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NOTE: News sources remove their articles rather quickly. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the source's archives for the story. The source's URL is posted in its entirety to make it easier to track down the original article and avoid dead links. Be sure to copy and paste the entire URL in your web browser's address window. Certain news organizations require a free registration to view their articles online.
A visitor writes: "My family -- 2 adults, 4 children -- will be going to Disney World in December. We are coming from Israel. We have reservations at All Star Sports Hotel. We will be there 5 full days. We are considering 3 days at Disney World. The other two days we are considering a trip one day to Sea World and one day to Universal. Is this a reasonable schedule for a 5 day visit?" Yes. Looks like a nice plan. "How far is it from Disney World to Sea World and Universal?" Universal is on Kirkman Road (exit 30 on I-4), around the 5900 block of International Drive. SeaWorld is 5 miles from Universal. WDW is 10 miles from Universal. "Would there be an advantage to renting a car for those days in place of a bus or shuttle?" You will need to rent a car, take a taxi, or use a town car service to get to SeaWorld. "Where can I obtain maps of the area and general information on Sea World and Universal?" Call the Official Visitor Center in Orlando 407/363-5872. "For the two days when we will take side trips, would it be less expensive or otherwise advisable to stay at a hotel in Orlando instead of staying at the Disney hotel?" All Star Sports is very affordable. Stay where you are. For more insider tips, see our book, "Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation."
SeaWorld Orlando: Polar Express pulls in Friday, more new holiday fare
Nov. 27
SeaWorld Orlando: Jack Hanna shows, breakfast on Nov. 21 and 22
SeaWorld joins Disney and Universal by raising ticket prices
Halloween Adventure with Sesame Street characters at SeaWorld
Theme parks are nothing new for SeaWorld's buyer - ticket price increase
on the way!
SeaWorld Orlando will flip to new owner
SeaWorld to be sold this week
SeaWorld’S "Ocean Of Halloween Fun" Comes To Life For Five Weekends
In October
See the video: SeaWorld welcomes four baby dolphins
SeaWorld rejects condemnation by 'The Cove'
New SeaWorld tour features priority show seating, photo ops with Shamu,
other animal stars
USF kicker injured after 35-foot fall from Busch Gardens ride
SeaWorld's mimes — silent but silly fun
Aquatica's ice chairs provide (temporary) relief from heat
Up Close With Manta at SeaWorld
Mantastic! SeaWorld's Manta roller coaster officially open
SeaWorld's Manta's open -- now what?
New Manta video from SeaWorld Orlando
More from behind the walls at SeaWorld's Manta roller coaster
May equals month of Manta at SeaWorld Orlando- Rumor is that it will
have a soft opening next week!
What does delay of Universal's Rockit mean for SeaWorld's Manta?
SHAMU TWEETS: SeaWorld’s Star Killer Whale Joins the Twitter
Community
SeaWorld Orlando Brings Guests Closer To Their Favorite Animals
SeaWorld Orlando gets four new baby otters - Video
SeaWorld's Aquatica is brightened up for the splashers of spring
SeaWorld Orlando exec wants to take us for a ride
SeaWorld steps up hiring for the spring
Sale of SeaWorld Orlando could be nearing
SeaWorld's new roller coaster Manta on track for May opening
Viva La Música Spices Up Seaworld Orlando And Busch Gardens Tampa
With Latin Flavor
Birthday for SeaWorld's Manta: May 22. Nice video!
Busch Gardens Premieres Christian Music Concert Series
Bud & BBQ Returns to SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa
Bay
No more free beer at SeaWorld or Busch Gardens
SeaWorld Orlando raises ticket prices by $5 to $74.95
SeaWorld sizes up terror risk over chemicals stored at park
For SeaWorld's new roller coaster Manta, things are looking up (and down
and sideways)
'Wheel' to spin into SeaWorld
Manta on demand: more details about SeaWorld coaster under
construction
Acrobatics go aquatic in new SeaWorld show.
Shamu Supports Sustainable
Jack Hanna, Shamu Christmas, Polar Express and more coming to
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SeaWorld is testing Shamu's Smartguide, a 3" x 3 1/2" handheld unit
that serves as a GPS and provides useful park information.
"The latest Sesame Street offering at SeaWorld is Elmo and Abby Cadabby's
Treasure Hunt, a song-and-dance show that will appear a few times each morning
through Labor Day."
"SeaWorld Orlando is experimenting with hand-held "interactive park map"
devices that combine video background on its attractions with
global-positioning technology."
"Nights are brighter at SeaWorld Orlando with new AfterDark shows
[offering] entertainment not available during the day."
"SeaWorld Orlando announced details today for its new roller coaster,
Manta which park officials said will seamlessly take guests from the
awe of encountering rays in underwater flight into the sensation of actually
being one." Manta opens summer 2009.
Manta, Ride The Flying Ray Fact Sheet SeaWorld Orlando has announced the next generation of SeaWorld thrills with Manta -- a new mega-attraction which will seamlessly transition guests from the awe of watching rays in underwater flight... into the sensation of actually being one. Swooping over sea and sky, Manta will inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, then soar them face-down aboard a manta-inspired flying coaster. Manta opens summer 2009. FROM SEEING... THE ANIMALS
Total Animals: 3,000 TO BEING... THE RAY
Type of Ride: Flying coaster
Visitors to SeaWorld are invited to audition as contestants on the Wheel
of Fortune in September. "Five episodes will be taped each day, making
for four weeks of SeaWheel to be aired sometime in 2009."
"Part of a new exhibit at Tampa's Busch Gardens was closed Sunday
after a female orangutan escaped its enclosure and had to be coaxed into
a back area by officials."
"This spring's trio of openings -- Aquatica at SeaWorld's water park, Toy
Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the Simpsons Ride at Universal
Studios -- provides a glimpse into the dress rehearsals required to launch
a new ride."
"Wheel of Fortune is coming to SeaWorld Orlando... The game show,
hosted by Pat Sajak, will be taping 20 shows in front of live audiences at
the theme park this December [to air in 2009]."
There's a new ski show at SeaWorld Orlando.
"A 30-year-old female dolphin died Saturday at SeaWorld's Discovery
Cove after colliding with another dolphin during an aerial stunt."
"SeaWorld Orlando and other Busch Entertainment Corp. parks are converting
their food-service containers and tableware supplies to versions made from
materials that are both farm-raised organic - such as corn and bamboo
- and biodegradable." And no, you can't eat the cutlery.
"SeaWorld Orlando is preparing to build a roller coaster billed as
the theme park's most ambitious and expensive attraction yet. It will be
part thrill ride and part animal attraction, a theme that visitors will
experience from the time they take their place in line until the time they
leave the post-ride area."
Busch Gardens opens Jungala: "The Tampa theme park known for both
its roller coasters and African animal exhibits is opening Jungala this weekend,
offering a couple of new, small rides and focusing attention on new,
close-encounter showcases for its Bengal tigers, orangutans and a handful
of other animals."
For tips for enjoying SeaWorld's newest water park, Aquatica, see:
"Busch and UAE-based developer Nakheel will together build a SeaWorld,
Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and Aquatica water park on a man-made island
in Dubai. The resort will also include hotels, spas, shops and restaurants.
"Just days after Busch Entertainment Corp. announced that it would create
a SeaWorld and three other parks in the Middle East boomtown of Dubai, Six
Flags announced Tuesday that it, too, will create a theme park there."
"SeaWorld Orlando's Aquatica is awash with thrills." For a review,
see:
"SeaWorld's new water park, Aquatica, makes its debut Saturday as
Busch Entertainment Corp. puts the new park through a 'soft' opening for
the new attraction." Grand opening is scheduled for April 4. Tickets: $38.95
for adults; $32.95 for children. Package deals include Aquatica, SeaWorld
and Busch Gardens.
"SeaWorld Orlando rolled out two new hydrogen-powered shuttle buses
Wednesday, joining an experimental program that already powers similar buses
to Orlando International Airport and the Orange County Convention Center."
SeaWorld gave the press a preview of its new water park, Aquatica,
last Friday. The park will have a "soft" opening March 1; its grand opening
will be April 4.
"Salt water from some of the giant pools and related plumbing at SeaWorld
Orlando and neighboring Discovery Cove has been leaking into the aquifer,
beneath those theme parks, in some cases for seven years or more, according
to state environmental records."
Orlando Sentinel's theme park rangers comment on SeaWorld's Pets Ahoy
show, Wild Arctic's returning to SeaWorld January 19, Chris Walken's magical
appearance at Universal's reworked "Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride
. . . Starring You" and the fun of riding Disney's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
at night.
SeaWorld's Aquatica "will feature 36 water slides, six rivers and
lagoons, 80,000 square feet of beach plus some unique touches, such as clear-tube
slides that shoot riders through pools filled with dolphins."
"The Polar Express Experience, a new holiday attraction at SeaWorld
Orlando, pulled out of the station for the first time Friday morning... The
attraction is a temporary overlay of the park's Wild Arctic, which simulates
a helicopter ride to a research station."
For a video of the Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld, see:
"SeaWorld officials confirmed Monday that they, Warner Bros. Pictures and
Iwerks Entertainment are reprogramming the theme park's Wild Arctic simulator
ride, transforming it into a simulated train ride to "Santa Town,"
based on Chris Van Allsburg's children's book The Polar Express and the 2004
animated movie of the same name."
Bush Entertainment has changed the name of its theme park empire from
"Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks" to "Worlds of Discovery."
Shirley writes: "I am planning a short vacation in the Tampa Area and Busch Gardens. I own an RV, but I cannot seem to find a park nearby. Can you help?" Here's one less than 15 minutes from Busch Gardens:
Happy Traveler RV Park
Rick writes: "Hi John, I just saw my first "new" newsletter. Great Job! This last summer we went to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. This was the first trip with the kids and I knew the kids would love Busch Gardens. I checked into rates and figured out a year pass was cheaper than going and buying 3 days. I pre-paid online so the pain of paying was had worn off before we arrived. You get a photo I.D. and easy in-out. Williamsburg also has an associated water park which had it's year-long pass at the same price as a one-day! Needless to say we did the water park and Busch every day and skipped most of the history!" Thanks, Rick, for the pat on the back!
Sherry writes: "I have a question about the SeaWorld tickets. They are offering the same monthly plan on the Sea World/Bush Garden silver, gold, platinum, and bronze passes as well. Our trip is in March. The 5th thru the 12th to be exact. If I ordered these tickets would I be able to use them or do they need to be fully paid for before you can use them? I was unable to find this answer on their website. Thanks so much for the help and for the fantastic website!! I read it all the time!" You pay during each of the 12 months that you use your tickets. In other words, you can use them right away while you pay. For details, click here. Thanks for the pat on the back!
Busch Gardens Tampa offers rain checks to guests who feel that rain has spoiled their day. Just ask. No specific amount of rain must fall. "Under the new policy, Busch Gardens guests may obtain -- as they leave -- a voucher with their photo on it to be used within seven days." (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Guests at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens can reserve strollers, ECVs and wheelchairs online. To reserve online at SeaWorld, click here. To reserve online at Busch Gardens, click here.
Kelly writes: "I'm not sure if you ever post reviews of any other Florida theme parks, but we just returned from our annual Florida vacation and would like to blow off some steam about Busch Gardens. We love Disney and have visited with our 4 kids several times in the past 10 years. We are always pleased with the excellent customer service, and although we have had a few mishaps in the parks and at our hotels, Disney has always more than made up for it to us. This year we decided to take a 'Disney Break' and just stay at a friends condo on the beach for our vacation. (we were actually trying to take a very cheap vacation so we could save for a Disney Cruise next year) We were about 1 hr. south of Tampa so we decided to check out Busch Gardens. I have now made it a point to tell everyone what a horrible experience we had. It was just as expensive to get in as Disney, but the service was awful, and that's if you could find someone who worked there. The lines were horrible, not really because of the number of people in the park (it didn't seem too crowded) but because their wasn't enough help. The lines to the roller coasters weren't bad, but forget eating or buying anything. I felt like I wasted a lot of money. On a good note, the animals were close and easy to see at the exhibits and the gardens were nice. It seemed clean, but again, there just weren't enough people working there and the ones I encountered were very rude."
The Chambers family writes: We enjoy your newsletter and wanted to respond to the negative review of Busch Gardens a couple of weeks ago. We personally LOVE Busch Gardens and feel that the season tickets to both Busch Gardens and Sea World are the best deal out there! Our family of 3 (parents are 47 and son, 17) each bought a 2 year Gold Pass for less than $180 (per person, price includes both parks.) For that, we get free parking, 10 percent off most purchases and no interest charges as they automatically take 1/24 of the cost out of your credit card with no interest each month for the 2 years. We also plan to get 3 years of visits out of our 2 year purchase as we got our original passes in Feb. 2002, visited again in Feb. 2003, and will go again in Jan. 2004, before they expire. Compared to Disney World, the lines are MUCH shorter and we encountered no rude employees. The animal and Shamu shows are very entertaining and we enjoyed the aquariums and other displays, including gorgeous flowers. We love the ROLLER COASTERS! Thanks for the updates!
A subscriber writes: "sir i have cancer and my family wanted to take me to busch garden and when they went to get me a wheel chair my husband was treated very nasty. my family was very upset so our whole day was treated nasty, i don't think my family should have to be treated so bad and pay for it too."
You're right. Rude behavior is unacceptable. You can voice your concerns:
Lisa wrote us about what happened to a friend of hers at Discovery Cove: "Mr. Gross, I am attaching a letter explaining a recent visit my dear friend made to Sea World's Discovery Cove. It is a rather disturbing account of what her family experienced on their visit. I have her permission to submit the story to you for inclusion on your web page. I have noticed that you allow people to air bad experiences as well as the good ones. I think this story should serve as a warning to families of physically challenged individuals who are considering what I think is a very pricey outing... My friend Joann is taking this up with the management of Discovery Cove. The letter is a copy of what she sent to them... My Friend JoAnn states: First of all, I will preface this letter by telling you that I have multiple sclerosis (MS). My disability seldom gets in my way, even though I cannot walk, my life is much like yours or anyone else's. I have a husband and two sons, ages 7 and 12. I have had MS for 21 years, so I have had a long time to get used to barriers and limits within the context of my everyday life, I try to take them in stride. That being said, let me relay my experiences at your establishment. I first heard of Discovery Cove from an article in my local newspaper. What stood out in that article, for me personally, was that a unique experience such as this was available to the disabled with the provided wheelchairs capable of traveling on sand. As you must know, this is almost unheard of. Finding a vacation specifically geared for the disabled is easy enough, if you have the resources, and travel with others who have a disability. A family experience where all members of one's family has the opportunity to participate together sounded too good to be true! Whenever we go on a beach-type vacation (and there have been many), I am excluded from many activities simply because my scooter or wheelchair will not travel on sand. Discovery Cove made it clear they were the exception to this rule. I was ecstatic! Finally something we could all do together! The very first thing I did was call Discovery Cove and verify that what I read in the article was indeed what you actually offered. I was assured that the large tire wheelchairs were well equipped for sand as long as I had someone to push me. So, we proceeded to plan our entire vacation around the Discovery Cove experience. My children were excited that I was going to be right there in the water with them, as well as on the beach. We all pictured a fun-filled day of me actually being able to join my family on the beach and in the water, provided the weather cooperated. The weather turned out to be the least of our problems. Since we live in a cold climate, Rochester, NY, we decided to come to Orlando during our February school break, and made our Discovery Cove reservations for Feb. 23, 2001 - I did this on- line with no difficulties. Before we left Rochester, just to be on the safe side, I again called Discovery Cove to confirm that there would be a wheelchair available on our reserved day. I was again assured that this would not be a problem. I decided, however, not to participate in the actual dolphin swim experience, as sometimes it takes me awhile for my legs to get acclimated to the water. I knew this would be a group experience - I didn't want to hold anyone up. My children were disappointed, but I assured them that we would spend many hours that day in the water or on the beach together. On February 23rd, we arrived at Discovery Cove at around 9 am. When we made our way to the place where they handed out the snorkeling gear, we inquired about the wheelchair. You can imagine how busy they were at that time so we said we'd take a look around the place and come back. When we returned, it was much less hectic, and the gentleman behind the counter went "in the back" and produced the wheelchair with the large wheels. It looked a little lopsided to me, but I figured once I sat down it would be OK. It was not. It took me a while to get in, longer than it would normally take me. Once I finally struggled in, it was obvious to all of us that it was broken. I was leaning back so far that my face was pointed straight up to the sky, it felt as if I was in a rickshaw rather than a wheelchair! I let the guy know that this was not only uncomfortable, but unacceptable. He then informed me that it was the only one left, it was either that one or nothing. He went behind the counter and got a dozen towels to stuff behind my back attempting to sit me up straight and make me more comfortable. Thinking that my husband could make some adjustments to it, and not wanting to disappoint my children, I put on a happy face and off we went. I left my three-wheel scooter behind knowing it would be useless with so much sand around. My husband attempted to fix the chair so that it was at least tolerable, but it quickly became obvious that it was not going to happen. We made our way to the beach, but the chair was almost impossible to move. I was so disgusted and disappointed that I just found a regular chair next to a table, where I was at least comfortable, and watched my family as they snorkeled and swam away. What a letdown, not only for me, but for my children as well! After a couple of hours of making the best of a bad situation, we proceeded to the restaurant to get lunch. The food was mediocre at best, the women behind the counter were barking "who's next!" as my husband struggled to push me in the broken wheelchair that wouldn't move, push two trays, one for him and one for me, and help my younger son and myself make a snap decision regarding what we wanted for lunch. What a disaster. After lunch, I needed to use the restroom, I had noticed a handicapped one earlier and we made our way there. My husband attempted to push the chair through the doorway and IT WOULDN'T FIT! He was determined that a wheelchair could not possibly be too wide for a handicapped restroom door. As I urinated all over myself and the cement outside the restroom in front of 1000 people or so, I collapsed into tears. I'd had enough. I cleaned myself up and made my way back to where my scooter was and returned the broken down wheelchair. As my family swam with the dolphins, I found my way back to the main entrance to find someone to take my complaint. In a very calm voice, and close to tears, I asked for whoever was in charge. I was greeted by a very cheerful, very young woman. I told her my story and she told me she would gladly refund my ticket price. She was very apologetic, somehow that didn't help my frazzled state of mind. I told her I thought she could do better than that, and her very polite response was that she was not authorized to do more. I inquired as to the options available to me, and asked how I should pursue it from here. That is the reason I am writing this letter... As we went through the morning, we saw only one other park-supplied wheelchair capable of traveling on sand. Out of 1000 people, you can only accommodate two people that need a wheelchair, and one is broken? I think you will agree that this is completely unacceptable. My vacation and my family's vacation was ruined by this experience, and I feel that my entire family's ticket price should be refunded, at the very least. I have no desire to make idle threats, but as you read this letter you must realize the ramifications of the many violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that we're discussing here... JoAnn Hallimen, Rochester, NY" Lisa, JoAnn's letter disturbed us greatly. We hope that she has received a written apology and financial compensation for her ordeal. Here is what Discovery Cove has posted at its site. "Discovery Cove can accommodate guests with disabilities who are able to maneuver to the wading locations and during the interactions, with limited assistance, or with their own personal assistant. Discovery Cove also offers specially-made outdoor wheelchairs with oversized tires for easy maneuvering on the beach." Click here to send feedback to Discovery Cove.
Parks Adopt Payment Plan: Enjoy 12 months of fun at Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Adventure Island with a Silver Passport or 24 months with a Gold Passport using the EZpay monthly payment option. Rather than paying for your memberships all at once, you can simply pay on a monthly basis, for the term of your Passports, with no additional cost to you. That means you and your family can visit these Florida parks for less than $5 per month, per person. Benefits include unlimited admission with no blackout dates, complimentary general parking, and special discounts off merchandise, food and drinks. Click here for details.
A subscriber writes: "I am a bit confused about Seaworld/Discovery Cove, are they in the same complex and can they be purchased under one ticket (also how much are the tickets for 2 x adults and 2 x children). By the way I am from England and am visiting Orlando in April this year and am trying to plan an itinerary. Is one day enough to visit Seaworld/Discovery Cove." SeaWorld and Discovery Cove are two separate parks. The entrance to Discovery Cove is on the right hand side of Central Florida Parkway, past the sign for SeaWorld Orlando. For more info, click here.
Rhino Rally at Busch Gardens, Tampa: 17 passengers ride a Land Rover that loses its way and ends up on a shaky pontoon bridge above raging waters. The ride includes a trip across the savanna where passengers will see rhinos, elephants, zebras, crocodiles, wart hogs, antelope, and wildebeests. (Source: go2orlando.com)
SeaWorld sells tickets at a discount to groups of 15 or more. For more information, call 800/327-2424.
Busch Gardens is now offering visitors to central Florida round- trip transportation to its park. Each of the five luxury coaches that make up The Shuttle Express will accommodate 47 passengers in air-conditioned comfort and include video entertainment. Five routes will shuttle customers from 40 different locations at a cost of only US$10 per person! The Shuttle Express picks up passengers at Mercado Shopping Village, Kissimmee Old Town Shopping Village, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlet Mall; at 40 hotels in Central Florida; and at Flex Ticket transportation routes. Shuttles make morning pick-ups at 8 AM and 10:15 AM and return to locations in Orlando at 5, 6, and 8 PM. The service is free to those who buy the 5-Park Orlando Flex Ticket which grants unlimited admission to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Wet 'n Wild. Reservations are recommended. Reservations are required for groups of six or larger. For information, reservations, and schedules, call 800/511-2450.
Public Transportation Sharon writes: "I have really enjoyed reading the affordable disney information. I was wondering whether you can advise if there is affordable local transportation to Sea World and Universal Studios; we will be staying [at] the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort for our stay and I am hoping to save money wherever possible so that we may buy more souvenirs." Make sure you get to the store we recommend in our book for your souvenirs. We can't tell you how many good deals we have found there. Mears Motor Shuttles provides transportation to the theme parks. Call 407/423-5566. You can also take a taxi. (We list several hotels in our book that offer transportation to the parks for free or for a fee.) In regard to public transportation, LYNX buses serve Osceola, Orange, and Seminole counties from 5 AM to midnight/7 days a week. Routes include tourist attractions. Costs less than $1. Look for the LYNX Paw Sign to catch the bus. Call 407/841-8240 for more information. The I-RIDE TROLLEY SERVICE makes over 50 stops on International Drive from 7 AM to midnight/7days a week. The buses run every 15 minutes. Costs 75 cents. Seniors pay 25 cents. You can buy a one-day unlimited pass for $2 ($3 for a three-day pass and $5 for a five-day pass) at most of the hotels along International Drive. Look for the I-Ride Trolley signs. Call 407/354-5656 for more information. The MERCADO SHUTTLE provides free transportation 10 AM to 10 PM from the The Mercado shopping/dining/entertainment complex on International Drive to 15 hotels in the area. Call 407/345-9337 for more information.
Discovery Cove SeaWorld's new 30-acre park, Discovery Cove, allows visitors to interact with the marine life. Reservations are necessary because Discovery Island will only admit 1,000 guests per day to eliminate lines. Discovery Island has been created to look like a tropical island complete with white sandy beaches and thatched roofs. At check-in, guests are assigned a guide to take them on a tour of the park.
Attractions include snorkeling with tropical fish, swimming near barracuda
and sharks (in a separate glass tank), a tropical bird aviary, and a 30-minute
swim with dolphins. To visit the Discovery Cove web site, click here.
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Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information contained on our site. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other companies mentioned on our site and in our newsletter are registered trademarks of their respective companies. The use of these trademarks is for editorial reasons only. No endorsement by the Walt Disney Company or any other company is implied. |
