If at all possible, visit SeaWorld during a slower season. Orlando is busy all year, but there are a few times when things slow down. Those times are the second week of January through the first couple weeks of February; after Easter until school lets out and the summer season begins; the beginning of September until the week of Thanksgiving and the week after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas.
The busiest times are the holiday weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The park can be filled to capacity during these seasons, making it difficult to see everything in one visit. If seeing every ride and show is not your goal, the holidays do offer beautiful decorations and seasonal shows that are not available during other weeks.
Visiting SeaWorld requires a plan of action to get the most out of a one-day visit. To save time on the day of your visit, get your tickets online before you go. You won't miss standing in the long ticket lines at the front entrance.
The park opens at 9 a.m. every day, so be ready to get started early. Arrive about a half-hour after the park opens to avoid long lines to park. Better yet, stay in a hotel or resort that offers shuttle service, which will usually drop you off at the gate.
Check the show schedule as soon as you get in the park. The rides and exhibits are open all day, but the shows have scheduled times. Decide which shows you want to see and plan the rest of the day's activities around the show times. Consult the park map and see which attractions are near each show, and visit those exhibits and rides before and after the show.
SeaWorld provides the chance to feed dolphins, sea lions and stingrays at designated times. Check this schedule early and keep feeding times in mind when planning your path through the park.
Save the roller coasters for later in the day when the lines are short. It is tempting to run for the thrill rides as soon as you arrive, especially with Manta greeting you at the park entrance. Resisting this urge can save you a couple hours of waiting in line.
Orlando is steamy, especially during the summer when temperatures hit the 90s every day. Drink water to prevent dehydration, apply sunscreen regularly to protect your skin and stick to indoor activities during the afternoon, when the sun is the hottest.
