SeaWorld's Blue Horizons!

Blue Horizons is performed 6 times daily at Orlando’s SeaWorld in the Whale and Dolphin Theater. Designed to blend water and sky, birds, dolphins, and performers add credence to the idea that we are all one. . . in the Blue Horizon!

The Whale and Dolphin Theater seats many, but it is not as large as Shamu Stadium. The shows fill up fast, so get there early to find a seat, especially during peak travel times.

While the main focus is on the performers in the water. . . the dolphins, performers in the air add creativity and depth to the show. If only dolphins could fly and birds could swim!

The trainers synchronize the moves seamlessly displaying feats skill, balance, and courage.

It was interesting that the day we were there, the dolphins suddenly stopped performing and the show came to a halt. The music played on, as if in the background, while the trainers explained what was happening.

You see, the dolphins are asked to perform. . . not told or required or punished if they don’t. If they choose not to, it has to be OK. One of the larger female dolphins had entered the performing tank only to find some smaller male dolphins and she took to bullying them. She wouldn’t let them back into their holding tank or let them perform. So, the trainers distracted her with a toy to let her move out of the way to get the other dolphins into the holding tank.

The show ended just shortly before the finale, so we didn’t feel cheated as guests. We were invited to attend a showing later in the day if we liked.



I have always wondered if the stopping of the show to explain what was happening wasn’t part of the show. . . part of the story. Since I haven’t been to another Blue Horizons show since, I have never been quite sure. If you have seen Blue Horizons, maybe you can confirm.



To read about touring SeaWorld, click here. To read more about Shamu’s Believe show, click here. To read about the boy’s dolphin encounter, click here.

SeaWorld's Believe!

While there has been some controversy of late about the necessity of having large killer whales perform and interact with humans, SeaWorld’s whale show Believe is amazing.

Shamu Stadium is the home of the show, which has had many versions over the years to morph into what is now Believe. The stadium is a show unto itself with lighting, music, and large LCD screens that move to form large pictures, a panoramic view, or separate images.

Believe is the story of a young boy who has doubts of his abilities, but eventually believes in himself and his ability to do anything. . .all stemming from his interaction with the sea.

The whales and humans perform an intricate ballet of sorts timed beautifully to the music and images on the LCD screens.

There are feats of skill and courage all based on trust between the animals and the trainers.

Shamu gets up close and personal with the audience at the end, after several splashing passes.

The boy could not believe that he got wet!

Believe is performed 5 times each day, followed by 2 showings of Shamu Rocks in the evening. Our advice. . . get there early. Despite Shamu Stadium’s massive size, it fills up quickly, especially during peak travel periods. We watched and heard people being turned away because the stadium was too full. How disappointing to venture all the way to SeaWorld and the stadium for that matter to be turned away from this signature show.

If you want to see the whales close up, there is an underwater viewing station in the back of the stadium. Also, SeaWorld offers special dine with Shamu seatings at The Cove Restaurant located adjacent to Shamu Stadium.

To read about touring SeaWorld click here.  To read about the Clyde and Seamore show and Pacific Point Preserve, click here.

SeaWorld's Clyde and Seamore Show and Pacific Point Preserve

Seals, sea lions, and walruses are plentiful at SeaWorld in Orlando with the Clyde and Seamore show performed six times a day and nearby Pacific Point Preserve, a home for the pinnepeds.  Sea Lion & Otter Stadium is the home of the Clyde and Seamore show.

Pacific Point Preseve is a rocky shore like habitat for seals and sea lions.  It is almost adjacent to Sea Lion & Otter Stadium.  There are many vantage points at Pacific Point Preserve for viewing the marine mammals.  We had a sea lion stop and pose for pictures.

The Clyde and Seamore show is about pirates trying to find treasure on a ship. The sea lions and walruses sort of help the pirates find the treasure. There is comedy, drama, and splashing. Don’t worry, splash zones are marked in all stadiums and you sit there either at your own risk or in desperation when there are no other seats available. The temperature may have a bit to do with people’s choices. Temperature and whether or not they want to risk salt water on their camera.

The star of the show is clearly the walrus that joins the show at the end. The Walrus’ size is amazing as is its agility. We were in awe!



We caught the first Clyde and Seamore show of the day. To read more about our SeaWorld touring strategy, click here.

SeaWorld in Orlando

SeaWorld makes a significant presence in the Orlando area with 3 “theme” parks of sort. Discovery Cove is a dolphin interaction and beach like experience in the middle of the city with an all inclusive day. Aquatica is SeaWorld’s version of a water park with Commerson dolphins on display and integrated into the water park experience (click here to read more). SeaWorld is part theme park with rides and attractions and part aquarium with many marine animals on display with a mix of cirque du soleil.

We had the opportunity to visit SeaWorld in Orlando for a day. While the park can be toured in a day, you have to decide your priorities. We did not ride any rides while at SeaWorld, even though it boasts some of the most innovative coasters around with Kraken and the new Manta which simulates the movement of a manta ray. We concentrated our focus on the various marine animal displays and the various shows.

Above is an example of a show schedule that you would find on the back of your park map. Since we didn’t have the schedule until we arrived at the park, it took us a couple of minutes to plan our attack. We hit 2 shows early, nearly running from one to another, and then took in some animal displays before heading to the next 2 shows. By 3:30 we had seen Believe, Blue Horizons, Pets Ahoy, and Clyde & Seamore. Whew! I would do the same again, but I would have liked to have the map and schedule prior to coming to the park so that we could get our bearings beforehand.

We were greeted by Shamu at the park entrance and he signed his autograph!

Highlights from the various shows and displays will be coming soon!