Disability Tips for Visiting the San Diego Zoo and Sea World

We love going to theme parks as a family. We’re always thankful for the disability services that the parks offer. Without these supports, we would not be able to enjoy the day as a family nearly as much. Recently, we flew to San Diego and visited the zoo and Sea World. We learned some very helpful tips for families with disabilities that can save you a lot of time and energy.

The San Diego Zoo

First we will look at our experience visiting the zoo.

Overall, our trip was very enjoyable, and we found the park staff to be very friendly and helpful. When we first entered the park, there was a lady at a podium with a Guest Services sign that indicated we could ask all of our disability-related questions.

Here are some important issues to discuss:

1. Ask for a Disability Map (we were not offered one there for some reason but found it on the website along with the Accessibility Guide). We recommend downloading and reviewing both of these docs before you visit the park. The disability map shows where all of the elevators are. Note these. The park is very hilly and difficult for pushing wheelchairs. We recommend following the trails marked by wheelchairs and using the elevators. The map also shows the locations of the Quiet Areas, Headphone Zones, and Family Restrooms. You might also want to download the zoo map, as it shows different locations including more companion restrooms.

2. If your loved one is unable to walk long distances or stand for a period of time, ask for this card to signify your stroller/wheelchair as a wheelchair.

This is to ensure that you’re not asked to park the chair in stroller parking.

3. Get the Easy Access Pass cards (enough for everyone in your group. We received 2 cards for 6 of us). This will get you access to the Kangaroo Guided Bus Tour and Skyfari without waiting. The staff were very professional at the Skyfari. They radioed the team at the exit location and placed Beth’s wheelchair in a skyride car ahead of us so it would be ready when she got off.

4. Inquire about a Sensory Bag. These are the items that we found in our bag: noise reduction headphones, a fidget toy, and an emotions communication card.

The headphones might be especially helpful during the microphone ranger talks at the different exhibits. We were required to leave our driver’s license until we turned the bag back in.

5. Ask about the Disability Shuttle. The staff member explained that if we felt we couldn’t continue on, we could ask a staff member to call the shuttle, and it would come pick us up and drive us to where we wanted to go.

We found the paths to be very wide, and for most of the exhibits we were able to push Beth right up to the fence to see the animals.

She rode in her wheelchair almost the entire time and saved her energy for those times she couldn’t get up close without getting out of her chair.

Play Area

The Tree of Dreams was a large play area with climbing, slides, and fountains.

More Tips

The grab-and-go restaurants were small and crowded. I was unsuccessful at getting up to the sandwich cooler while pushing Beth’s wheelchair. So you’ll need some help there.

It can be confusing navigating the park, so to avoid any additional walking we recommend:

• Using the app with GPS (if you’re able to get enough cell service). Make sure to download the app prior to coming to the park. We were not able to use the app because we couldn’t get enough bars.
• Choosing the exhibits you most want to see. We realized that we were not going to be able to make it to everything due to the heat and tiredness. As we made our way to our favorite animals, if we passed other exhibits then that was a bonus.
• Planning out the best disability route. On the Disability Map their are blue wheelchair symbols that show the most accessible paths.

Plan to go up the elevators and walk down the hills, not up.

Additional Tips:

• Going down the hills can still be challenging, as they are very steep and unlevel at times.
• Ask staff members questions and for directions. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.
• If you’re planning to go during the summer months, arrive at the park as early in the morning as possible when the animals are typically most active and so you can enjoy some cooler hours. Beth overheats, so we try to limit the time in the heat.

Sea World San Diego

Overall, we had a very good experience at Sea World. The pathways were wide and easily accessible, and we didn’t have to wait long for disability access to rides.

We will say that there were some times that we became frustrated. For example, we arrived at the Orca Encounter stadium at one of the disability access gates indicated by the red arrow (see below). The lady at the gate stated that the entrance was closed and that we would need to walk all the way around to the other side of the stadium to enter with Beth’s wheelchair. This made no sense to us and added more walking.

We learned that there were two disability entrances to the Dolphin Adventures show. We ended up in the splash zone, and it was a bit chilly that day.

When you enter the park, go directly to Guest Services to inquire about Disability Services.

Issues to address:

1. Get the disability ride pass for return times. This includes any developmental disabilities in addition to physical limitations. You will be able to go to the ride and get a return time so you can come back without waiting a long period of time. In the meantime, go grab a snack, use the restroom, or check out another attraction or show. Sometimes there was not a long wait, and they just let us go right through the disability access line.
2. If your loved one is unable to walk long distances or stand for a period of time, get their stroller/wheelchair labeled as a wheelchair so you are able to push it as far as possible up to the ride. This also helps staff recognize that you are there for the disability entrance.
3. Download the Disability Access Guide before going. Knowing where to go to for disability access and to receive return times for rides was different at every attraction. This gem will tell you exactly where to go for each ride and how long you will need to wait. It also describes in detail the physical abilities that are required for each ride.

Tip: Always use the disability entrance. We made the mistake of believing that the posted wait time of 5 minutes was accurate for one of the rides, and we let Beth walk. We ended up waiting 30 minutes after walking forever when we could have pushed Beth right up to the ride. She unnecessarily wasted precious energy.

Look for the Red Arrows on the Park Map.

These indicate the disability access entrances for stadiums and buildings.

Sensory Play Areas

• Bat Ray Feeding Area
• Explorers Reef: Cleaner fish nibble your hands
• Tidepools: Touch starfish, sea urchins, and more
• Sesame Street Bay of Play: Run around in waterplay and on the climbing playground

We used one elevator in the park in the Wild Arctic building. It was very large and easily accessible.

We hope these tips are helpful for your family and that you enjoy a wonderful time!

What tips or questions do you have?

Make sure to share your ideas in the comments.

Blessings,

Todd, Kristin, Josiah, and Beth

Learn more of our travel tips

Kristin Faith Evans, MA, MS, LMSW

Kristin is an author, a speaker, a mental health therapist, and a special needs mom. Her greatest passion is walking with others on their journey to deeper faith and mental health wholeness. As a Licensed Masters Social Worker and with her Masters in Christian Spiritual Formation, she has served in youth, camping, and retreat ministries and is experienced in Christian counseling, couples and family therapy, substance abuse treatment, and crisis counseling. Kristin lives with her husband, Todd, and their two children in the Nashville, TN area. When she is not enjoying life with her family, writing or working with clients, you can find Kristin training for triathlons, reading, or simply being out in nature. Visit her author website at www.KristinFaithEvans.com