Sea World - Advice - Richmond,TX

We just went to the Orlando Sea World in June and I was able to get my tickets with the free dining plan-they are even advertised on this site sometimes. It was well worth it-the food was yummy-lots of options-no crazy lines. But you may be out of luck on that if you already have the tickets.

Have fun!!!!

Bring a few compact umbrellas. You'll need it for shade as you walk around/stand in line, esp for your 60 yr old parents. You'll feel and look like a dweeb but that will be better than passing out from heatstroke.

Get there early and do whatever rides your 4 yr old is tall enough for, 1st and see Shamu next (can't remember the layout...its been 4-5 yrs since I've been there). Then do whatever shows/attractions you want to do furthest from the entrance and then work your way towards the entrance. Believe me, at the end of a long hot day with crowds of people, you won't want to walk all the way from one end of the park to the gate at the end of the day.

This is how we survive Sea World.

The riverwalk isn't close by Sea World. You'll have to drive there. I suggest the Mission Trail if you want to the whole "Texas history" experience...do a self tour...your hotel should have a map of the trail.

Don't do any of the streetcar tours. They are a rip off.

Take a riverboat ride on the riverwalk. That is worth it.

San Ant has a great children's museum. Your 4 yr old will love it I promise!

If you are in the mood to walk a little, try visiting the lobbies of the Emily Morgan Hotel, Crockett Hotel and Menger Hotel. Old and antique-y but can offer a break from the heat and you can soak in some Texas history while you sit and cool off (or use the bathroom).

I also recommend walking around the convention center across the street from the rivercenter mall. The landscaping is really beautiful and connects to Hemisfair Park...it is nice walking grounds, shaded, has some misting stations to cool off, a waterfall park, and visit Towers of the Americas there where you can get a bird's eye view of the city (for some awesome pictures) and get alot of Texas history. The little film they offer about Texas is pretty neat too. My son was 5 when he first visited and he loved it.

Stop by Buckhorn Saloon...all things Texas...and wall to wall hunting mounts from deer to bear to zebra and everything in between.

gosh, I love San Ant. I could go on and on but I don't want to overwhelm you! have fun :)

My 4yr old son and I just got back today. What worked for us was got to the park when it opened and stayed until 2:30. We did all shows and exhibits. Left and had late lunch/early dinner and rested at hotel. Then went back around 5:30, hung out in the play by the bay area, rode the kid rides, played in the water. And then saw the evening sea lion show and the shamu rocks show. Then went back to the water park when it opened and played there for a couple of hours the next day.

I carried a back pack, that had bottled water and my sons favorite snacks. Refill bottles at the water fountains.

They have a meal plan, depending on if you have any teens with you, this is a good option. Swimming makes hungry kids, lol.
You can upgrade to this once you get there.
Have fun, we are going there in September.

Sea World San Antonio is awesome! Bring umbrellas for shade, bring water bottles for everyone. There are fountains around the whole park for refills all day.

GO EARLY!!!
At opening time! Hit the water park pretty early, when it's less crowded and then go to the shows (all shaded under canopies) or water rides in the afternoon. This is when the water park is packed.

Take a lot of your own food for snacks to Sea World.

Riverwalk is neat! I would go in the evening, close to dark, when it is cooler. I don't think there is a bad place to eat down there...just find a place that will please everyone's tastes for food. The boat rides on the River are pretty cool too.

Possible plan: Sea World early until it gets real hot, hotel to rest in the air and take a short nap, Riverwalk for dinner and evening.

Have fun!

we went to orlando sea world last summer and it was AWESOME! we did the buy one day/get one day free pass (i think, either that or it was a two day pass, buy one person get one person free) and we enjoyed every S. of BOTH days. there was a ton to see and do.

one thing we did (i assume san antonio is set up the same way) we got there when they opened. the main gates opened at X time, then there was a S. gate , to the shamu show and shamu's happy harbor (the kids area) which opened an hour later. well, the S. gates open when shamu's first show goes on, and turns out, EVERYONE went to that instead of heading to the kiddie area. my son had the entire area to himself - he rode several rides 8 and 10 times without waiting in line. it was AWESOME!

Is this Sea World you are going to in Texas? I took my family to the one in Orlando and they had a fantastic Luau. It was even better than the ones we went to in Hawaii except the one at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Who is going. You and your husband only or with kids?

Hope you have lots of fun. Good luck to you and yours.

Seaworld is a really great place! I would recommend that you bring your own water. The lines at concessions can be REALLY long. We went once at Sprig Break and my poor Dad spent almost 2 hours in a concession line. For real. They were just massively understaffed.

There is so much to do, you may need 2 days. They have a little kids water playground that my boys LOVED. They monitor the entrance, so maybe it should be the first thing you hit- dress DD in a bathing suit.

As for restaurants- there are so many on the Riverwalk. It depends on what you want. You really can't get a bad meal (expensive, but not bad). Most are kid friendly (there are a few bars/taverns that are not).

Have Fun!