Why is "Day" in quotes in this chapter's title? Well, we were there for more than just a couple of hours, but still short of what I think qualifies as a day at a theme park. On to the story...
We knew that we would be getting a late start to SeaWorld, but we didn't expect it to be
that late. We packed everyone into the Screamin' Red Van of Destruction and headed...to one of Bambi's Dad's work sites. The problem with running your own business is that you can't just take days off when things need to get taken care of. He's got employees that can handle the majority of the jobs (home repair and remodeling), but he still needs to stop by and make sure they're on task and doing things right. I don't know what the issue was at this particular house, but between driving to the place, sitting there while he did his thing, and getting back to a road that resembled civilization, we didn't get to Sea World until after we stopped at Wendy's for an early lunch.
We bought "2 park" tickets that got us admission to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. They were a pretty good deal online, so I wasn't too upset about missing out on 3 hours at SeaWorld.
It was a pretty hot day, so we went straight for Journey to Atlantis to cool off. Apparently, everyone in the park had the same idea, since we stood in line and weaved back and forth along the chains. Each time you exited one section of the queue you got a little hope that you were almost there. Then you turned the corner to see a dozen more switch backs and no loading area in sight.
Oddly, when we did get up to where we could see the loading area, I wasn't sure we were there. You know how in Splash Mountain, you come around that corner from the dark cave to the open loading area that's themed like a little mining town? You
know you're in the loading area. At Journey to Atlantis, the line just stops and you get put into loading areas that are dark, damp, musty and just sort of icky. I actually had to look two or three times to see if that was part of the theming or if they just don't bother to clean it and that's how it ended up. I'm still not sure...
The ride, however, was fun. You start off on what appears to be a standard log flume ride, floating in the water through scenes depicting Atlantis. What we didn't realize when we loaded was that we had all of the larger adults - myself, Bambi's Dad, Bambi's mom, and a rather robust woman that we didn't know - all on the right side of the boat. We came off the first small drop, and the path takes an immediate right turn. I thought for sure we were going to capsize our little dingy.
You make your way through a few drops, getting nice and wet. Then you are set up for what you think is the final drop. All of a sudden, you look down and see not falling water - but roller coaster tracks! Your boat has wheels hidden under it and you start a brief ride on the rails! (This did not sit well with Grandpa, as he is not a roller coaster fan). The coaster ride is brief, then you get dropped into a final splash down. It was quite an exciting little twist to the ride.
They did get one thing right - you exit through a gift shop.
After the ride, it was time the the day's main event - dolphin feeding! We walked over to that side of the park, got in line and bought our little trays of fish.
I knew from experience that SeaWorld stations photographers across the lagoon to take pictures of you feeding the dolphins. I also knew from experience that their photos cost roughly the same amount as I was not willing to spend on a new van a few days prior. So I snapped on my fancy new zoom lens, walked around the corner of the lagoon and started snapping away myself.
Dolphins fed, hands washed and money still securely in my pocket, we exited the dolphin stadium, where Madison found the Sting Ray petting area. And she was quite proud of herself for touching them.
After finding a pair of flip flops for Bambi to wear since Journey to Atlantis absolutely drenched her tennis shoes, we left the kids in the capable care of their grand parents (yes, I'm just saying that to reassure myself that it was OK) and we headed off to do some of the big rides. First stop: Manta.
This one is fun. You lay basically on your belly, suspended under the track and zoom around, flying like Superman. We got up to the loading platform (after probably 45 minutes in line) and saw that the line for the first row was only slightly longer than any other. This was another awesome ride - you pull some wicked G forces on the outside loop - it actually made the big, strong bodybuilder next to me scream like a little girl. Or maybe that was me, I don't recall exactly. You also zoom down
very close to the water. You don't actually touch it, but they have jets in the water that are timed precisely with the ride so the spray makes it look like you do. Sea World did a nice job on this one.
Meanwhile, the kids were having a fun ride on Ocean Commotion with Grandma.
And there's Madison, kissing a whale. I'm not sure what to even say about this.
After we got off Manta, we saw that we still had time before we were to meet up with the kids and grandparents. We headed to SeaWorld's other big coaster - Kracken. As we made our way across the park, we kept an eye on the clouds. They were getting darker and darker. The radar on my phone showed rain and thunderstorms were on the way. The line for the front seat of Kraken was significantly longer - the sign said an extra 30 minutes. We decided to forgo that and park ourselves in the middle. The ride itself was fine - high, steep, fast, twisty - everything you look for in a roller coaster. Except the theming left a lot to be desired. For the majority of the ride, you look down and see nothing but pea gravel and the support beams of the ride. The only time you got a break from that was when you went out over the parking lot. So while yes, the ride was fun, it's not something I would stand in line for to do again.
The best part was just as we were getting off the ride, an announcement was made that inclement weather was approaching and the ride may have to shutdown at any time. Bambi and I exchanged a high five, then walked down the exit ramp.
We caught up with everyone else at Shamu Stadium. The show was mostly over when we arrived, but somehow Bambi spotted them right on the edge of the Splash Zone, with a few empty seats right next to them. We made our way down and caught the end of the show with them.
After the show, the kids were very excited to show us the kid's area that they had found. Part of it was the Shamu Express roller coaster. (Comparable in size and speed to Goofy's Barnstormer). The kids really wanted to ride, so we said "Go ahead." They expected us to start walking up the line with them, but we stayed put. This confused them a bit, then I told them that they were old enough to stand in line, get loaded, and ride by themselves. After a second or two for that to set it, they turned up the loading ramp, running and jumping like they just won the lottery.
We've taught Madison well. They haven't even left the loading platform yet and she's got her arms up!
And there you have it - Shamu Express at SeaWorld Orlando. The roller coaster the kids rode all. by. them. selves.
They loved their newfound freedom (and the Shamu Express) so much that they probably rode it 3 or 4 times. We eventually convinced them to try some other rides, like this tea cup looking ride. But as the cup rotated around the center pole and you spun it like vomiting was the only way you could save your life, it also rose up in the air, probably 25-30 feet.
Adrenaline pumping through her veins, Madison then decided to conquer her fears. For those of you that read my last
trip report, you'll recall that Madison and I went on a "tower drop" ride in Houston and she, shall we say,
hated it. SeaWorld has one in their kid's area - it's not as tall, but the theory is the same. Get hauled up in the air, and dropped. Repeat as necessary. And despite her fears. And despite the rain, they boarded...
...and they strapped in....
...and they loved it!
By the time they got off, the rain had really started coming down. It was poncho time.
That, or there was a tiny little ghost wandering around SeaWorld.
I'm happy to report it was not a ghost, but Evan. Who was not happy that the rain had shut down his rides.
Since just about every outside attraction was shutdown, we headed to the Pet's Ahoy show. This is a really cute show where they use animals that they adopted from local animal shelters to do all sorts of fun little tricks.
And just to show that SeaWorld has a sense of humor about itself...
(And yes, that is a pig butt to "end" the show!)
We left the show, and it was still raining with no signs of it letting up. We did some shopping and decided to call it a day. Obviously, SeaWorld can't control the weather (My money is on Disney's Imagineers figuring that out first). And I still don't like the idea of charging people for the front of the line access. Even with getting the 2 park discount ticket, it was a lot of money to get all of us in there. I can't imagine paying and extra $30 per person over that. But clearly people do, because they were using it. Overall, SeaWorld is a pretty great park, but it's hard to devote the day or two that it deserves when your vacation time is limited and you have Disney World just down the street.
As we left SeaWorld, our tummies started telling us it was time for some good quality food at good prices. Where else but WAFFLE HOUSE! (Evan was eating a chocolate chip waffle, so that's why his teeth are like that. That's my story and I'm sticking too it.)
After we ordered, the kids and I went to sit at the counter to watch them make our food. Another waiter came by and made the kids honorary Waffle House employees with the cool hats.
UP NEXT: We Return to the Magic!
Such cuties!
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Great timing!
