Great Day 3/29

[lakohls]

Had a great day at Seaworld today! Highly recommend.

Arrived slightly after 10am, after walking from our partner hotel Hilton Garden Inn. DH & kids went to Stingray Lagoon while I exchanged our QQ vouchers from hotel at Guest Services, then met up with them at Dolphin Cove. Watched the 11:30 Blue Horizons show, enjoyed Turtle Trek, then went over to Journey to Atlantis.

Success in that DS4 passed the 42" height requirements! His 1st big kid ride! Offered them our QQ tickets, but I guess because DS15 is wheelchair restricted they just waved us through. So all 6 of us got to ride as a family - fantastic. Wonderful photo and while I usually don't purchase because it was all 6 of us we did. In fact they have a 3 for $35 deal where we got a photo from each of the big 3 rides - so we ended up with that.

Kraken was next - just the girls & I (thanks DH for staying with the boys). Again offered QQ, but staff said line was so short not to worry about it! Excellent ride, but "technical difficulties" at very end kept us on about an extra 15 minutes and then they had to take us all off prior to the regular loading area. Weather was beautiful so girls & I just enjoyed hanging (literally) on the ride.

Headed to 2:15 Clyde & Seamore Show next. Family went on in to get seats & I stopped at Vacation Experience Center to get my "2nd day free" offer - but was told, in direct contradiction from Guest Services that morning, that my tickets did not qualify. Very annoying as I stood in line 20 minutes, still ended up paying the $10/ticket 2nd day upgrade, and then missed the show with the family as once they closed the ropes no luck getting in. They all enjoyed the show.

Wandered through Shark Encounter - very cool. Watched paddle boats for a few minutes, but kids declined going for a ride. So headed over to the Shamu area. Soft serve ice cream gave us a jump start & DH & kids had a blast in the Happy Harbor climbing area for about 30 minutes while I fed DS and people watched. Longest wait of the day: Shamu Express. But they sat in the front row!

By now it was 5pm and we had reserved Dine with Shamu! So over to the underwater viewing area - wonderful opportunity to see the whales interacting. And then dinner - really happy about this choice. Lots of selections for all, pretty tasty, and we got to see some extra interactions & behaviors with the whales. All the tables are right against the glass with great views. It was very informative and helped as we later watched the 7:30pm Shamu Rocks Concert Show. Would recommend.

First though, had a few minutes, so played a few games and DS4 & I won a Shamu in the 50 cent claw game! He is so thrilled. Shamu Rocks was really good. All the whales participated including the "baby". Very high energy and lots of splashing!

By now it was 8pm and the boys headed back to the hotel, while girls & I went for a last run of runs. First girls went to Kraken - twice using theirs & boys QQ passes. On 2nd trip "technical difficulties" again held them up! What is it with us?

Then over to Manta which I rode with them. You are literally hanging face down on this ride. Unbelievable. I could only handle once - especially since just as we finished & were heading for unloading... you guessed it.... "technical difficulties" again ! We hung there looking at all the dropped chewing gum etc for about 5 minutes or so... just have to laugh. Photo is pretty real too. I could not go again - but girls and did. Took a little longer - about 20 min - even with the extra QQ because of the recent delay.

Finally we were done! My feet were/are definitely feeling it as we walked back to hotel. But we are planning a 2nd much shorter day at Seaworld again tomorrow. Big thing - Feed the Dolphins. Line today was really long while we were in that area, so we'll be trying to arrive at 9am to beat that crowd & do a couple of little things before checking out of the hotel & heading to Disney for the rest of the week.

So while I agree that this can be a 1 day park, feels really nice to relax and have 2 available instead. Also, there are alot of people, but not nearly as bad as I would have thought given the reports from Disney earlier this whole week. Another Mom I spoke with mid-afternoon did say there was an hour backup around noon from all the people trying to arrive & get organized at that time.

Enjoy all!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Great report!! Sounds like you had an amazing day.

 

[coastgirl]

Thanks for the report, sounds like a lot of fun! So, when you got stuck on Manta were you stuck upside down??

 

[angelmom27]

Glad you guys had a fun time. Sounds like you guys had some bad luck with the coasters. Glad you still had a fun trip and hope today is a good day. Thanks for the trip report.

What kind of tickets did you have that made them not acceptable?? I don't trust that vacation group doing the free tickets. They aren't connected to SW and have their own rules. I would rather go through SW and just pay the $10.

 

[angelmom27]

Thanks for the report, sounds like a lot of fun! So, when you got stuck on Manta were you stuck upside down??

I think being stuck upside down would be better. That way your laying on your back and not your stomach. Lol

 

[Danielle3699]

Sounds like a great day!!! We are headed to Sea World on Tuesday. Quick question for you. We are also doing the Dine with Shamu...was your dinner during a show or right before a Shamu show?

 

[angelmom27]

Sounds like a great day!!! We are headed to Sea World on Tuesday. Quick question for you. We are also doing the Dine with Shamu...was your dinner during a show or right before a Shamu show?

I don't think they would schedule a dinner during a show. During the dinner is when they do their excercises with the whales. And the trainers talk about information on the whales too.

 

[lakohls]

Thanks for the report, sounds like a lot of fun! So, when you got stuck on Manta were you stuck upside down??

Hi. No, it was just before unloading so we were on our stomachs/chests looking down at the ground.

 

[lakohls]

Sounds like a great day!!! We are headed to Sea World on Tuesday. Quick question for you. We are also doing the Dine with Shamu...was your dinner during a show or right before a Shamu show?

Hi! The dinner reservations that night were for 5:30 - same start time as the show. So while show is starting dinner guests are being seated & organized etc. by the time result show was over we all had our main meals. The trainers then came in and gave about a 20? Minutes talk & demonstrations with 3-4 of the smaller whales. we left about 6:45 giving us about 45 minutes to walk around & get seated for the 7:30 Shamu Rocks show.

 

[lakohls]

Glad you guys had a fun time. Sounds like you guys had some bad luck with the coasters. Glad you still had a fun trip and hope today is a good day. Thanks for the trip report.

What kind of tickets did you have that made them not acceptable?? I don't trust that vacation group doing the free tickets. They aren't connected to SW and have their own rules. I would rather go through SW and just pay the $10.

Sorry angelmom27 -I got distracted & missed your question. We used AmEx points to get our tickets. Which girl at guest relations checked and I told her to ensure they would work. If not I wanted to pay the $10 then instead of waiting in line again later!