SeaWorld San Antonio Review & Overview | Is This Park Too Big for its Own Good?

SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas is the newest and largest SeaWorld park. This is a beautiful park with animal shows, aquatic exhibits, and a strong roller coaster lineup. But is this park too big for its own good? Find out in this park review!
Video Credits
Journey to Atlantis Off-Ride (ThomasRosieFan)- • SeaWorld San Antonio J...
Rio Loco (Alex Ramirez)- • Video
Texas Splashdown (DeathChick324)- • Texas Splash Town-Sea ...
Background Music
Epic Powerful Motivational by Infraction [No Copyright Music] Gemini- • Epic Powerful Motivati...

[@JBThrills]

I honestly think SWSA has so much potential…it could beat some of the SF parks with some better additions, I wish they added a B&M hyper, also great review!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Absolutely!

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

Discovery Point used to be inside the gate. Those arches at the front were the only gate on my 2008 visit. The waterpark was included for everyone. I'm guessing that it was in May 2012 when they switched the waterpark to being a separate gate. Aquatica might have officially opened then, but that waterpark had been operating for years before then. Because of the layout that was already present, the only way to make the waterpark a separate admission (to make more money) was to make the Discovery Point section free. That also explains why that big entry plaza inside the arches seems like it should be inside the gates as well. It was inside the gates, just not anymore.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Ok thanks! That would make sense they did that when Aquatica opened.

[@Bigbluespoon]

discovery point was inside the park and the waterpark as well the change happened when they decided that they wanted to charge a separate admission for the waterpark. i also have to say that this park is one of my favorite parks to just sit down and enjoy a drink

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks for explaining!

[@Everymonthisaugust210]

I think they know that they need to add more thrill attractions especially after the fallout of Blackfish. They relied on the animal exhibits and waterpark for 20 + years but after that documentary came out, there was no other reason to go there. Not with SFFT 20mins across town and having added new attractions almost every year since I was in middle school lol. Give them some time and they will be comparable to the Bush Gardens parks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I won't complain about more rides.

[@countofarcadia]

One of the ideas that I had for the Sea World San Antonio is just rebrand it as a Busch Gardens Park.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

I love how the place or rollercoaster you do footage on is the review you do next

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yup!

[@timk987]

Prediction: his next review video will be Batman: The Dark Knight at Six Flags New England. (Because the off-ride package just dropped 30 minutes ago)

[@rojovids9154]

I remember when I waited almost 2 hours just for one ride on wave breaker! The long gets LONG lol! 😆

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow!

[@alina-qf7om]

fast passes r worth it

[@rojovids9154]

@alina Yeah I'm getting one this summer. Especially when Catapult Falls opens.

[@alina-qf7om]

@@rojovids9154 when does it open

[@rojovids9154]

@alina Summer this year but I'm guessing mid June to early July

[@Thuggysmurf]

Thank you for all your videos. I've watched a few dozen now. They help a lot with trip planning (altered 2 trips based on your videos), and my kids appreciate how thorough you are. A few things I didn't see mentioned in this one, if you decide to do a future trip to Sea World San Antonio: - The S&S Screamin' Swing they just opened in 2022 fits well with a smart location next to the lake - it rides scarier than Joker at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (imho). - They appear to be building a new log flume ride (for 2023?) in the recently fenced off area between Steel Eel and Great White. - With the exception of Great White, the new rides SWSA chooses are always wise complements to Six Flags Fiesta Texas (20 minutes away). The combined ride collection, splitting a day between SWSA and SFFT, is tough to beat. And the best In-N-Out Burger I've ever been to is located right off Loop 1604 between the two parks. - The food at SWSA is awful (relatively speaking) and it's odd they haven't invested more effort in that area. Best restaurant is Smokehouse Grill, and it's still icky + overpriced. They need a Chick-fil-A like at Busch Gardens and a Sharks Underwater Grill like at Sea World Orlando - When the park is not crowded (e.g. a Tuesday at 11 am) and they play classical music, it's beautiful and the size of the park starts working to its advantage. Feels like you have a paradise to yourself. I haven't been to another park which captures that same feeling. When the park is crowded though, the lack of flat rides in between major attractions becomes a problem. - All parks have off days, but I've never had a bad time at SWSA. Most people who visit are there for the shows, not the rides. Measuring by rides per hour, even with the bad ops, the park stacks up really well despite the ride collection itself not being all that special. Spend a few hours at SWSA, then head to Six Flags and grab some food along the way. Perfect day!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm glad they helped! The screamin' swing is a nice addition and that new flume looks cool.

[@AirtimeProductions]

I love the SeaWorld chain so I wouldn’t be surprised if I like this park! In fact I just booked tickets for the two Florida SeaWorld parks this year! (I need to get some credits I skipped on)

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@AirtimeThrills]

Great advice on the platinium passes, i was wondering where i should get it and was stunned by the price difference. Only downside is all your perks and freebie tickets are for your home park only

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree the perks not being for a park you frequent could be annoying, but it's up to you if the price difference is worth it.

[@ElectriKong-]

Definitely worth it if you are a long distance from any seaworld and you are planning a trip that includes multiple Seaworld parks though.

[@JBThrills]

Airtime Thrills! Hi!

[@ParksWithPoints]

I'm from IL and get one for the family, if you go twice the free tickets and discounts make the 'home park' worth it since I'm usually solo at the other parks

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Y'all know Texas does things BIGGER!!! LOL! There was Six Flags AstroWorld (Houston, TX) I'm a native Houstonian. Original Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, TX) Fiesta Texas (as you mentioned bought by Six Flags. Sea World of Texas was biggest because it WAS in Texas (and they could acquire the land mass) Remember this park has seen a LOT in it's 33 yr. history. It was the only "kid" on the block other than the Alamo for 4 yrs. There WAS the river walk 1968. It was a much different park b4 Fiesta & subsequent closure of AW. It was a sea life based park with plenty of "toe wiggle" room to accommodate larger display areas (Tanks & habitat areas 4 wildlife) I think they have adapted very well over recessions, 911 & that filmed that gave them a "black eye" I don't think they want to compete per say with the other parks. SWT is on the other side of SA. there is enough "pie" to go around in that great city. It 4 me is a quick vayCay. For others it's a week or @ least a good solid 4 days to enjoy a LOT of San Antonio including the Alamo. But, yeah, a few more unique flat rides are just the ticket!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Texas does love big!

[@627jace627]

I plan on making my first visit there next year, it looks like a great park for animals and a decent ride collection. I think you said SWSA has 2 flat rides, which is 2 more than Orlando has. Unless you somehow count the observation tower as a ride. And Busch Gardens Tampa has a grand total of one.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The Busch parks as a whole don't have many flats, but at least their other parks seem to have more attractions in between star rides.

[@maxhagenauer24]

This park does have a good lineup of their coasters. They have their inversions/intensity in Great White, their airtime in Steel Eel, there aggressive/wood in Texas Stingray and family in Wave Breaker. They just need better operations I think.

[@CanobieCoaster]

And filler rides.

[@BigDCoasterFam]

I purchased the platinum passes last Christmas bc I knew we would be going to Orlando this summer. (Hopefully Iron Gwazi and Ice Breaker will be open) The rides were good especially Steel Eel and Texas Stingray but there wasn’t any cubbies to put backpacks in that I’m used to at Six Flags parks. My daughters were quickly bored after we rode the rides and we went back to SFFT.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I always travel light so I don't need lockers.

[@BigDCoasterFam]

@@CanobieCoaster one of my girls brought her camera. The ride op on Great White told us as we were getting on the ride we had to use the locker out in the midway. I took one for the team. On Wave Breaker, the ride op let 2 of my daughters ride then pass the backpack across so my last daughter and I could ride

[@mitchellries256]

My mother did complain slightly that there weren't nearly as many things to do compared to the other SeaWorld parks. However it does look like they've been more new attractions over the last few years so there's definitely been a lot of attention given to this place. Like I've said previously, I'd really appreciate if they'd give attention to where Texas Splashdown used to sit.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The more the merrier.

[@mitchellries256]

@@CanobieCoaster And in case you were wondering, the reason why the aquariums in Discovery Point are free to walk in are because they used to be in the park boundaries. You see Aquatica San Antonio was originally called Lost Lagoon and was included with admission to SeaWorld. But when the waterpark became Aquatica, it was separately gated and you needed admission to SeaWorld San Antonio along with Aquatica San Antonio just to get in. So the aquariums to the left of the main archway were still technically in the park. But when they announced Discovery Point for 2016, the main park entrance was relocated from the archway to where it is today meaning you know longer needed admission to both parks for Aquatica or to see those aquariums to the left either.

[@bandmfanboy]

I felt it was very empty when I went around 2015. There was no one at the park and there was nothing to do. I liked their all day dining from then though. They didn't scan the wristband and you could get as much food as you wanted.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I did all day dining once in San Diego and didn't like it because of the food lines.

[@inlinechris]

Went here for the first time today. Thought it was a great park. Coasters were all fun and the animals and shows were wonderful. Very friendly and helpful employees too. Only negative is they were running one train on every coaster even on a fairly busy Saturday with great weather

[@CanobieCoaster]

One trains ops unfortunately can happen in the quieter months.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

No I'm glad it's big they got room to expand for new coasters and rides.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too. They just need to fill that space.

[@Usercantwelve]

Love Floater AT, Your right about the SLAM after ) Love that too !

[@CanobieCoaster]

It has plenty of both.

[@jasonjude1235]

Discovery Point is separate because when SeaWorld first opened there wasn't a water park. It was a history trail, there was an awesome play area beyond where discovery point is and a giant US map to walk on. That area closed permanently. They replaced the trail with a water park. Then when they added more water rides and redesigned it they made it into a separate park, Aquatica.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Interesting, thanks!

[@tyler1783]

Rio loco is the wettest I’ve ever got on a rapids ride. Yeah the course kinda sucks (although the TX Stingray view is great) but that ending water fall so unexpected lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

Rapids waterfalls are classics.

[@aaronmoreno4545]

Thanks for the review!

[@CanobieCoaster]

My pleasure!

[@prysmis1964]

Dream would be seeing Seaworld try to compete with Fiesta by putting in an RMC from the ground up like Zadra (it wouldn't be the most insane idea ever considering both parks have Batman clones). I haven't been since 2010 (I think) and not to Fiesta since 2017 so I don't know too much of what's changed at these parks in the years since personally; just depending on videos to see what's changed. I'm not sure if any ride there would be considered a true standout, unlike Iron Rattler at Fiesta.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd love to see that.

[@kalolatx1]

We recently purchased a pass and went our first time on January 15. Our grandson was doing the penguin encounter. This was my first time to visit Sea World San Antonio since the year it opened. It was a very windy day and ALL the roller coasters were closed. I am NOT a roller coaster fan so I would like some more sedate rides.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wind seems to be a problem for both San Antonio parks.

[@cadenb4207]

this park is very huge! i live just 15 mins away this park is very beautiful, big but it does lack in rides like the other SeaWorld parks, but SeaWorld is starting to add very good rides here and rebranding this park. I’m very excited for the new S&S swing similar to Sky Hawk at CP. This park has very good advantage and SeaWorld should start to add very big and good rides.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

San Antonio is MORE than a weekend get away. Plus Fiesta Texas is on the opposite side of the city. Being a native Houstonian, San Antonio is my next "major" large city I truly LOVE! Drivers are friendlier than my city. SWT is an "odd duck" as it was a Transitional park that had to "fight" to survive. It straddles wildlife/ amusement park in a state that has 2 major 6 flags.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The new rides will really help.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Honestly The Coaster .Lineup Is Pretty Underrated With Steel Eel Texas Stingray Great White And Wave Breaker Its Pretty Deep

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's solid.

[@MAC_63]

SeaWorld San Antonio needs to add an Intimin drop tower and a Sky Rocket II model and the park would be complete in my opinion 👌

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those would be nice additions.

[@CoasterDash]

I didnt at all think this park was too big for its own good. I actually thought it was very cohesively put together, especially now that they’ve filled in the gaps with rides :)

[@CanobieCoaster]

Additional rides being added is definitely helping.

[@timk987]

Wow from your description of the park at the beginning it sounds more like a sister park to Marineland rather than a SeaWorld.

[@CanobieCoaster]

In a way, yes.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

This park needs a Rmc raptor and a intamin multi launch coaster like pantheon

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd love to see either.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

love your channel bro also i think Feasta Texas is winning the war

[@CanobieCoaster]

Agreed.

[@countofarcadia]

That is something that I noticed about the park. It feels empty when compared to say Sea World Orlando, but they do not have as much space in Orlando. Everything in Orlando kind of overlaps until you get to the newer Seasme area. San Antonio does indeed need more flat rides and coasters. However, it really needs some sort of mass transit ride like a train or skyliner. You really feel it if you have to go back and forth from the front to the back several times in rapid succession.

[@CanobieCoaster]

A transit ride would be nice.

[@davidwhite9552]

This video was very helpful! By any chance do you know what time each of the coasters open? (Assuming 10am park opening on a Sunday)

[@CanobieCoaster]

From past experience with a 10 am opening, Steel Eel and the kiddie coaster should open with the park. Not sure about Texas Stingray since the park opened later for me in my visits with that ride.

[@moddbailey8270]

I mean honestly, i dont care how big the park is all i did when i was there was lap steel eel and texas stingray and maybe one show because when i went, the operations werent that bad, and all the lines were walk ons. but this is the only seaworld park ive been to so i cant really compare it to the others

[@CanobieCoaster]

It feels different than the others since it's a lot more spread out.

[@jaceWorl]

I’ve been there at Seaworld San Antonio a lot this year for that sells the animal show

[@CanobieCoaster]

Cool!

[@jameslitwin5635]

Me...who went to Sea World San Antonio in March and didn't buy a platinum pass there, despite the fact that I am going to BGW, BGT, and SWO in July......

[@CanobieCoaster]

Aw man!

[@CameronJP]

It's looks good on them to the local community having those exhibits free of cost

[@CanobieCoaster]

True!

[@nicolesiebenhausen3640]

seaworld san antoino is buliding a new water ride next year where the texas splashdown was

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm excited.

[@user-bh2re6mz5t]

Can you name the order I should do the coasters from 1 for 1st and last for 6th

[@CanobieCoaster]

With regards to capacity, it's important to do Wave Breaker as soon as it opens.

[@nicolesiebenhausen3640]

it actually has 7 because the tidal surge is the newest one

[@CanobieCoaster]

That came out after the review.

[@Joypyf]

Marineland seems to be another park too big for its own good. Would you say there are any other parks like this?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those two and Tobu Zoo are three that come to mind.

[@Joypyf]

@@CanobieCoaster ah yes, Tobu Zoo

[@oberthewhat]

yessss thank you for brining up how terrible these ride ops are. The ride teams do not try at all.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a bummer.

[@Jackp499]

I left after four hours because I got bored the only rides I really liked were far away from each other and those were tidal surge Texas stingray and steel eel

[@CanobieCoaster]

The park's size definitely is a downside if you only care about rides.

[@andyroman8223]

I think Seaworld should rebrand this park as a Busch Gardens Park, as then they can do a better job at competing with SFFT by adding much more flat rides instead of just animal exhibits.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think the SeaWorld name is well recognized there.

[@tyler1783]

They really just need more theming, keep building rides, and get rid of the orcas!

[@CanobieCoaster]

More rides will definitely help.

[@jwill2k225]

Florida is the best one

[@CanobieCoaster]

Agreed!

[@tonyreyna1067]

But we're coming up

[@johanll6321]

I’m scared…why isn’t there a samantha rzepko comment?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@MillenniumForceMan]

The amount of rides is sad lol

[@tyler1783]

@@bmfanboy8838 being vaxxed isn’t the flex u think it is lmao

[@CanobieCoaster]

But improving.

[@tyler1783]

@@bmfanboy8838 pro vaccine, anti covid vaccine hope you’ll be fine

[@dytamic]

what the hell is up with your obsession with penguins

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like them.