SeaWorld Orlando - Review

Location - 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, Florida USA

Entry Price - Prices do vary from season to season. Please check their web page for precise prices for you and your family.

Opening Hours - Opening hour is 9am. The park closing time is subject to change based on seasonal events.

SeaWorld web page 

 

Layout 

SeaWorld is a marine/theme park that is located only 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport.The only entry/exit to this park is dominated by a light house entry statement that sets the tone for what is nautical theming throughout the entire park. SeaWorld is positioned around a large central lake with a Sky Tower being the central feature.  Standing at 400 feet or 122 metres the Sky Tower is a perfect location reference point whilst exploring the park. 

 

Clustered around the central lake, left of the Sky Tower via the entry is the Waterfront precinct, where the majority of restaurants and shops are located.  Moving left from this location is where you will find larger attractions including rides, dolphins at Dolphin Cove and the dolphin theater, and sea lions at Pacific Point Reserve next to the Sea Lion Theater. This immediate area also includes Antarctica Empire of the Penguin and a good selection of other marine animals.

As you move around the park clockwise you will come across Shark Encounter, home to sharks and other fish, Shamu Stadium where you can watch the killer whale show and view the killer whales from underwater viewing areas. Still moving clockwise you will find polar bears, walruses and the very friendly beluga wales.

Extra Activities

As this is a theme park, you will be spoilt for choice with rides, shows and many food options. Animals encounters include the feeding of dolphins and stingrays or having lunch with Shamu the killer whale are available and are subject to availability. 

Conservation efforts 

The SeaWorld Conservation fund has donated over 10 million dollars in 10 years.They also assist in the rescue of injured or displaced marine animals.

Stu’s Favorite Bit 

I really loved the atmosphere at this park – maybe because it was the holiday season so the park was dressed up with holiday decorations galore. 

My favorite attraction was by far Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin. This ride allows you to immerse yourself in the Antarctic landscape thanks to the impressive theming. A trackless ride takes you on a journey following the adventures of (animated) Puck a baby Gentoo penguin . The ride peaks  with the revealing of colonies of real Gentoo, King, Adelie and Rockhopper penguins. At the end of the ride visitors can then go to viewing areas inside the penguins enclosure for a closer look.  What I loved about the experience, is how SeaWorld had been able to incorporate great story telling and an up close experience, cold climate and all. It is very immersive and has some sound educational elements. 

Go HERE to see a selection of animals found at SeaWorld Orlando at Stu @ the Zoo TV 

King Penguins at Empire of the Penguin

Stu’s review and tips

Over the years I have watched with interest the unfolding dramas that have been SeaWorld’s killer whale program including horrific trainer deaths and the subsequent controversy of the treatment and housing of the park's killer whales. I visited this park trying to keep as open a mind as possible – including not watching the documentary Black Fish prior to my December visit.  I wanted to experience SeaWorld as any visitor would, so I made an effort to have as little preconceived expectations as possible. Secretly however, I imagined that I would love SeaWorld. That I would get what they were trying to achieve in their efforts to educate people in the conservation of all marine animals and their environment.

I attended two shows whilst visiting SeaWorld, the dolphin show "Blue Horizons" and the killer whale show "One Ocean".  My observation is that SeaWorld places a lot more emphasis on entertainment than conservation messages. The dolphin show was a mix of dolphin tricks, acrobatics and birds swoops. (sample video).  If you took the dolphins out of the equation the show would have still been very entertaining – So I have to ask, what was the point? As an example of contrast, the Sea World Australia dolphin show “Imagine” takes advantage of having a captive audience to talk about conservation, caring for marine environs and the history and care of dolphins. The tricks are all natural things a dolphin will do in the wild, or things they need them to do in order to undertake required medical tasks, so when you leave the show you are informed and entertained. In negative contrast, I found SeaWorld Orlando dolphin show to be all about entertainment and thus they lost a useful educational opportunity.

Blue Horizons dolphin Show

The killer whale show was a bit of a disappointment. Don't get me wrong - I loved seeing these beautiful animals, but for me the show was a loose message on how we can all live together followed by the killer whales soaking the audience and performing tricks.  I would have thought that with all the negative media on SeaWorld, that there would be more of an emphasis on the conservation aspect built into the show. I recently saw an interview with Jack Hanna where he defended SeaWorld Orlando. He said that “SeaWorld was relevant and important because it introduced people to the animal world". This fits comfortably with one of my favourite Hanna quotes “ Zoo animals are ambassadors for animals in the wild”.  A philosophy that I strongly uphold. I need to be honest here and say I can’t imagine being terribly inspired though after simply being soaked to the core by killer whales kept in small enclosures, and I definitely did not learn one thing from this show about killer whales, apart from the fact they will do tricks for fish. (sample video)

One Ocean - Killer Whale Show

Sea World Australia has whale watching boats that take people out to see the whales in their natural habitat.  No tricks -just beautiful nature and educational commentary - and thus much more relevant and important experiences. 

Apart from some impressive enclosures like the penguin and shark enclosures I found most enclosures to be small and stark, sterile to a point and all falling short when it came to conservation messages.  I won’t name them all individually but the stand out is the North Pole exhibit housing the polar bear amongst other animals. Terribly bleak and depressing with little information on the animals. 

On a more positive note - The staff were all very friendly and the grounds through the whole park were impresive.Try and get to the park for the opening – they play the USA national anthem and as a visitor to the USA it is really stirring hearing everyone sing. 

I truly believe that without zoos and aquariums, people will not get the opportunity to learn about animals to the point where they will be motivated to do something to protect their environment. As I have said in the past many times – zoos and aquariums should inspire you to want to be a better person and to do something for all the animals that call this planet home (and their environs).   SeaWorld fails in meeting their stated public mission: "to celebrate and conserve the natural world", and in my opinion, does not strive to educate but simply to entertain. 

If you want to see elephants and tigers do tricks you go to a circus, if you want to see orcas and dolphins do tricks you can go to SeaWorld Orlando. Very entertaining I’m sure, but not a reason to keep these beautiful animals in captivity. 

Must See Animals  
Polar Bear 
Sea Lions 
Walrus 
Dolphin
Killer Whale 
Penguin
Flamingo 
Shark
 


© January 2014-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au

Introducing Henry

 

Meet Henry - Sea World on the Gold Coast's 19 week old Polar Bear. This weekend was Henry's first day out in public with his mum Liya. The New Polar Pre-School exhibit is an extension to Polar Bear Shores and has great viewing opportunities to see Henry's playful antics as seen in the video below.

Bronx Zoo - New York City

 

Location – 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York City

 

Entry Price – Prices do vary dependent on desired experience and what day you are visiting. 

Total Experience Tickets (recommended)

March to May, Adults $29.95US Children (3 to 12) $19.95US Senior (65+) $24.95US

June to November, Adults $33.95US Children (3 to 12) $23.95US Senior (65+) $28.95US

Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Weekends & Holidays 10am to 5.30pm

Bronx Zoo web page 

 

 

Layout

This is a large zoo, claiming to be the largest urban zoo in the world. The zoo has four entrances with the Southern Boulevard, Asia and Bronx River entrances serviced by large car parks. The fourth being the main entrance off Fordham Road.  Your experience may differ depending on which entry you come in by.

 

 

The zoo is divided up into many sections. At the southern end is where you can see Lions, Giraffes, Zebras and African Wild Dogs whilst walking through the African Plains. This area is adjacent to the Congo Gorilla Forrest, home to Gorillas and other Primates.  You can take a monorail through Asia, ride a camel or take a stroll over the Himalayan Highlands. The Northern end is home to Bird aviaries, Tiger Mountain, Children Zoo, Bison range and Monkey House and the centre of the zoo is the location of the Butterfly Garden, Reptile Pavilion, Bears and Nocturnal House amongst many other attractions. The entire zoo is connected by a shuttle service.

 

Each section of the zoo has restrooms, cafes, retail stores and other facilities that have been themed to fit their location. All are very well signed and conveniently located.

  

One of the many peacocks roaming the zoo

 

Extra Activities

Grab the total experience tickets so that you can view the entire zoo or you will end up paying separate amounts, at more cost. Jungle world, Wild Asia Monorail, the shuttle, Butterfly Garden and the Congo Gorilla Forest are just some of the exhibits and activities that will cost extra if you don’t purchase the Total Experience tickets at the gate.

 

There are a good amount of shows and exhibits located over the entire zoo. A few are seasonal and some are only for a short time so please check the web page and plan your visit. With so much to see and do you probably won’t be able to do it all in one day, but you can definitely give it a go. There is a traditional carousel for the little ones and the price is included with your Total Experience Tickets.

 

There is a heavy emphasis on education and conservation messages at most enclosures with some great interactive displays.

 

 

Part of Tiger Mountain conservation display

 

Breeding Programs  

This zoo is one of five zoos and aquariums in New York City managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Visit their website via this link to see the awesome work that they are doing to protect animals in so many regions around the world. It’s nice to know your entry ticket is helping out with this work.

 

 

Stu’s Favourite Bit

I had lots to choose from but I have to mention the feeling I had whilst sitting back at a cafe at the African Somba Village, eating a hot dog and looking up at the Baboon Reserve.This is one of the largest primate enclosures in the US. It’s a replica of a hill side on the African Alps and it is spectacular. You have a vista sprawling out in front of you as you watch Baboons and Ibexes mingle whilst displaying their natural behaviors in their complex social groups. I could have easily spent a large portion of the day right there. Oh yeah - and the hot dogs were pretty good too. 

 

Go HERE to see a selection of animals found at this zoo at 

stu @ the zoo TV

 

Grab a hot dog with a great view

 

 

Gelada Baboons at Baboon Reserve

 

 

Stu’s review and tips

I’ll try and keep this review brief, but being such a large zoo it’s going to be a bit difficult . I’ll start by saying I was a tiny bit disappointed on the day of my visit. This was my first big northern hemisphere zoo, and it was cold, so I did not know what to expect. I knew the monorail; butterfly gardens and a few other exhibits wouldn’t be open but was surprised at how many animals did not venture out in cold conditions. It makes sense of course, but I was shocked to see up to six giraffes housed in a small indoor enclosure. As you can see by the photo below, you could be forgiven for thinking that I was at the natural history museum. I’m probably being a little harsh so this has prompted me to look into enclosures for hot and cold climate zoos. So I’m not going to pass judgment until I do more research and do a separate post on this subject.  

 

Not the Natural History Museum

The zoo is big and there is so much to see that it was a little overwhelming. I loved the size of some of the Savannah enclosures (even if they were empty) the indoor Madagascar and Jungle World enclosures are amazing and a must do. It appeared like entire Eco systems had been created with several species together in one enclosure.

 

Entrance to Madagascar enclosure

The way the zoo has incorporated conservation messages at some of the enclosures is very clever. No more so than at Tiger Mountain. The interactive display leaves you in no doubt in the tiger’s precarious position in the wild, and the part humans are playing in this. 

 

The Congo Gorilla Forest is another spectacular indoor outdoor enclosure but a small word of warning. We paid for a Total Experience ticket that incorporates all entry prices, so we just went straight in. However others paid for the pleasure of seeing gorillas at the enclosure entry. Once in we walked the entire enclosure (again, great conservation messages) only to find a sign at the very end announcing that due to the cold weather the gorillas will not be on display outside. Maybe I missed them inside but being a gorilla fanatic, it was disappointing.

 

The zoo shops do not stock memory cards for your camera. They do provide disposable cameras.

 

The zoo shuttle only picks up from two locations, there are multiple drop off points but you can only get on near the Asia entrance and at the centre of the zoo near the main zoo shop.

 

You easily forget that you are in one of the world’s largest cities. The paths and surroundings are heavily wooded and the themes of some of the enclosures are quite effective. Some of the signage does look a little tired though.

 

Beautifully presented enclosures

  

This visit to the Bronx Zoo was a learning experience for me. My biggest hint for this zoo is do your research if you are keen to have a particular experience. This is a world class zoo that has done an outstanding job in combining, education with a sense of discovery.

I do intend to go back during warmer months. So let’s just call this my Winter Review of the Bronx Zoo.

Must See Animals  

Penguins 
Sea Lions 
Gorilla 
Giraffe
Bison
Gelada Baboon
Elephant 
Tiger 
Lion 

© April 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au