THe girls are gorgeous and thanks for the warm welcome 
Thank you for the kind words.
Yay for Sea World! I've never been so it's cool to see what's up over there.
That's so cute how they actually have a Shamu that greets too. So adorable! I totally would get a picture. Though I can understand why Bella wasn't exactly into him.
MINGOS!
Those Sting Ray touch tanks are so cool. There's one at an aquarium near where I live and they have sharks in it too. Very slimy things they are, sharks and rays that is.
The Dolphin show looks really cool! I love the set they have there. And the costumes are gorgeous! Reminds me of FotLK a bit.
Can't wait to read about the rest of your day at Sea World!
Festival of the Lion King was what we thought, as well. That part was interesting, but it really lasted a long time. We said it was more of an acrobatic show with a side of animals rather than the other way around.
Opry Mills Mall used to have stingrays, too, before they flooded. When it resurrected, they didn't bring back the rays.
We've not been to SeaWorld but we did have a day at Discovery Cove a couple of years ago and found that a lot of things there reassured us that the animals in their care were well looked after. They also did their best to educate their visitors too.
I'd like to think that you're right about every large organisation being carefully controlled/regulated in order to make sure all these captive animals are treated properly, with respect.
Do you think you'd go back to SeaWorld? We'd certainly spend another day at Discovery Cove because we all felt it was a nice relaxing day away from Disney and I'm glad my mom's wish to swim with the dolphins convinced us to explore somewhere off Disney property, but generally I'm very reluctant to take any days away from Disney time
The more that I think about it, there were some things I would go back to do. We didn't do Turtle Trek or Wild Arctic. I think we would go back for more animal/exhibit time, but probably not for rides.
I am enjoying the look at Sea World. I haven't been in probably 25+ years but always loved it as a kid. And I am really interested in the new water park they built, the name of which escapes me. Yet somehow there just never seems to be enough time in vacation, no matter how long we are there...or I just don't want to leave the Disney bubble. This trip for you guys seemed to have the perfect balance!!
I need to find some pictures I have of Jill and Trent at Sea World when they were little. I remember them being red-cheeked and sweating.
We thought this was the perfect time for Sea World, since we were not doing Disney parks this time. I am glad we did it, because when we are doing Disney and are in the Disney bubble, it is hard to pry ourselves away from that!
Those pictures from Seaworld are lovely. I have never been to that park. Like Christine, I always think I want to go, but there never seems time to fit it in. Next October we are cruising and staying at Disney. I am not planning on a park ticket, so perhaps that will be the perfect time to visit.
The dolphins and whales look so cool and that show always looks like a lot of fun. And - yes it looks SO hot! Despite that, it looks like everyone is having a great time!
Sounds like a good time for an off-site trip.
We did have a good time. It was so strange being somewhere that was 'foreign' to us.
You didn't miss much not riding the flume ride. It is pretty lame compared to Splash Mountain.
I see you didn't sit in the splash zone for the whales. Chicken?
I love the thrill rides, but we were just there to see animals. I'm guessing in another five years, the girls may want to give Sea World another try, or they may even want to try Universal!
No splash zone for me. I admit to chickendom when it comes to getting my hair wet. have you seen how I go down the drop on Splash???
What people need to remember about Blackfish & those types of things is they are crafted by animal rights folks who have an agenda. Their agenda is to rid the world of animals owned by people. No pets or meats or zoos of ant kind. They show movies & commercials to drum up donations which for the most part don't go to the animals. Before giving dig into the backgrounds of these groups. Please donate to a local shelter these use the donations to care for strays!
This is my hot button project! Sorry, now off my soapbox.
How wonderful to see a glimpse of the turtle. When I was a girl I was at Cramden Park zoo in Miami & saw a turtle on the bank by water. It was out among the public, such an awesome creature.
Your girls are so cute, love the leopard print tops.
Just got back from AKL this past Friday, just love the place. We had lots of animals off our balcony.
I can't stand to see animals hurt in any way. I hope SW is doing all good things for the animals.
AKL is awesome! I knew I would like it the first time I went over there, and I like it more and more every time. It also has sentimental value, because Jill took me on a surprise Mother's Day trip there a few years ago, and it was amazing!
hyper:
I hope Sea World does much more good than harm in their efforts to help animals and the people whoo need to help care for their environment.
You didn't ride the Mingo boats?! 
