It’s the best time of the year and certainly, when it comes to visiting SeaWorld with its wondrous Christmas event- simply called SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. The event is packed with shows, holiday treats and beautiful decorations in addition to the world class attractions. I found it really amazing as SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is offered to guests at the park at no additional cost (select dates Nov. 25 – Dec. 31). A terrific holiday present!
With that in mind, let’s get on with our list – here are our picks for the top 5 experiences at SeaWorld:
5. Santa’s Fireside Feast
This is the VIP experience of the event. A special holiday dinner and show that includes buffet, special treats and photo opportunities. The experience starts outside SeaFire Grill where you get your picture taken – red carpet style. All of the guests are then invited inside to a private hall. The buffet offers traditional holiday dishes and everything was delicious, especially the honey baked ham and the desserts. Those cute Christmas themed cupcakes were as delightful to see as they were to eat! Yummy!
As the show starts, Santa tells a Christmas tale, the mischievous elves create some funny moments and Mrs. Claus is getting her cookies ready as Santa is trying to finish them behind her back 🙂 What a build up! You do get to taste the cookies which were delicious. On top of it – you can ask for a chocolate drink to go along with them with sweet decorated cream on top!
A big part of this experience is of course taking a picture with Santa himself. This Santa was very playful and nice and the set looked great. You can also take a picture with Mrs Claus and the elves. An upgraded photo opportunity over the additional complementary one with Santa at SeaWorld. This experience usually sells out very quickly. And for the dinner, show and wonderful photo opportunities we think it easily justifies its cost ($34.99 for adults, $19 for a child). At the end of the experience you get your printed red-carpet style photo to keep!
4. Sea of Trees
We felt this the true hidden gem of the event. Over 100 trees sparkles with lights that dance and animate to holiday classics. The best place to see them is to stand on the bridge. Bringing your special one and looking at the show together makes for a truly romantic and memorable moment.
3. Elmo’s Christmas Wish
What can you say about this show? It brought the house down! This show is obviously catering to young kids, but let me tell you something- the adults enjoyed it as much as the kids did! The story is pretty simple – Elmo invites his Sesame Street friends and every one makes his or her own wish come true. You can only guess what Cookie Monster asked for and his version of ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ was simply hilarious! The kids really went wild as the characters came down to the audience from the stage. There is another surprise which we won’t ruin, but this show was really energetic and exciting!!
2. The Christmas Village
This is a condensed version of the Christmas village at Busch Gardens Tampa, which combines the kiosks with treats, shopping opportunities, carnival games and the meet and greet photo opportunities with Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and friends. A really fun place to just enjoy and take your time, get a cup of hot chocolate and seat by the fire place!
1. Winter Wonderland On Ice
Hands down this the best Christmas show at SeaWorld! It’s a magnificent show with dancers and acrobats, where the tree lights in the background and the water fountain play as much part as dancers in creating one amazing Christmas celebration. The colorful show was packed at all times. The dancer in the scene with Rodolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stole the show with his golden outfit and amazing maneuvers.
The attractions!
Let’s not forget that the Christmas event is in addition to the other attractions at SeaWorld. If you can only do two – we recommend: Mako – the newest roller-coaster at SeaWorld and one of the best in Florida! and the beautifully themed world of Antarctica with Antarctica Empire of the Penguin ride.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
A terrific Christmas event at SeaWorld, altogether, packed with shows and more. These were are top 5 picks and we hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we did! If you can only visit SeaWorld once a year- this is the best time to visit!
SeaWord’s Christmas Celebration 2016 happens on select evenings and is included as part of the regular admission price to SeaWorld (ticket prices range from to $80-$100 without tax. Children under 3 are free).
- The event pathway opens at 5:00 pm
- Available dates: December 16-31
