SeaWorld San Diego: 3 Must-see Shows
SeaWorld San Diego has roller coasters, kiddie rides, touch pools, animal exhibits and play areas. But you can’t visit SeaWorld San Diego without catching the three most popular shows.
Each show boasts a different hook. One shows the grandeur of killer whales. Another the whimsical nature of sea lions. And the other shows the playfulness and athleticism of dolphins.
Here are some tips and things you can expect in order to maximize your show experience at the park.
FIRST: Look at the show schedule for the day you plan to visit SeaWorld San Diego. Note the show times for the three shows listed below and plan the rest of your day around those times. Some of the shows are offered multiple times, but when we went, Orca Encounters was only available at one time. So we were sure to make it to that one.
Sea Lions Live – A TV Variety Show
The Sea Lions Live show has been entertaining crowds for decades. I still remember laughing at Clyde and Seamore from a visit to SeaWorld San Diego more than 20 years ago. This past summer, I found it even funnier. But it’s not just the show itself that’s funny, it’s also the pre-show entertainment.
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We recommend arriving to the show about 20 minutes before it starts. That allows you plenty of time to find a good seat. And the pre-show entertainment featuring Biff starts about then. He makes his way through the crowd with a squirt bottle, cleaning the stadium. If you’re bald and hatless, he may even clean the top of your head. Watch a brief clip of Biff and his pre-show entertainment above.
Once Biff wraps up his 20 minutes of showtime, the TV variety show begins. There were parody’s on CSI, Dancing with the Stars and a few others. Clyde and Seamore dazzle audiences with amazing feats. I can’t balance a ball on my nose like they do. Let alone jump out of the water and over a pole.
And don’t forget OP Otter, who also joins in on some of the fun.
Dolphin Days – Jumping and Splashing in Sea World San Diego
Dolphins are pretty athletic. They can jump really high out of the water, doing a flip or two. They can play by splashing unsuspecting victims (I mean volunteers). And in this pool, the trainers will get in the water with the bottlenose dolphins.
We were in our seats about 15 minutes before the show started. They had someone up on stage providing pre-show entertainment. But it wasn’t a comedy show by any means. In fact, it was a nice lady teaching the audience words to a Jimmy Buffet song about a volcano that’s gonna blow. But when looking around at the audience, my wife was probably one of the only ones doing the hand actions and singing along. It was a hot day, so the sun was probably sucking the energy out of everyone.
During the show, the trainers will work with the dolphins to highlight their athleticism. It’s always cool to see a trainer in the water being pushed by a dolphin and almost body surfing across the pool. Some young boys from the crowd even got to come up and help feed some fish to the dolphins. The trainer graciously invited them to wipe their hands on their clothes afterward… which I’m sure the parents will appreciate on the car ride home.
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If you want to get splashed, be sure and sit on the first few rows. And if every show is like the one we saw, the dolphins love to splash – so you will probably get wet. On a hot day, that’s not a bad thing!
Orca Encounters – The Most Popular Show in the Park
The most iconic show at SeaWorld San Diego is likely Orca Encounters. It’s the show featuring killer whales. Because of how popular this show is, you’ll want to arrive 30 minutes before start time, especially if you want to sit in the splash zone. That seems to be the coveted spot in the stands.
The pre-show entertainment is quite different than the other two shows. A large screen across the tank asks various trivia questions. You hold up the number of fingers for your answer (choice 1, 2 or 3). If you’re luck enough, the camera will show you on the big screen if you are holding up the right answer.
When the show begins, you really begin to appreciate the magnificent creature that killer whales are. While playful and willing to put on a good show, that’s not the only point of the show. It’s also to help educate you about the traits of a killer whale and the importance of being a good steward to the environment.
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One lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) kid was chosen to feel just how much water a killer whale can send your way when it splashes. In the photo above, you can see the kid in his blue poncho covering his head. Needless to say, he still got really wet.
When the show ends, be patient in trying to exit the stadium. The Orca Encounters is the largest show at SeaWorld San Diego, so it takes a while for people to make their way out of the stadium.
The Details
Address: SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Cost: There are several ticket options, ranging from $55 to $90+ for a single-day admission. Get Away Today offers Ticket Only options for Sea World San Diego. Do your homework to find any ticket deals that will help bring your costs down.
Parking: SeaWorld San Diego has a large parking lot, but plan on waiting in line to get through the gate. Carpool, take a hotel shuttle or try a ride share. Parking is $22 per vehicle.
Hours: Park hours vary based on when you plan to visit. Check out their Park Hours online to find the schedule.
Website: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/
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