Just Go to the Zoo Instead. . .
Written: Sep 15 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Marine Animals
Cons: Too expensive
The Bottom Line: Too expensive and commercial for me. Don't think I will be going again.
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| Alena's Full Review: Sea World California |
My friend's mom was in town from New York. She had visited Sea World San Diego in 1967 and wanted to see how it had changed. They invited me along for the experience. Seeing that I was not back in school yet, and I am biologist so I think seeing any type of animals (except snakes) is a good time--I went with them.
Let me begin by saying they do have some animals that you would never see otherwise. Including dolphins (several types), killer whales, walrus, manatees, several types of penguins, beluga whales, and bat rays. They also have sea otters, sea turtles, sea lions, seals, polar bears, and several types of saltwater fish, jellyfish, seahorses, and several types of freshwater fish. Plus you can pet the bat rays and the dolphins.
Exhibits
The Penguin Encounter is cool--watching all the penguins interacting is neat. Plus in another section they have puffins--and watching them was a riot.
The Shark Encounter was probably the coolest thing in the park. You can first see all the sharks in a pool swimming around, and then you go into an underground area that is an all glass tunnel where you can see the sharks swimming overhead. Very cool.
There is a nice little set up for the Manatees, which has a few featured in the tank and conservation information pertaining to the Manatees environmental plight.
The freshwater fish and saltwater fish are in respective aquariums that are nicely set up.
Rides
They have one of those wild rapids rides, which I didn't ride--being soaked didn't appeal to me that particular day.
They have a ride called Return to Atlantis, which I did ride. It’s a combination roller coaster/log ride/shake room? I couldn't hear what the speakers in the ride were supposed to be telling me--so the ride didn't make much sense. It wasn't all that exciting. I was not impressed.
They also have a ride called the Wild Artic. Its a simulated helicopter ride which was way too short--and not all that exciting. (the old Mach One at Six Flags Over Texas was a lot better). Then you walk through an area that contains artic animals such as the polar bear, walrus, and beluga whales. It’s an expensive set up for these few animals.
Shows
We saw two of the shows. We saw the one featuring the Dolphins, which was good. I always love to watch dolphins that have so much fun performing. We also saw the Shamu show--which did not impress me much--but heh, a killer whale is big mammal--it can't do as much as a Dolphin. There was the Pet show that we missed and a RL Stine haunted lighthouse 4D that we missed as well.
Cost
Tickets are $49.75 for Adults and $39.75 for children. That’s a bit expensive for me, especially for what I got. The food is amusement park expensive. $8.00 for a not so tasty cheeseburger. $3 for sodas, and any type of snack such as ice cream or churros. I spent $20 on food and didn't really eat anything. Souvenirs were price okay $10 for a stuffed seal for my fiancée who didn't get to go, $5 for a 12 print pack of post cards to send to the folks in Arkansas. They also had T-shirts, key-chains, and all the other various things people like to buy to take home from a trip.
Overall Sea world San Diego is too Disney-like for my taste, too commercial. The Sea World in San Antonio is scads better. And for my money I would rather go to the San Diego Zoo (plus the Zoo is non-profit all proceeds go to feeding the animals and conservation research). I just felt the park was too expensive for a day trip and that I didn't really get much for my money. It would, however, probably be a great park for a family with small children. I don't believe I will be going again. If you are interested in more information on the Sea Worlds they have a great website with everything you could ever want to know about the parks on it (www.seaworld.com).
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
Alena
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
Reviews written: 465
Trusted by: 48 members
About Me:
Finally got a real job. Start teaching full time on Sept 1st!
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