What an amazing experience. My son absolutely loved this encounter. If you have a child who loves getting wet, loves water sensory, and is not scared of large animals, definitely sit in the front where you see everything up close and personal. I know there's many reasons they don't get in the tanks with the orcas but this is still amazing. These animals are massive and it's amazing how they communicate. The things they do. Definitely experience this event when coming to Sea World. read more

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Watched this show again after 22 years. Shamu is gone and was replaced by I think a total of 5 orcas. This means more whales imprisoned in the pools of Sea World rather than the ocean where they belong. Still nice to see them play tricks for the amusement of the crowd. This show I believe is the most popular show in Sea World. read more

OHMYGOODNESS!! This is the most AMAZING show!! These precious Orca whales are just BEAUTIFUL!!! I LOVE watching them swim around and dive out of the water. Simple yet mesmerizing!!! The show is similar year to year, but I never get tired of watching!!! The seats fill up fast! All different age groups are here. Everyone clapped and cheered!!! We enjoyed the show!!! read more

Hands Down.... Without a Doubt..... The Orca Encounter is the BEST thing about Sea World San Diego. Tell me I'm wrong.... I'll wait! Now... Had you asked me this same question about 15+ years ago, I would have said it's the SECOND best thing at park as Anheuser-Busch (the parent company of Budweiser) used to own Sea World and they had a section in the park where anyone 21+ could drink beer, try new incoming flavors, and try out items that were in the potential test phase before they went to market... I.e Budweisers B-to-the-e" energy beer. (Damn this stuff was good). Sadly, Anheuser-Busch sold off their ownership and this section of the park was reconfigured. And just like that.... The Orca Encounter or whatever it was called back In the day was suddenly numero uno again!! But for me, beer or no beer in hand.... I can honestly say that the Orca Encounter really is the epitome of Sea World. The fact that these orca trainers who work tirelessly to train and learn about these majestic animals that they work alongside and then share their impressive skills/capabilities with the world is beyond cool. The show itself is very informative, fun, and exciting all at the same time. And despite Sea World getting backlash in years past, I think they have done an amazing job at reimagining this show and reinventing themselves as a brand. Sea World also does a great job at acknowledging our U.S. Military, both past and present and they even acknowledge them during this show which is always great to see. After or before the show, you can actually view the orcas even closer at a self-walk through staging tank where they will swim past you right up to the glass... definitely have your cameras ready. And if thats just not enough Orca for you... You can actually dine with the Orcas (see park website for more info). Finally.... Just so you can't say I didn't tell you so.... The SPLASH zone!! Unless you don't want to get SOAKED.... Make sure to sit past the designated soak zone areas. Have fun! And Welcome to Sea World San Diego!! read more

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Orca Encounter is the best educational show at Sea World San Diego. This presentation is outside and there are a lot of splashes if you sit in the splash zone! Make sure to download the Sea World application on your mobile phone. You can pull up times when the Orca Encounter is showing. You can reserve seating for this show. Prices typically start at $14.99 but can vary depending on the date. In order to book a reservation, you'll need to visit the Sea World website, or go to the customer service, visitor information when you check into the park. The show will go through the importance of play for orcas and dive deeper into the Orca's techniques. If you're looking for other activities, there is also the Orca Underwater viewing. You can watch the orcas up-close in the viewing area. There are also some paid activities such as the Orca Up-Close Tour and you can also Dine with the Orcas! I'd highly recommend visiting the Orca Encounter if you're spending a day at Sea World! read more

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We attended the ORCA SHOW at NOON, where SeaWorld Cares. It's an enjoyable, engaging and educational experience!!! In years past, it may have been a show, but now it's more informative. Nevertheless, the ORCAS do show off some of their skills, which are impressive. SPLASHING ABOUT!!! SWIMMING FAST, JUMPING HIGH!!! I noticed one thing here and in Dine with Orcas, the animals are permitted to participate or not. It's totally up to them. We appreciate that!!! read more

Orca Encounter - WOW!!! - Amusement Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

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An educational performance where the orcas swim and splash the crowd, and the trainers talk about orca facts. These orcas seemed happy, well -fed and well-cared-for. read more

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Love it! I know the Orca show hasn't changed in years. But it is still pretty amazing. The Orcas are beautiful animals. They are huge!! It's great to watch the show and see they jumping in the water. I also like when they jump up on the platform and you can see the whole Orca. The body is massive!!!! It's so cool to see. The show is very educational. You learn a lot about the Orcas during the show. It's a great show overall. 10/10 read more

Orca Encounter is what the show is now called, be careful you MAY get wet! The show is really great and helps the audience raise awareness for these beautiful creatures. All in all the show is really entertaining and aside from sitting in the sun it's a really great show. read more

Orca Encounter - Amusement Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

It was our first time back at Sea World ever since our last visit back in 2004. So this was definitely our first time watching the Orca Encounter ever since Sea World stopped doing the theatrical orca shows that my sister and I grew up with. Personally, we really liked how the Orca Encounter was much more educational and focused on orca conservation, and where the orcas could swim around amid a huge digital screen that highlighted their importance and life as some of the most majestic animals in the ocean. As children back in the 1980s and 1990s, we had watched the orca theatrical shows in which trainers swam and interacted in very close proximity with the orcas. But due to animal rights activists, movies such as "Blackfish," and also incidents that happened with trainers at some of their parks, Sea World changed their shows over at least the past decade to becoming more educational, and less theatrical. All the seats in the Orca Encounter stadium are fantastic :D ! And if you really want to get splashed, such as on hot summer days, you're more than welcome to sit in the "splash zone" rows :D ! Trainers praise the orcas from the stage, and point out interesting facts and highlights regarding orca life :) ! We are really happy to hear that Sea World stopped their orca breeding program in 2016, and are focused on educating the public about the last generation of orcas in captivity at Sea World, as well as about how orcas live in the wild :) ! Let's hope and move towards a better future in which all orcas can thrive in the wild and always travel freely with their social pods :) ! read more

Great show with COVID going on. I liked how they did their show dismissal with social distancing. They explained to guests that they must wait for the employees with the flags to notify each seating section when it is safe to exit. This way the crowds are not super busy running into each other. The "Encounter" is what they are now calling the shows. It was very nice to learn good information about the orcas instead of just seeing them do tricks. I actually found it to be more visually educational. The crowd loved it and the kids were happy too. The only star take off was because of the seating. Some people don't care about the marked seating for social distancing and there is nobody monitoring nor correcting that part. Also, there were families with no masks on during the show and that wasn't checked nor corrected. I get it, we are at an outside amusement park, but just hoped that more would be done to correct this. Even an announcement to the crowd at the beginning of the show, "Guests, we really need you to keep your masks on and abide by the marked and colored seating zones..." would have been nice. read more

Orca Encounter - Orca Encounter - Amusement Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

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The show was amazing.... We really enjoyed it... especially our son. (He didn't remember since he was a baby last time we came) very educational. read more

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We hadn't seen the show since the Shamu days, when the show was centered around the spectacle. Now, most of Seaworld is very forward with the conservation efforts, which I think is great. The orca show is now more educational than spectacle. With a lot of information playing on the screen about the different eco-types of orcas around the world, the show whales did demonstrations that coincided with the educational content. I found it extremely interesting, and I learned things I didn't know before. I really like the more educational and conservation approach rather than a spectacle show. But, as always, the splash zone is real! We sat down there and got soaked. A lot of people stuck around despite the warnings, and then fled to higher ground as soon as they realized what "splash zone" meant. Especially if you have kids, take the warnings seriously! read more

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We came here on a Monday and the crowd was just right. No huge lines, great seating and perfect weather. We've been here many times before and it's just as great as it's ever been. If you sit in the first 10 rows you will get wet. If you sit in the first 3 rows, you could get soaked. They give you some education at the beginning and the wetting action doesn't begin until about 15 minutes into the show read more

Orca Encounter - Main area - Amusement Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

Worth the price of admission. These orcas are trained to the t! What a spectacular how that must be watched at least once when visiting Sea World San Diego. Be sure to sit right in the middle not in the front unless you want to get soaked. It's been a popular show for years and for sure will be around for years to come. read more

My least fave show at SeaWorld. We watched the final 5pm show and since we ended with this show it was a bit of an anticlimax for us. It was more informative that a performance compared to the dolphins and sea lions show. Most of the show consisted of watching an informative video and an orca would mimic a movement in the water. I would skip this show next time and just look at the orcas in the viewing area. read more

We've been to the show many time each trip. They alter each one just a bit to be fun. We have a blast and ita amazing for kids and adults. read more

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My rating for Orca Encounter is based off how much the show was using videos (information, that we could've look up at home) for the most part of show. No moving story, no emotional connection. Compared to the first Orca show I've been to at San Diego SeaWorld, "Believe" then "One Ocean," "Orca Encounter" was and probably is the worst. And get this, I got a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old. How long could both of them just sit there and listen to an informative video/showing? I decided to buy annual gold membership passes for a family of four after 10 years of not going. I regret it. There was no grand slam, no Shamu part. After the big splash from one of the killer whales, it finally dawned on us that there won't be a grand slam, and the phrase "Shamu, Shamu!" And more talking and video... My family and I left the show before it officially ends. Our friends stayed behind hoping that what we told them about the show, "Shamu, Shamu" will eventually happen. They told us it never did. Yesterday was the first time I (and family and friends) stopped by at Shamu or Orca stadium after 10 years. And it will be our last. read more

Well First This Show At SeaWorld is one of my favorites it sits in one of the biggest stadium in SeaWorld . I like it because you can see how the Trainers train the Orcas and the big Screen in the middle is cool also . It tells you how the Orcas live and what the movements they do also how they adapt in there life . The cool thing is the trainers here adapt with these Beautiful Orcas really well . I like how they can tell each Orcas when to do what like splash there tails !! But you got to look out because if your sitting in the Wet Zone you will possibly get wet . The first 10 Rows up front are the wet zone . But it's just cool seeing these orcas performing so well and jumping out of the water !! There will be one trainer that tells you about the Orcas and the others will show you how the Orcas Perform a good show !! This is a great show to take your family or Friends to or just bring your kids to . There is a parking area outside of the stadium for your Strollers because strollers are not Permitted !!! But overall I always return to see this show over and over again !! So make sure you don't miss it !! read more

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This show is always fun to watch, especially if you wait at least 5 years between going. Not much has changed, but they have a huge jumbotron as entertainment in the background and you feel very much educated about orcas after watching it. Brought the toddler this time, and it was a good time. While it's not ideal to raise orcas in captivity like this, they no longer have the trainers swim w/ the orcas under the water, so that is a good thing. read more

Have a good time on this show! Represents our National heroes who served- recognized and celebrated! It was very organized , staff were very accommodating! read more

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Great show discussing the physical and behavioral characteristics of Orcas combined with demonstrations of skill from the whales themselves. Very enlightening and a great balance of education and entertainment. Show times at 2:30pm and 5:00pm. read more

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I went into this with the assumption that it will still be entertaining even amid all the backlash. It was not. It was almost harder to see these animals in person then it was to see them in documentaries or on YouTube. You can feel the sadness and misery pulsing off of each Orca. It is very clear that they do not want to be there and that they are not happy. From orcas in small ponds just staying still, to orcas repeatedly refusing to do behaviors during shows. This is clearly inhumane. If you go to SeaWorld, expect to be saddened by Shamu. read more