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In a poor economy, SeaWorld raises ticket prices to just under $80
SeaWorld Orlando doesn't seem to think the economy has suffered enough, because it just raised its prices by $4 to an insane $78.95, per person. With just six rides and ten shows, SeaWorld assumes people won't have a problem paying this, even though their new prices are just 5 cents lower than neighboring Disney or Universal, who have much more to offer.
Now, I won't argue with anyone who says the park puts on a good show, and they are known worldwide for their amazing aquatic shows, but when you charge just under $300 for a family of four, you'd better put on more than just a "good show". Once you add food and a local hotel, a trip to SeaWorld will cost over $500 for just one day.
In this economy I would expect parks to actually lower their prices, instead of raise them. Minor discounts are available to people who pre-order their tickets, but even with those discounts you'll be spending far too much.
The park does offer a free visit on a second day, within 7 days of your first visit. If you are visiting the Orlando area and want to visit SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica, the total bill will come to just under $550. Add their all day dining option for all three days and your credit card will take a $900 hit, and that doesn't even include your flights and hotel. Too much? Tell us in the poll below!
| Yes,far too much | |
|---|---|
| Yes, but it is totally worth it | |
| No, I'll gladly pay $80 to see Shamu | |
| Not too much at all, in fact, I'd gladly pay more! |
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Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Jen Nov 3rd 2009 11:43PM
I am a New Yorker and vacation in FL at least once sometimes twice a year and we have skipped Sea World the last 2 trips due to it being overpriced. Knowing that prices have gone up have pretty much eliminated Sea World from ANY future trips. UNLESS of course I get free admission from a trip to Discovery Cove which would then make it worth my while ~~ everyone should look into that option you see you pay $189 per person w/o dolphin swim and $289 with dolphin encounter (lets face it dolphin encounters run about $150 anyway alone) this also includes complimentary continental breakfast, lunch and snacks, use of all pools fresh and salt water, beach with chairs, use of snorkels, vests, goggles and sunscreen ~provided for saftey of fish you will be swimming with. The kicker is you can get up to 14 days free at Sea World or Busch Gardens and for $50 more add Aquatica to the line up. Crazy right? If you utilize your days (do the math HAHA) it comes to less than $25 per day if you do the dolphin encounter and add the $50 extra for Aquatica!!! Had to share this info otherwise people like me would NEVER go to Sea World again with those prices!!!!
Shoshana Nov 3rd 2009 11:53PM
I went to SeaWorld once on a school trip, and personally I would not go back. It was fun for about an hour, but by mid morning I couldn't wait to leave. The park is not worth the money unless you have a large interest in caged sea animals, and even so you can cover the whole place in an hour. I would pay twenty dollars at most. They're killing their own park.
And why are they doing this right at the start of winter? If they wanted to take full advantage of the few visitors they should have done it during the summer. If this keeps up, I give them another year.
TONY Nov 3rd 2009 11:56PM
SOUNDS FISHY TO ME
Carol Nov 8th 2009 11:32PM
As a senior on a fixed income it is more than I have to spare. The place is lovely and I was there several years ago but probably never get there again in my life, so sad.
Chase Nov 4th 2009 12:44AM
It's 4 dollars people get over it. I'm actually pleased with the raise, that means less stupid tourist ruining my Florida parks. Everyone gets so huffy over little things instead of big issues like say, the cost of food shopping. Domething you do every week unlike visiting a park which is typically something you do far less often.
songbird Nov 4th 2009 1:00AM
I am a single mom and the last time I took my son to Sea World was about 7 yrs. ago for his birthday and as much as we really enjoyed feeding the dolphins and taking in the park they overcharged for everything and I was broke by time we left. I live in the Tampa Bay area as well and have to agree with Mike about Busch Gardens. I used to get the year pass for me and my son as it gave me the opportunity to spend some fun quality time with my son and was only 25 minutes from home. I really looked froward to getting my free beer as that was my highlight of the day and my son loved to go on the rides. Food used to be reasonable if we didn't eat before we went and we would even have money left over to get our traditional waffle ice cream cone on our way out of the park. Since they stopped the beer gardens, I no longer buy the season tickets. This was a tradition they started since the park has been there and you don't just stop something like that and expect, especially locals, to continue to visit. At 60.00 a ticket the free beer was a bonus and as hot as it gets here, very appreciated, but no more. I'm a single mom and it's just too hard to put out the money anymore especially when they jack up the prices and take things away. Getting rid of the Clydesdale's? No free beer? Why not just change the name of the park to Tampa Amusement Center.
jay Nov 4th 2009 1:36AM
Guess the mafia has taught well, extortion from credit card companies, banks and now theme parks! Yeah we win again!
Elo Nov 4th 2009 2:34AM
I also have a 2 year pass to the one in San Diego and I pay $13 a month for two people. It includes parking and discounts on food ect....This is the only park doing this kind of deal and I think it's awesome. I don't mind paying more if I get to pay it over time and can go over and over again. You don't get that anywhere. Also, they allow you to bring in snacks and water to the park as long as it's not perishable or a freakin ice chest n a bbq. I've been 3 times in the last month that I've had it and enjoyed each trip! I did read in the paper here that they have new owners so maybe that has something to do with it.
G Nov 4th 2009 2:39AM
Sea World is going down the toliet, just like the rest of the country.
Mary Ann Nov 4th 2009 3:05AM
you are correct EL. anheiser busch (the budweiser company) no longer owns BUSCH gardens/sea world. it was sold to a company i believe in germany. and that is why the prices have been jacked up. those of you that are bitching... GET OVER YOURSELVES. if you cant save to go on vacation with your friends and/or family that is your fault. My husband and i worked hard and had a 5 year plan in the works to save our money to move out of the state we were in so we could move to florida. and you know what for half of that i have not worked and my husband has been the ONLY income. our son has not gone without want and we have not gone without we just learned to cut corners and here is a doosie it is called SAVING.
We now own our home and our cars. we dont have any debt because we had decided to get our heads out of our asses and save.
our son now has a better place to live in a great little community here in florida and WE personally dont mind getting the annual pass to all the parks here.
AND UNDERSTAND ONE THING WE ARE NOT RICH FAR FROM IT.
Gary W Nov 4th 2009 3:16AM
Grossness54.....LOL..Very cute post......
Marc Nov 4th 2009 4:29AM
I totally agree with you guys. But the suits dont care about you guys that are local. They just look at the tourist numbers.. I live in NY.. Do you know what it costs a family of 4 go see a yankee game? Over $1000 for one game. Its crazy.. So, these suits in sea world know what there tourist base is and know that its mostly from the north and know prices are higher up there and considering this that the tourists wont care.. It really sucks.. All they are out to make money. Thats my I dont go to games anymore. But, the only ones hurt in the end at places like sea world and bush gardens are the animals with are the reasons you go there in the first place. Well, not really bush gardens but those horses are going. And where? Maybe glue? who knows. It sucks all around. Until this country wakes up and realizes all we produce these days are lawyers and prisons. Maybe we can get back to being the great nation we once were..
LINNY Nov 4th 2009 4:50AM
Far to much for what they have to offer compared to Disney. We have a annual pass at Seaworld,$13.00 a month with free parking and it includes Aquatica,signed up 2 years ago , we go all the time. Those who live close to Seaworld should get the monthly annual pass, they take it right out of your checking.... Out of state people, to expensive for a one day. With the annual pass we get 10% off food and anything we buy..