Home   Holidays   Article

We tried out the rides at SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove in Orlando

I’ve always been a thrill seeker, so there was no way I could give Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest hypercoaster a miss.

My best friend Sophie and I went to Florida. During our time there, we experienced some of the parks SeaWorld has to offer - SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.

But first we arrived at Gatwick airport. I’ve only ever experienced life in economy, so the sound of flying premium with Norwegian Air in a brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner sounded like complete luxury.

Scroll down for video

Norwegian's brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
Norwegian's brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft

I was right.

Lounge access at the airport meant after shopping for last minute toiletries, we could take a breather, put our feet up and order a complimentary gin and tonic.

Not to forget any meal or snack we fancied whilst checking out the spectacular views of the runway.

After killing some time and making the most of the free drinks, we made our way down to the gate and fast-tracked boarding - always good for someone who hates queuing.

Within minutes of getting on the plane, the friendly staff had trays in hand stacked with a variety of drinks and made sure we had everything we needed before take-off.

Premium passengers can enjoy 46 inches of leg room.
Premium passengers can enjoy 46 inches of leg room.

I couldn’t fault my flying experience, 46 inch leg room was complete luxury. I could completely stretch my feet out without touching the chair in front.

The seats were also recliners, so you can say goodbye to neck cramp when you wake up from a nap.

And if you can’t pack lightly, then you can take two 20kg bags per passenger.

Once we arrived at Orlando, we checked into the Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld.

The room was spacious, with an en suit and a balcony and with a massive comfy bed - trust me you’ll need it. The action-packed parks take it out of you and you’ll need a recharge.

On the first day, we headed straight to SeaWorld.

We got to experience the park’s brand new hyper coaster Mako, which is based on the hunting patterns of the deadly shark.

Mako - Orlando's tallest, fastest and longester rollercoasters
Mako - Orlando's tallest, fastest and longester rollercoasters

With twists and turns and dips at every corner, it’s not for the feint-hearted and certainly keeps you on your toes.

One of the other impressive rides was Manta. Feeling like a giant ray, you skim a lagoon surface faster than 50 mph and plummet in a drop of 113ft! I can tell you it gives that feeling that your heart is in your mouth.

As for the Orca show - it was absolutely fantastic.

I’ve always been apprehensive about visiting the park - i’ve seen the documentaries about keeping orcas in captivity.

VIDEO: Two of the animals performing in the show.

The animals looked extremely happy and the trainers showed how much passion they had for the animals.

The tricks and stunts they performed showed how much work they put into the experience, and as the trainer said - if they weren’t happy the trainers would know about it.

After the show we headed down to Aquatica - SeaWorld’s water park.

My favourite ride was Dolphin Plunge.

You slide in a clear tube underwater through the park’s dolphin habitats where you can catch a glimpse of Commerson’s dolphins

My favourite ride at Aquatica was the Dolphin Plunge
My favourite ride at Aquatica was the Dolphin Plunge

Roa’s Rapids was also a highlight for me. If you put on a life jacket and go with the flow you could be there for hours just floating around the park and picking the rides you want to crack next.

After a flat out day, our next stop was Ocean Prime for dinner - I kid you not, here I ate the best steak I’ve ever eaten in my life.

The portion sizes were huge, so be warned if you’re not a big eater then share a starter!

But it was fantastic. The food was extremely tasty (i’d also recommend the calamari) and the staff were so friendly.

Being just short of 21, I wasn’t able to experience the cocktails for myself, but others on the trip gloated enough for me to realise they not only looked amazing but tasted it too!

Our next day in Orlando was to Discovery Cove and having speaking to some of my family who had been to the park not long before I had very high expectations.

It did not disappoint. The vibe is very tranquil and it’s fascinating to see the animals in every part you go, looking so peaceful and happy interacting with humans.

Sophie and I with Hutch
Sophie and I with Hutch

We were able to walk through bird enclosures, swim with exotic fish and huge stingrays and not one of them bat an eyelid.

As for swimming with dolphins, I felt like a proud parent. Seeing our group’s dolphin Hutch waving at us, doing flips in the air whilst trying not to be distracted by his ‘girlfriend’ who was in the group next to us was fantastic to watch.

The whole place feels like a mini-holiday and it makes you realise how talented the animals are, and how much the trainers must work to get them to be able to perform in such a way.

Going to Orlando is a trip of a lifetime, and to be able to experience one of the best and most testing rollercoasters just adds to the excitement.

I’d recommend this trip to anyone looking for some family fun, or for those who thrive off the adrenaline when you're mid-air on a rollercoaster - it’s one you won’t forget.


SeaWorld

The best value ticket for visiting SeaWorld Parks in Florida is the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package.

The Discovery Cove Ultimate Package includes one-day reservation at Discovery Cove (with 30-minute dolphin swim experience, all meals, snacks and beverages) plus 14-day unlimited entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica Orlando – offering customers more savings and flexibility for their Florida holiday. Prices start from £171 per person.

Those with a 3-Park SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens Ticket or a Discovery Cove Ultimate Package also get free parking at all parks for 14 consecutive days, meaning that they can come and go as they please.

For further information about SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in Florida or to book tickets visit www.seaworldparks.co.uk.


Norwegian Airlines

Norwegian fly year-round to Orlando, with two flights per week departing on a Tuesday and Saturday throughout the summer season and a new additional Saturday flight departing during the winter months.

All flights are operated by a fleet of brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with two cabins - Premium and economy.

Fares start from £179 one-way in economy and £499 one-way in Premium including taxes and charges.

To book visit www.norwegian.com/uk.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More