Theme Park Under the Sea: Why SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND Is a Must-Visit

🎢🐠 The First Theme Park Under the Sea? We Were There for the Grand Opening at SEA LIFE Florida!

This past weekend, we had the fintastic opportunity to dive into something new—literally! As a family creator and full-time ocean enthusiast, I was so excited to attend the grand opening of SEA LIFE Florida, the first-ever "theme park under the sea" at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort—and let me tell you, it was an underwater dream.

This isn't just another aquarium—it's a fully immersive, interactive marine adventure designed just for kids (but secretly so fun for us grown-ups too!). SEA LIFE Florida combines the wonder of sea life with the creativity of a theme park, and the result is truly magical.

🎉 Making a Splash: A Grand Opening Full of Ocean Magic

The "oh-fish-al" kelp-cutting ceremony kicked off with sea-inspired performances, a giant manta ray puppet, and help from Garden Grove Elementary students. Sharky the mascot made a fin-tastic appearance too! This festive welcome wasn't just fun—it emphasized SEA LIFE Florida's mission to inspire and educate kids about the ocean.

As SEA LIFE Florida's Curator Sarah McMahon said, "That spark of curiosity turns into respect. And respect is the first step to protecting our ocean." 💙

🐙 Dive Into the Magic: 11 Immersive Exhibit Zones

SEA LIFE Florida is packed with ocean-sized excitement across 11 immersive zones, each designed to spark wonder and curiosity:

🐢 Freshwater Swamp – Meet Florida's native species in a swampy habitat.

🐡Key West Harbor – Tropical fish and coastal vibes bring the Keys to life.

🐚Rockpools – Hands-on touches with sea stars and other fascinating creatures.

🐴 Seahorse Nursery – Watch seahorses and learn about all the different species.

🪸 Coral Reef – A rainbow of reef fish schooling around vibrant coral.

🐟 Stingray Bay – Graceful rays and fish glide past

☠️ Blackbeard's Shipwreck – Explore a pirate-themed sunken ship full of marine inhabitants.

🌈 Colorful Caves – Neon-lit caverns perfect for photos and exploration.

🪼Jelly Invaders – Glow-in-the-dark jellyfish float like aliens in space.

🌊 Ocean Tunnel – Walk under an immersive 180° underwater canopy of sea life.

🎢 The Theme Park Under the Sea – More on this below!

🎢 Welcome to the Theme Park Under the Sea at SEA LIFE Florida!

This unique final exhibit brings "theme park" into the ocean's depths. Designed to entertain both young explorers and adults, it features:

• A clam Ferris wheel—underwater style!

• A haunted house curated for marine life (cute-spooky, not scary!).

• An underwater castle complete with aquatic storytelling details.

Theming, storytelling, and playful design make this zone shine, turning a visit into a narrative adventure. Calling it a theme park under the sea isn't just clever marketing—it is an undersea amusement land!

🌎 A Splash of Purpose: Ocean Stewardship in Action

SEA LIFE Florida isn't just here to entertain—it's here to inspire the next generation of ocean protectors.

This immersive aquarium officially opened during World Oceans Month, and that timing wasn't a coincidence. Every detail—from the exhibits to the messaging—reflects their mission to educate and empower families to care about the sea and its creatures.

A few of the ways they're putting purpose into action:

• 🐚 Round-up donations at LEGOLAND Florida support SEA LIFE Trust, a global nonprofit that protects marine life and habitats.

• ♻️ All LEGOLAND parks now use reusable shopping bags, encouraging families to take small steps that make a big difference.

• 🌊 Conservation touchpoints are woven throughout the aquarium, inviting guests to make small choices that protect our oceans, like avoiding single-use plastics or choosing sustainable seafood.

🌐 What is SEA LIFE Trust?

The SEA LIFE Trust is a registered marine conservation charity dedicated to protecting oceans and marine wildlife through global projects, local action, and public awareness. Their mission goes far beyond the aquarium walls.

Here are just a few things they do:

• Operate the world's first beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland

• Rescue and rehabilitate injured marine animals

• Lead campaigns against plastic pollution and ghost fishing gear

• Promote sustainable practices through research and education

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By visiting SEA LIFE Florida or rounding up your ticket purchase at LEGOLAND, you're helping to support these critical efforts. As someone passionate about marine conservation, I felt this part of the experience meant the world. 💙🌍

💙 Thoughtfully Designed for All Families

Another feature I truly appreciated? A dedicated sensory room is located inside Stingray Bay. As a mom to a child with autism, this quiet, low-stimulation space meant so much to us. It provides a calming break for children who might feel overwhelmed and a beautiful reminder that SEA LIFE & LEGOLAND are committed to being inclusive for all families.

🛍️ Don't Swim Past the Gift Shop!

Before you head out, visit the gift shop full of ocean-themed treasures—plush sharks, stingray toys, fun apparel, and even some unique LEGOLAND tie-ins. My kiddos left happy, and yes, I snagged a few items.

🎟️ Admission: How to Dive In

There are a few ways to experience SEA LIFE Florida—visiting solo or bundling it with a full day of LEGOLAND fun!

🧱 1-Day LEGOLAND + SEA LIFE Ticket

• Access to both LEGOLAND Florida and SEA LIFE Florida

• From $94/person online (save vs. $139 at the gate)

• Best value for a full-day family adventure

🐠 1-Day SEA LIFE Only Ticket

• Explore just SEA LIFE Florida

• From $25/person online

• Perfect for a shorter visit or local staycation

💛 Gold Pass (Unlimited Visits!)

• Year-round access to all LEGOLAND Florida Resort parks (including SEA LIFE)

• Free parking + member perks

• Monthly payment plans are available

👉 Tip: Buy online early to save and skip the ticket lines!

🐬 Final Thoughts: Sea-riously, Don't Miss This

We left SEA LIFE Florida brimming with wonder, respect, and inspiration. It's more than an aquarium—an underwater storybook filled with learning, imagination, and purpose.

Whether you're a Florida local or planning a trip to LEGOLAND Florida, this brand-new theme park under the sea is a must-see. Come for the creatures, stay for the mission—and leave a little more inspired to protect our oceans. It's playful. It's purposeful. And it's the first theme park under the sea—and now that we've experienced it, I can officially say it's shark girl approved. 🦈

Thank you, SEA LIFE Florida & LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, for having us!

Stay salty, stay curious, and always keep swimming. 🐠

*This was a hosted event, but all opinions are my own