A Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney Dream!

[chiamarie]

I zoomed into another stadium across the way, I think it might be Shamu Stadium.

That's Bayside Stadium. They do special events here. In Feburary and March it plays host to Bands Brew and BBQ, and Latin something-ruther. Also, right now, its where you can watch the last show of the night. Kind of a Fantasmic type show with fireworks. Based on this picture, Shamu Stadium would have been to the far left from here.

 

[KatMark]

Great pics at the GF.

We've not been to Sea World since the boys were 8 and 10 -- so about 15 years ago. I really want to go back.

 

[jenseib]

Love the pics of Claire at the GF.

That mime from Sea World is so funny! He was there when we went last year.

Since Claire is wanting a bra, you could get her one of those training bra things that is just like a "half" tank top thing. I bought DD a lot of those, in all colors & designs. She loved them!

Yep, when I break down, that is what I'll get. My neice keeps picking out all this padded stuff. My sister is so NOT that way and I know she's freaking out over it. LOL!

Your dad and the flashlight...

I am glad you found your card. That would be just a sickening thing... loosing all those pictures.

We went to Seaworld in 2003. I remember that show... looks like they haven't change it.

I think the one in OH was about the same too and it was in t he 90's last time I went there. Maybe they don't want to retrain the animals?

Our Mad Hatter seemed like he didn't want to be bothered with us. I think he was the same one you got. I kind of had to force him to interact with River and he was the reason I booked that breakfast and I really built him up to River. I just told him they were switching over to lunch and the Mad Hatter had to leave I can't believe I missed the Mary topiary I love those!

I felt so bad for you when you couldn't find the card I would have cried too. I'm so glad you found it!

That is one of the funniest bathroom stories I've ever heard

We've never been to Sea World and I don't know if we'll make it so I love seeing your pictures and hearing about it.

It was such a bummer that he was so calm. The one at the wonderland tea party was a riot.

LOVED all the Mary Poppins pictures!!! They were great. The GF is the perfect setting for those pictures! Claire looked just perfect!

Oh my goodness! You had me cracking up over your Dad's bathroom issues!! What the heck!?!?! I can hardly believe someone would offer to hold a flashlight for him! That's one of the funniest stories I've ever heard! Why didn't he just give the flashlight to your dad???

We saw Clyde and Seymore back in '08 and LOVED it! It is so funny and entertaining. We loved all the shows at Seaworld but I totally agree with you that the park is very confusing and so hard to find your way around. They were doing construction when we were there so the maps didn't match the park and that made it even worse! I was almost in tears out of pure frustration b/c we could not find our way around! Other than that though, we really enjoyed it and would love to go back.

My Dad is something...isn't he.
I remember reading about your Sea World trip. And it is really confusing to me. My Dad thought it was easier to get around than Disney. I think we missed over half the park.

So now you know the perfect Christmas present for your Dad-- a flashlight! I would so do that just to see the look on everyone's faces! I couldn't believe someone would want to hold it for him!! Must be an alternate universe!


I used to love Sea World in Aurora! I am so bummed my girls can't experience it being that close to us. We went every year when I was a kid and I rarely got bored with it. We even had our prom and after prom there when I was in high school! Although it was weird changing clothes in front of the penguins...

Thats a great idea. I'll attach a note saying keep this on you at all times in case power goes out when you gotta go! LOL!

That's Bayside Stadium. They do special events here. In Feburary and March it plays host to Bands Brew and BBQ, and Latin something-ruther. Also, right now, its where you can watch the last show of the night. Kind of a Fantasmic type show with fireworks. Based on this picture, Shamu Stadium would have been to the far left from here.

Thanks. I thought it looked big, but didn't quite fit what I thought was Shamu stadium.

Great pics at the GF.

We've not been to Sea World since the boys were 8 and 10 -- so about 15 years ago. I really want to go back.

Thanks. Claire wants to go back, so I guess it was a hit with her. WE just need more time to do all the things I like to do while in FL.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

That story about your dad is so funny! I can't believe that someone would offer to hold a flashlight for him.

That show at Sea World looks fun! I haven't been there since I was really little.

 

[Beth D]

OMG I had tears running down my face while reading about the aborted launch! Gotta keep up with the space lingo! DH would be dining out on that story for months if it was my dad.

I'm glad it was only a power outage. I was having visions of red light camera tickets arriving back in OH, as I know the one intersection on I drive between Sea World & Discovery Cove has them.

I love Sea World. It is such a relaxing day, but it IS very confusing to get around. A bunch of little tiny paths that all end up at different spots.

Now that A. Busch doesn't own it, DH is mad that there's no more free beer samples! Are the Clydesdales still there?

 

[GoofyWife]

loved your dad story and glad to know it's not just my family!! DH + 2DS = alot of potty humor - and it's definitely a guy thing, they are so proud of what they do, they have to share it with us LOL!

 

[mom2rtk]

Jen, I'm feeling tired just reading this part of your TR! I can't imagine how you were still upright and moving by this point........

We love Sea World but haven't been in some time, so I'll enjoy all your photos here. Our first trip was in 89 in........... Ohio! An outdoor water park in the midwest though... WHAT were they thinking???? We've also been to Orlando and San Diego and can't wait to get back again. Nice to see Clyde and Seymour are still up their same old antics!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh my gosh! I was laughing so hard at your dad's bathroom story and the man holding the flashlight. That was hilarious!

I hate that you guys didn't get to Sea World earlier but it looks like you are off to a good start. I remember us loving the sea lion show because it was so funny.

 

[jenseib]

OMG I had tears running down my face while reading about the aborted launch! Gotta keep up with the space lingo! DH would be dining out on that story for months if it was my dad.

I'm glad it was only a power outage. I was having visions of red light camera tickets arriving back in OH, as I know the one intersection on I drive between Sea World & Discovery Cove has them.

I love Sea World. It is such a relaxing day, but it IS very confusing to get around. A bunch of little tiny paths that all end up at different spots.

Now that A. Busch doesn't own it, DH is mad that there's no more free beer samples! Are the Clydesdales still there?

Yes, we've been having a good time withthat story for several months now.
Good thing about power outages...red light camreas don't work then. LOL!
It was so confusing to me. I'm used to Disney. I'm sure if I go a few more times I wil lget the hang of it.
I didn't see the Clydesdales, but we missed quite a bit of the park. I thought I read somewhere they were no longer there though.

loved your dad story and glad to know it's not just my family!! DH + 2DS = alot of potty humor - and it's definitely a guy thing, they are so proud of what they do, they have to share it with us LOL!

My Dad has always used the old famous potty humor. I guess we get our disgusting sense of humor from him.

Jen, I'm feeling tired just reading this part of your TR! I can't imagine how you were still upright and moving by this point........

We love Sea World but haven't been in some time, so I'll enjoy all your photos here. Our first trip was in 89 in........... Ohio! An outdoor water park in the midwest though... WHAT were they thinking???? We've also been to Orlando and San Diego and can't wait to get back again. Nice to see Clyde and Seymour are still up their same old antics!

Yep, it was catching up to me.
I loved Sea World Ohio. I wish it was still there. Well it is, but sitting abandoned. Six Flags bought it out, along wit the amusement park across the lake, Geauga Lake. They turned it into a super park with animals on one side and added more rides to the other. I think they had it for about 2 years...maybe 3. We never made it there. I was cursious how they transported people back and forth to each side because the lake was fairly big. I assumed they had ferries running. Cedar Fair bought it from them (they own several parks including Cedar Point) The shut down the Sea World side and kept the Geauga Lake side open and renamed it back to Geauga Lake. I haven't been there since the 90's, so I have not been there since all the changes first took place. I have to say that Geauga Lake was getting pretty run down the last time we went, but it sounded like six falgs put a lot of moeny into to it to improve it. I guess some year we'll have to taek a trip there again.
Cedar Fair is just letting Sea World sit.

Also when Sea World was there, they flew all the animals down to Florida for the Winter Months. I always thought it was weird too, to have that kind of park in Ohio.

 

[jenseib]

I may be out of the loop. I was looking up info on the old Ohio Sea World and it looks like Geauga Lake has since closed too? But I'm not 100% sure on it.

And the Sea World park is now a water park?

Oh my gosh! I was laughing so hard at your dad's bathroom story and the man holding the flashlight. That was hilarious!

I hate that you guys didn't get to Sea World earlier but it looks like you are off to a good start. I remember us loving the sea lion show because it was so funny.

We are one classy family! This sounds like something that your family would do too!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Oh my goodness! Your dad certainly has no problem asking people for help.

The Sea World pics are great. It reminds me of home. I grew up in San Diego and it was a short 20 minute bike ride to Sea World. I was there more times than I can count, and the Clyde and Seamore show was always a favorite. The storyline really doesn't change much, I think they just re-decorate.

I'm glad that Claire loved the show and I hope that she enjoys the rest of her day at Sea World.

I can never convince my DH to go to Sea World with me. I think that since we grew up with it, he doesn't feel the need to go. I'm still looking for the surprise Discovery Cove trip..... don't worry, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[JKSWonder]

That whole story with your Dad was a hoot!

 

[jenseib]

Oh my goodness! Your dad certainly has no problem asking people for help.

The Sea World pics are great. It reminds me of home. I grew up in San Diego and it was a short 20 minute bike ride to Sea World. I was there more times than I can count, and the Clyde and Seamore show was always a favorite. The storyline really doesn't change much, I think they just re-decorate.

I'm glad that Claire loved the show and I hope that she enjoys the rest of her day at Sea World.

I can never convince my DH to go to Sea World with me. I think that since we grew up with it, he doesn't feel the need to go. I'm still looking for the surprise Discovery Cove trip..... don't worry, I'm not holding my breath.

It kind of gave me a feeling of younger days. At least Claire got to experience it, even if it wasn't in OHIO.

That whole story with your Dad was a hoot!

I still sit and think...what was he thinking?

 

[cass'mom]

I may be out of the loop. I was looking up info on the old Ohio Sea World and it looks like Geauga Lake has since closed too? But I'm not 100% sure on it.

And the Sea World park is now a water park?

Yes, Geauga Lake sadly closed in 2007. It sits abandoned and is a complete eyesore when you pass by. Most of the coasters were either scrapped (Double Loop was demolished) or auctioned off--the Big Dipper is still there. On the Sea World side there is a Water Park called Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom. We live so close but have never been there.

Here's a neat website about it and it even has Sea World Photos!
http://www.geaugalaketoday.com/

 

[Beth D]

The problem with Geauga Lake started when 6 Flags bought it. They put in tons of big expensive rides to try and make the little park compete with coaster giant Cedar Point and Kennywood.

However, the attendance at the park never generated enough $$ for them to maintain those big expensive rides. So 6F didn't keep up on the maintenance like they should have and let the park fall into disrepair. (This was also the beginning of 6F's slide into bankruptcy)

When CF bought them, they tried to get everything up again, but were just throwing good money after bad.

They divvied up the rides that could be saved and shipped them to other parks, and just kept the waterpark.

 

[jenseib]

Yes, Geauga Lake sadly closed in 2007. It sits abandoned and is a complete eyesore when you pass by. Most of the coasters were either scrapped (Double Loop was demolished) or auctioned off--the Big Dipper is still there. On the Sea World side there is a Water Park called Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom. We live so close but have never been there.

Here's a neat website about it and it even has Sea World Photos!
http://www.geaugalaketoday.com/

Thanks so much for that link. I find it all facsinating and will look through it thoroughly. I did do a quick scan at the Sea World pics and then the 6 flags wild life pics. This one cracked me up because it was called the "Skip and Dudley show" (as you know my DH is named Skip)

You can tell in the picture that they just redid the old pirate ship...it still has the sahpe, but a new paint job and props. But I "know". LOL!

The problem with Geauga Lake started when 6 Flags bought it. They put in tons of big expensive rides to try and make the little park compete with coaster giant Cedar Point and Kennywood.

However, the attendance at the park never generated enough $$ for them to maintain those big expensive rides. So 6F didn't keep up on the maintenance like they should have and let the park fall into disrepair. (This was also the beginning of 6F's slide into bankruptcy)

When CF bought them, they tried to get everything up again, but were just throwing good money after bad.

They divvied up the rides that could be saved and shipped them to other parks, and just kept the waterpark.

I remember when they first bought it they were selling tickets for mega cheap. I think it was advertised around her for $20 a person. (2000)
I also read that Cedar Fair didn't take care of it to wel lbecause they didn't want to compete with them selves with Cedar Point being so close.
I have to say I think the last time we went to Geauga Lake was in 1998 and it was not great. We got there early and rode a ton of stuff, but by early afternoon it was a hangout for teens. They had been selling season passes that year for something like $50 and i think every parent in the area bought them for their kids and just dropped them off daily. There were a ton of hoodilem looking kids standing in the doorways of all the shops and wouldn't move to get out of the way. They acted like they owned the place.
We ended up leaving earlier than we had planned because we were so disgusted with it.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I remember Sea World, the last time that we were there was in 1976. Later we went to the one in Florida. That is where I got my pick a pearl.
I miss those old places. One year we were on our way to WDW & the off ramp was so backed up that we decided at the last minute to go to Circus World instead. It wasn't too bad, but certainly no Disney!

Back then spring break was horribly crowded. The MK would close at noon because there were too many people in the park! This was before fast passes.

 

[jenseib]

I remember Sea World, the last time that we were there was in 1976. Later we went to the one in Florida. That is where I got my pick a pearl.
I miss those old places. One year we were on our way to WDW & the off ramp was so backed up that we decided at the last minute to go to Circus World instead. It wasn't too bad, but certainly no Disney!

Back then spring break was horribly crowded. The MK would close at noon because there were too many people in the park! This was before fast passes.

And less parks, so not as many spots for people to divide up to.

 

[jenseib]

I finally got that Otter!

This part was funny. The guy was reaching into the hole to chase after the Otter. A hand comes out the other hole to make it look like his. Only the guy had his sleeved rolled up when he stuck his hand in and didn’t have green trim. I assume this was not a mistake, but part of the fun. And it was funny. So he mentions how it was weird as he though he had his sleeve rolled up and pulls it out and checks and then the hand comes out the next time with the sleeve rolled up.

The show was over then and we loved it.
My Dad is a big fan of shows, so immediately he pointed out another show…the dolphin show… and said lets hurry over there. I didn’t think we would have enough time to make it, but he insisted we did.
We headed over to that stadium. Claire became the map holder and shouted out directions. Now I don’t really think she had a clue, but we pretended like she was giving us correct info. (I still was holding a map as well.)
We made it over to the correct stadium and it was pretty packed. We found some open seats up towards the top and settled down. I looked back and Mom and Dad had decided to sit a few rows behind us and over a bit.
As we waited for the show to start I looked over the schedule. I saw another show that would be starting shortly after this one, and I did NOT want to see it. At least at that time. I wanted to do other things besides shows. So I told Claire that we would go find the dolphins next because I was sure Adda and Papa would be heading to the next show. She said OK, and it sounded like fun.

Soon the show started. I have to say I was not a fan of this show. I wanted all dolphins and this had a lot of divers in it and other performers. It was much to long and the music was about to put me to sleep. Now they were good at what they did, don’t get me wrong, but that was not the kind of show I was looking forward too. The Sea World in Ohio used to have a fabulous Dolphin show, and that is what I thought this would be like. I felt like the dolphins were not really much of a feature here. They focused more on the people.
It didn’t stop me from taking a lot of pictures though. And I was lucky enough to have a nice pole in my line of shot!

It was so hard to get the dolphins in mid air. I never knew where they were under water and they would just all of a sudden appear in the air. And then I would get them as they were going down, or cut half the bodies off from turning and shooting to quick.

 

[petals]

The best picture I got of the dolphin show was on the 2008 trip. Clicked the camera just as they jumped out of water together at the end and there was a delay on the camera.. result is third picture down here Clickie