Sea World SD - Photo Essay - Winter Visit

[Dustysage]

Below are a some photos and thoughts from my quick weekend visit to Sea World San Diego. I haven't been to this park in years, it always seemed so hot and uncomfortable with all that cement and lack of shade.

However, with the cool temperature on Sunday and light cloud cover, the weather couldn't have been more perfect for a long day in an exposed park. When you are comfortable, it is amazing how much there is to enjoy in the park. Although Sea World San Diego could use some fixing up in areas, over all this park is beautiful and a great value.

Currently, you can buy an adult one day pass for $53 and receive a "Fun Pass" good for the remainder of the year. That is a super deal. The regular passport prices are shown below.

If you've been to Sea World in the past, you know that the stars of the show are always Shamu and a Dolly the dolphin (as it should be). These shows really bring back warm memories from my childhood. Still fun after all these years. Sure, they keep changing the music and titles of the shows, but they are always the same.

But there are a few old things in this park that do not evoke a warm feeling and clearly need renovation. The Sky Tower and front gate area look worn out and dated, as does the Penguin Encounter (give those poor birds a break and clean their cage for goodness sake!).

The worst part of the penguin exhibit was the smell. It smells so heavily of fish that you almost can't stand it.

You can see from the photo above that the glass is dirty, the rocks discolored, and the over all look very dingy.

There are also many new things for those who haven't been in a while. This was my first chance to ride the new Atlantis attraction. It was a nice enough little ride. Close, but not a knock out hit. However, it fits the scale of the park and certainly isn't anything for the Sea World to be embarrassed about. Be prepared to get soaked.

At the exit of Atlantis is a beautiful tank for some black and white dolphins. Really stunning!!!

As you can see from the photos below, the park wasn't busy at all. A nice break from the huge Summer crowds. If you get a chance to visit Sea World on a non-holiday winter day, do it! We were able to see the whole park in about 6 hours.

The Wild Arctic (just next to the Penguin exhibit) was one of our favorite areas. It is a combo ride and animal exhibit. The ride part of it is sort of lame (Star Tours lite), but the actual exhibit is out of this world. If it were a hot day, you could spend an hour here just staying out of the sun and enjoying the animals. Note the crisp look of the Wild Arctic rocks compared to the dingy look of the Penguin Encounter next door:

What can I say . . . "Free Beer"!!!

FishBulb makes a friend (that makes him look really tiny)

This fish must be related to Barbra Streisand:

Tiny waist, big attitude. He was fabulous.

But this is why you visit Sea World:

Well that's our little Sea World photo tour. Big beautiful blue Sea World.
Still great after all these years!

-Dusty

[Where's Barbie?]

hey, why didn't you tell us!!! Grandma loves Sea World and you 2 !!!

[Where's Barbie?]

that is a baby clydesdale with FB ? right

[melmel]

Ahh, I LOVE Atlantis. I have never ridden a ride with that kind of "lift" thing. Whoa, I got a kick out of it. I looked at the ride and I didn't "get" it, but once that elevator started moving UP I knew exactly what was happening!! A tip not to get wet-- row 3! I walked off with nothing on me.

The rapid ride though, I ended up DRENCHED... people shot water at us, and we went in the summer but it was on a cold day in San Diego.

Did you see the Pet Show? I actually liked that show a lot. :P

[Crazy Legs]

Love the pictures Thanks for sharing and the report Hugs

[sir clinksalot]

Awesome pictures, I love the way you presented them.

Sea World is great this time of year. Glad you had a good time. And as a Penguin FREAK, I agree, the Penguin Encounter needs a good over-haul.

[All Aglow]

What a captivating post, I love it! Thanks for sharing your day and your pictures, they are truly great.

I just love Sea World and it's been way too long since I've been there.

[Xharryb]

I assume this is Sea World San Diego correct? So often people neglect to point these things out, and when I think Sea World I think Orlando. Really great pics though. Glad you guys had a good time. I've had many a relaxing and pleasurable day at the Orlando park. It's never as crowded as the other area theme parks (Disney & Universal), so it makes a really nice escape from the rest of the crazyness.

[Dustysage]

Thanks Harry. I just altered the post to mention San Diego at the top.

[GapToothed]

But there are a few old things in this park that do not evoke a warm feeling and clearly need renovation. The Sky Tower and front gate area look worn out and dated, as does the Penguin Encounter (give those poor birds a break and clean their cage for goodness sake!).

The worst part of the penguin exhibit was the smell. It smells so heavily of fish that you almost can't stand it.

You can see from the photo above that the glass is dirty, the rocks discolored, and the over all look very dingy.

-Dusty

The Penguin Encounter is going down for rehab soon. Will be all spruced up soon! A new Main Gate is due in '07 or '08.

[desertdweller]

Haven't been to Sea World San Diego since its first year in operation. Just always loved The Zoo or WAP much more.

Your spread was great and thoroughly enjoyable. Nice layout and good pics. Refreshing to see a thread where the poster took the time to edit their photos and keep them a decent size.

[Dustysage]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm just using the free version of Picasa from Google. LOVE IT. Easy to format and resize the pictures. For web sites, 400 to 500 pixels wide is more than big enough.

-Dusty

[SCUBAbe]

I didn't notice the fish smell in the penguin area. I really need to go back. We went in august and found the park to be very cool, but I live in the desert with 110+ heat...LOL...it was very crowded when we went, but we had reserved seating....that helped alot. I love sea world...

I ahve two extra tickets form when i bought my passes. I'm tryign to get my parents to go, but my father thinks it will be to much walking. i think it's less than DL. What do you think?....and there's more sitting for longer periods of time.,,right?

[dsnylndmom]

Thanks for the report and great pictures!!! I am really hoping to take the boys to Sea World this spring, well to San Diego period. Shawn is dying to see the penguins, I'm sad to see they look neglected poor little guys!

[pixie chick]

thanks for the great report! i haven't been to sea world in forever, but we've been wanting to take pixie kid. we'll have to get down there one of these days!