Alright, I read every line in this thread.
Bottom line: Sea World is NOT for everyone. If you have older children, then no, they wanna go the US/IOA route. Those that have not been to Disney parks would definitely wanna visit there.
We have had annual passes to SW since my girls were even too young to have to pay to get in, excluding last year when we had Disney park passes. We asked them if they wanted to go back to Disney or SW...They voted SW. They are 7 and we love the park. Yes, they miss rides from other parks and my one dd STILL can't get on Kraken or Manta. BUT, I found her three inch shoes so maybe this weekend, lol!
Either way. Plan as you may when you go to these parks. My dh always takes a backpack with snacks and waters, poor thing. But it's worth it. It's also worth buying the refillable cup...it's only a dollar to refill, duh.
As far as the rides and changes...I think Believe is awesome, as is Shamu Rocks. Blue Horizons is wonderful as well. The cool thing is the shows are never all the same. I think it's hilarious when the whales don't wanna cooperate.
I agree with the PRICE of the dolphin feeding, and I have yet to pay it. That would be about 25 bucks with our discount. That's crazy. I'd rather just pay to swim with them.
The con to the park is definitely the food choices. They really don't have a great place to eat. Mango Joe's is okay but gets old. Sharks is just way too pricey. They could improve in that area...hence the reason sometimes we just take snacks and then eat outside of the park later on.
All in all, Kraken and Manta rock, smoothest coasters I have been on. Kraken is a long ride too...love it. JTA is corny but a nice cool off when you're hot.
Sorry, starting to ramble. I just love the park, even without the beer. Miss it, but stuff happens when someone new ventures in. Also miss Donkey.
OH...if you are going to go to ANY park at night, go to the dollar store and grab those glo sticks you link together. That's what I do and it also helps me keep track of my girls.
Other than all that, we really don't spend much there with our annual passes...well, maybe me in the Surf Shop, lol!
Enjoy it all, life's short.