SeaWorld vacation packages

Question

Hi all, I'm looking at a family short stay in San Diego in December (3-5 nights), after a few night in Anaheim for Disneyland. 2 adults, 2 kids (boys age 9&13) travelling from Australia. Our budget is max $400usd/night or less preferably for accomodation. I think I have narrowed our choices to:

Ocean Park Inn

Catamaran resort

Bahia resort

On our list of activities are: Sea world, San diego zoo, balboa park, and I'd like to look around LaJolla and the parks up that way.

I see sea world has vacation packages, and these seem quite economical with the inclusion of tickets. I've estimated the day tickets to be around $300-$400usd, and the package is coming up only around $100 more than the accommodation only cost. Is this a good option?

thanks!

Answer

Booking a SeaWorld vacation package can be a very good option, especially for families traveling internationally who want to simplify planning and get some savings on tickets. Since you are considering 3–5 nights in San Diego in December, and your budget for accommodation is around $400 USD per night, the vacation package can provide extra value because it bundles admission tickets with your hotel stay.

Here’s a breakdown of considerations for your situation:

Cost savings: If day tickets to SeaWorld for a family of four are around $300–$400 USD, and the package only adds about $100 to your hotel cost, that’s a significant saving compared to purchasing tickets separately.
Convenience: The package eliminates the need to buy tickets in advance or at the gate. You can usually check in and have everything ready, which is especially helpful with kids and after long flights.
Hotel selection: Ocean Park Inn, Catamaran Resort, and Bahia Resort are all good choices. Catamaran and Bahia are larger resorts with more amenities (pools, beachfront, activities), which may enhance the family vacation experience. Ocean Park Inn is smaller and more budget-friendly but still very close to SeaWorld and Mission Bay.
Location: All three hotels are near Mission Bay, which is convenient for SeaWorld. Catamaran and Bahia also have nice grounds and walking access to shops and restaurants.

Other activities you listed are easily accessible from these accommodations:

San Diego Zoo & Balboa Park: About 15–20 minutes drive from Mission Bay. Using a rental car makes it easy to combine Zoo visits and exploring Balboa Park museums or gardens.
La Jolla & Coastal Parks: Around 20–25 minutes drive north. La Jolla Cove, beaches, and tide pools are very family-friendly and great for a half-day outing.

Recommendation:

If SeaWorld is a major part of your trip and you want to save on tickets while staying nearby, the vacation package is a smart and economical choice.
For a more resort-style stay with activities for kids, Catamaran or Bahia may provide the best experience.
Ocean Park Inn is better if your priority is simple, budget-friendly lodging with quick access to SeaWorld.

Overall, given your budget and itinerary, the SeaWorld vacation package is a good deal and can streamline your planning while giving you more value for your stay.