Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [145]
The Scare Factor
The Journey to Atlantis height requirement is 42 inches. Kids 7 and up should be okay.
Kraken
Kraken reaches speeds of 65 mph with seven loops and three different points where it plunges underground into misty tunnels. We’re talking major intensity. When I first read about Kraken, I suspected the name referred to the sounds your back and neck made as you rode. Not so. The motion of the ride is surprisingly smooth and the name actually refers to the great underwater dragon-monster of ancient Norse mythology.
The Scare Factor
The height requirement for Kraken is 54 inches. Kids under 8 should not ride.
Manta
Manta is both beautiful and powerful, much like the creature it’s named for. Riders fly face down in a horizontal “superman” position, hanging beneath the wingspan of the manta. With a track that’s over 3,000 feet, a variety of swooping dips and turns, and speeds of up to 60 mph, it’s quickly become a park icon.
The Scare Factor
Manta’s height requirement is 54 inches. it’s definitely too much for kids under 8.
Kiddie Rides at Shamu’s Happy Harbor
SeaWorld also has some very simple kiddie rides inside Shamu’s Happy Harbor, a play area across from Shamu Stadium. They include:
Sea Carousel, a fish- and dolphin-theme merry-go-round
Jazzy Jellies, swirling jellyfish that rise into the air
Ocean Commotion, a spinning boat ride
Swishy Fishies, a gentle teacup ride
Flying Fiddler, a chair ride that rises and gently drops, a kiddie version of Dr. Doom at Islands of Adventure
Shamu Express, a small coaster
Money-Saving Tip
In line with Disney’s Fastpass and Universal’s Express Pass, SeaWorld has the Quick Queue option to get you to the front of the line at its rides. But unless you’re traveling on an especially busy day, you won’t need it. SeaWorld has a limited number of rides, and they’re rarely overwhelmingly crowded.
Standing Exhibits
SeaWorld is also known for its fascinating standing exhibits, such as the Penguin Encounter, where you can observe the tuxedoed charmers both above and below the ice floe, and witness their startling transformation from awkward walkers to sleek swimmers. Check your map, which is also your entertainment schedule, for feeding times, when the trainers slip about on the iceberg with buckets of fish and the penguins waddle determinedly behind them.
If your kids are too cool to like cute, try the Terrors of the Deep exhibit, where you’ll encounter sharks, moray eels, and barracudas up close.
The California sea lions live at Pacific Point Preserve, and in the Key West section, you can find the endangered manatee, as well as dolphins, stingrays, sea turtles, and other species indigenous to the Florida Keys. There are underwater viewing tanks where you can observe many of the animals from a different perspective. These exhibits don’t have special showtimes and can be visited at your leisure as you circle the park.
Insider’s Secret
At the dolphin, stingray, and sea-lion exhibits, you can buy fish and feed the animals. This is exciting for the kids and the ultimate photo op.
Wild Arctic is dedicated to polar bears. You can opt to ascend to the top of the exhibit either via a simulated helicopter ride or by walking. (Kids must be 42 inches tall to take the simulator ride.) The ride is a total snooze in comparison to the Disney and Universal simulator rides so you may as well save yourself the time and just walk to the top of the exhibit. The fun part is seeing the bears anyway, especially watching them from the underwater tanks.
Preschoolers and Toddlers
Small children at SeaWorld welcome the numerous chances to get close to the animals, so save plenty of time for the standing exhibits where you can feed a sea lion or reach over to touch a dolphin or stingray. At theme parks it’s easy to get caught up in dashing from show to show but, especially with preschoolers, it’s essential to slow down and savor the