theme parks & attractions seaworld destinations

As the lucky winner of an exclusive Travel Weekly competition to win a family holiday to SeaWorld, Travel Counsellors’ Gillian Davis whisked Ready, steady, husband Stephen, daughter Olivia and two-year-old granddaughter AGent Erin to the theme park capital for an all-expenses-paid escape. REPORT They were among the first Brits to test out the parks’ thrilling new rollercoasters – Mako at SeaWorld Orlando and Cobra’s Curse at Busch Gardens – which opened this summer. Here, Gillian gives her verdict

he whole experience was Tamazing. I still can’t take it all in. I had been to Florida and I’d say Mako is pure to SeaWorld before – though it adrenaline while was years and years ago – but never to Aquatica, Discovery Cobra’s Curse is Mako Cove or Busch Gardens. pure excitement – SeaWorld’s newest rides I was on holiday with my they’re both great family in Turkey when I found are a real thrill, finds Travel out. I just couldn’t believe it. My granddaughter Erin is a bit Counsellors’ Gillian Davis young for the rollercoasters, but she was still so excited I’m a fan of big rides. I’ve been about everything we saw and on quite a few at Alton Towers did. She’s come back with and other parks. So we dived in little keepsakes of dolphins and went to SeaWorld Orlando on and penguins, which just the first day, to give Mako a go. shows it’s such a great thing to do as a w RIDING HIGH family, at any age. Mako was definitely the biggest ride I’ve done, so I suppose I was a little apprehensive. But I loved it. It felt as if we were flying through the air. It’s all about going fast, dropping and dipping. I think there were a couple of upside-down bits, but my eyes were closed, so I can’t be sure. We said we’d definitely go on it again, but not straight away – we couldn’t quite bring ourselves to try it twice in a row. We did a lot of other activities at SeaWorld. The conservation that goes on there is really interesting. They took us behind the scenes to see how much they do, and we went to the penguin enclosure and stroked the birds, which was awesome. When we got to Busch Gardens, we were excited to try Gillian Davis and Cobra’s Curse. I wasn’t quite so daughter Olivia ride the Mako apprehensive about this one rollercoaster because it didn’t have such

44 travelweekly.co.uk 18 August 2016 18 August 2016 travelweekly.co.uk 45 destinations seaworld theme parks & Attractions

RIGHT: Busch Gardens

FAr RIGHT: Gillian and family at SeaWorld

huge drops, but it was actually a more book it for a family and split the cost, varied ride because it slows down it’s really good value. sample and speeds up, and the carriages turn I’d recommend a cabana, Wherever possible, try to get a around and go backwards. It still had as it’s so useful to have Quick Queue Unlimited pass, as that product its moments, but it wasn’t quite as means you don’t have to waste time intense – and at least I could open my your own space, with in between rides. That’s also a good eyes on this one. some shade and a fridge thing for agents to think about, Attraction World There were still plenty of thrills, but because you can offer to pre-book offers a Discovery I found it a little less hair-raising and them in advance. Cove Ultimate a bit more fun. I’d say Mako is pure It was all just so good that I can’t package with adrenaline, while Cobra’s Curse is pure pick out a single highlight. We did so a full day at the excitement, so they’re both great, just There’s a lot for little ones, such as much and had such a great time, we park, half-hour in different ways. shows and animal encounters, but really didn’t want to come home. dolphin swim and the big rides would really suit older 14 days’ unlimited w SELLING SEAWORLD children and teenagers. admission to This experience will definitely help me The other parks have plenty on offer SeaWorld, Busch sell more. I already sell a lot of Orlando, as well. Most people know Discovery FACT FILE Gardens and but I didn’t know how much there Cove as the place where you can swim Aquatica, with was to do at SeaWorld. I wouldn’t with dolphins, but it’s got a lazy river, a Mako free parking, have expected those adrenaline rides, beach and lots more. w Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest from £190. for example. You think of it as being Aquatica was absolutely fantastic, rollercoaster sits in the centre of attractionworld. all about animals and shows, but we too. I’d recommend getting a cabana Shark Wreck Reef com did so much – everything we could in Aquatica and Discovery Cove. It’s w Riders climb a dizzying 61 metres possibly fit in – and it made me realise so useful to have your own space with then plunge at speeds of up to 73mph Do Something how much is on offer there. somewhere to sit down in the shade w The design of the ‘hypercoaster’ is Different has a I think you could sell it to any age. and a fridge for your drinks. When you inspired by the mako shark, which 3-Park SeaWorld, is renowned for its speed and Busch Gardens & agility in pursuing prey Aquatica Ticket from £104 for Cobra’s Curse adults and £100 w It takes three-and-a-half minutes for kids, including travelling at up to 40mph to travel 14 days’ access around the 650-metre track to the parks. A w Riders come face to face with a Quick Queue pass 24-metre-high model of a snake – starts at £17 for with huge eyes and fangs – as they SeaWorld and descend 21 metres through the air £20 for Busch w Carriages move backwards and Gardens. forwards, and spin at random, so no dosomething LEFT: two rides are the same different.com Cobra’s Curse

46 travelweekly.co.uk 18 August 2016