Sea World San Diego

Three action filled days at Sea World!  Shows, rides, exhibits, and animal interactions.  Boy are we tired!  But it was totally worth it!  We had a feeling that this would be a favorite stop for Summer and we were right.  She loved everything.  Her favorite ride was the new Manta roller coaster.  Her favorite show was Blue Horizons, the dolphin show.  Luie’s favorite ride was the tea cups.  His couldn’t decide on a favorite show because he loved both the dolphin and Shamu shows.  We  probably walked at least 5 miles a day around the park.

Summer was totally mesmerized by the dolphin show.  Dave and I both noticed the look of awe on her face as she watched.  She also commented several times that it was “totally cool” and “I want to do that!”

Luie was so excited to pose for a picture with the stars of the dolphin show.

Petting the bat rays as they swim by.  This was one of Luie’s favorite stops.  The rays have a slippery slimy feel to them, but they are very friendly.

The Atlantis ride was a fun way to cool off.  Here are Dave and Summer in the front seats.  Luie and I went on the ride twice, but Luie did not like the big drop down and refused to go any more.

Shipwreck rapids.  Luie actually requested this ride several times.

This spinning cup ride was Luie’s favorite.  Notice the empty cups beside them.  One of the benefits of going to Sea World after Labor day is much smaller crowds and short if any wait time for rides.  Of course it also closes earlier in the day and doesn’t have the evening shows.  But without the crowds, we were able to quickly go through so much of the park, that even leaving by 6:00, we still were able to do more than if we could have stayed until 10:00.

The Manta roller coaster was Dave and Summer’s favorite.  They waited longer in line to get the front seats.

Here we are at the Shamu show.  In the splash zone of course.

Yup! We got wet!

If you are planning a trip, here are a few tips that might help.

• Write your cell phone number on the upper arm of your child in permanent marker.  And tell them what to do in case they get separated from you.
• Hats are handy to keep the sun out of your face and eyes!
• Sunscreen!  Ears, neck, face, etc.  We saw a lot of sun burned people.
• Bring a water bottle.  All the places we asked, let us fill our bottles with cold water from the machine for free.
• Pack some snacks like granola bars, trail mix, etc.
• Bring a ziplock and plastic grocery sack.  Some rides will get you wet.  You will want to put your camera and phone in the ziplock and your purse in the grocery sack.  Also, the Orca whale and dolphin shows have soak zones, and the kids always want to sit there.  So a water proof camera is handy.