Don’t Miss SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular

It’s officially summer in Florida, a time when the temperature goes up - and so do the theme park hours. It adds even more value to your park tickets and provides even more fun among all the rides and regular attractions.

Just to start with, this offers the chance to manage your park hours, so you are not exhausted from being out in the heat of the day. You can take a break in the afternoon, safe in the knowledge it’s easier to get around once the sun goes down.

And then there are the theme park evenings. This is our absolute favourite time in the summer; the temperature drops just enough to make being out and about genuinely relaxing, and there is nothing better than to be able to sit back and drink in the atmosphere in relative comfort (you can even take in a few drinks if you like, too!).

Even better, the seasonal evening entertainment takes over in many places, and there are none bigger and brighter than SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular.

What is the SeaWorld Summer Spectacular?

Formerly Electric Ocean, this special programme ramps up that feeling of excitement with all-new evening entertainment that lasts all the way through to September 4, with extended hours, live events and a general heightened sense of holiday fun.

The best thing about it is that it is all timed so you can pretty much go from show to show, soak up the ambience along the way (along with some of the wares from the food and drink kiosks), and be in position for the grand finale at just the right time.

And it is all free with regular park entry - there are no extra fees or tickets to worry about.

Summer Spectacular also includes the Summer Concert Series, featuring the likes of the Little River Band, Parnmalee and Luis Enrique. It is on stage every Saturday and Sunday at the Nautilus Theater from July 8 to August 6.

There are 10 event-related ‘Summer Eats’ outdoor kiosks to enjoy, and there is an extra thrill to riding SeaWorld’s big coasters at night, including the just-opened Pipeline:The Surf Coaster, which offers a truly unique ride experience.

The full schedule runs from May 27 to September 4, but excluding some periods from Monday-Thursday (namely Jun 5-8 and 12-15, Aug 7-10, 14-17, 21-24 and 28-31).

SeaWorld Summer Spectacular Shows

Brand new in 2023 is Surf Holiday at the Nautilus Theater, which promises to bring the party mood indoors for a regular 30-minute session of live entertainment periodically throughout the day.

SeaWorld says: “Surfers and dreamers, join us for the wildest party on the sea! You’ll feel the motion of the ocean in a live stage show with singing, dancing, and an inspiring story of preservation and conservation for the beauty within our living ocean.”

That is followed each evening by Club Sea Glow, the family-friendly dance party that features DJs and 35 performers in a kaleidoscopic whirl of music, colour and acrobatics. Children are invited to take part in the dance party ‘beneath the waves’, and then stand back to watch as the acrobats, dancers and puppeteers go to work.

It is all highlighted by an eye-popping performance from a Laser DJ who ‘plays’ along to the electronic sounds from within a network of spiralling laser effects from either 7 or 8pm.

Once the dance party finally fades out, there is usually the chance to see the Orca Encounter at night at the Orca Stadium before the finishing extravaganza of Ignite, a genuinely dazzling spectacle of pyrotechnics, lasers, fountains, water-screens, fog and other special effects, which made its debut in 2017 and is now an Orlando summer highlight.

Totally enthralling and entertaining, it is underscored by an uplifting music track written especially for the show. It’s guaranteed to give you the good-time vibe of being on holiday somewhere special, and we defy you not to dance your way out of the park after this 10-minute visual spectacle.

The fireworks can be seen from all around SeaWorld’s large central lake, including from Bayside Stadium, The Waterfront, and the Orca Encounter Pathway.

What about the food and drink?

This is another undoubted SeaWorld highlight at this time of year, with a series of special food and beverage offerings around the park, all themed to the summer vibe. Take your pick from:

Flats: a series of seasonally inspired flatbreads - pepperoni, meat lovers, and margherita - along with a choice of two cocktails and wine.

Coaster Cocktails: choose from four eye-catching and lively concoctions themed to the park’s Big Four rollercoasters, Mako, Ice Breaker, Kraken and Pipeline.

Sand Bar Snacks: chow down on the likes of Chili Cheese Fries and succulent Barbecue Brisket Fries, as well as two more cocktail offerings, including the fab Banana Paradise.

Nathan’s: the famous hot-dog brand features a smoky Mexican-style Street Corn Carnitas dog.

Cafe de Mar: with light snacks like pretzels and churros, plus more cocktails.

Grey Goose Tasting Hut: some delicious libations from the well-known vodka company.

New Orleans Corner: get the Cajun taste of N’awlins - both sweet and savoury - including some delicious beignets, plus a couple of great craft beer options.

Beer Garden: some big-name US beers alongside several several craft choices.

Bayside Stadium: enjoy typical show snacks like popcorn, pretzels and cotton candy (that’s candyfloss in the UK), plus beer and sodas.

Smugglers: check out the special Pipeline cocktail - a mix of Bacardi, vodka, gin, orange juice, peach scnapps, pineapple juice and grenadine. A real adrenaline rush!

Oh, and there’s free beer!

Whisper it quietly, but Free beer is back at SeaWorld (and Busch Gardens) this summer. All visitors 21 and over are allowed one free 7-ounce sample per day. Just head to the patio bar next to Mama’s Pretzel Kitchen at the back of the park.

This is a throwback to the days when SeaWorld and Busch Gardens were owned by the Anheuser Busch brewery, and free samples of their products were a staple at each park.

As ever, it serves as a great reminder of how totally enthralling SeaWorld is these days. We highly recommend it – just don’t miss out on those barbecue brisket fries!

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