Hakuna Kidani, What a Turtleful Phrase!

[MeMom]

I am totally convinced I need to go to Seaworld after all your fun and fabulous pictures! It looks like a great day!

I think you would enjoy it.

MeMom, my dad was stationed in Northern California when I was growing up. One of our vacations was a road trip to Southern California (I think I was 7), we went to Disneyland, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo among other things. It was an awesome vacation, I still have vivid memories of those 3 parks. The San Diego Zoo is amazing! We plan on eventually taking the girls on a similar trip - although with all I want to see and do in California it is going to be a long and expensive trip. Good thing I want to wait a few more years so Charlotte can really enjoy it, I'll need the time to save!

I wish I had gotten a 'free' tour of California while my dad was in the Air Force.

Keep filling that Sea World money jar!

Loved the update. I've been missing my Dis friends. Just less and less time at the computer unless it's work stuff

I can't wait for more pictures and will get on this weekend to "hang" out. Haha

It seems like all of us are extra busy these days.

I enjoyed seeing Abby's Principal of the Day pictures.

Congrats on making it through the shark tank! Things like that don't normally bother me, but the couple of times I have done them I am looking up and around so much I always feel a little disoriented and out of balance.

Interesting facts on the barracudas! So glad you got to enjoy some milder animals like the manatees! And I bet the girls really enjoyed using those turtle controllers.

I never thought I could make it through one of those, but I just kept looking down, and I knew it couldn't last forever.

The turtle controllers seemed like a Disney touch.

I'm still here - it's been so hard to find time to keep up. I still have to finish my March TR, but just can't get to it these days!

Love Sea World. Would like to go back too. We took the girls on their first trip to FL at 11 mos and almost 3, so they don't remember it. We also went to the one in San Antonio in 2007. Not sure they remember that one much either.

Your girls might like all those big rides, too.

All caught up! Love the look on Sophie's face when the carousel started! LOL Definitely need to put SeaWorld on my list of places to see!

I think you should put it on your list. I am glad we did it. We would not have, if we had been doing Disney parks, so I am glad this worked out.

Yay for you, MeMom, for getting through the shark tunnel! With all my crazy fears, I completely understand what it's like to have to overcome a fear to be with family, haha. My insane fear of buffalo has made it so that I HATE restaurants like Texas Roadhouse because of the animal heads on the wall, but I've had to push through and walk with my head down (clinging to Howard) to get to our table for family celebrations!

I do not have buffalophopbia, and I quite enjoy Texas Roadhouse! Their food is good, and their prices are excellent.

It's Friday...LOL! Where is the update?

Sorry couldn't help it...I am all caught up on my trip report reading.

Have a good weekend!

Lynn

Well, you see....
there was school....
and extra job....
and school work to do at home...
and late bus duty....
and a run to SAM'S....
and a LOT of housework.

Seems I lied about the Friday pictures.
They are going to be Saturday pictures, instead.

Wahoo! I finally got a chance to get all caught up again! Take your time with your wonderful trip report. I know I’ll keep reading, no matter how long it takes. Love being a part of your trips!

We have had Seaworld AP’s for 14 years. We rarely spend more than a couple of hours (unless we are entertaining visiting friends & family). We just love to go hang out, see our favorite things and then head home. It is just a very relaxing place for us since we never have anything we have to go and see. My DD actually got a job there this summer and loved the time she spent there & at Aquatica. She wants to go back next summer and she is a very good CM because she has seen the great example set by Disney's CM's.

Last time we were at Florida’s Seaworld it was over 20 years ago! I’m sure a lot has changed! Although, a lot of the stuff looks a lot like ours her in CA. You saw all our favorites: polar bears, mingos, turtles, dolphins and rays. We used to have manatees but they took them out and replaced with a beautiful turtle area. I love turtles, but still really miss seeing the manatees. We have never seen the new dolphin show since they changed it, because we agree it is too much acrobatics and not enough dolphins!

I am really missing Disney as my AP expired and I just can’t justify getting another with both my DD’s in college now and my non Disney DH not wanting to ever go. Everyone has been either at DL over our Fall Break, or at WDW so it is sad, but good to see the fun they are having. Guess I’ll just have to just settle for pictures for now.

My favorite picture so far is Sophie’s reaction to the ride. How funny! Love the face she made.

Hope I can stay caught up with report this time. Take care of yourself especially with the second job! Sounds like your super busy. I totally understand the need for extra money, I may have to go and get a second job as subbing just doesn't help much towards tuition bills.

We really enjoyed seeing the animals, and I suspect when we go back, that will be our focus again. We truthfully didn't pay attention to the rides.

I am sure your daughter is a great CM. We didn't see a lot of people working. We would walk for quite a way sometime before we saw a SW employee. Very different than at WDW.

I had planned to re-up my AP at Christmas, but now that I have slashed the March trip - - I will just wait until summer to do it, I think. Then I will get summer, October, next spring break, and next summer out of it.

The part-time job does not add a lot, but it will add up to a decent amount between now and Christmas.

Wow, I've fallen far behind. 5th grade is all consuming!!!

I think we walked for well over an hour that night looking for turtles. The sad thing is that Marc and I found more than one up on the beach laying eggs before you came down...

The CM from DAK, Matt, was really nice and we can't wait to go back next summer and join him for morning nest digging. He actually invited us to help him dig the freshly hatched nests to count the hatched eggs, collect data and dig up the babies that haven't made it out of the nest. I guess it pays to be from the middle of nowhere (where his dad was born) I was born and raised in Emporia, Kansas and his dad is from Lebo, Kansas. Lebo is a tiny place that is "famous" for their fried chicken house and a neighboring community to Emporia. When he said "Lebo" I immediately said " best fried chicken ever", and we became instant friends! The rest is history!

As for those of you that asked about the craft that I did with the girls, I did get it from Pinterest. It is called Fairies in a Jar http://www.pinterest.com/pin/167266573633003665/
It's really easy to make, just buy the tulle, I used a plastic jar, and dollar store glow sticks.
Have fun, just be careful of the glass in the glow sticks!

How's that 5th grade Math coming along?

I hate they we will not be able to stay that last part of July to go to Vero. It will mess Jill and John up to stay over that week, and I definitely have to be back in Nashville by the 30th. The girls and I could stay and go to Vero with you for a few days, but then we'd have the issue of getting back to MCO, so that wouldn't work.

I could have listened to Matt talk for another hour or two. What a cool job he has!

The girls loved the fairy lights, of course.

 

[MeMom]

Not a Disney duck, but a lucky guy, still, to live at Sea World.





Like we said, this was a turtleful trip.



We got a new Reading series this year, and guess what one of the upcoming stories is about.



Jellyfish! I wish I had known. I so would have gotten one of those.















We didn't go in this, but this would be something I will want to do when we go back.





Dolphin viewing area.





You were allowed to touch them.



Another ray.



Wanna feed them?

 

[MeMom]

Time for dinner.



Have I mentioned it was free?





Dinner guests.

















Up above.









The word of the day was -













Why must we trap these poor animals in plastic???

 

[MeMom]

The girls wanted to buy gifts for Miss Anita Wigd.





Plushies.



Not a DIS name, but one of our little cousins this time.



Lest you think we left with no new friends....





Random picture of a Florida license plate.



And back to where we are much more at home.



This happens here.



First Disney bus!





Straight ahead!



Now left.



We are here!

 

[Poolrat]

What a wonderful day at Sea World.

Free Eats lots of shows and sea creatures.

I was thinking as I scrolled through with the dining plan I bet dinner before you leave was a given. Glad it was - some good choices there.

 

[sunny_stace]

Oh I remember touching the dolphins when I was a kid! I was so in awe of the whole thing and so fascinated, we must have spent about an hour at that tank. I remember my dad trying to talk me into doing something else and me having no part of it.

It was nice to have that good memory today...I got in to a car accident (I'm fine, no injuries) and am now with a lot of paperwork and no car and missed my own birthday dinner.

 

[scottny]

Fun times and great pics. Love the carousel pics.
Woohoo you did the shark tunnel. It looks like fun. That was one reason I was going to go there.
Empire of the Penguin was the reason I was going. Too bad you missed it.
The candy store looked so good. Yum.
Yeah we are at Disney.

 

[redomni]

I agree that taking the girls to lots of theme parks while they are young is a good idea. We went to Cedar Point in Ohio for a day every summer and we would either go to Geauga Lake or Sea World each summer up there too and living only an hour away we usually had season passes to Carowinds. Didn't make it to disney until I was 10 or 11, again when I was 17, and the last time I was there was when I was 23 on my honeymoon. I have good memories from all the different ones but I really do like Disney the best

 

[cajunfan]

You do know I was kidding about the update right MeMom? (not about the me being impatient thought...LOL!)

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Lynn

 

[MeMom]

What a wonderful day at Sea World.

Free Eats lots of shows and sea creatures.

I was thinking as I scrolled through with the dining plan I bet dinner before you leave was a given. Glad it was - some good choices there.

Yep, we maximized the 'free-ness' of the dining plan and ate before we left.

Oh I remember touching the dolphins when I was a kid! I was so in awe of the whole thing and so fascinated, we must have spent about an hour at that tank. I remember my dad trying to talk me into doing something else and me having no part of it.

It was nice to have that good memory today...I got in to a car accident (I'm fine, no injuries) and am now with a lot of paperwork and no car and missed my own birthday dinner.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Definitely glad to know you are okay, but of course it is going to be a hassle to deal with getting a new car. You are due a birthday dinner when things get all straightened out.

I'm glad we could put at least a minute or two of happiness in your day through the good memories.

Fun times and great pics. Love the carousel pics.
Woohoo you did the shark tunnel. It looks like fun. That was one reason I was going to go there.
Empire of the Penguin was the reason I was going. Too bad you missed it.
The candy store looked so good. Yum.
Yeah we are at Disney.

The shark tunnel was not on my list of things to do.

I wanted to see the penguin exhibit and Turtle Trek, so I feel like we will go back within the next five years to do those things.

The candy store did have some delicious-looking treats!

I agree that taking the girls to lots of theme parks while they are young is a good idea. We went to Cedar Point in Ohio for a day every summer and we would either go to Geauga Lake or Sea World each summer up there too and living only an hour away we usually had season passes to Carowinds. Didn't make it to disney until I was 10 or 11, again when I was 17, and the last time I was there was when I was 23 on my honeymoon. I have good memories from all the different ones but I really do like Disney the best

We also want to go to Dollywood with them. Since the March trip is definitely out for me now, we might consider a long weekend up there when it first opens for the season.

You do know I was kidding about the update right MeMom? (not about the me being impatient thought...LOL!)

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Lynn

You were calling me out as the liar that I was! I had every intention of posting on Friday night, but the reality was that I didn't have it in me. I like to be in the mood and to have the time to post when I am doing pictures, and that was not the case Friday night.

I need to come in your store soon. I might come one day after school, though, since I am already halfway there, which means you won't be there. Do you know if you work Saturday or Sunday on the weekend of the 12th/13th? I will have Bella with me then, and we will go to the mall while she is here.

Did you say you rescheduled your previously cancelled trip?

 

[MEK]

Seaworld has a lot of cool merchandise. The T's are adorable.

How sweet of the girls to purchase presents for Miss Anita!

Dolphin chocolate. Gotta admit that's a first for me. But I really had my eyes on those marshmellow thingies. They look yummy!

 

[KatMark]

Now you have me wanting to go to Sea World just so that I can shop. They have some really cute shirts and stuff.

How sweet of the girls to want to get something for Miss Anita.

And you are back at the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[MeMom]

Seaworld has a lot of cool merchandise. The T's are adorable.

How sweet of the girls to purchase presents for Miss Anita!

Dolphin chocolate. Gotta admit that's a first for me. But I really had my eyes on those marshmellow thingies. They look yummy!

They did have some fun stuff. They had a lot of things I would love to have had for the classroom.

I don't care for marshmallows, but those did look good, didn't they?

Anita is lucky she didn't end up with a furry friend. The girls made good, small, simple choices instead.

Now you have me wanting to go to Sea World just so that I can shop. They have some really cute shirts and stuff.

How sweet of the girls to want to get something for Miss Anita.

And you are back at the Happiest Place on Earth.

It felt very good to be back on Disney World property. We immediately felt at home.

Maybe you and Mark will take grandchildren there in a few years.

Poor Mr. Marc got left out. I guess gifts are more of a girl thing. I know buying them seemed to be - in my family, at least.

 

[lovedonaldduck]

I love that jellyfish plush - how unique! I have such a hard time sticking to the "No new stuffed animals" rule that I have enacted at my house. We are just overrun with them but I find it really hard to resist them myself sometimes!

There is nothing like pulling onto Disney property - it just makes everything better!

 

[TCKK]

Congrats Memom on making it through the shark tunnel! Great shopping pics. I love the plush animals so much. Sophie's whale is adorable.

I'll take one of the white chocolate dolphins...Yummy!

Poor Jill looked so hot in that picture, but the baby is adorable!

Definitely need to check out SeaWorld again. I wish the one in Ohio was still open. We took the girls there a couple of times and everyone loved it.

 

[caralyn817]

I'm caught up! It's been a rough week for us. B ended up having Roseola, after being diagnosed with an ear infection. Poor thing! Then, I ended up catching something Viral and was out of commission for a few days. I'm just happy it's all over with. Anywho, I'm loving your pics. I can't wait to hear about your stay at Kidani. I'm going to need some advice from you all. My husband decided since after the month of being sick back and forth for my daughter and I that we need a little pick me up. He booked us a weekend getaway for the last weekend in October. We'll be doing the Food and Wine which we have done before, but he bought us tickets for MNSSHP. We've never done it and I am SUPER excited. I need help with ideas for dressing up. My parents will also be joining us on this trip. I'm not one to dress up in full costume, but would like some cute ideas.

 

[disneyfan61]

They do have such cute merchandise at Sea World. I love the T shirts and beach towels. No I am not surprised you did not leave without getting some stuffed animals.

 

[javamom]

Do you suppose there are diehard Sea World lovers who are wondering how we can go that long in between trips? I know I wonder how people can only do Disney once every 5-10-15 years.

LOL, maybe?!! I remember Sea World being underwhelming, but I was completely in awe of EPCOT Center at the time, so it suffered by comparison. I was immediately impressed by how well Disney handled such large crowds. When you walk up to The Universe of Energy (I hate the new name) and see a sea of people and think, "omgosh why is everyone standing in this huge sea of people?" You instinctively want to about-face and walk the other direction, but when you watch the doors open and swallow said sea, you are left thinking, "Wow did that line just disappear?" Top that day off with Illuminations firing off in the middle of the rain storm, and laugh-running the entire way back to the parking lot, and you have a great day of grown-up fun!

 

[javamom]

I am still fascinated by sharks. The Oklahoma aquarium has a shark tunnel too, and overnight camp-out events for kids to sleep with the sharks.

I think that my son, would get a kick out of it.

 

[MeMom]

I love that jellyfish plush - how unique! I have such a hard time sticking to the "No new stuffed animals" rule that I have enacted at my house. We are just overrun with them but I find it really hard to resist them myself sometimes!

There is nothing like pulling onto Disney property - it just makes everything better!

Had I known our new Reading series had the story about jellyfish, I certainly would have made a jellyfish purchase there at SeaWorld. I am now on the hunt for a craft jellyfish that my second-graders will be able to make.

You are so right about pulling onto Disney property. It brings a feeling that is beyond expression, really.

Congrats Memom on making it through the shark tunnel! Great shopping pics. I love the plush animals so much. Sophie's whale is adorable.

I'll take one of the white chocolate dolphins...Yummy!

Poor Jill looked so hot in that picture, but the baby is adorable!

Definitely need to check out SeaWorld again. I wish the one in Ohio was still open. We took the girls there a couple of times and everyone loved it.

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the shark the girls got me. Surely I have one in the pictures yet to come. If not, I will take one here at home to show you guys.

So, if SeaWorld can have a park in Ohio, then it is feasible for Disney World to have a park in Tennessee, isn't it? I need to speak with someone in charge about this.

I'm caught up! It's been a rough week for us. B ended up having Roseola, after being diagnosed with an ear infection. Poor thing! Then, I ended up catching something Viral and was out of commission for a few days. I'm just happy it's all over with. Anywho, I'm loving your pics. I can't wait to hear about your stay at Kidani. I'm going to need some advice from you all. My husband decided since after the month of being sick back and forth for my daughter and I that we need a little pick me up. He booked us a weekend getaway for the last weekend in October. We'll be doing the Food and Wine which we have done before, but he bought us tickets for MNSSHP. We've never done it and I am SUPER excited. I need help with ideas for dressing up. My parents will also be joining us on this trip. I'm not one to dress up in full costume, but would like some cute ideas.

Yay for a F&W/MNSSHP weekend! I'm not a dresser-upper kind of person, but I'd say go light, because you know it can still be very warm in October. Maybe just find a cute t-shirt and then a cute headband with those wiggly things on it or some Mickey ears? Sorry that I'm not very creative when it comes to costumes.

We will look forward to the pictures from your fun weekend!

Hope everyone is feeling better!

They do have such cute merchandise at Sea World. I love the T shirts and beach towels. No I am not surprised you did not leave without getting some stuffed animals.

I will have to go back someday when I have a better budget, so I can get some of the neat stuff for my classroom. They had all kinds of cool sea animals that you just don't find on any general store shelf.

LOL, maybe?!! I remember Sea World being underwhelming, but I was completely in awe of EPCOT Center at the time, so it suffered by comparison. I was immediately impressed by how well Disney handled such large crowds. When you walk up to The Universe of Energy (I hate the new name) and see a sea of people and think, "omgosh why is everyone standing in this huge sea of people?" You instinctively want to about-face and walk the other direction, but when you watch the doors open and swallow said sea, you are left thinking, "Wow did that line just disappear?" Top that day off with Illuminations firing off in the middle of the rain storm, and laugh-running the entire way back to the parking lot, and you have a great day of grown-up fun!

I think it is hard for us not to compare other places to Disney World - and for the most part, everything else is probably going to come up short. I very much want for us to go to Dollywood, because I think we would really like it. I know it will not be Disney World, but it might be enough for us to decide to go there occasionally in place of a Disney trip, thus helping financially, since going to WDW is so expensive.

I am still fascinated by sharks. The Oklahoma aquarium has a shark tunnel too, and overnight camp-out events for kids to sleep with the sharks.

I think that my son, would get a kick out of it.

I would stop short of sleeping in a tunnel. Walking through with my head down is as good as it gets. I am pretty sure Brooklynn would love doing that, though!



I hope to put up more pictures tonight. October is a crazy busy month at school with evaluation paperwork and other obligations. I feel so very much out of the Distown loop. I miss 'chatting' with you guys, but the burdens of real life are taking precedence at the moment. Have a great day, all!