Sea World - Austin - Texas (TX) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

thedogatemyhomework · 07-23-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgrn198

If you guys haven't been to San Antonio before you defanatly wanna check out the Riverwalk one day maby even take the kids to see the Alamo there's also the SA Zoo

The Official Website of The San Antonio River Walk

City of San Antonio | Official Web Site - Historic Market Square

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium - Where you experience Real. Wild. Life.

thanks bgrn198 - the plan was to tire them out at sea world on the first day and then go see the alamo on the second.

flourpower · 07-23-2011, 10:23 AM

There are a bunch of new more moderately priced hotels in the area. I can't think of all of them of the top of my head right now but I think I remember seeing a Courtyard (Marriott), Holiday Inn, and maybe Comfort Suites??? I'm pretty sure all of them offer a shuttle service to SW so that will save you $15/day for parking.

mamatotex97 · 07-23-2011, 12:41 PM

I live in that area. There are some hotels off 151 and Potranco and I believe they have shuttles. The comfort suites is pretty nice. There is a Hilton directly across from Rudys BBQ also that is very nice. Both I imagine would be affordable and not break the bank. If you want to spend a few hundred a night there is the JW Marriott and the Hyatt Resorts, but really why? You won't be there much if your focus is Sea World or the River Walk.

curious1111 · 07-23-2011, 05:45 PM

haha...

We go a lot. And the animals look pretty happy to us. I think for the food and love they get from the trainers, they would probably take this living over the random dangers that exist in the way nature intended... :-)

We have two small boys, 3 and 6. If you can afford/willing to do it, the Hyatt Hill Country is the only way to go. About a mile away, very convenient, extremely kid friendly, etc.

You will love Sea World. They offer a lot of behind the scenes animal encounters that are pretty reasonably priced and worth it in our experience. Our kids like the dolphin feeding the very best, but there are others.

If we lived in San Antonio, we would probably be there every week. Bring lots of sunscreen and depending on kids ages, be aware that it is a lot of walking. Our 3 yr old tires pretty quickly in the 100+ temperatures. If there is any way to swing it, go on weekdays instead of weekends, when it gets extremely crowded. Spring the extra $10 or whatever it is for the premium parking. You will be glad that you did when you walk out at the end of the day.

thedogatemyhomework · 07-23-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curious1111

haha...

We go a lot. And the animals look pretty happy to us. I think for the food and love they get from the trainers, they would probably take this living over the random dangers that exist in the way nature intended... :-)

We have two small boys, 3 and 6. If you can afford/willing to do it, the Hyatt Hill Country is the only way to go. About a mile away, very convenient, extremely kid friendly, etc.

You will love Sea World. They offer a lot of behind the scenes animal encounters that are pretty reasonably priced and worth it in our experience. Our kids like the dolphin feeding the very best, but there are others.

If we lived in San Antonio, we would probably be there every week. Bring lots of sunscreen and depending on kids ages, be aware that it is a lot of walking. Our 3 yr old tires pretty quickly in the 100+ temperatures. If there is any way to swing it, go on weekdays instead of weekends, when it gets extremely crowded. Spring the extra $10 or whatever it is for the premium parking. You will be glad that you did when you walk out at the end of the day.

thanks for the tip on the parking. i have a nearly 3 and 5 year old so i may bring a stroller... unfortunately we are going on a weekend - part of the experience i guess ;-)

N. Olikee · 07-23-2011, 06:41 PM

Whereever you end up staying, see if they offer any "deals" with respect to Sea World, etc. Sometimes, these are worth looking into, sometimes not. Also, the line into the Alamo was pretty long on the Saturday we went, but seemed to be moving pretty quickly. We bypassed and went around the building because we were in a hurry, and I've been there many times.

tuesday2 · 07-23-2011, 07:17 PM

Last time we went, which has been a couple of years, we went to a buffet dinner by the whale tanks. The trainers walk around and interact with you and answer questions and the whales come up to the side and you can get a very close up look at them (although you can't touch them). Our 4 year old *loved* it. If you poke around on seaworld.com you can find all the different options for special "experiences" like that, I believe they have several behind the scenes type tours/feedings, etc.

Enjoy!!

SickOfCalifornia · 07-23-2011, 10:25 PM

If you go to the Sea World webpage you will see where you can buy an all-you-can eat wristband that Is good at all the restaurants. This will pay for itself with the amount of bottled water you will consume (vs buying each bottle).

Get the "fun pass" - it gets you in all year for same price as a day ticket. If there's any chance you'll go twice this year, it's a no brained at no extra cost.

There is also a wristband you can get that let's you skip the lines for all the rides. If your kids like the rides this is worth it, because otherwise fitting in the lines for the rides and making the shows on time can be a little tight. Plus, there is nothing like getting off a ride, deciding you want to ride it again, and then getting right back on with no wait while the people standing baking in the sun for an hour watch you get to ride twice, three, even four times in a row without having to get off. Priceless.

Jennibc · 07-24-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickOfCalifornia

There is also a wristband you can get that let's you skip the lines for all the rides. If your kids like the rides this is worth it, because otherwise fitting in the lines for the rides and making the shows on time can be a little tight. Plus, there is nothing like getting off a ride, deciding you want to ride it again, and then getting right back on with no wait while the people standing baking in the sun for an hour watch you get to ride twice, three, even four times in a row without having to get off. Priceless.

Really? I hope I am reading this wrong, but it appears that you find other people being uncomfortable enjoyable. That's kind of ugly.

At any rate, we went to Seaworld a few weeks ago on a Saturday for my spouses company picnic and there are so few rides in the park and the lines were not that long that it wouldn't seem to warrant the extra cost. The Steel Eel roller coaster had no line for the first few hours so we rode it over and over again without having to wait.

Papillon Mom · 07-24-2011, 09:41 AM

We did the dine with Shamu thing for our honeymoon (in San Diego but prob about the same) it was really neat and the pictures come out amazing. It was so funny when they announced the special occasions. It included several young kids birthdays and then us on our honeymoon. When we looked around we were the only ones without someone under 10 at our table

We still had a blast!

We now have season passes and will often go just for a couple of hours and catch a show or two. With the season passes you get free parking as well as 20% off dinning and store purchases. Kind of a nice perk.

Check into when they feed the penguins- totally fun to watch. I think it is usually around 2 or so. Also, for the small cost involved feeding the Lorikeets, sea lions, dolphins or stingrays is super fun. They also have a water park that is included in admission (I think but check to make sure). We have never been but might be a good way to cool off.

Nice thing about SA vs SD Sea World is that most shows are covered. In SD you roast in the sun (literally, didn't matter how much sunscreen I used I came home burned).

Anyway, hope you and your family have an awesome trip.