12 Best Attractions at SeaWorld Orlando for Families

You’ll love SeaWorld Orlando’s top family attractions, from the thrilling Penguin Trek coaster that launches you at 43 mph through an icy Antarctic world to the interactive Sesame Street Land where toddlers can splash and play. Don’t miss touching dolphins and rays, walking through shark-filled underwater tunnels, or watching hilarious sea lion comedy shows. The park perfectly blends heart-pounding rides like record-breaking Mako with incredible animal encounters that’ll create unforgettable memories for your entire family’s adventure.

Penguin Trek Family Coaster Adventure

One of SeaWorld Orlando’s newest and most exciting attractions, Penguin Trek takes you on a thrilling Antarctic expedition aboard snowmobile-style sleds. This steel launch family coaster combines indoor dark ride elements with outdoor thrills, perfect for families seeking adventure together.

You’ll experience two launches that propel you to 43 mph across 3,020 feet of twisting track. The ride starts inside with themed show elements before racing outdoors through banked turns and S-curves.

At 65 feet high, it delivers excitement without extreme intensity.

With a 42-inch height requirement, younger riders can join the fun in specially designed bucket seats. The Antarctic theming creates an immersive research mission atmosphere, complete with icy rockwork and environmental effects that make you feel like real polar explorers. After your coaster adventure, you’ll exit through a glass viewing zone where you can observe real penguins in their habitat.

Immersive Arctic Experience Journey

After racing through icy landscapes on Penguin Trek, you’ll want to experience SeaWorld Orlando’s newest marvel: Expedition Odyssey. This world’s first fully immersive Arctic flying theater opened in May 2025, replacing the old Wild Arctic simulator with something absolutely spectacular.

You’ll soar over glaciers, dive beneath frozen waters, and encounter beluga whales, orcas, walruses, and polar bears up close. The 4.5-minute adventure includes amazing effects like wind gusts, mist splashes, and realistic motion that’ll make you feel like you’re really flying through the Arctic. The attraction operates rain or shine as a completely indoor experience, so weather never disrupts your Arctic adventure.

With a 39-inch height requirement, it’s perfect for families.

After your virtual journey, you’ll walk directly into a real Arctic habitat where you can meet live beluga whales and walruses, making those virtual encounters feel even more magical.

Sesame Street Land Interactive Experience

When you’re ready to slow down and let the little ones take the lead, Sesame Street Land delivers the perfect interactive playground designed specifically for preschoolers and early elementary kids.

You’ll explore a walkable replica of the famous neighborhood, complete with 123 Sesame Street’s iconic stoop, Hooper’s Store, and Big Bird’s Nest.

Your kids can touch interactive windows that respond with sounds and mini-games, splash around Rubber Duckie Water Works, or climb through Rosita’s Harmony Hills musical play zone.

Eight gentle rides accommodate various heights – most allow riders under 42″ with adult supervision.

Don’t miss the daily Sesame Street Party Parade featuring beloved characters and audience participation.

You’ll find this themed area located towards the back of the park, near Sea of Power and Orca Encounter for easy navigation between attractions.

It’s SeaWorld’s most family-focused land where toddlers truly shine.

Dolphin Adventures High-Energy Show

While Sesame Street Land captures hearts with gentle charm, Dolphin Adventures delivers pure aquatic excitement that’ll have your entire family cheering from the stadium seats. These Atlantic bottlenose dolphins showcase incredible natural abilities through synchronized jumps, lightning-fast passes, and jaw-dropping tailwalks that demonstrate their wild survival skills.

You’ll discover fascinating facts about dolphin echolocation, social behavior, and ocean conservation while witnessing signature high jumps and coordinated group formations. The outdoor amphitheater provides excellent views from every seat, though front-row “Soak Zone” guests might get splashed during energetic routines! SeaWorld Ambassadors guide the presentation, sharing insights about environmental challenges facing dolphins in their natural habitats.

Multiple daily showtimes make planning easy, and the educational narration perfectly balances entertainment with marine science. Kids especially love the volunteer participation segments where lucky guests interact directly with these ocean ambassadors under expert trainer guidance.

Mako Record-Breaking Roller Coaster

From the gentle splashes of dolphin shows, you’ll find an entirely different kind of thrill awaiting at Mako, SeaWorld Orlando’s record-breaking roller coaster that soars 200 feet above the park.

This steel giant races at 73 mph across nearly 4,760 feet of track, making it Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster when it opened in 2016.

Named after the speedy mako shark, you’ll experience smooth hills and banked turns that mimic shark movements through the ocean.

The ride delivers amazing airtime without any upside-down loops, keeping things thrilling but comfortable.

Just remember, you’ll need to be at least 54 inches tall to ride this award-winning attraction. The coaster features a distinctive magenta track that creates a striking visual as it winds around the lake in Shark Wreck Reef.

Animal Encounters Educational Presentations

Beyond the high-speed thrills of roller coasters, SeaWorld Orlando’s animal encounters offer you incredible opportunities to meet marine life up close through hands-on educational experiences.

You’ll touch and feed bottlenose dolphins during training sessions, getting splashed while learning their communication skills. The beluga whale tour takes you poolside to connect with these gentle Arctic giants and explore their care practices.

Feed massive walruses behind-the-scenes while discovering conservation efforts—just wear quick-dry clothes! Visit hundreds of penguins in their icy habitat, including King, Gentoo, Adelie, and Rockhopper species.

The sharks tour lets you touch small sharks in shallow pools while exploring a massive 700,000-gallon aquarium. At Stingray Lagoon, you can reach out and touch Cownose, Southern, and Spotted Eagle Rays. Bring waterproof cameras for amazing photos!

Dolphin Nursery Keeper Talks

Among SeaWorld Orlando’s most heartwarming experiences, the Dolphin Nursery Keeper Talks let you witness the tender bond between bottlenose dolphin mothers and their playful calves. You’ll watch babies practice jumping, playing, and learning dolphin “language” through clicks and squeaks.

Animal care specialists share fascinating details about feeding routines, health checks, and how calves reach important milestones.

This fully accessible walk-through exhibit works perfectly for strollers and offers multiple viewing angles. Kids love seeing real-world marine biology in action while learning about ocean conservation.

Check your park app for daily talk times, and consider booking the Inside Look: Marine Mammal Care experience for behind-the-scenes access. It’s an ideal introduction to marine life that’ll captivate your entire family.

Sea Lion Comedy Shows

When you’re ready for side-splitting laughs mixed with marine mammal education, SeaWorld’s beloved sea lions Clyde and Seamore deliver comedy gold at the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium. “Flippers, Facts and Fun: The Sea Lion Experience” combines hilarious tricks with fascinating facts about these amazing pinnipeds in just 20 minutes.

You’ll watch these talented performers showcase their incredible swimming speed and jumping abilities while learning about their natural habitat and conservation. The comedy parodies popular park attractions, featuring appearances by a SeaWorld mime that’ll have everyone giggling.

Don’t miss seasonal variations like “Sea Lions Tonight” during Electric Ocean or the festive Christmas version. The shows start at 6:30 pm during Electric Ocean events, giving families perfect timing for an evening of entertainment. Reserved seating costs $14.99 (ages 3+), but arrive 30 minutes early. Check daily schedules since showtimes change seasonally.

Shark Encounter Underwater Walkthrough

Get ready to come face-to-fin with some of the ocean’s most magnificent predators at Shark Encounter, where you’ll walk through one of the world’s largest underwater viewing tunnels. You’ll step onto a moving walkway and glide beneath 700,000 gallons of water while sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, and zebra sharks cruise overhead. Don’t worry – several inches of thick acrylic keep you safe!

This amazing walkthrough teaches you about sharks’ behaviors and their 450-million-year history on Earth. You’ll discover how these incredible creatures help keep ocean ecosystems healthy. The attraction has no height restrictions, making it perfect for guests of all ages and abilities.

Small tanks along the way showcase tropical fish and rays too. After your underwater adventure, grab a bite at Sharks Underwater Grill, where you can dine while watching the sharks swim above you!

Manatee Rescue Habitat Experience

While you’re exploring SeaWorld Orlando’s incredible marine life, don’t miss the heartwarming Manatee Rescue Habitat Experience, where you’ll witness real-life conservation heroes in action! You’ll get an up-close look at gentle manatees recovering from boat strikes, cold stress, and other injuries at America’s largest manatee rehabilitation facility.

The five-acre Rescue Center features temperature-controlled pools where over 40 manatees receive expert care simultaneously. You can watch through the complimentary viewing area as these amazing “sea cows” heal and prepare for their return to Florida’s waters. SeaWorld’s dedicated rescue team operates around the clock with 24/7 availability to respond to manatees in distress throughout Florida.

Interactive exhibits teach you about manatee threats and how simple actions like slow boating help protect them. Since 1976, SeaWorld’s rescued over 1,000 manatees, making this both an educational adventure and inspiring conservation story!

Sesame Street Halloween Parade Celebration

If you’re visiting SeaWorld Orlando during Halloween season with little ones, you’ll absolutely love the Sesame Street Halloween Parade Celebration! This daytime parade brings beloved characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird together in adorable Halloween costumes.

The colorful floats feature pumpkins and fall décor while upbeat Sesame Street music keeps the atmosphere fun without being scary.

You’ll find the parade runs through Sesame Street Land on select dates from late August through early November. It’s included with your regular park admission, making it an excellent value. The parade also features Count von Count and Abby Cadabby joining the festive procession in their own colorful Halloween costumes.

The street-level performers encourage kids to dance along, creating an interactive party atmosphere.

Since it’s scheduled during family-friendly afternoon hours, even your youngest children can enjoy this whimsical Halloween celebration without staying up past bedtime!

Wild Arctic Helicopter Simulation Ride

Want to experience the thrill of flying through icy Arctic landscapes without leaving Florida? Wild Arctic’s helicopter simulation takes you on an incredible 4.5-minute journey through frozen wilderness! You’ll soar underwater with beluga whales and orcas, then climb high above glaciers while experiencing real wind, mist, and motion effects.

The new Expedition Odyssey ride features two theaters holding 30 guests each, with a family-friendly 39-inch height requirement. You’ll twist, glide, and dive through custom-filmed Arctic scenes, even witnessing the stunning Aurora Borealis dancing across polar skies.

After your flight, don’t miss the animal exhibit! Walk through icy pathways for close-up encounters with real beluga whales, walruses, and seals. This attraction was notable as the first SeaWorld ride to feature an exit leading directly into an animal exhibit. It’s education and thrills perfectly combined in one unforgettable Arctic adventure.

The Sum Up

You’ve discovered SeaWorld Orlando’s most amazing attractions! From penguin adventures to thrilling coasters, you’ll create unforgettable memories with your family. Don’t forget to plan your day around show times and bring comfortable shoes for all that walking. Whether you’re meeting Elmo, watching dolphins dance, or facing sharks underwater, every moment will be magical. Pack your sense of adventure and get ready for the best family day ever at SeaWorld Orlando!