SeaWorld Orlando opened December 15, 1973 and today is America's 10th most-visited theme park, but ranking first behind the Disney and Universal parks. In recent years, the park has added seasonal food and music festivals as it looks to boost repeat attendance from locals.
Looking for discount tickets? SeaWorld Orlando tickets
Our recommendations below come from our annual survey of Theme Park Insider newsletter subscribers. Locations with star ratings ★ ranked especially highly among our readers. Click here to subscribe to our email and participate in the next ranking survey.
SeaWorld's new coaster opening February 2022 will be Ice Breaker, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket that reaches 93 feet and 52 mph on 1,900 feet of track.
The top recommended non-coaster ride at SeaWorld Orlando is Infinity Falls, an Intamin river rapids ride with an elevator lift and 40-foot drop.
SeaWorld's children's area is Sesame Street, which offers a collection of kiddie rides including Super Grover's Box Car Derby, a Zierer Force children's coaster.
Other notable attractions include SeaWorld's Sky Tower and the Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin dark ride and exhibit.
Top Recommendation
Other attractions include the Orca Encounter, Dolphin Adventures, and Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight presentations and the Dolphin Cove, Pacific Point Preserve (sea lions), Shark Encounter, Turtle Trek 360, Wild Arctic, Stingray Lagoon, and the Manatee Rehabilitation Area animal habitats.
Top recommendations
SeaWorld Orlando is located off Interstate 4, just south of the 528 Beachline Expressway - in between the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando resorts.
Get your tickets in advance, then plan to arrive at the park before its posted opening time in order to be one of the first inside. Then go straight to Manta and ride that coaster before heading to the back of the park for Mako. After that, go ride Kraken and Journey to Atlantis before crossing the park for Infinity Falls. That gives you all the top rides in the park with what should be plenty of time left to watch any presentations or animal exhibits at your convenience.
SeaWorld's Quick Queue upcharge front-of-line pass is rarely needed if you want to get on all the park's top rides in one full day, but it can be helpful if you are in a rush and only have a few hours to visit.
