SeaWorld Best Theme Park in Orlando for the Budget Traveler

Being in the theme park ticket business I am bombarded on a daily basis with questions about budget traveling. Many people know that Orlando is not very budget friendly! One part stands out above the rest and that park is Seaworld Orlando. It’s very expensive to go to Disney or Universal these days and average ticket costs can be over $120 a day. The worst thing about that is you’re paying that much money to be in a crowded environment where people don’t seem to be very happy. Now take SeaWorld for example, here you can go for a day for around $83 per person and have some of the most beautiful scenery to enjoy throughout your day.

Not only do they have the most beautiful parking Central Florida but they also have some of the coolest animals on the planet here! I wish try to tell people to take a good look at the Sea World parks. They actually have four here in Central Florida. The first and most popular of course to see world, followed up by Busch Gardens in Tampa and now they have two awesome water parks to cool off at on a hot Florida summer day. The biggest and most popular one is Aquatica and the other one is Discovery Island which sits next to their Tampa theme park Busch Gardens.

A budget traveler who wanted to get the most out of a vacation would probably take a look at their all new 14 day unlimited ticket that includes free parking. This would get a person into all four of their parks with free transportation to Tampa and free parking at any other of their parks. This ticket is only $148. I’ll take a good look at Disney and Universal and see how much they’re charging and this doesn’t even include a water park or parking fees. Current parking fees at the other parks are up to $20 a day.

For that kind of money I better be whisked off like a pharaoh from Egypt. When you stop and do the math this is only about a dollar 50 a day and comes with free transportation to Busch Gardens. So at the end of the day, the folks over here have really made it possible to have a great and memorable vacation on a budget.

Animal Beauty Abounds at SeaWorld Orlando

I have thousands of travelers each week ask me what I think the best parks are for their small children. SeaWorld in Orlando is one of my top choices and here are the reasons why. First and foremost I have four children and I have taken them to every park here in Central Florida dozens of times. Being in this industry is a great blessing and it has exposed my children to some very beautiful and magnificent things. Whenever I look back at photos and reminisce about times gone at the parks, the things that stood out the most were animals. Animals can have huge impression on children. For some reason they look at them in amazement and remember them more than they remember a plastic animatronics.

I feel SeaWorld understands this, and being great stewards to these creatures, you can see the beauty in every animal at their park. I was once invited by my SeaWorld representative to take a few of their rescued sea turtles to release back into the wild. They had rescued them from South Carolina and had rehabilitated them back to health over a year. Most of their animals have been rescued that they have in the park and now they call it home there. The beauty and compassion is everywhere you look there. Just when walking in and seeing their first flamingo, I would always stand back and watch my kids gaze in amazement. It’s like they are for seeing something that they’ve only read about in their books.

I love to sit watch the looks on their faces. Sure other local theme parks have animals as well, but SeaWorld probably has the most beautiful and memorable ones at their park. Where else can you see an alligator, manatee, dauphin and killer whale in one part? The answer is you can’t! Exploring this park for one day with kids is perfect. Don’t forget to pack their bathing suites as well. There are many little animal themed splash areas all around their park. So when contemplating a vacation here to Orlando and you’re bringing children, take a good look at this central Florida treasure.

Stopping to Smell the Flowers at SeaWorld Orlando

There are some great theme parks in Central Florida but SeaWorld Orlando sticks out for its price. If you’re traveling to Florida on a budget and are looking for something that will entertain you for a whole day while giving you the most visually beautiful backdrop, in this park is for you. See world has been around for a long time here in Orlando, and has been around for almost as long as Walt Disney World. People have been coming to see dolphins, ride roller coasters and witness a real live orca since 1973.

And this has given this very unique theme park plenty of time to grow beautiful plants and exotic trees. If you’re the kind a traveler like I am, I like a little bit of both worlds. I like a little bit of excitement followed up by natural beauty. There is nothing like walking in and smelling this sweet smells of gardenia, plumeria and other exotic flowers that seem to always be in bloom. The landscaping and attention to detail is absolutely magnificent. I have never seen anything close to it at any of the other local theme parks including Disney.

They must have an army of horticulture experts because everything there looks so beautifully manicured and spot on. Among the hustle and bustle of some of their pathways, they have managed to make little Zen areas for one to go off and escape the masses. All one has to be as a lover of beautiful things in the will to look. Many times I have taken my family over; I take my camera and just take beautiful pictures of flowers. They have some of the most beautiful hibiscus plants I have ever seen and thousands of the sweetest gardenias I have ever smelled.

Maybe the plant these plants in order to keep the smell down of travelers and the occasional sardine from the sea lion area. Nonetheless it is one of the most beautiful parks for one to go to who wants a little bit of both worlds.

Last Chance for Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando

If you happen to be in Orlando and want to listen to some great music and sample some tasty food, well SeaWorld is the place to be. This weekend marks the last of their visa let music performances at their park and it should go out with a huge bang! All you’ll need to attend a savanna is your day pass and a huge appetite for Latin America culture. This fiery festive celebration has been running since April and ends this Sunday with some top rated musical acts and local restaurant cuisine. You’ll be able to enjoy some world-class music all while enjoying local craft beers, margaritas and Mojitos.

All of the pads will be lined with tense selling delicious pastries and desserts and you’ll even be able to wash it all down with some special housemate sparkling red sangria. There will be no excuse for you to be empty-handed! If you want to get up close to the stage you can pay for seats and they start at around $15 or you can just bring a blanket and lay out along the lake like we do and enjoy it for free from a distance. All of the tents Will have food and beverages and is reminiscent of SeaWorld parties when they have the bands brews and barbecue events. It is such a festive event and things that you will definitely want to see are the Jardin areas.

This is an area where you will be able to go and relax with COM music but still be close enough to where the fiesta is happening you be able to sit down at tables and watch the party. Next will be the Mercados. These will be peppered across the pathway throughout the park and they’ll be little shops stationed with original artwork and paraphernalia inspired by the Latin culture and created by local artist sings and artists. Such items will include paintings, jewelry and music. Over by the bayside area, the pathways will be full of energy! These pathways will be colored with bright beautiful Caribbean décor, and dance floors will be spaced throughout and DJs spinning live music. Remember to bring your appetite, thirst and hunger for some Latin music culture.

SeaWorld Orlando Set to Break Some Rollercoaster Records This June

Summer cannot come fast enough to SeaWorld Orlando. And the reason why is because Orlando is about to get the largest tallest fastest roller coaster in the state. See world already has some serious arsenal but adding this one will be the cherry on top! When News broke that they were going to be bringing this behemoth us to Central Florida, everyone set up in their seats and listened. Set to open June 10, 2016 they have already had a few media events were they fired up the ride for photos and videos.

From what I have seen it will pretty much in golf the whole back of their theme park that sets up next to Central Florida Parkway. You can see it all the way from interstate for it almost looks like it is even with their sky tower observation platform. The roller coaster will climbed to 200 feet and then set riders off on a 73 mph ride along a massive steel masterpiece that they are calling a hyper coaster. Next time you’re driving down the highway rolled on your window and stick your arm out and this is pretty much about before she will feel on the first drop of Mako.

The one thing that really stands out about Mako and makes it very different from all of the roller coasters in Central Florida is that you will only be held in by a lab restraint. Most of the other roller coasters put you in a full body harness with overhead shoulder straps. This will not be the case for Mako. Designers wanted to add a bit of excitement and I think they have accomplished it by doing this. If you have ever been to sea world Orlando the new roller coaster will be in the back of the park and over where there shark encounter exhibit is.

The actual roller coaster will come out and over the sharks attraction well spectators can sit and watch riders scream overhead. Having this type of roller coasters sure to bring travelers over from the other theme parks for an afternoon and take part in some record-breaking while exploring one of Orlando’s most beautiful attractions. Lately see world has been in the spotlight and had a little bit of downtime but lately they have been on the up and up and I look forward to visiting this June to ride this one-of-a-kind masterpieces!

SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & BBQ 2016 Lineup

ORLANDO (Feb. 12, 2016) – SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & BBQ Festival takes place over four sizzling weekends– starting this Saturday with Smash Mouth and Gladys Knight on Sunday.

On Saturday, February 20 hot country music star, Scotty McCreery will take the stage.  ACM and CMT Award winner McCreery has sold more than 2.5 million albums and received both Platinum and Gold album certifications. Then on Sunday, February 21, legendary and founding member of the rock group Styx, Dennis DeYoung will perform.

Scheduled performances now include:

  • Saturday, February 13: Smash Mouth
  • Sunday, February 14: Gladys Knight
  • Saturday, February 20: Scotty McCreery
  • Sunday, February 21: Dennis DeYoung
  • Saturday, February 27:  To be announced
  • Sunday, February 28: To be announced
  • Saturday, March 5: To be announced
  • Sunday, March 6:  To be announced

The event honors America’s Heroes and featuring live concerts from top classic rock and country bands and artists, tasty BBQ and thirst-quenching beer, and is included with regular park admission. Event festivities begin at 12 p.m. each weekend, with concerts at 4 p.m.*

In addition to the signature acts and festivities, the event also will feature a secondary stage to showcase local bands, and a DJ spinning music for guests to show off their line dancing and boot scootin’ skills.

Beyond the stage, guests can enjoy a Harley-Davidson Orlando display of motorcycles specifically for Bands, Brew and BBQ along with a collection of classic cars.

Returning this year, the patriotic-themed USO Family Garden will offer animal encounters, Explore Zones and a kid-friendly interactive host making this the perfect place to play for families with young guests. Kids of all ages are invited to enjoy this family-friendly area while they learn to line dance, meet animals and have fun all afternoon.

For discount SeaWorld tickets or discount Busch Gardens tickets, please call our office toll free at 1-877-406-4836 to buy your tickets today!

Orlando’s Newest and Biggest Theme Park Additions Will Make You Scream For More

As you may have heard, Orlando is in the midst of a big face-lift. The theme parks are all hands on deck with construction and there seems to be no end in sight. The biggest addition to Orlando’s arsenal has to be Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For those of you who do not know what Avatar is, it is a James Cameron movie that set box office records a few years back and is one of the most cutting edge movies ever made. So it goes without saying that Disney had to have this at one of their parks one day. Well that day is now and if you are visiting the Animal Kingdom look behind the Rainforest Cafe and you will see the floating lands of Pandora in the distance. This multi-million dollar project is set to open in 2017 and should be Disney’s newest big hit.

The next big addition to the theme parks will be Universal Orlando’s ~ Islands of Adventure with their Skull Island~ Reign of Kong attraction. The Kong fans were very disappointed when the famous ride in Universal Studios closed down back in 2002 and Universal never heard the end of it! Well the big shots at Universal heard their voices and now have brought the big guy back bigger and better but with a new location next door at Universal Studios sister park, Islands of Adventure. If you have ever been to this park, Kong will be located between Jurassic Park and Rip Saw Falls. He will look a little different from his once chimp looking self and more like the Peter Jackson’s version of the expansive remake of the 1933 classic.

Following the big competitors lead, SeaWorld Orlando has some big news as well. This park is not all about sea life but is becoming more about world record roller coasters! The newest addition to their lineup is Mako. Mako is not your average roller coaster. They deem it a hyper-coaster due to the fact that it will take its passengers over 70 miles per hour and over a mile long! Named for one of the ocean’s fastest known sharks, it will be Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster and will also have portions of the rise that will leave its passengers weightless. The coaster will be the new centerpiece to a whole new realm. The area will be fully surrounded by shark themed restaurants, shops and entertainment. This marks the third largest addition to SeaWorld followed by their Manta coaster and Kraken.

Probably the biggest project that is currently going on but is almost completed is the old Downtown Disney area now called Disney Springs. Disney has got it right this time with world class dining, shopping and entertainment. I think they learned their lesson with Pleasure Island and would like to just let Universal have that crowd with their Citywalk. With Disney’s new idea, one can have the time of their lives on the lakefront sampling everything from Iron Chef Morimoto’s sushi to drinks and appetizers at Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar. Not enough for you? Well how about sitting on the lakefront and watching the amphibious cars take passengers on a tour of the lake all the while having libations and mouth watering delicacies at the all new Boat House. After dinner and you are ready for more, head over for a game of billiards and bowling at the all new Splitsville. This is not your ordinary bowling alley back home. But then again nothing is ordinary in Orlando!

If you plan on visiting these new attractions and are looking for deals on your Disney tickets or Universal Studios tickets, call us toll free at 1-877-406-4836 to speak with a vacation planner.

Are Orlando Theme Parks Pricing Themselves Out of Business?

There seems to be a new king in town and it ain’t Disney! Sure you can say that all of Disney’s theme parks are full and their resorts are putting bodies in the beds, but ticket sales don’t lie! Recently we have seen a major shift in the tickets purchased and the days of the big Disney tickets are gone, at least for now. Universal Orlando Resort with their two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are leading the way in most requested for tickets. Not to long ago Disney was the most sought after theme park, but as of late the Universal Studios tickets have taken that lead. It’s one of those things that you can’t really hang one hat on but it would seem that it is many things that have knocked a once giant icon down a few notches.

The most recent would have to be the big ticketing structure that Disney has majorly rearranged. Taking away their once popular non-expiration tickets from their lineup has had major ramifications in my opinion. Those tickets secured future travellers to return to Disney and spend money in their parks and resorts. Now that person has no reason to return and now seeks out new adventures at other competing parks. And this is just the beginning of an ever changing ticket structure Disney has come up with. Just the simple fact that Disney is changing their tickets again is proof that something is wrong in Mouse town.

The newest ticketing idea is going to be a Seasonal tickets. This is because Disney will not admit that they have priced themselves out of business. They will never drop their ticket prices but will create a new ticket at a discount price. The Peak, Non-Peak and Seasonal tickets are their newest idea to bring travelers back to their parks without showing that they got greedy with their admission ticket prices. Imagine being able to come to Disney in the off season when kids are in school and receiving a discount on your attraction tickets or during any time that is not a prime time to travel. This is the newest idea of Disney’s. Give a discount but travel when it’s not convenient. The next is pay full price and come during peak times like summer, Christmas etc. Get the picture yet?

I think that their mentality is keep throwing things against the wall and hopefully something sticks. Disney is not the only theme park to venture down this path. SeaWorld Orlando has had great success with their new ticketing structure and I feel Disney has been watching. SeaWorld has also had some very negative issues thrown against them, but they have offered their guests great discounts to visit their parks. For one person to go to SeaWorld and get all day dining would cost $103. Now the same person to travel to Disney and that person buying a one day Magic Kingdom ticket and them feeding themselves throughout the day comes to around $181. See the difference? This is a big hit on a typical family thinking about coming to Orlando.

One of the biggest Disney park ticket killer has to be the Universal 2 park with a 3rd day free ticket. This has stole the big ticket purchases from Disney and is why their Base and Hopper multi day passes are almost non-existent anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney and it pains me to see what was a once giant company, slowly be beaten down to the ground by their competitors. If only they would see that they have created a situation that puts most families out of enjoying their parks for the profit of their shareholders and see that the economy has not improved at the rate of their ticket prices. If only they could bring their ticket prices back down to a realistic price, then and only then would people come back in droves to enjoy what Walt himself wanted, a place for everyone to enjoy, and not just for the uber rich!