Discovery Cove (good) and Seaworld (bad) review

[manakin]

So, I went for the first time to Discovery cove last week. The day after in the morning I went alone to Seaworld, I've been already there but I like the coasters so having the included admission I went for a quick visit.

Discovery Cove: wow, this place is beautiful! I have to say that I had really a nice time there. We (me and my mother) had the dolphin swim, was really a beautiful experience and was all really organised. We checked in at 7.30, so we had the first spot at 9. For the rest of the day we enjoyed the lazy river and all the other activities they have. Unfortunately weather was not really good, so at 2 pm we had to leave. But I have to say that was really worth it.

About Seaworld...it was my third time there. Last was in 2014, first in 2010. Last time I went there I was quite sad because I noticed that team members were not really helpfull and the ride operations were quite slow..two years after, I have to say that I leave the park really mad! I spent 2 (seriously, 2) hours in the park. I did al the coasters and I was done. Team members were incredibly rude, unhelpfull and lazy. Coasters operations were embarassing, Manta was running with one (yes, you read it right) train, and was continually closing for technical problems (maybe was just unluck, but all the other time manta has this problems). Journey to atlantis was running with people on at park opening, but the line was closed. So I asked gently if there was a problem and when/if the ride would be open and they said to me "I don't know nothing, sorry".
the most embarassing moment was when I entered in the park. On my way to mako I passed trought the Dolphin nursery: the day before at Discovery cove they told us that 5 new dolphin were born in the last month, so I went there to ask if they were at the nursery. The team member answered me in an incredible rude way, saying me that those dolphin were at DC and not there and that they just have 2 younger dolphin. then she turn on the other way and leave me there :|
oh, last not least, Antartica was closed and was not scheduled to open. (ok, this can be normal problems, but was not helping in such an awfull day).
Seriously, I was shocked and I left the park so angry...How it's possible that such a nice park with incredible animals and big potential can be so unorganized? Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm too picky, but we are in Orlando, the capital of theme parks. And seaworld it's not a secondary or a third class theme park. why running it like a carnival? Really, it's disappointing.

 

[shh]

Bummer that you had a disappointing visit. It'll be interesting to see how it goes when we visit next month. Sea World can ill afford to lose guests after the past couple of years they've had. They're barely hanging on as is. If anything their teams should be more gracious and accommodating. Glad your DC visit was good - we're going for the very first time next month and so looking forward to it!

 

[keishashadow]

DC is indeed a gem! sorry to hear SW didn't meet your expectations way back in 2014 & last week.

On a positive note, getting all the coasters done in under 2 hours is a major accomplishment

Ride operators are not necessarily the best source of information. Their primary job is to concentrate on safety, etc. A good follow up response to the ridiculous utterance of "I don't know nothing, sorry" would be to request that they summon a supervisor to assist them. Your experience really sounds as though it falls within the realm of a training issue.

In the future, in any park, please find a 'shirt & tie' who will help you or head back to guest services and express your concerns. It's also a good place to inquire as to shut-downs, ride stoppages, etc.

Part of GS job is to listen to the specifics as to guests' perceptions of unacceptable treatment by the staff. If they aren't informed or don't observe the actions in question, the chance of them correcting the specific issues are slim.

Possible morale issues aside, SW's employees are their brand ambassadors. They need to shine and be welcoming to guests.

 

[manakin]

DC is indeed a gem! sorry to hear SW didn't meet your expectations way back in 2014 & last week.

On a positive note, getting all the coasters done in under 2 hours is a major accomplishment

Ride operators are not necessarily the best source of information. Their primary job is to concentrate on safety, etc. A good follow up response to the ridiculous utterance of "I don't know nothing, sorry" would be to request that they summon a supervisor to assist them. Your experience really sounds as though it falls within the realm of a training issue.

In the future, in any park, please find a 'shirt & tie' who will help you or head back to guest services and express your concerns. It's also a good place to inquire as to shut-downs, ride stoppages, etc.

Part of GS job is to listen to the specifics as to guests' perceptions of unacceptable treatment by the staff. If they aren't informed or don't observe the actions in question, the chance of them correcting the specific issues are slim.

Possible morale issues aside, SW's employees are their brand ambassadors. They need to shine and be welcoming to guests.

I have to say that I think I'm the most tolerant guest you can find in a park. I never complaint and I understand the really hard work a team member (or cast member) has to do. But really, the situation in my opinion was really "scary". you're right, I should have go to GS to try to explain what I experienced in the park: but really, to me is really difficult to complain, also in the worst case (I consider myself really lucky to be there and to have the possibility to had a long travel and visit Orlando). Probably, if I was a resident or a frequent visitor I would have done that.
About doing all the coaster in two hours: the park was really empty, no queues or other. So really I can't understand why on all the attractions the line was non-existent and on Manta there was a 45/50 minutes queue!! Of course the answer was: one train running. To me, also during low season, that sounds ridiculous. And, to answer what you said, it's not just the operations, we are speaking about the whole park sistem. I was not able to use my credit card at the lockers and no one was able to help me. at the end I had to take some moneys from an ATM to use them.
By the way, I would like just to focus on the fact that we are in Orlando and such things should never happen. I can understand finding a couple of "not happy TM", but the whole park....com'on...
I don't want to compare Disneyworld to SW of course, but for example, even if team members at universal are not the most friendly, they do their job and they do it right. Two days before at universal there was very low attendance, but all the rides where running in a great way.

 

[keishashadow]

Manakin - hey, you're paying good money..trust me, no matter what you drop in GS's lap, I'm sure they've heard worse. You could always still write them with your concerns. Constructive criticism is a good thing IMO.

Very odd though as you reference the issue being nearly park-wide, so disappointing to hear. If the parks don't produce, the guests won't return. If anything SW should be standing on their head to retain existing customer base

I'm all about the mouse but find the constant everything is wonderful vibe of the CMs to at times be a bit over the top. Saddens me that the HM & ToT CMs are rarely in fine form as to their characters these days. As adults, we have had some of our best interactions with the TMs @ U, not to mention the scareactors during HHN