Sea World Orlando

On our third Orlando day, after T's conference was over, we slept in a bit due to our late night at Disney and then went to Sea World. When we had first planned this trip, hands down the girls voted to go to this park, so it was important that we followed through. It was their first time there and Em especially was quite excited to go. She's our animal lover!

Because we arrived a bit late, we didn't get to do everything, but light crowds helped in our scramble to see as many things as the girls were interested in. After doing a little research, we opted on using our Southwest Rapid Rewards card to get 20% off admission. We chose that over the Fun Card, where you buy a day and get the rest of the year free because we just didn't see ourselves using that particular ticket in the next year. I would LOVE to, but right now that is not in any of our plans.

After getting through the gate with our map, which they print daily with showtimes, we opted to head over to Shamu Stadium for the Believe show. What an incredible show! I know I've been to Sea World before, but I was amazed by the size and strength of those killer whales. I was also amazed by the trainers, who allowed themselves to be propelled underwater and launched into the air by these beasts. I have to say, the show got a bit corny at the end, but it was certainly a treat to see those whales. And the soak zone? Let's just say the whales utitlized every last inch of it. Do not sit there if you do not want to leave completely soaked!

After that, we went down to the kiddie area and the girls rode the jellyfish ride, had their picture taken with a polar bear and killer whale characters and rode the shamu roller coaster. It was the first time we let them ride a ride at an amusement park by themselves, so it was quite strange. I love riding rides, but they really wanted to go alone, so we let them. They did really well and loved it!

That particular day, K came to join us around lunch time. We ate at the Hospitality Deli, where you can get an incredible deli sandwich AND they give you free beer. I have a feeling that 20 years ago when I went to Sea World it was not owned by Annheiser Busch, as I do not remember this building, the beer or the stable with those Clydesdale horses. Just a feeling, but I"m pretty sure none of that was even there.

After lunch, we decided to head over to the dolphin show. This was a real treat. It was a full scale dolphin show set to music and included the trainers, many dolphins, acrobats, bird handlers and beautiful tropical birds that flew around the stadium. It was a beautiful show and we were glad not to have missed it.

From there, we had a make a few choices as we were running out of time. The girls really wanted to feed the dolphins so we started in that direction and found ourselves at the Sting Ray pool. T bought some feeder fish and we all watched in amazement as he fed them. The girls were pretty reluctant to try. Kt put her hand in with a fish - brave child - but backed out at the last minute. You have to put the fish between your fingers, put your hand on the sand (a bit too low for the girls) and the Ray swims up and grabs it out of your hand. We were able to get some cool pictures and the girls figured out they could pet the rays while T fed them. When it was my turn, all the fish were gone! Oh, darn!;-)

A few steps behind us, we arrived at just the right time to feed the dolphins, which was easily the highlight of our trip. T waited in a long line - although I heard Christmastime was worse! - for more fish. He and the girls found a spot to feed and found a spot to take some really awesome pictures. Before this experience, Em would continually say that she wanted to "swim" with the dolphins. Now, I think she was quite happy with just feeding them. They are fiesty little creatures, one having completely soaked me when I reached down to touch him. They are extremely playful, friendly and smart. I know if we ever return, the girls will choose to spend a majority of the day with the dolphins!

With only an hour left in the park, the girls opted not to ride the Atlantis ride. I think Em was too short anyway. We visited the Sea Turtles, Manatees and Alligators. The girls got their cotton candy they'd been whining for all day and we went on our way. We'll save the rides for next time, and the Pet show and the penguins. We were sorry we missed the penguins, but the dolphins made up for it. In all, a wonderful day!