SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[bgtlover]

Infinity Falls will be closed tomorrow in case anyone was planning to go to the park. It went down today around 4pm and never reopened.

 

 

 

**UPDATE**

The ride has reopened today within the last 30 minutes.

[jray21]

Any water ride additions to a park in Orlando are always a smart move! Looks like a fun ride.

[Cyrbuzz]

Does anyone know if the new annual pass prices will effect current ongoing passholders arrangements? I’ve had a renewing 2 year 2 park pass for over a decade and just wonder if there will be any adjustments to the locked in arrangement?

[SharkTums]

^The park has announced that nothing will change for any current pass holders that don't want anything to change. Hopefully that stays the same as many of us are in the same boat as you.

[A.J.]

Under the new arrangement, the price I paid for my pass last month should get me the water parks in addition to SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa on a Silver pass. I realize that no normal consumer could have predicted the changes but color me slightly disappointed.

[jedimaster1227]

^With that in mind doesn't it pay for you to switch/upgrade?

Edited October 10, 2018 by jedimaster1227

[A.J.]

^With that in mind doesn't it pay for you to switch/upgrade?

Paid for the entire pass in one shot so I'm stuck with it for a year. Womp wahh. I've definitely got enough use out of it already, though!

[hoppedup]

I just looked into getting passes for my daughter and I since we may make a trip to Florida later this year. And maybe Texas next year. I understand why buying a pass in Florida is more expensive as there are more parks and opportunities to visit them. BGW surprised me a little, though. Maybe we should just do Texas first.

 

Cost for a platinum pass:

 

SWO, BGT - $359.88

BGW - $347.88

SWSD - $239.88

SWSA - $132.92

[BintamiM]

Does anyone know if the new annual pass prices will effect current ongoing passholders arrangements? I’ve had a renewing 2 year 2 park pass for over a decade and just wonder if there will be any adjustments to the locked in arrangement?

 

 

If you do not want to change anything you will be allowed to continue with your passes. You will be considered a silver pass holder going forward. Anyone that purchased their passes prior to the contract changing will be locked in forever. If you purchased your pass recently but before the new plan went live then your rate will be locked in for 5 years.

[Cyrbuzz]

Sounds good!

[larrygator]

I just looked into getting passes for my daughter and I since we may make a trip to Florida later this year. And maybe Texas next year. I understand why buying a pass in Florida is more expensive as there are more parks and opportunities to visit them. BGW surprised me a little, though. Maybe we should just do Texas first.

 

Cost for a platinum pass:

 

SWO, BGT - $359.88

BGW - $347.88

SWSD - $239.88

SWSA - $132.92

 

I think prices you quoted for SWSD and SWSA may only be for residents of those states. This restriction might not show up until you proceed to checkout. If I'm wrong, then buy it and do Texas first.

 

I had a 2-year SWSA pass that I let expire about 8 years ago (about $220 at the time) and when I looked into getting it again last year the low price was only available with a Texas ID. The non-resident price was much higher.

Edited October 11, 2018 by larrygator

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I went to the site after seeing that price for San Antonio and it was offered to me. It's on sale 30% off the normal price of $189.

[coneyislandchris]

I just looked into getting passes for my daughter and I since we may make a trip to Florida later this year. And maybe Texas next year. I understand why buying a pass in Florida is more expensive as there are more parks and opportunities to visit them. BGW surprised me a little, though. Maybe we should just do Texas first.

 

Cost for a platinum pass:

 

SWO, BGT - $359.88

BGW - $347.88

SWSD - $239.88

SWSA - $132.92

Sesame Place is on the same level as SWSD, $239.88 per platinum pass, but up until this past Monday they were running a promotion where they were discounted to $167.88. They aren't limited to Pennsylvania residents, but they do explicitly exclude residents of CA, FL, TX, & VA from purchasing. Since it's our closest possible park in the chain, and we have kids in the target age range for the whole Sesame branding, it was a no-brainer for us.

[hoppedup]

I just bought a Platinum Pass from SWSA for the reduced price. Looks like SWO, BGT, SWSA, SFFT, and SFOT are on the agenda in the next 365 days. I'm in NC, about 3h 45m from BGW. YMMV.

[Jerry Fleming]

Well Kraken train was basically empty so that may explain it ? I mean I still love it maybe it was because of that.

Yeah, that absoultely does. For some reason I have noticed that ride to have some pretty jarring roughness when the train is empty to half-empty. It's much better if you get the train at least 3/4 to full.

 

I feel the same about Hydra at Dorney Park. Several years ago, I got to ride it multiple times while there and noticed as the train filled up, the ride felt less rough. I know most people hate the ride, but I ended up really liking it.

 

Back to Infinity Falls, it does look like a fast, fun ride! It reminds me of Popeye & Bluto raftride at IOA. We were surprised at how speedy that ride was!

[larrygator]

I just bought a Platinum Pass from SWSA for the reduced price. Looks like SWO, BGT, SWSA, SFFT, and SFOT are on the agenda in the next 365 days. I'm in NC, about 3h 45m from BGW. YMMV.

 

Well I'm glad the changed their policy, as it is a good way to spread money across the chain. Do you have to activate the pass in San Antonio and does it have to be done within a certain time frame?

[bgtlover]

I just bought a Platinum Pass from SWSA for the reduced price. Looks like SWO, BGT, SWSA, SFFT, and SFOT are on the agenda in the next 365 days. I'm in NC, about 3h 45m from BGW. YMMV.

 

Well I'm glad the changed their policy, as it is a good way to spread money across the chain. Do you have to activate the pass in San Antonio and does it have to be done within a certain time frame?

 

It has to be redeemed at SW San Antonio before it can be used at the other parks. The pass expires one year from date of purchase (so not date redeemed/activated).

[A.J.]

Was at the park this morning. Manta's operations team was killing it. Two trains but they were sending the second one out even before the first reached the mid-course brake. Also, can re-confirm some shakiness coming from Kraken with a one-third filled train. Noticeable but not bad enough to affect enjoyment of the ride, in my opinion.

[Cyrbuzz]

Kraken is due for some fresh paint. There is a lot of rusty spots throughout the ride. Surprised they didn’t do so during its changeover to Kraken Unleashed.

[Canobie Coaster]

Was at the park this morning. Manta's operations team was killing it. Two trains but they were sending the second one out even before the first reached the mid-course brake. Also, can re-confirm some shakiness coming from Kraken with a one-third filled train. Noticeable but not bad enough to affect enjoyment of the ride, in my opinion.

 

Whoa that's really impressive for a flyer!

[Philrad71]

Late to the party, but Infinity Falls looks amazing...thanks for sharing the awesome video, Robb!

[A.J.]

Whoa that's really impressive for a flyer!

Yeah, they were doing great. I was down near the pretzel loop taking a photo of the first train going through and I turned around to walk toward the entrance and only a few seconds afterward I heard the dispatch sound effect and the music start playing. I forgot to mention that they were running both stations, which eliminated stacking too. Being stacked on a flying coaster is the worst.

[jedimaster1227]

Today I had the chance to experience a new, short-term festival offering at SeaWorld Orlando, the Craft Beer Festival. Only offered this past weekend and next weekend, the event is like a mini version of the Seven Seas Food Festival with over twenty food items and over 100 beers on tap spread throughout the park. Like other events at SeaWorld, event sampler lanyards allow you to choose options from across the festival at a reduced price by paying for up to twelve items up front.

 

It also turned out that this weekend was another event at SeaWorld Orlando, Jack Hanna Weekend. Jack Hanna has had a longstanding relationship with the SeaWorld parks and has been coming to SeaWorld since I was a kid, bringing with him a variety of animals that you don't even get the chance to see in the parks.

 

With that, my day made for two experiences in one...

We like food and beer enough to known that the maximum number of items (for two of us) would definitely be the right option!

What goes great with beer? Roller coasters!

It was also my first time seeing Infinity Falls in action!

We didn't get the chance to ride today, but it definitely looks like a fun addition!

The ride consistently had a 40 minute wait throughout our visit.

Down they go!

The splashdown ends far bigger than you see pictured here... Make no mistake, this ride will soak you.

A look at all of the Craft Beer Festival locations and some of the menu items available throughout the park.

The Flamecraft Bar continues to offer some great brews on tap.

Chicken Wings tossed in a Pilsner Buffalo Sauce served with Tangy Slaw were a good start to our day!

The Buffalo Burger Quesadilla with pepper jack cheddar cheese blend, balsamic onions, baby arugula crème fraiche, and a roasted tomato salsa was a surprisingly tasty option.

The Beer Corn Fritters served with a Sriracha Aioli were one of my favorite items I tried at the event!

The Chorizo Potato Skins were a tasty twist of the classic bar bite.

The Bison Slider served with Lager Bacon Onion Jam and Minorcan Mustard was a nice option.

Given the name of the event, it should come as no surprise that they serve beer here too.

I'll definitely be coming back soon to try Infinity Falls out for myself!

The Waterway Grill is the newest version of the original hospitality house, and much of the original fixtures of the venue have been kept in place.

During the Craft Beer Festival, Craft Beer Trivia is being offered in the Waterway Grill.

Cheese empanadas...

The Brown Sugar Brown Cow Mocha Brown Ale made for a great alcoholic float!

Mama's Pretzel Kitchen now features a Turkey Leg Pretzel... This might be the first food option I've encountered in a park that I'm afraid to tackle.

The Infused Bacon Cheddar Pretzel nuggets were served with a beer cheese and were really nice!

Construction of the new Sesame Street section of the park is well underway.

Cider lovers will be happy to know that the Craft Beer Festival has a few options to enjoy.

Another reason I was here today...

I've been seeing "Jungle Jack Hanna" since I was a kid at SeaWorld... He opened today's presentation with a focus on why he supports SeaWorld after all of these years.

This American Bald Eagle looks like a different bird, but it is just starting to get its trademark white feathers.

I can't say I'd seen an echidna before today...

They brought a sloth!!!

Lots of different animals were brought on stage...

Three different owls were shown today.

Everybody loves penguins!

A cheetah and its best dog friend.

Beautiful!

They're adorable together!

Time to get a few more items before I head out...

How about some candied bacon lollipops?

And some more beer!

The Craft Beer Festival is a great new addition to SeaWorld Orlando's annual line up of events! If you have a chance to visit next week, you definitely should!

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Everything looks so good.

[BlahBlahson]

This is much more than I was expecting! It looks like they decided to make a whole festival out of revamped bar foods. I need those Chorizo Potato Skins!