SeaWorld Orlando Rides
SeaWorld Orlando is one of the main theme park destinations in Orlando, Florida, along with Universal Studios and Disney World. SeaWorld differs from Disney World and Universal Studios by maintaining an oceanic theme with all its rides, attractions, and shows.
Though SeaWorld Orlando is the smallest theme park of the big three, there is still a lot to do while you are there. SeaWorld Orlando has 18 rides and attractions available throughout the park. This guide will cover these 18 rides and provide you with the ride experiences, average wait times, height requirements, and more.
By the end of the guide, you should have all the information you need to make your next trip to SeaWorld Orlando an incredible experience for you and your family.
#1 – Manta
Manta is a flying rollercoaster at SeaWorld Orlando, themed after the Manta Ray and its graceful swimming patterns. On Manta, riders twist, turn, and dive like a ray while lying on their stomachs, making it one of the most exciting rides in the park.
SeaWorld Orlando Manta Queue Experience
The queue for Manta takes guests through a line themed after a Manta-inspired village. As you walk through the line, guests will see various size aquariums filled with schools of fish and manta rays of all sizes. Guests can find facts about the manta ray on information plaques on the walls. Over the speakers, a man will also give additional information about the manta ray, adhering to SeaWorld’s overall theme of being an educational amusement park.
SeaWorld Orlando Manta Ride Experience
Before the ride begins, guests will sit down in their designated car in an upright position. An overhead harness, lap bar, and leg restraints will ensure guests’ safety throughout the ride. Once all guests are fastened in and deemed secure, the train will flip riders so their stomachs will face the ground, and their backs will be parallel to the overhead tracks to create the sensation of flight.
The ride begins with orchestral music accompanying the rider’s departure from the launch station. Riders slowly leave the station and make a slight left or right turn (depending on which station they started) to begin the 140 ft climb up the chain lift hill.
At the top, riders then make a 114 ft downward right turn into a 100 ft loop that brings them close to the ground, facing the sky. Riders then encounter the next inversion, an inline twist. The ride continues forward, making slight right and left turns until it comes to a corkscrew twist.
Then riders ascend to a brake run that leads to a slight drop over water, turning to simulate a manta gliding at the water’s edge. Riders climb slightly on a right angle and then turn past a waterfall, where they go over the second inline twist. The twist puts the riders on a left turn directly into the final brake run that slows them down and leads back to the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Manta Height Requirements
Guests must be at least 54″ to ride Manta.
SeaWorld Orlando Manta Average Wait Times
You can expect to wait at least 30 minutes for this SeaWorld Orlando ride.
#2 – SeaWorld Orlando Sky Tower
The SeaWorld Orlando Sky Tower takes riders up 400 ft into the air, making it the tallest observational tower in Florida. Opening in 1974 also makes the Sky Tower one of the oldest functioning rides in the park.
SeaWorld Orlando Sky Tower Ride Experience
As the sitting area slowly ascends the 400 ft lift, a woman’s voice over the speaker system will give facts about the Sky Tower and SeaWorld Orlando. Once riders reach the top, they can enjoy a 360-degree view of SeaWorld Orlando from an aerial perspective.
How much does it cost to ride the sky Tower at SeaWorld Orlando?
There is a small nominal fee of $6 to ride the Sky Tower. However, guests with Silver, Gold, or Platinum SeaWorld Orlando Annual Passes can ride for free.
Height Requirements for the Sky Tower at SeaWorld Orlando
There are no height requirements, but guests 48″ or smaller must be accompanied by a supervising companion 14 years or older.
SeaWorld Orlando Sky Tower Ride Duration
The duration of the Sky Tower is ~6 minutes.
SeaWorld Orlando Sky Tower Wait times
You can expect to wait 10 minutes for this ride.
#3 – Antartica: Empire of the Penguin
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is a trackless indoor dark ride/exhibit that follows the journey of a little penguin from birth to adulthood before allowing guests to see the real penguins of SeaWorld Orlando. Guests will go to multiple rooms throughout the ride and watch short videos showing Puck the penguin’s story.
SeaWorld Orlando Empire of the Penguin Ride Experience
The ride begins in a frozen glacier ice cave with colorful icicles hanging from the ceiling. Here, riders meet Puck, the baby penguin. Puck discovers his own reflection in the ice in the first room by slipping and sliding around. Like Puck, riders glide around in the next room to music before moving on.
In the next room, riders move in front of a screen. Puck is now an adult penguin stuck in a blizzard with the other penguins. Puck goes to the edge of the ice and now must dive into the sea to catch fish. After that, riders glide to the next room.
In this room, riders face another large screen. In the distance, riders will see a sea lion jump into the water. Puck, who doesn’t notice, jumps in as well. From there, the sea lion chases after Puck through the ocean. After an intense chase, Puck escapes and reunites with his penguin family. Doors behind the riders open to reveal the real penguin exhibit of SeaWorld Orlando. Riders are then moved to the departure station, ending the ride.
After the ride, guests can visit the penguin exhibit and watch them play.
Is Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando Closed?
As of March 2020, Empire of the Penguin has been closed to the public due to Covid. However, the penguin exhibit is still open to the public. When and if the ride will open again is uncertain.
#4 – Journey to Atlantis
Journey to Atlantis is a flume water ride/roller coaster that takes riders on a tour to the underwater city of Atlantis, where they will get more than a little wet; they’ll get soaked.
Over the years, Journey to Atlantis has significantly changed, taking away certain elements that many considered too scary for children. In doing so, SeaWorld eliminated almost all story aspects of the ride and made it a more atmospheric experience.
However, the remnants of the story remain through the architecture. Riders will see a mermaid statue, a siren head with glowing eyes that no longer do anything, but they were crucial elements of the forgotten story.
If SeaWorld brings back the story, this guide section will be updated to keep up to date. Meanwhile, as of the writing of this guide, this is the most up-to-date experience a guest to SeaWorld Orlando will have on Journey to Atlantis.
SeaWorld Orlando Journey to Atlantis Ride Experience
Journey to Atlantis begins with riders getting into the two-per-row flume boats. The boats enter a room that resembles an Italian village. A man on the speaker system welcomes the riders and tells them to prepare to get wet on their tour of Atlantis.
Riders then hear a woman harmonizing (remnants of the Siren storyline). The boat begins forward again, taking riders into a small, dark tunnel with stars and sparkles surrounding the walls, meant to represent transporting under the sea.
The boat enters a room filled with neon coral covering all walls. A mermaid sits in a chair at the far end of the right side of the room. A hammerhead shark and red eyes hiding in holes appear on the left side. On the right, riders can see the outskirts of Atlantis.
Riders pass an archway and enter Atlantis city proper. Water spurts guide the riders on their tour through the city. Riders then pass through an outdoor area with a water fountain and some buildings that show the greek inspired architecture of Atlantis. They then pass through an archway that represents entering one of the buildings.
Inside, riders pass a large water fountain to their right, still following water spurts. Again, riders will hear the woman harmonizing in the distance. At this point, the happy music takes an ominous tone, signaling the beginning of the first climb up a chain lift hill, which takes riders out of the building.
Outside, riders then make a left u-turn into a second chain lift hill that takes riders to another u-turn that leads into a large, 60 ft drop into the pool below, creating a huge wave that soaks all in the boat.
The boat floats along the u-shaped river that leads to a slight drop, creating a surprisingly massive water splash drenching the riders again. The small drop leads into the third chain lift hill, which takes riders into an Atlantian building with many little lights spread throughout the floors and walls.
The room leads into a steel track coaster which takes riders to the left at high speed, then turns right into a pool, creating another wave that wets all the riders in the boat. The boat then follows the river back to the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Journey to Atlantis Height Requirements
Guest must be at least 42″ to ride Journey to Atlantis, but those between 42″ and 48″ must be accompanied by a supervising companion at least 14 years or older. Guests 48″ and taller may ride without a companion.
SeaWorld Orlando Journey to Atlantis Average Wait Times
You can expect to wait at least 15 minutes to ride Journey to Atlantis.
#5 – Kraken
Kraken is a floorless rollercoaster in SeaWorld Orlando based on the mythical deep sea monster. This ride is the only floorless coaster in Orlando, making it a unique experience for all riders. There are seven inversions throughout the ride, it has a maximum height of 153 ft tall, and it reaches a top speed of 65 mph, making it one of the most intense rides at SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando Kraken Ride Experience
Kraken begins after the floor retracts to the sides of the train beneath the rider’s feet. Riders make a small u-turn into the slow climb of the 150 ft chain lift hill. At the top, the riders take a right turn that leads into a 140 ft drop, reaching a speed of 65 mph.
The drop takes riders directly into the first inversion, a 120 ft tall loop. A second diving loop follows the vertical loop, bringing riders near Mako’s chain lift hill and into a spiraling zero-g roll that simulates weightlessness, followed by yet another roll.
Riders then make a left turn into a brake run, which leads to a downward left turn into a second vertical loop. Then riders enter a cave representing the Kraken’s lair which exits directly into a corkscrew twist. The track leads to a final brake run slowing the train enough to return riders to the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Kraken Height Requirements
To ride the Kraken, guests must be at least 54″.
SeaWorld Orlando Kraken Average Wait Times
You can expect to wait 15 minutes to ride the Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando.
#6 – Mako
In 2016, Mako was considered Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest rollercoaster. As of today, this hypercoaster themed after the Mako shark retains that title, making it one of the most fun experiences at SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando Mako Ride Experience
Mako begins as riders make a slight right turn into the 200 ft tall chain lift hill. An orchestral soundtrack plays in the background as riders make their way up the hill. At its peak, the music crescendos as the riders drop 200 ft, reaching a top speed of 73 mph, faster than any coaster in Orlando and the second fastest in Florida, only behind the Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.
The drop leads to a tilted left turn that takes riders over the lake’s edge and into an airtime hill. Riders then make a slow drop leading to a raised wide u-turn into another hill parallel to the airtime hill. This leads to a series of hills, with the last banking right under the Mako’s tracks and over the lake’s edge. Riders go over a bump, then another, leading to a brake run.
Riders take a slight left turn under the chain lift hill, then go over another airtime hill into a sharp right turn followed by a quick left turn over the central lake. Riders continue at a leftward angle until they reach the final brake run that leads directly into the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Mako Height Restrictions
Guests must be 54″ to ride the Mako.
Is the Mako at SeaWorld Orlando A Scary Ride?
Although Mako is the fastest, tallest, and longest coaster in SeaWorld Orlando, because there are no inversions during the ride, it is one of the most accessible to young riders. It is a perfect gateway into scarier rides, like the Kraken.
Average Wait time for the Mako at SeaWorld Orlando
You can expect to wait 15 minutes to ride the Mako.
#7 – Flamingo Paddle Boats
The Flamingo Paddle Boat ride is a fun activity where guests at SeaWorld Orlando can get into a two-passenger flamingo boat and paddle across the central lake.
Though this is called the Flamingo Paddle Boat, riders don’t use paddles to move. Instead, riders continuously peddle as if they are on a bike to move their boat.
How long can you ride the Flamingo Paddle Boats at SeaWorld Orlando?
Riders are allowed 20 minutes on the lake.
How much does the Flamingo Paddle Boats cost to ride at SeaWorld Orlando?
Riding the Flamingo Paddle Boats has a separate charge of $6 per person.
Life Jackets on the Flamingo Paddle Boats
Guests must wear life jackets at all times while on the water.
#8 – Infinity Falls
Infinity Falls is a river rapids ride that will thoroughly soak all riders from beginning to end. It also has the tallest drop of any river raft ride in the world.
SeaWorld Orlando Infinity Falls Ride Experience
Infinity Falls begins as riders depart the station. The river initially moves slowly, taking riders past the flamingo exhibit. The river speeds up immediately past the flamingos; however, the actual rapids do not begin until riders pass the brick archway with the wooden sun sculpture.
Halfway through the ride, riders will move up a conveyor belt hill to the second half of the river. On the conveyor belt, riders pass below the final drop. A ritualistic music soundtrack accompanies riders on their trip down the rapids from this point on.
After a series of large bumps in the river that soak all passengers, riders arrive at an elevator that takes them up 40 ft. At the peak, riders drop down the 40 ft slide into the river below, creating a massive wave that covers the entire raft. From there, riders flow back to the initial conveyor belt at the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Infinity Falls Height Requirements
There is a height limitation and maximum for Infinity Falls. Riders must be at least 42″ to ride Infinity Falls. However, all guests between 42″ and 48″ must ride with a companion at least 14 years or older.
Guests over 77″ (6’6+) may not ride Infinity Falls.
SeaWorld Orlando Infinity Falls Average Wait Time
You can expect a 10-minute wait for Infinity Falls.
#9 – Ice Breaker
Icebreaker is a thrill ride at SeaWorld Orlando with the steepest verticle drop in Florida and utilizes both forward and backward momentum to move riders.
SeaWorld Orlando Icebreaker Ride Experience
Icebreaker begins by moving riders forward towards a dead-end track. The train stops—a conveyor belt then shifts riders to the right, placing them onto the completed track.
Riders launch backward slowly, bringing them over a slight hill before they race forward faster, back over the two hills and towards a tall incline. The train stops at the peak of the incline and falls backward at a rapid speed. The train moves back over the two hills and climbs backward up a 93 ft tall spike, angling riders at a 100-degree angle, making it the steepest drop in Florida.
Riders fall forwards at 52 mph going over the two small hills and, this time, successfully climbing the tall hill. Riders drop at a slight right angle and race over two hills before climbing on a right-angled hill and then banking left under the tracks.
Riders immediately make a tilted sharp right turn, then a left turn, then a final right turn under more tracks before going a small camelback hill that leads into a brake run, slowing the riders down. They make a u-turn that takes them back to the departure station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Icebreaker Height Requirement
Riders must be 54″ to ride the Icebreaker.
SeaWorld Orlando Icebreaker Average Wait Time
You can expect a 10-minute wait for this ride.
Sesame Street Land
#10 – Abby’s Flower Tower
Abby’s Flower Tower in Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando is a kid’s aerial carousel/spinning ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Abby’s Flower Tower Ride Experience
On the ride, riders lift into the air in their flower cups. The flowers revolve around a center structure throughout the 2 min 30-sec ride.
Inside each flower is a wheel that riders can use to spin their flower cup. The harder the rider turns the wheel, the faster the flower spins. There is no limit to how fast the flow can spin. Since four adults can fit inside each flower, which means four grown adults spinning the wheel, Abby’s Flower Tower has the potential to be the most intense ride at SeaWorld Orlando.
Otherwise, if the rider chooses not to touch the wheel, Abby’s Flower Tower remains a peaceful ride that gives a decent aerial view of Sesame Street Land.
Should you ride Abby’s Flower Tower if you get motion sickness?
Because Abby’s Flower Tower is a spinning ride, motion sickness is possible during the attraction. If being on a spinning ride or watching others spin extremely fast makes you uncomfortable, you may want to skip this ride.
Height Requirements for Abby’s Flower Tower
To ride Abby’s Flower Tower, guests must be at least 42″ or accompanied by a supervising companion at least 14 years or older.
Average Wait Times for Abby’s Flower Tower at SeaWorld Orlando
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for this ride.
#11 – Slimey’s Slider
Slimey’s Slider is one of the only SeaWorld rides that appear in all three SeaWorld parks (Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego), albeit with different names.
Slimey’s Slider is a simple kid’s spinning ride that puts riders in an open-top worm “boat” and spins them around as they move up and down a halfpipe ramp.
There are six rows in the worm boat where the riders in the front three rows face the riders in the back three. The center of the worm boat acts as the axis for the spin.
SeaWorld Orlando Slimey’s Slider Ride Experience
The ride begins with the boat rocking back and forth on the halfpipe ramp. Then, as the worm boat moves up and down, it begins to spin. For the first half of the ride, the worm boat spins in a leftward direction. During the second half, the worm boat spins in a rightward direction. Eventually, the worm boat stops spinning and levels out, going side to side up the halfpipe ramp before returning to the starting position, ending the ride.
The total duration of the ride is approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
SeaWorld Orlando Slimey’s Slider Height Requirements
There are no height requirements for Slimey’s Slider, but guests 42″ or under must be accompanied by a ride companion at least 14 years or older.
Average Wait time for Slimey’s Slider at SeaWorld Orlando
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for Slimey’s Slider.
#12 – Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is a kid’s rollercoaster perfect for little ones who want to experience their first coaster.
SeaWorld Orlando Super Grover’s Box Car Derby Ride Experience
The ride begins with a slow incline up a small hill. Riders then slowly drop on a leftward angle, picking up speed. The track inclines at a slight right angle, taking riders down another right-angled drop under the tracks. The train turns left, slows down, then goes over a small bump. Riders make a u-turn back into the launch station, ending the ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Super Grover’s Box Car Derby Height Requirements
Guests must be at least 38″ to ride Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, but all guests between 38″ and 41″ must be accompanied by a supervising companion 14 years or older.
Average Wait time for Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for this ride.
#13 – Rubber Duckie Water Works
Rubber Ducky Water Works is a small kid’s splash area with water fountains and squirters. Rubber Ducky Water Works is the perfect play area for kids who want to get wet without having to ride one of the water rides at SeaWorld Orlando.
Do you need to know how to swim to enjoy Rubber Duckie Water Works?
No. You do not need to know how to swim to use a splash play area.
#14 – Rosita’s Harmony Hills at SeaWorld Orlando
Rosita’s Harmony Hills is a small dry astroturf play area for kids with small hills to roll over, little slides to go down, and wind chimes and drums to make music.
There are benches to sit on for adults while watching the kids play. This is a perfect area for adults to take a break after a long day with the kids at the amusement park.
#15 – Cookie Drop
Cookie Drop is a simple children’s drop ride in Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando. Other identical versions are at the other two SeaWorld theme parks as well.
SeaWorld Orlando Cookie Drop Ride Experience
Cookie Drop begins with riders reaching the top of the tower. The ride slowly drops the riders a few feet before lifting them again. This repeats a few times until riders are slowly brought back to the ground, ending the ride. The ride duration is approximate 1 minute.
SeaWorld Orlando Cookie Drop Height Requirements
There are no height requirements, but guests below 42″ must be accompanied by a supervising companion at least 14 years or older. However, no hand-held infants are allowed to ride.
Average Wait Times for Cookie Drop
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for this ride.
#16 – Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl
Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl is a mini spinning teacup ride in Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl Ride Experience
Similar to Abby’s Flower Tower, Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl is a teacup spinning ride that allows riders to determine how fast they spin while the cups revolve around the center structure (Big Bird in his nest). The faster the rider spins the wheel in the center of the cup, the more intense the ride gets. The total ride duration for Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl is approximately 2 minutes.
Unlike Abby’s Flower Tower, the cups are much smaller. Only two grown adults can comfortably sit inside the cups at once, so that may limit how fast the cups move. In addition, these cups are much closer to one another than on Abby’s Flower Tower. The speed at which the cups move may be limited for the safety of the riders.
Motion Sickness on Big Bird Twirl ‘N’ Whirl
Because Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl is a spinning ride, you may want to skip this ride if you are prone to motion sickness.
Average Wait Time for Big Bird Twirl ‘N’ Whirl
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for this ride.
#17 – Elmo’s Choo Choo Train
Elmo’s Choo Choo Train is a short train ride through a garden in Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld Orlando Elmo’s Choo Choo Train Ride Experience
On the train, the front row is the covered locomotive, where riders can pull on a string to ring the train’s bell. The back row is the covered caboose seat. The middle rows are open-air seats. As this is a kid’s ride, the seats may be small for most adults; however, kids can comfortably fit in.
During the ride, the train moves through a garden. In the garden are caterpillar and snail cutouts and a moving butterfly animatronic. As the train passes the bugs, Elmo will ask if the riders see them.
The duration of the train ride is approximately 1 minute.
Height Requirement for Elmo’s Choo Choo Train at SeaWorld Orlando
Guests must be 36″ to ride the train.
Average Wait Time for Elmo’s Choo Choo Train
You can expect to wait 5 minutes for this ride.
#18 – Sunny Day Carousel
The Sunny Day Carousel is a classic carousel ride themed to Sesame Street.
There are many different colored horses riders can pick on the carousel. Benches are available on the ride for disabled guests or those with non-walking toddlers.
The carousel duration is approximately 2 minutes.
Sunny Day Carousel Height Requirements and restrictions
There are no height requirements for the Sunny Day Carousel; however, guests under 42″ must be accompanied by a supervising companion at least 14 years or older who stands next to the rider’s horse. Infants who cannot walk and must be held may only sit on one of the benches if they ride the carousel.
Height Requirements for SeaWorld Orlando Rides
- Manta
- Guests must be at least 54″ to ride Manta.
- Sky Tower
- No height requirement
- Journey to Atlantis
- Guest must be at least 42″ to ride Journey to Atlantis.
- Kraken
- Guests must be at least 54″ to ride the Kraken.
- Mako
- Guests must be at least 54″ to ride the Mako.
- Flamingo Paddle Boat Ride
- No height requirement (but guests must wear life jackets at all times)
- Infinity Falls
- Guests must be at least 42″ to ride Infinity Falls.
- Guests over 77″ (6’6) may not ride Infinity Falls.
- Ice Breaker
- Guests must be at least 54″ to ride Ice Breaker.
- Abby’s Flower Tower
- No height requirement, but guests 42″ and below must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
- Slimey’s Slider
- No height requirement, but guests 42″ and below must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
- Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
- Guests must be at least 38″ to ride Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. Guests between 38″ and 41″ must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older to ride.
- Cookie Drop
- No height requirement, but guests 42″ and below must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
- Big Bird’s Twirl ‘N’ Whirl
- No height requirement, but guests 36″ and below must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
- Elmo’s Choo Choo Train
- Guests must be at least 36″ to ride Elmo’s Choo Choo Train.
- Sunny Day Carousel
- No height requirement, but guests 42″ and below must be accompanied by a companion 14 years or older.
Though the rides at SeaWorld Orlando are one of the biggest appeals of the park, they aren’t the only aspect of the park to enjoy. SeaWorld Orlando is full of many more activities throughout the park for everyone to enjoy. You can watch one of the many famous animal shows in the park, including the world-famous Orca Encounter or Dolphin Adventures.
Do you want to get even wetter after going on Infinity Falls or Journey to Atlantis? Head over to SeaWorld Aquatica, the waterpark! Aquatica has a lazy river, a wave pool, places to relax, and tons of slides. No matter how you plan to spend your day at SeaWorld Orlando, it’s sure to be fun!
If you want to learn more about the other SeaWorld parks and everything they offer, click on the buttons below!