In honor of Lydia going to Kindergarten we wanted to do something special with just her. She loves the ocean and all its animals and is now big enough to walk around all day so we choice Sea World (Caleb also go in free as a teacher). We stood in line with a huge group; they played the national anthem and because of the stained glass Lydia called it the Sea World church. Arriving at the gate before it opened.
We had looked at the map online to plan our attack for the most fun possible (like my mother?-yes!) and Lydia requested seeing the dolphins first. At dolphin cove we bought 4 fish for $6 and they went too fast! But we got to feed and touch them, then go to other side to watch others do the same.
From here we went to the shark aquarium, which in its own right was amazing, but we raced through.
Elmo's Sea of Play had rides, things to climb and a splashpark, it was in the middle of the park so we would often stop by to get WET so we could endure the heat. Caleb and Lydia rode on the Sesame Street inspired Merry Go Round.
Lydia and I did the 'training' roller coaster, the Shamu Express. We then wanted to ride the close by ride of Journey to Atlantis but it was closed so we headed over to the Rio Loco...
Crazy River, we had about a 45 minute wait (during the waits we got to talk about how this is a lot like school-having to wait until all are ready, sometimes waiting and sometimes rushing to another place, and being okay with changes of plans). We got in our tube with a daddy and his two daughters. It was a splashy ride and we told Lydia the waterfall was coming, she said she didn't want to do it-she thought you went down one, but it just poured down on us! We all got wet and enjoyed it. Then we raced to the show Azul but there was standing room only so instead we went back to the other side of the park (this child walked a ton) to watch the water ski/jet ski show. Lydia and I sat in the shade until it began and ate our packed snacks while Caleb rode another roller coaster. There were two she wasn't tall enough to ride, but their lines were short so he got to do both quickly. The boats & skiers were cool. From there to the Comedy show of sea lions and a walrus and an otter. Behind the stage was the seal/sea lion area with a baby one.
We walked past the alligators, rode a kiddo wave ride and to the Splash park to cool off (Lydia did comment that we never played there, we only walked through a got wet, we told her there are splashpads in Austin to play in for free but there are no jumping dolphins in Austin!)
We wanted to get good seats for Azul this time so we arrived before the gates opened and got a snack. Lydia chose cotton candy and Caleb got a Sprite.
Azul-a fantastic show of music, splashing water, divers, synchronized swimmers with beluga whales (it was neat to see that right after watching the summer Olympics). Crazy costumes, birds, jumping dolphins and a 'clown'.
Lydia was a little nervous about posing with the performers so I joined her.
Lydia wanted to see the dolphins one more time so we watched from the observing side, they were really playful and would jump up by us. She wanted to feed them again and we asked if she wanted to use her own spending money and she said yes, we got got more fish, we tried to be slower but they still went so fast.
We had time before the next show so we rode the Shamu express again; Lydia sat on a bee and it stung her on the ride, so first aid gave us some aloe, she was brave. Caleb rode the other big roller coaster while Lydia and I studied the map (I am so proud) and went to see the penguins. It was really the only disappointment of the day, it was too dark to see them, but you could see the puffins in the next room. It was cool so Lydia made videos and we rested before walking out to meet Caleb.
One Ocean-Shamu show. We got splashed (we almost always sat in Splash Zones and this was the only time we got splashed). Baby Shamu (Lydia kept wondering which one was Shamu but they called them all that) was also in the show. We didn't really have a set time to leave and had a dinner packed in the car, but Lydia was doing so great and we were all enjoying the shows so we decided to stay to the end! As we headed to the car for dinner, we saw that Journey to Atlantis was open, we seized the day and got in line, another 45 minute wait and it was our turn to go up, spin around, little backwards dip before plunging down to get splashed. All went well until the dip and Lydia said she didn't want to do anymore-she didn't have a choice and screamed down like crazy but at the end she said it was great and super fun!
Posing after the ride with a boat in the background.
We then went and ate a quick dinner in the parking lot and raced through the splash pad to the Sea Lion show, this was a spoof on Sea World and was really funny. One sea lion's fish got confiscated from the bag and the security guard said he had to buy the $9.99 Elmo Happy meal. The funny guy dressed up like the synchronized swimmer and was hilarious and Lydia's favorite part was when the sea lion had on an Elmo mask.
Then to the Shamu summer nights rocking show. We got on the tv before it started while all were waving, dancing and doing the wave. It was loud and lots of lasers & lights; we were tired but enjoyed seeing the whales again. Then we joined the massive crowd and headed out of the park, out of the parking lot and back up to Austin. Lydia was fast asleep in the car and Caleb and I enjoyed listening to a political podcast.
Thanks so much to Nana & Grandpa for keeping Gloria. It was such a special trip and a fun thing to share and celebrate having a big kid now!
