It was our final day in Florida. We had a few hours to get some rides in before we had to be back at the airport to fly home. But what would we do? We had several options available to us:
- Visit the Fun Spot parks again. We bought season passes and could go back at no cost. Since they don’t though, we wouldn’t have much time at all.
- Visit either Islands of Adventure (IoA) or Universal Studios Florida (USF) again. We had one day left to visit either one of those two parks on the ticket package deal we picked. We’d have to pay $30 to park. And walking all of City Walk both entering and exiting would seriously eat into ride time.
- Visit SeaWorld Orlando again. While we probably couldn’t ride every single coaster again, we could focus on our favorites. Our passes also let us get in for free with up-close premier parking.
We obviously went with Option 3 as the name of this trip report has already spoiled. I just thought I’d show you what options we had and explain a little about what went into our decision making to return. Well, aside from having two of our favorite coasters of the trip in Mako and Pipeline the Surf Coaster.
Bitten by a Mako, Surfing a Pipeline, Frightened by a Kraken, & Chilling w/ Penguins
Knowing we only had a few hours we kept our fingers crossed that the park wouldn’t be busy and we’d be able to get in at least a couple of rides on both Mako and Pipeline. Those were our priorities. Anything else would be extra.
Suprisingly, we ended up getting in a little more variation in rides that we thought heading back to the park.
Mako & Pipeline
We walked into an empty station for Mako and thought we might get in a bunch of rides with how fast B&M Hyper operations are at most parks. Sadly though, the park was only running one train so the wait was a bit longer than we had hoped. We also didn’t luck out with having empty rows when we returned to get in rides without having to walk back around again.
I fully expected Sam to want to ride Mako until we had to leave, but to my surprise she said we should go ride something else after our third ride. I think the one train operations and stale, hot air in the station made that choice for her. Naturally we decided to go to Pipeline afterward.
Once again, I figured we’d end up staying there until it was time to leave. But nope. We got in two rides and Sam was up for trying to ride something else before we left. I was game even though I really love Pipeline and would have been fine riding it until it was time to go.
Kraken
We had no desire to walk all the way over to Ice Breaker, especially since it was running one train a few days ago and the operations were some of the slowest I’ve experienced. In all honesty, the ride didn’t live up to expectations either, so we stayed toward the front of the park.
That left us with Manta, Kraken, Journey to Atlantis, and Penguin Trek as our options. Journey to Atlantis was out as we didn’t want to get drenched and then jump on our flight with wet clothes. Neither of us were feeling a ride on a flying coaster either, so no Manta. And with Penguin Trek being a family coaster, the line would surely be longer and eat into ride time. So Kraken it was and thankfully, it was only a station wait.
After my ride on Kraken Saturday, I was debating on whether or not it was my favorite B&M Floorless Coaster. After this extra ride on it before heading home, it was official. This ride was even more enjoyable and was one I wish we could have rode even more.
Penguin Trek
After our ride on Kraken we began making out of the park. That’s when I saw Penguin Trek had a 5 minute wait listed. I told Sam I wanted to ride it. She didn’t, so I told her I’ll find her when I’m done. I don’t know why I wanted to ride it again, but I did. It wasn’t anything special, but I don’t know. I just wanted to. The wait was short and hey, I’d get to chill out with some penguins on the way out again. Sam changed her mind as I began making my way to the entrance.
We made Penguin Trek our final ride of the trip and I even found an opening day t-shirt for the ride on sale in the gift shop for $12 afterward. After striking out on a Mako and Pipeline shirt in my size, I decided to go ahead and buy it. Can’t say I’ve seen any other enthusiast wearing one when out at a park. I’ve also been known to grab the less popular and even horrible coaster shirts , so I can add it to my collection. Not saying it’s a horrible ride. Just not one I expected to be buying a shirt for on this trip.
Final Ride Counts
Kraken (1)
Mako (3)
Penguin Trek (1)
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster (2)
A Good Call with Only a Few Hours
As much as I would have liked to have gotten in another ride or two on Velocicoaster at IoA, this was the better play. We got to ride several coasters and ride a couple of them numerous times. This was the most bang for our buck, even though we spent zero bucks making this choice. Does that even make sense? Oh well. I’m sure you get what I’m saying.
To be honest, our time spent at SeaWorld Orlando was some of the best from this entire trip. It was also wild returning to this park all these years later having visited it back in 1989 as a kid – way before roller coasters were even a thought for the park. I surely won’t be waiting that long to return again and I can’t wait to see what other awesome rides they decide to add to this already awesome line up.
SeaWorld Orlando Photo Gallery - September 23, 2025
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CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): n/a
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): n/a