SeaWorld San Antonio Rides
SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the three primary locations for the SeaWorld theme parks in America, with the other two parks in San Diego and Orlando.
Like SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio shares many of the same rides as the other SeaWorld theme parks but with minor variations, in addition to having rides that neither of the other parks has.
SeaWorld San Antonio has 17 rides and attractions, including thrill, water, and kids rides. This guide will focus on these 15 attractions and give you all the information you need to know about each ride, including ride experience, wait times, height requirements or limitations, and more.
By the time you finish the guide, you’ll have all the tools necessary to make the most out of your next SeaWorld San Antonio trip!
Let’s get started!
#1 – Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a small kid’s mini rollercoaster in Sesame Street’s Bay of Play. Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a perfect beginner rollercoaster for little kids or adults.
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby Ride Experience
The ride begins with a slight incline followed by a loop that takes riders through two small trees and back into the launch area. The ride repeats through the loop one final time at the same speed before bringing riders back to the start, ending the ride.
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby Height Requirements
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a kid’s ride with no drops or inversions and maintains a slow speed throughout the entire duration. As such, there is a minimum height requirement of 38″; however, guests 38″-41″ require a ride companion who is at least 14 years old.
Wait times for Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for Super Grover’s Box Car Derby.
#2 – Grover’s Round-Up
Grover’s Round-Up is a classic carousel ride in Sesame Street’s Bay of Play.
Grover’s Round-Up Ride Experience
On the carousel, riders can choose from various colored horses to ride on. During the ride, Elmo and Grover will sing a song from Sesame Street until the ride ends. The duration of the ride is approximately two minutes.
Is there a handicap option on Grover’s Round Up?
For handicapped riders, there is a bench available for accessibility.
Height Requirement for Grover’s Round-Up
Riders 42″ or under must be accompanied by a companion at least 14 years old.
Wait time for Grover’s Round-Up
You can expect to wait 5 minutes to ride Grover’s Round-Up.
#3 – Abby Cadabby’s Rockin’ Wave
Abby Cadabby’s Rockin’ Wave is SeaWorld San Antonio’s version of SeaWorld San Diego’s ride, Oscar’s Rockin’ Eel. Rockin’ Wave is SeaWorld San Antonio’s Bay of Play’s most exciting ride for kids.
The ride takes place on a large half-pipe ramp. The ride vehicle, a fish, has six rows, with the passengers in the back three rows facing those in the front three. In the center of the fish, a barrier separates the six rows.
Abby Cadabby’s Rockin’ Wave Ride Experience
The ride begins with the riders slowly going up and down the half-pipe ramp. After the third time, the riders pick up speed and start spinning from the center of the fish as they slide up and down the ramp. The ride continues for approximately two minutes before it ends.
Height Requirements for Abby Cadabby’s Rockin’ Wave
Like the other Bay of Play rides, there is no height requirement. However, those under 42″ must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
Wait Time for Abby Cadabby’s Rockin’ Wave
You can expect to wait 10 minutes for Abby Cadabby’s Rockin’ Wave.
#4 – Big Bird’s Spinning Reef
Big Bird’s Spinning Reef is a mini Ferris wheel in Sesame Street’s Bay of Play. Each Ferris wheel pod can hold three passengers (two kids, one adult), but max two adults (if no kids).
Big Bird’s Spinning Reef Ride Experience
Big Bird’s Spinning Reef is a forward-facing Ferris wheel that gives riders a decent view of the Bay of Play. However, as the Spinning Reef is a kid’s ride, it does not go up high. The highest point of the ride is approximately 15 ft.
This ride is also extremely slow-moving, so even if a child fears heights, Big Bird’s Spinning Reef should not affect the phobia.
Height Requirements for Big Bird’s Spinning Reef
There are no height requirements to ride Big Bird’s Spinning Reef; however, all guests 36″ or under must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
Wait Times for Big Bird’s Spinning Reef
You can expect a 5-minute wait for this SeaWorld San Antonio ride.
#5 – Elmo’s Dolphin Dive
Elmo’s Dolphin Dive is SeaWorld San Antonio’s version of SeaWorld San Diego’s Sea Dragon Drop.
Elmo’s Dolphin Dive Ride Experience
Although Elmo’s Dolphin Dive is considered a kid’s vertical drop ride, a better description would be a bounce ride. On Elmo’s Dolphin Dive, riders are lifted into the air (approximately 20 ft), slowly dropped short distances (around 2 ft), and lifted back up to the top multiple times until they are gently brought back to the ground. In total, the ride’s duration is 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Elmo’s Dolphin Dive Height Requirement
The height requirement for Elmo’s Dolphin Dive is 36″.
Wait Times for Elmo’s Dolphin Dive
Wait times for Elmo’s Dolphin Dive are usually 5 minutes.
#6 – Little Bird’s Splash and Tot’s Ahoy
Little Bird’s Splash is a water pad for children filled with interactive water elements like water squirters, geysers, water drop buckets, and a jungle gym. There are also many mushroom water fountains that drop water from above.
Tot’s Ahoy is a dry play area with slides and climbing activities for kids up to age 3.
Little Bird’s Splash and Tot’s Ahoy are perfect for kids who may be too small to enjoy the other rides at Sesame Street’s Bay of Play.
#7 – Steel Eel
Steel Eel is a high-speed hypercoaster at SeaWorld San Antonio that is the perfect first-time experience for young riders looking to try their first “adult” ride.
SeaWorld San Antonio Steel Eel Ride Experience
Steel Eel begins with riders embarking from the launch station and making a U-turn into a slow, 150 ft incline. The riders drop from the peak, reaching a maximum speed of 65 mph at the bottom, and slightly curve to the side, going up two smaller hills.
The second hill leads to a brake that slows the riders down before they descend 130 ft down a right turn drop, leading to another drop between two coaster pillars. Riders then go over four small hills before slowing down and returning to the launch zone, ending the ride.
SeaWorld San Antonio Steel Eel Height Requirement
As there are no inversions, spins, or significant launches, the Steel Eel is the perfect beginner “adult” coaster. That being the case, the height requirement for the Steel Eel is 48″.
Wait times for Steel Eel
You can expect to wait 10 minutes to ride the Steel Eel.
#8 – Wave Breaker
Wave Breaker is a launch thrill ride that puts riders on a jet ski and races them across the lake in the center of SeaWorld San Antonio.
SeaWorld San Antonio Wave Breaker Ride Experience
Wave Breaker begins with riders entering a hanger with screens lining the sides of the wall with a closed, blue garage door at the end. A voice over the speakers gives instructions and begins a countdown. The door slides open when the countdown ends, and riders launch onto the track.
Riders go up a small camelback hill that turns to the left between the pillars of Wave Breaker and over the lake. Riders glide over the lake making small turns to simulate riding on a jet ski. Riders make a hard left at the lake’s edge, bringing them to the second launch up a 60 ft hill, the track’s highest point.
Riders plunge towards the lake on a wide left turn and over a small island. Riders then go back over the lake and under three tracks before returning to the land and into the launch station, ending the ride.
Wave Breaker Height Requirement
As there are no inversions and the top speed only reaches 44 mph, Wave Breaker is considered a family-friendly rollercoaster. As such, the height requirement for Wave Breaker is 48″.
Wave Breaker Wait Times
You can expect to wait 10 minutes to ride the Wave Breaker at SeaWorld San Antonio.
#9 – The Great White
The Great White is a floorless coaster with multiple inversions, twists, and loops. It is one of the most intense SeaWorld San Antonio rollercoasters but also one of the most fun. Great White also is the first rollercoaster built at SeaWorld San Antonio and the first inverted rollercoaster built in Texas. Riders may also be familiar with the ride layout as the Great White is identical to the famous Six Flags Batman rides.
SeaWorld San Antonio The Great White Ride Experience
The Great White begins with a 108 ft incline up a chain lift hill. Riders descend 80 ft on a left turn, directly into the ride’s first inversion, a vertical loop. The vertical loop immediately leads to a Zero-G roll, followed by a second vertical loop.
Riders then make a hard left turn and a right turn leading into a wingover flip. At the same speed of 50 mph, riders continue down the track, feet dangling close to the ground until they go up into the last inversion of the ride, a second wingover flip that banks left and into the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld San Antonio Great White Height Requirements
As the Great White is one of the most intense rollercoasters at SeaWorld San Antonio, with multiple back-to-back inversions and a unique floorless structure, it has one of the strictest height requirements.
To ride the Great White, guests must be 54″.
SeaWorld San Antonio Great White Wait Times
You can expect to wait 15 minutes to ride the Great White.
#10 – Rio Loco
Rio Loco is a white water raft ride at SeaWorld San Antonio, similar to SeaWorld San Diego’s Shipwreck Rapids, but without the theming.
SeaWorld San Antonio Rio Loco Ride Experience
Rio Loco begins with riders leaving the spinning round pier. The water starts off calm but quickly increases in speed. Throughout the ride, the raft will crash into the rapids, spilling water into the raft and drenching a guest.
At one point, riders will pass a sprinkler that sprays water into the raft wetting all the guests. The finale for Rio Loco is a huge waterfall that riders pass under, drenching all on the raft. The raft then floats onto a conveyor belt that brings riders back to the pier ending the ride.
SeaWorld San Antonio Rio Loco Height Requirement
Guests must be 42″ to ride the Rio Loco.
SeaWorld San Antonio Rio Loco Wait Times
You can expect to wait 10 minutes for this ride.
#11 – Texas Stingray
The Texas Stingray is the longest, fastest, and tallest wooden rollercoaster in Texas (compared to the Texas Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas). It is also the newest of the three, opening in 2020.
SeaWorld San Antonio Texas Stingray Ride Experience
Texas Stingray begins with riders climbing the 96 ft hill to reach the highest point of the ride. At its peak, the track makes a U-turn into the 100 ft drop, reaching a top speed of 55 mph. The drop leads to a hill that curves downwards under an opening in the tracks. This opening leads to another downward right curving hill that takes riders to a wide left curve.
Riders continue on a leftward angle until they curve to the right and go under another opening. The track turns leftward until it turns right into an opening under one of the coaster’s edges that leads down into a wooden tunnel. The tunnel’s exit leads into a slight right turn, a small bunny slope, and a final right turn that leads into a barn where the Texas Stingray began, thus ending the ride.
Though this is considered the tallest, fastest, and longest wooden rollercoaster in Texas, the Texas Stingray is still a tame ride, making it a great experience for younger riders or those afraid of inversion rollercoasters like The Great White.
SeaWorld San Antonio Texas Stingray Height Requirements
The Height requirement for the Texas Stingray is 46″.
Wait times for the Texas Stingray
You can expect to wait 20 minutes for the Texas Stingray.
#12 – Sea Swinger
The Sea Swinger is a high-intensity aerial pendulum swing ride that continuously builds momentum throughout the two-minute experience.
SeaWorld San Antonio Sea Swinger Ride Experience
The Sea Swinger begins with riders taking a seat. An overhead harness comes down and locks itself in place. The metal ground spreads apart, and orchestrated music plays over the speakers. The swing begins to move slowly from side to side with a gradual spin. The swing goes higher and higher on each side until riders eventually swing at high speed.
Eventually, riders swing high enough in the air to get a complete view of Turtle Reef at SeaWorld San Antonio from above by putting them parallel to the ground before they fall back down in the opposite direction.
Height Requirements for the Sea Swinger at SeaWorld San Antonio
Guests must be 48″ to ride the Sea Swinger.
Wait times for the sea Swinger
You can expect to wait 10 minutes for this SeaWorld San Antonio ride.
#13 – Riptide Rescue
Riptide Rescue is an aerial spinning ride that’s not for the faint of heart (or stomach). Riptide Rescue is also featured at SeaWorld San Diego.
SeaWorld San Antonio Riptide Rescue Ride Experience
The ride begins with each of the three arms spinning in a circle. The rider’s boats (four per arm) tilt back and forth as the spinning continues. As the riders tilt, the boats spin separately from the arms. Then, the arms raise the boats as they continue to spin faster. The layered spinning continues for two minutes until the riders are gradually brought back to the ground, ending the ride.
Should you go on Riptide Rescue if you get motion sickness easily?
Because Riptide Rescue is a pure spinning ride, those affected by motion sickness should not go on this ride. Dizziness and nausea are likely to occur while on Riptide Rescue.
Height Requirement for Riptide Rescue at SeaWorld San Antonio
The height requirement for Riptide Rescue is 45″.
Wait Times for Riptide Rescue
You can expect to wait 10 minutes for this ride.
#14 – Tidal Surge
Tidal Surge is a giant swing that also is the tallest and fastest attraction at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Riders have the choice of two views available per swing arm. The first option is the back view, which faces the lake, and the second is the front view, which faces the queue. These options give different experiences for Tidal Surge, so it is up to the rider’s discretion to pick which one is most appealing to them. Each option can hold 20 riders at a time for a total of 40 riders per ride.
SeaWorld San Antonio Tidal Surge Ride Experience
Tidal Surge begins by lifting the two pendulum arms in opposite directions. The arm on the left rises towards the lake while the arm on the right rises towards the queue. Each arm then swings, causing them to move at high speeds.
Each swing progressively gets higher and higher until it reaches a peak of 135 ft. At the peak height, the rider feels like they are lying on their back facing the sky. Falling from that height causes the ride to move at a top speed of 65 mph, making it one of the fastest in SeaWorld San Antonio. The total duration for the swings on Tidal Surge is about 1 minute and 30 seconds until, eventually, the ride slows, bringing it to an end.
Height Requirement for Tidal Surge
Guests must be 48″ to ride Tidal Surge.
Wait Time for Tidal Surge
You can expect to wait 10 minutes for this SeaWorld San Antonio ride.
#15 – Journey to Atlantis
Though Journey to Atlantis is a water ride featured in all three SeaWorld parks, each version differs in meaningful ways. The Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld San Antonio ditches the theming that the other two parks have and instead focuses on the “thrill” portion of the ride by eliminating the towers and indoor parts.
SeaWorld San Antonio Journey to Atlantis Ride Experience
Journey to Atlantis begins with riders stepping into the noticeably larger flume boat. Each boat has four rows, with each row able to seat four riders. Once the flume moves, it begins a 100 ft climb up a hill. At the hill’s peak, the flume stops on a rotating turntable. The track rotates twice until the flume is backward.
Riders then drop backward down a camelback drop and arrive at the top of the hill where they stop on a second rotating turntable. The flume then turns until the riders face forward. Riders then take the final 80 ft drop into the pool below, causing a massive wave that wets all riders. The flume slowly floats back to the starting station, ending the ride.
Height Requirement for Journey to Atlantis
Guests must be 40″ to ride Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Wait time for Journey to Atlantis
You can expect a 15 minute wait for the ride.
Height Requirements for SeaWorld San Antonio Rides
- Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
- No requirements, but guests 38″ and below need a companion 14 years or older to ride.
- Grover’s Round Up
- No requirements, but guests 42″ and below need a companion 14 years or older to ride.
- Abby Cadabby Rockin Wave
- No requirements, but guests 42″ and below need a companion 14 years or older to ride.
- Big Bird’s Spinning Reef
- No requirements, but guests 36″ and below need a companion 14 years or older to ride.
- Elmo’s Dolphin Dive
- No requirements, but guests 36″ and below need a companion 14 years or older to ride.
- Steel Eel
- At least 48″ to ride.
- Wave Breaker
- At least 48″ to ride.
- Great White
- At least 54″ to ride.
- Rio Loco
- At least 42″ to ride.
- Texas Stingray
- At least 46″ to ride.
- Sea Swinger
- At least 48″ to ride.
- Riptide Rescue
- At least 45″ to ride.
- Tidal Surge
- At least 48″ to ride.
- Journey to Atlantis
- At least 40″ to ride.
There is much more to do at SeaWorld San Antonio besides all the rides. SeaWorld is known for its aquatic animal shows, and SeaWorld San Antonio is no exception. Throughout the park, you can many shows to watch where you can see the life of the seas up close with Orcas, Dolphins, Penguins, and more.
There is also Aquatica at SeaWorld San Antonio, a water park with tons of additional rides to cool you off from that Texas sun. You’ll find a lazy river, a wave pool, and more if you spend your day on that side of SeaWorld San Antonio.
No matter what, you’ll have a great day at the park!