Today I am going to address Sea World & Busch Gardens because this single mama of five is just finishing a whirlwind weekend pre-Christmas trip to both with my three teenage boys & two pre-teen girls. Not for the feint of heart but so worth the quality family time together & memories made! Follow my hacks to help your trip run smoothly!
We got discounted tickets to Sea World as part of a homeschool group (which we crashed…though we were invited! since we are not currently homeschooling 😅). But otherwise you can get a discounted pass to both Sea World & Busch Gardens since they share ownership.
Let’s start with best places to stay for a large family…I found Town Place Suites very serviceable with a nice sized room overlooking Sea World (amazing view of the roller coasters at night!). With two double beds and a fold out couch it fit 6 snugly but nicely (my youngest is still quite little). Breakfast included which is a great boon with hungry teenage boys. Beautiful pool which we did not get to partake in because we spent all day at the park, then went to dinner at nearby Mellow Mushroom and were off again early.
Don’t stay here! ⬇️👎🏻😝😛❌
Now to Sea World itself. This was our second visit. It has two or three major rides aside from the two standard “wet” rides, the round one & log flume. So the good thing is you really do not need a fast pass/quick que. Ride times vacillate quickly between 5 minutes & 60 minutes so catch it when you can. Manta is a very cool, different ride. Try it!
Called the Park Corniche. On AirBandB. Just say no, like we did with full refund about 5 minutes after arrival because they know they are a scam. Heebie jeebie ghetto sketchfest. No. Just NO.
The big deal at Sea World are the shows. It is so amazing to witness the relationship between the animals& their trainers! This year we saw the orca show first, followed by the sea lions, something new for us. The times for shows are posted outside the arenas where they take place but you can also check online.
I didn’t buy an all day dining pass at Sea World but probably could have used one. Come on, I have Teenage BOYS! We had one expensive meal, lunch, which totaled about $100..,.for chicken nuggets! 🤦♀️
Fast forward…Busch Gardens, an easy 1 1/2 journey back over to the west coast for a 10am opening, following our fairly acceptable continental breakfast at Town Place. I had oatmeal. Kids had muffins or fruit loops. Nothing special but a cheap way to feed 6. 👍🏻
At Busch Gardens I had obtained a Black Friday all day dining & quick que pass. Not inexpensive but Worth It. Actually compared it against the annual pass my ex wanted to split …I can recognize a Trojan Horse. If you live locally enough to go there more than once per year, ask yourself do you want to drive all day to ride two rides or do you want to make it worth your while? Our life is busy. I don’t know when we’ll go back. I opted for one big hedonistic day.
So we rode everything we wanted to …except the few that were inexplicably out of order…better than riding them if they’re out of order I suppose but still frustrating and prior notice should be given for those buying a day pass. Also BTW, quick que is not worth it for those who can’t ride the big rides because it is not accredited for little kid rides. So my youngest & I waited for rides in Sesame land while the four bigger kids enjoyed the full bennies of their quick que in the wider park.
The all you can eat is standard fare throughout the park..,pizza…more pizza…pizza anyone? I did find vegetarian Asian at one place. Unfortunately, the pass is designed to encourage you to sit down and eat inside so is not useful at the kiosks. Also unfortunately not useful for alcohol. Could someone please make an all you can drink pass for single mothers traveling with 5 teenagers?! ’d much prefer over the dining one! Don’t judge…I was staying over & have a 16 year old DD for the one mile drive to the hotel.
Breakfast at the Hyatt Place was much more acceptable…real glasses and overnight oats. The stay was more preferable as well because of the large pullout. I slept very comfortably on the pull out, even with my snoring child…guess I was ready for a good night’s sleep after those two big days!
Notes From Real Life 