SeaWorld, Orlando's Most Underrated Attraction

Considering a trip to Orlando? It is one undoubtedly one of the premier tourist destinations in the U.S., especially for families. With Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, the city boasts two of the premier vacation spots in the country.

However, if you are at all familiar with Disney and Universal Studios, you are also familiar with the fact that they are extremely crowded, hectic, and massive. Looking for somewhere a little less crazy than these two spots? Try SeaWorld.

I recently visited SeaWorld with my son and had a tremendous time. For one, the park is actually doable in one day. Not wanting to be rushed, though, we did it in two. We went the first day in the morning and the second in the late afternoon/evening.

The first thing I noticed about SeaWorld was that the park goers seemed more relaxed. At Disney and Universal, visitors attempt to hit as many attractions as possible, and tend to have to rush in order to do it. At SeaWorld, guests seemed to actually be enjoying the more leisurely pace.

As to attractions, SeaWorld will always be known as the home of Shamu. There are several shows during the day where Shamu is featured, allowing the visitor to pick a time that suits him/her. There are other shows throughout the day, and they range from the cute to exciting, depending on the venue.

Of course, SeaWorld also has rides. My favorites were the roller coaster, The Kraken, and the log flume ride, Journey to Atlantis. You will not find 'extreme' rides, such as the roller coasters at somewhere like Cedar Point, but SeaWorld is not meant to be an extreme park.

For me, the greatest thrill of SeaWorld was actually coming into close contact with the denizens of the ocean. There are many attractions that allow you to see these amazing creatures closer than you ever have. One attraction in particular allows you to ride along a slowly moving floor through a tunnel directly beneath an aquarium filled with sharks! It is an unbelievable and memorable experience.

At SeaWorld, you don't just look at the sea animals, though. You can actually touch and feed them, as is the case in the stingray pool. These beautiful creatures swim in circles inside of a round pool, and you can actually reach in and pet them. For a fee, you can buy food and feed them, as well.

So next time you are in Orlando on vacation, give SeaWorld a try. It's fun, relaxing, and a decidedly different experience than Disney or Universal.