Orlando may have been made famous by a mouse and may be under the spell of a certain boy wizard for the moment, but there’s another group of parks that should figure into the plans of any Central Florida traveler – SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa.

SeaWorld draws nearly six million annual visitors, perennially placing it among the ten most-visited theme parks in America. The big draw here is the same as it’s been since the park opened in 1973 – the Shamu show.  Shamu Stadium is the residence of six orcas and has a tank containing over seven million gallons of water. The stadium’s 7,000 seats fill up 20-30 minutes or more before showtime, so plan accordingly. If you want to stay dry, sit in the upper deck – you’ve been warned!

Shamu may draw all the press at SeaWorld, but for my money the more interesting show is Blue Horizons. The show actively combines the talents of brightly-costumed human acrobats and aerialists with leaping bottlenose dolphins and a lumbering beluga whale. Together, they tell a fantastical story worthy of Broadway. Keep your eyes peeled for a pair of rainbow-feathered sun conures zooming around the amphitheater.

Once you’re done sitting on your duff watching animals, get your screamin’ on aboard the park’s three big rides. Journey Through Atlantis is a water coaster that’s also featured prominently at SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio. Kraken is a beast of a roller coaster, with seven inversions topping out at 65 miles-an-hour and nearly four Gs of force (7 inversions too many, if you ask me). The park’s newest ride, Manta, features multiple aquariums of the eponymous creatures in its queue area … then invites guests to fly through the air like a graceful ray, twisting and diving above ground and diving down to skim the aquarium’s surface.

Don’t miss the grand array of sea creatures in holes-in-the-wall scattered throughout the park. Full size exhibits like Penguin Encounter feature dozens of the best-dressed members of the animal kingdom, while Dolphin Cove allows folks to get up close and personal with the smartest mammal in the sea. (Hint: fish snacks = dolphin love)

If you prefer your critters land-based, head to the Wild Arctic display. First, hop aboard the helicopter simulator to visit polar bears, belugas and others in their natural surroundings … then ride out an Arctic storm complete with stomach-knotting swerves in three dimensions. After the ride ends, walk off the pain by observing polar bears and walruses up close.

While there are a number of spots to catch a snack or cop a souvenir in the park, there is one true hospitality experience – the Makahiki Luau. Guests are welcomed with the traditional floral lei and a mai tai, then dinner is served: a combo plate of fish, chicken, pork and salad. The Luau’s 12 performers celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Polynesia and East Asia with mesmerizing dances, singing, general high jinks and laughs, all capped by a breathtaking fire dance. The Big Kahuna may even call upon you to provide the entertainment (or as some people call it, YouTube fodder)

Overall, SeaWorld provides a full day of fun and wonder for kids of all ages. Stay tuned for my next blogs about Discovery Cove, Aquatica and Busch Gardens.