe, if you want to ask someone to single her out.

The current version of the orca show is fine enough, and make sure to check out the underwater viewing as well.

The penguin exhibit is a must see for the emperors. Has sort of an annoying conveyor belt that takes you along the front of the exhibit, but there’s seating behind if you want to stop and stare for longer.

The shark exhibit is fine, and if memory serves correct there’s a few aviaries hidden around there.

The turtle exhibit is also fine enough, but nothing to write home about.

if you get the chance, there’s also a small aquarium in the journey to Atlantis ride complex. They usually have some interesting ray species present there.

if you’re so inclined, there’s also the sky ride or whatever they call it that goes over mission bay. Going on that will give you a view of their off display holding pools, generally it’s just bottle nose dolphins back there, but sometimes there’s other goodies too.

 

[Kudu21]

I would recommend doing just that. When we were local to SWO, the annual pass was only slightly more expensive than a 1-day ticket. We got a lot of use out of it.

The annual pass definitely seems to be the way to go the more we’ve looked into it. I think we’ll get a lot of use out of it, and it’ll make the special events more feasible.

Ah Seaworld San Diego! Definitely make sure to scope out all the hidden aquariums and bird exhibits. I believe one of their aquarium buildings is closed down (I think it was the older freshwater aquarium building, which is a shame, they had lot of nice exhibits in there). It’s worth also heading down into the lineup for the manta ride. They have a touch pool/aquarium close to the waiting area of the ride, and you are able to just go down and see the aquarium, without having to wait in line for the ride. Definitely worth it, as there’s quite a few interesting species in there.

Sea Lion show? Trash, skip it. I personally like the dolphin show, it’s an entertaining watch, and the best chance to see both the pilot whales, and the common dolphin hybrid. There is also an animal that’s primarily offshore Pacific bottlenose dolphin, which once again, is quite rare, but she’s difficult to pick out from the rest. Her name is Koa, and she’s somewhat larger, darker, and bulkier than most of the others.

The dolphin point exhibit is fairly poor, but the only place to see a Hawaiian locale pacific bottlenose dolphin in the world outside of Hawaii. She’s the only big, dark animal there, and is noticeably blind in one eye with scars along the same side. Her name is Kolohe, if you want to ask someone to single her out.

The current version of the orca show is fine enough, and make sure to check out the underwater viewing as well.

The penguin exhibit is a must see for the emperors. Has sort of an annoying conveyor belt that takes you along the front of the exhibit, but there’s seating behind if you want to stop and stare for longer.

The shark exhibit is fine, and if memory serves correct there’s a few aviaries hidden around there.

The turtle exhibit is also fine enough, but nothing to write home about.

if you get the chance, there’s also a small aquarium in the journey to Atlantis ride complex. They usually have some interesting ray species present there.

if you’re so inclined, there’s also the sky ride or whatever they call it that goes over mission bay. Going on that will give you a view of their off display holding pools, generally it’s just bottle nose dolphins back there, but sometimes there’s other goodies too.

Thank you very much! That is all extremely helpful — especially with the location of some of the more hidden exhibits.

 

[Julio C Castro]

@pachyderm pro, @ZooBinh — Thank you both for all of that information! That is all very good to know, and I have taken note accordingly. Looking at the pricing options, and given that we’re going to be local now, we’re considering purchasing passes to spread out the cost and be able to visit more than once, comfortably

You’re going to be a fellow So-Cal Zoochatter?! Congratulations!

 

[zoomaniac]

The most important advice I can give you is: Spent as much time and take as much pictures as you can at the Orca exhibits (shows and rest enclosures), regarding the fact that in a few years/decades you won't see anymore of this species in US facilities.
The same could happen with walrusses, although not for the same reason.
Check opening times and look for a day with the longest opening hours even when it should be on a weekend day with lots of crowds (There will be more shows then).
Be at the entrance at least 40 minutes before opening time, because sometimes they do a soft opening and let people in (in a small part of the park) earlier.
Make a schedule/plan when to visit which attraction in advance. Skip an attraction when the waiting time is longer then 30 minutes and try it later.

 

[Great Argus]

Spent as much time and take as much pictures as you can at the Orca exhibits (shows and rest enclosures), regarding the fact that in a few years/decades you won't see anymore of this species in US facilities.

They'll still be around a long time yet as it currently stands - no need to act like they're disappearing tomorrow.

Make a schedule/plan when to visit which attraction in advance. Skip an attraction when the waiting time is longer then 30 minutes and try it later.

None of the animal exhibits had a wait time when I visited, you could just walk in and see them. (And I visited during the holiday season. None of them were limited in any way; I don't know if this has changed at all post-Covid.) Generally the animal exhibits were quieter than the rides by far, and it was not difficult at all to see everything.

 

[zoomaniac]

They'll still be around a long time yet as it currently stands - no need to act like they're disappearing tomorrow.

It depends on how often Kudu21 has the chance to go to California, isn't it? And the fact that he's obviously never been to SW San Diego so far allows this suggestion(!) imo...

None of the animal exhibits had a wait time when I visited, you could just walk in and see them. (And I visited during the holiday season. None of them were limited in any way; I don't know if this has changed at all post-Covid.) Generally the animal exhibits were quieter than the rides by far, and it was not difficult at all to see everything.

I wasn't speaking about the animal exhibits only. And Kudu21 was not writing about "animal exhibits" only (as you can see when you check his post - "must-see shows, and any other tips and tricks"..). Also, SW San Diego has exhibits, that combines animals and rides, although in most cases when you want to see just the animals, you can skip the ride/show (example of an exception are some show animals). But maybe Kudu21 is one of the members here that likes both, animal exhibits and rides, so my advice MIGHT be helpful.

 

[Great Argus]

It depends on how often Kudu21 has the chance to go to California, isn't it? And the fact that he's obviously never been to SW San Diego so far allows this suggestion(!) imo...

Fair - though Kudu has photos in the gallery from other San Diego facilities so definitely not the first time in the area. Equally too SWSD is not the only facility with Orca either, so there's plenty of opportunity.

I wasn't speaking about the animal exhibits only. And Kudu21 was not writing about "animal exhibits" only (as you can see when you check his post - "must-see shows, and any other tips and tricks"..). Also, SW San Diego has exhibits, that combines animals and rides, although in most cases when you want to see just the animals, you can skip the ride/show (example of an exception are some show animals). But maybe Kudu21 is one of the members here that likes both, animal exhibits and rides, so my advice MIGHT be helpful

Which is fair enough, and others had mentioned wait times for animal exhibits at SeaWorld Orlando so I was adding some further clarification that I'm not aware of that being the case at SD.

 

[TinoPup]

It depends on how often Kudu21 has the chance to go to California, isn't it? And the fact that he's obviously never been to SW San Diego so far allows this suggestion(!) imo...

In his follow up post he said "we're going to be local now".

 

[RatioTile]

Are there currently Lemon Sharks in the shark exhibit? If so, don't miss them - they're getting rare in the US.

 

[Animallover360]

Hello, everyone!

I am planning on visiting SeaWorld San Diego for the very first time sometime soon. I have never visited a SeaWorld park before, and as far as the animal exhibits and attractions go, from perusing the park’s website and map, it is not always so clear where animals are or when they are visible. As such, I was curious as to what people more familiar with the park would suggest as far as routes to not miss things, must-see shows, and any other tips and tricks for a first-time visitor trying to make the most of the animal experience at the park.

Thank you all in advance!

I went to SeaWorld San Diego last August, here are some of the things I enjoyed.
-See the Antarctic Penguins. They’re very cool and fun to watch. We did a behind the scenes tour which was 100% worth it where we got to pet a penguin, see the facilities out back, and learn more about the history of Antarctic penguins at SeaWorld San Diego.
-If you like roller coasters, do them. They’re fun.

Hope you have a fun time

 

[Kudu21]

You’re going to be a fellow So-Cal Zoochatter?! Congratulations!

As of the beginning of this week, I am! Thank you I am very excited to be moving from one zoological Mecca to another!

@zoomaniac, @Great Argus, and @Animallover360 — I really appreciate the input from all three of you. Thank you! As @TinoPup has stated, and as I have stated above in my reply to @Julio C Castro, I am now local to SWSD and will likely be purchasing a pass, allowing multiple visits over the course of the year to save money and better be able to take advantage of their animal encounters and special events.

@RatioTile — I will be sure to look for them and see! I hope to visit for the first time early next week.

 

[zoomaniac]

In his follow up post he said "we're going to be local now".

Sorry for answering so late. Did not notice your post. But yes, you're right. My mistake, because I did not read his following post, but concentrate on Kudu21s "opening" only.

 

[Coelacanth18]

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!

 

[Daktari JG]

Its been awhile since I have been there but skipping rides and show
and taking a nerds time to see the critters- you should be able to easily see all the exhibits
within 3 hrs. For sure weekdays would be much less crowded than weekends.
I doubt there is anything you could miss iffen you glance at the map now and then.

 

[RatioTile]

Make sure you have enough time at the mixed-species pinniped pool to distinguish the Guadalupe Fur Seals from the California Sea Lions, and get a photo of them on land.