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Cloudy gray skies greeted us at Sea World on Monday morning. We used our usual technique of arriving early, but apparently Sea World doesn’t open its parking until 8:30 am. We were the second car in the park. This was a foreshadowing of the rest of the day.
My mother joined us and was able to purchase a year pass for the price of a single day ticket because she is a Florida resident. After we entered the park the big kids headed toward the Kraken and the rest of us visited the dolphin nursery. You couldn’t touch the dolphins but they were very close.
We also visited the sea lions and otters as well as the penguins. We met up with the big kids after they had ridden the Kraken, FIVE times. We watched the Sea Lion and Otter Show which is quite funny and entertaining.
We spent the rest of the day watching shows and visiting animals. My favorite show at Sea World is Horizons which combines dolphins, whales, birds, divers, and gymnasts. This is an amazing show that the whole family will enjoy.
As we walked around the park we were surprised at the emptiness of the park. We were actually seeing the same people two and three times throughout the park.
Empty Park
A great fun spot for kids at Sea World is Shamu’s Happy Harbor. This place has nets, slides, rides, characters, and water games for kids. We spent about two hours in the Happy Harbor, although my little kids could have spent all day there. We even convinced my mom to ride the Shamu roller coaster.
Grandma on the roller coaster.
Our two year old loved the carousel. She rode it four or five times.
We finished the day with Wild Arctic. This ride has two routes, one for little people and one for thrill seekers but both end up with a visit to polar bears, humpback whales, and an enormous walrus.
As we headed out of the park my big kids decided to ride the Kraken again, and again.
We had a great day at Sea World. I really like this park, it is beautiful and breezy.
Family Photo
I did find a few low points during our day. Dining- the food is overpriced in my opinion. A kid’s meal is about $8 compared to $5 at Disney. The dolphin exhibit is now pay per person to feed the dolphins… $7 a person. If you don’t feed the dolphins you really don’t get to see them up close. For years you were able to buy a tray of fish and feed the dolphins, not a per person price.
Aside from those two things I thought we had a great day. My advice would be to bring a lot of snacks and eat after you leave the park.
Flamingos on Parade
That funky green thing is actually a sea horse.
A great day!
Anheuser-Busch is once again offer free admission to military and up to three direct dependents in 2010 with their Hero’s Salute program. Thank you Anheuser-Busch!
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad you enjoyed SW. I grew up in San Antonio and actually worked at the SW there. It was and is an awesome place. I’m worried that since Anheiser Busch was bought out, that SW will go downhill.
About the prices, even with an employee discount (way back when), I still never ate there because of the expense.
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Told you that you would love Sea World. I love that park, always have and always will. Then again I love animals and Sea animals are so darn cute. You were lucky that the park was empty. Most people prolly woke up that morning and saw the sky and decided to do something else. Their loss your gain!
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LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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It looks like y’all had a great time! I know your kids had fun riding Kraken. It’s a thrill. How awesome that there weren’t many people there. I can’t believe you have to pay $7 to be able to get close enough to touch the dolphins. It’s changed since the last time we went.
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What a great time you had! I have been to SW in Ca many many years ago.
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We loved Sea World when we went years ago. It seems to be a sign of the times how empty places are these days.
BLessings,
Dawn
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Its funny the whole time I was reading your post I was “trying” to remember what I remember when I went …. twenty years ago. ((gasp)) lol. Thanks for sharing your trip with us ! It has been fun following your trip. When do you come home ? Or are you having too much fun to come home. [0;
Sending you blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<
-Mary
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What a perfect day to go! It was not crowded, not cold or rainy. I loved all the rides especially the thought of a Kraken. Sounds like a book should be read on the way home? I love your little one with the Manatee! Too Cute!
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
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Your pictures remind me of our trip last year. It was a great and much needed trip. Thanks for bringing back my memories!!
Take care,
Amy
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I especially enjoyed the pictures of your family on vacation. It took me down memory lane with my own at similar places.
Antoinette
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Thanks for the tips. I know we are going to do Sea World this year because they have a special when you buy tickets online you can keep going for two weeks after the date of purchase. Plus we are going to try their new waterpark. We will definitely be packing our lunch…did you see anyone else at Sea World who brought their lunch. I know Disney allows it.
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