We visited SeaWorld Orlando on September 2, which combines great theme park rides and attractions with marine life shows and exibits. It's one of the most visited parks in America and includes some of Florida's best roller coasters.
Our day began at the Port of Entry, a beautiful entrance to the park that features the iconic lighthouse and a selection of shops and eateries in a marina setting.
Just a short walk from here was our first ride of the day, the thrilling flying coaster Manta. The queue is brilliantly done, bringing you up close with a variety of real life rays, before entering the station and boarding a manta ray-styled train. The ride itself is one of the most intense flying coasters out there due to the huge pretzel loop at the start, two inline twists and a corkscrew. An impressive top speed of 56 miles per hour keeps the action coming and we've always loved the illusion of the train hitting the water as it passes the lagoon, as well as how close you feel to the rocky waterfall at the end of the ride.
Further into the park, our next ride was the water coaster Journey to Atlantis, which was much improved since our last visit. This attraction combines a dark ride into the mythical realm of Atlantis, complete with light and sound effects, with a small coaster coaster section and multiple water splash moments. Whilst it lacks the more extensive coaster elements found in the San Diego version, it makes up for with the indoor scenes, and both are superior to the alternative ride in San Antonio.
We were very excited about SeaWorld's innovative trackless dark ride Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and it certainly didn't disappoint! There are still only a few rides of this type in the world, and we love the fluid and unpredictable way that each pod glides through and between each scene. Riders have the choice of a Mild or Wild experience, and after an effective pre-show to setup the journey ahead, your exciting expedition through colorful caverns begins. Further large screens advance the story and it ends with a dramatic reveal of more than 200 real penguins in a stunning −1°C habitat that you are then able to explore.
We took the opportunity to stop at the nearby Expedition Cafe which had a wide range of fresh and tasty food, and enjoyed the icy surroundings accompanied by a rousing soundtrack being played throughout the area.
Kraken was to be our next ride, which has recieved a makeover this year due to the addition of a virtual reality experience, but 'technical problems' prevented us from trying that out. However, due to us being big fans of floorless coasters we were only too happy to make the most of the incredible view from our front row seats! With more than 4,100 feet of track, a whopping seven inversions and a dramatic setting over water and with multiple underground dives, it remains one of our favorite roller coasters.
The newest addition to SeaWorld's coaster lineup was next on our agenda. Mako is the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster in Orlando. A brilliant hyper coaster with stacks of airtime, that is ultra smooth to ride and reaches a top speed of 73 miles per hour. We were a little disappointed by the unsightly views of back-of-house areas from the station after such a promising start to the theming but once on the ride all was forgotten and we adored every moment of brilliantly crafted weightlessness.
After so many great rides, it was time to take our seats for the first of SeaWord's most popular shows, Dolphin Days. Very different from its predecessor Blue Horizons, gone are the bigger sensational broadway-style theatrics and instead a more modest presentation of natural animal behaviors with a strong conservation message.
Located close by, we next entered the 360° dome at TurtleTrek for an enjoyable 3D experience following the journey of a sea turtle. Before the presentation don't miss the exhibits featuring sea turtles, manatees and alligators.
We followed this up with the headliner One Ocean at the Shamu Stadium which features the parks killer whales and still draws a sizable audience. A slightly toned down presentation that is due to end by 2019, with a more naturalistic habit on the way.
Adjacent to this is the classic motion simulator attraction Wild Arctic that takes you on a helicopter ride to an arctic research station that is home to beluga whales, walruses and harbor seals. The ride is in need of an HD upgrade but the exibits are excellent.
We were fortunate to be visiting for the final weekend of this year's Electric Ocean nighttime spectacular, so after re-rides of the park's best roller coasters in the dark it was time to make our way back to the Shamu Stadium for the production heavy Light Up the Night show.
Next up, and over at the Bayside Stadium, the fun was well and truly underway with the fantastic Club Sea Glow all-ages outdoor dance party, where DJ's pumped out the tunes and energetic performers entertained the crowds.
What took us by surprise, was the exceptional quality of the finale Ignite. Loaded with fireworks, water fountains, lasers, lighting and huge blasts of fire all perfectly sequenced to a contemporary soundtrack that kept you hooked throughout. This totally surpassed our expectations and was one of the absolute highlights of the tour.
Even after the show had come to an end, the dance party continued, and as we slowly wandered out of the park we discovered wonderful decorations in the trees and around the pathways, creating a magical ending to the day.
