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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!
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Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RV Nov 3rd 2009 8:16PM
$78.95 per person? Wow. Makes Sea World San Diego, CA seem poultry at $69.00 per person, although I'm sure wil follow Orlando's lead soon.
I'm a current premium season passholder to Sea World, San Diego, CA. and was able to get a two year pass for just $149.00. Only $6.80 per month, and go as often as you like. Ok, so that means it pays for itself in 10 visits. I've already been there 30 times this year.
sdlong329 Nov 3rd 2009 11:30PM
PAUL - CRAPPER MATH: I think they are reflecting $78.95 per person, for two adults, plus two children tickets, which are generally less - although not specifically noted. However, if that is the case, the CRAPPER is still evident, in that our reporters are not telling the whole story, and are ignorant to what is and is not common knowledge. They also often speak poor English, gramatically.
paul Nov 3rd 2009 8:27PM
No wonder this country is going down the crapper. Since when did $78.95 multiplied by 4 become under $300.
Lion of Kabul Nov 4th 2009 3:49AM
Its under 400 dollars if you use Hussein Obamas marxist math.
Heather Nov 3rd 2009 8:29PM
If you think about this, the ticket prices that people pay to get into these animal parks is money that helps these people take care of these animals and help save countless others at the hands of humans. I would pay it just because I know that money is going towards helping these animals.
RV Nov 9th 2009 5:18PM
Heather, I couldn't agree more with your post. I've just renewed my season pass for the eighth consecutive year, only this time, I've renewed for the two-year option. I really don't care what the price is, no amount is worth saving the life of a defenseless animal/mammal.
NM Nov 3rd 2009 8:40PM
And that is just the ticket price of admission. You also have to consider their parking fees as well. I have better plans to do with my money than to spend almost $80.00 that Sea World wants to extort money from everything little detail.
I hope any Sea World representative reads all these posts. They will have a change of tune when NOONE goes to Sea World anymore. It will be just another ghost town that FAILED.
The solution is simple. Just NEVER go to Sea World. Plain and simple.
Carolie Nov 3rd 2009 8:48PM
How stupid do you have to be to pay to get into these parks at the prices that they're offering? As for them allotting most of the funds to the care of the animals? I think not.. As for 78.95 * 4 = 315.80.. I would be under the assumption that mathmatics is not a requirement of the people that put this junk out here.. If you want to waste your money in this economy on stupid stuff, go ahead, there was a day when those parks were under the $20.00 mark, but see, no one seems to care because you're all stupid and will be like those people in the movie soylent green, waiting to become people crackers.. go ahead, give them what they want.. it's not gonna save the whales...
NM Nov 3rd 2009 8:53PM
I agree 100% with you.
Linn Nov 3rd 2009 10:47PM
I think the $300 for a "family of 4" is assuming the family consists of two $80 adults, and two $70 children. The childrens' tickets run less than the adult tickets up to a certain age.
Mike Nov 3rd 2009 9:03PM
Busch Gardens in Tampa raised the admission price and cut off the free beer samples. They are also removing the Clydesdales so I hear.... The fools who bought the park think they can do this and have it not hurt revenue. We are a local Tampa family who can afford to go, but will not anymore. A few tiny beers cost them pennies... . We also loved looking at those beautiful Clydesdales... I'd rather look at that horse from 5 feet away, then some stupid African Yak from 50 yards. Not anymore. I know many Tampa natives feeling the exact same thing. I'll take the kids to MGM instead. Greedy, greedy, stupid suits. Stupid suits. You ruined a great tradition. Goodbye to you.
Liz Nov 4th 2009 3:30PM
I was just at Sea World in Flordia In July. It was the first time that I had been in Sea World for almost twenty years. I was horribly disapointed. I took my five year old and told her about all the cool things that I did there when I was a kid and then hardly any of the features that I had told her about were there. They have spread everything out so far, and what is there is geared to a much older crowd. I think that even when she gets older we will not be going back there. With them raising the prices it just makes it all that much worse. I will give Sea World the show aspect of it. The sea lion show was awesome. But you wait 45min for a 20 minute show, or like the orca show 1 1\2 hours for a 25 min show. Very disapointing for me.
Upset Mom Nov 3rd 2009 10:46PM
In todays economy it is very hard to do anything fun with your kids. We do plenty of fun free stuff (enough to keep them busy) but when you want to give them the experience of a theme park you have to take out a second mortgage. I just dont think it is fair for these huge theme parks to be so expensive. you have made your money, why not give people a break who want to take their children to see mickey mouse like all the others. The little rich kids get to go anyway. why cant the children of hard working middle class parents do the same for their children.
helllo Nov 3rd 2009 10:47PM
You should read TeenTravelTalk.com . They have lots of free or lower priced things to do all over the world, accompanied by honest reviews by older and younger teens to help you decide where you should take your next vacation. (:
paul Nov 4th 2009 12:20AM
DON'T FORGET YOUR PARKING $$ AND YOUR $8.00 HOT DOGS!! AND $4.00 BOTTLE OF WATER !!!
Bob MacGillivray Nov 3rd 2009 10:30PM
I grew up in Miami in the 50's...In High School we could have beach parties, big bon fires. A trip to Orlando and the theme parks was very reasonable. I took my kids. Tickets were cheap by comparison to today.
South Beach and Miami Beach were fun, beautiful and provided great entertainment at affordable prices...
Yes, the hustlers and carpet baggers have taken over and all the things that were fun and special are a big rip off today. Beware when in South Beach. I recently ordered a ham sandwich and a coke there and when I finished I was handed a check for $30.00
Now I live far from the scammers and the tourists. I found a clean little beach town and am loving it without those types...Those of us that live here want to keep it pristeen and nice just the way it is. I have been all over this country and this is really home. I can do without the theme parks, the crowds and tripping over strollers! I'll leave all of that to the tourists...(Bring lots of money!)
Jo Nov 3rd 2009 10:32PM
Seaworld should shut their doors right now and either send the fish, mammals, etc. to zoos, aquariums around the country or release them into the oceans. Good heavens, with the economy as it is, who can afford almost $80.00, which does not include food, to see an orca, seal etc. do their thing for a few minutes?
What a HUGE mistake this park has made. They have cut their own throats with this ridiculous price increase..
Bill Nov 3rd 2009 10:37PM
They capture these animals illegally and take them from their natural enviorment........That BS anyway you slice it f**k Seaworld.
grossness54 Nov 3rd 2009 10:55PM
$78.95? There's a killer (as in killling attendance) whale of a price, and for what porpoise? Just for the halibut? Truly sharking, I'd say. Definitely something fishy here. Sea World's management is really all wet. (I tried asking for a reasonable explanation, but they were a bit crabby and just clammed up...)
Burnsengine Nov 4th 2009 1:55AM
Pun, pun, pun, pun, pun, pun, pun, pun and pun. I counted 9.
Only t.v. journalists and producers do that.
Nice try, though.