Access for the Disabled
All parts of SeaWorld are accessible to disabled guests and all the stadium shows have sections set aside for those in wheelchairs. These are some of the best seats in the house. Wheelchairs are available for rent at $10 per day. Electric carts are $35 per day.
Babies
Little ones under three are admitted free and strollers are available for rent if you don’t have your own. Single strollers are $10 for the day, double strollers are $18. There are also diaper changing stations in all the major restrooms (men’s and women’s). In addition, there are “non-gender changing areas” at Wild Arctic, the Friends of the Wild shop, and the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center where you will find diaper vending machines. There are nursing areas near the Friends of the Wild shop and at the Baby Care station near Shamu’s Happy Harbor, where you can also buy a limited menu of baby food and baby care products
Drinking
As a reminder, the legal drinking age in Florida is 21 and photo IDs will be requested if there is the slightest doubt. Try to feel flattered rather than annoyed. Taking alcoholic beverages through the turnstiles as you leave the park is not allowed.
Education Staff
It’s hard to say too much in praise of the education staff at SeaWorld. There are some 100 employees whose job it is to hang around and answer your questions. They are invariably friendly, enthusiastic, and more than happy to share their considerable knowledge with you. Don’t be shy. Taking advantage of this wonderful human resource will immeasurably increase the enjoyment and value of your visit to SeaWorld. Just look for the word “Education” on the employee’s name tag. In fact, even employees who are not with the Education Department will likely have the answer to your question.
Emergencies
As a general rule, the moment something goes amiss speak with the nearest SeaWorld employee. They will contact security or medical assistance and get the ball rolling towards a solution. There is a first aid station in a tent behind Stingray Lagoon in the North End of the park and another near Shamu’s Happy Harbor in the South End.
Feeding Times
Feeding time is an especially interesting time to visit any of the aquatic habitats. Unfortunately, there is no rigid schedule. By varying feeding times, the trainers more closely approximate the animals’ experience in the wild and avoid, to some extent, the repetitive behaviors that characterize many animals in captivity. However, you can simply ask one of the education staff at the exhibit when the animals will next be fed. If your schedule permits, I would recommend returning for this enjoyable spectacle. Of course, at some exhibits — the dolphins, stingrays, and sea lions — you can feed the animals yourself — for a fee!
Kids’ ID System
SeaWorld may be less crowded than Disney World, but it’s still remarkably easy to lose track of your little ones here. Stop by Guest Services to pick up wristbands for your young children -- Guest Services will label them with your name and cell phone number so staff members can easily get ahold of you if they encounter your child on the loose. Wristbands are available free of charge, and are uniquely numbered, so that even if the writing on the wristband smears, they can still use this number to look up your information back at Guest Services, should the need arise.
Leaving the Park
You can leave the park at any time and be readmitted free the same day. Just have your hand stamped with a fluorescent symbol on the way out; when you come back, look for the “same day reentry” line and pass your hand under the ultraviolet lamp.
Lockers
Lockers are available just outside the main entrance and in the Entrance Plaza across from Cypress Bakery. The fee is $1 for small lockers, $1.50 for large (quarters only). Once you open your locker, you will have to insert another four or six quarters to lock it again. A change machine is located in the Entrance Plaza locker area. Lockers are also available near the thrill rides Kraken and Journey to Atlantis.
Money
ATMs are conveniently located throughout the park. The one in the entrance area is just to the left of the ticket booths. All are connected to the Plus, Cirrus, and other networks. A foreign currency exchange window is located just past the ticket windows at Guest Relations; it is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pets
If you have pets, the toll booth attendant will direct you to the SeaWorld Pet Care facility, very near the main entrance, where Tabby and Bowser can wait for you in air-conditioned comfort. The fee is $6 per pet and you must supply pet food.
Sea Gulls
If you visit from November to February, you will be joined in the park by hordes of sea gulls. These are the New Yorkers of the avian world — loud, boisterous, often rude, but very clever and with the kind of raffish personality that can be endearing. Sea gull season brings with it the increased danger of aerial bombardment, which is unpleasant but not fatal. More amusing (if you’re the observer rather than the victim) are the concerted attacks the gulls make on ice cream cones.
Smoking
Thanks to Florida’s Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking is prohibited in all restaurants at SeaWorld. Smoking is also prohibited in all show and exhibit areas. Outdoor smoking zones are dotted throughout the park.
Special Diets
Vegetarians can stop at the Information Desk and request the Food Services staff’s list of meatless dishes and the restaurants that serve them. Similar lists of seafood and low-fat selections and other dietary notes are available from the same source.
Splash Zones
All of the stadium shows give the adventuresome the opportunity to get wet — in some cases very wet. One advantage of the splash zones is that they are some of the best seats at SeaWorld. But the threat is very, very real.
I am a believer in splash zones for those who come prepared. Those inexpensive rain ponchos that are sold at every major park will hold the damage to a minimum (although there is probably no real way to guard against a direct hit from Shamu!). Kids, especially young boys, will enjoy the exquisite machismo of getting thoroughly soaked.
One word of warning: In the cooler periods of the year, a full soaking will be extremely uncomfortable, and may be courting a cold, or worse. Bring a big towel and a change of clothes, or be prepared to shell out for new duds at the SeaWorld shops.
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