Ripley's Aquarium questions...

[coolbeans]

we are going to Myrtle Beach for the first time in August and want one day of entertainment (this trip is very on the cheap!!).. is Ripley's worth it and does anyone know of any discounts?? thanks!!

 

[casndan]

IMO it's very expensive for what it is, I generally find state owned aquariums to have a better variety of fish. It's a very "themed" aquarium, as in there isn't a ton of exhibits but they are presented better than a state owned aquarium.

At one time there was a very, very good military discount, I don't know if they're still doing that though.

 

[NiftyJ88]

We've been to Ripley's Aquarium probably a half dozen times since they opened. I love the aquarium, but it will only take an hour or two to go through, and it is expensive.

 

[simonsmom]

It was too small for us and a big waste of money. We have been to a lot of aquariums though. If you found a great discount then it might be fun to a kill a little time but it will NOT take up a day or even half a day

 

[NCRedding]

I'm going to agree with everyone else here and say the aquarium is overpriced, unless you plan on going and attending every class/seminar they offer. The exhibits themselves are fairly small and can get crowded.

They used to offer AAA discount of a couple of $$ off. One time, they offered a 4 pack to all the Ripleys (Believe it or Not, Haunted House, and the motion theatre) which saved money, but be prepared--the Haunted House is creepy, and the other two are cheesy, plus parking in the area (downtown) can be hard to find.

Not sure how old your kids are, but the SC Children's museum is good for younger kids, and not too expensive.

Have fun.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We enjoy alligater adventure more. We do like the aquarium but it is expensive. We did the children's museum whe DS was little and it was great.

Myrtle Beach is a great vacation but it can really add up cost fast. You have to pick and choose!

 

[DebMcDonald]

We've been to the aquarium several times, but I honestly have to say I really enjoy it, yes it can be on the expensive side (as with any aquarium), but I love the moving sidewalk with the fish all around you. They have a place where you can pet stingrays.

We live near the Boston aquarium and I think hands down the Myrtle Beach one is better.

Debbie

 

[My sister's princess]

Thanks for asking this question I am going for the first time in August as well. Anyone has suggestions of what we should do?

 

[MSSANDRA]

We love just walking around broadway by the beach. They have some kids rides, minature golf, build-a bear, and lots of really neat shops. My favorite activity is feeding the fish,.25!

You have alligator adventure that is really fun.

There are a couple dinner shows that are good. Dixie Stampeed and Midevil Times are both good and the food is really good as well.

There are music shows everywhere. Eddie Miles does a Elvis show that is really good. He is at different theaters so you have to check the schedules.

There is family kingdom theme park and water park.

There is another new theme park. It started as Hard Rock but closed and reopened. We have not done that one yet so not sure about it.

There are two tanner outlet malls with over a hundred stores each and lots of good buys!!

Eating is an art there. There are resturants EVERYWHERE. Seafood of course rules. Seafood buffets are popular. There are coupons and early bird specials that help with the high price. We like the giant crab, and my BIL swears by crabby mikes.

Many resorts have water activities including lazy river rides that help keep the kids happy.

WE live about 4 hours away and go at least once a year!

 

[My sister's princess]

We love just walking around broadway by the beach. They have some kids rides, minature golf, build-a bear, and lots of really neat shops. My favorite activity is feeding the fish,.25!

You have alligator adventure that is really fun.

There are a couple dinner shows that are good. Dixie Stampeed and Midevil Times are both good and the food is really good as well.

There are music shows everywhere. Eddie Miles does a Elvis show that is really good. He is at different theaters so you have to check the schedules.

There is family kingdom theme park and water park.

There is another new theme park. It started as Hard Rock but closed and reopened. We have not done that one yet so not sure about it.

There are two tanner outlet malls with over a hundred stores each and lots of good buys!!

Eating is an art there. There are resturants EVERYWHERE. Seafood of course rules. Seafood buffets are popular. There are coupons and early bird specials that help with the high price. We like the giant crab, and my BIL swears by crabby mikes.

Many resorts have water activities including lazy river rides that help keep the kids happy.

WE live about 4 hours away and go at least once a year!

Thanks a bunch. I am having a hard time choosing between the Dixie Stampeed and Midevil Times, which did you like better? They both have great reviews on trip advisor

 

[MSSANDRA]

I like Midevil a little better but both are good. Just different themed. The last time we did Dixie Stampeed there was a pre-show where they served drinks in boot mugs. You have to wait in here with all the other people drinking out of these expensive mugs so it is hard not to buy them. Just be aware. Of course there is a lot of stuff to buy and they also do your picture but we have never been presured to buy. It is just easy to really blow you budget at these shows.

 

[My sister's princess]

Good to know about the boots! Would you mind telling me a little about the alligator adventure as well

 

[DebMcDonald]

For people with boys, there's a place called Ride Makers (not the correct spelling), it's the boys version of build a bear where you make remote control cars, they end up being $50 a piece, but we took our three girls and two years later these cars are still loads of fun for them. I think they were located at Broadway at the Beach.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It is located at barefoot landing in north myrtle. It is a zoo with live animal shows. We got to pet some animals. Do not miss the alligator feedings. Adults tickets are less than 20.00 and they have a lot of coupons out there as well as specials like go after 4:00, come back the next day free.

Check them out at:

www.alligatoradventure.com

 

[robin09]

Thanks a bunch. I am having a hard time choosing between the Dixie Stampeed and Midevil Times, which did you like better? They both have great reviews on trip advisor

I've been to both and LOVED the Dixie Stampede, DD10 also enjoyed Stampede immensely! ps.. not to start something, but I did a timeshare thing, and got my tickets for almost nothing... something to think about!

 

[My sister's princess]

I've been to both and LOVED the Dixie Stampede, DD10 also enjoyed Stampede immensely! ps.. not to start something, but I did a timeshare thing, and got my tickets for almost nothing... something to think about!

Glad to hear you enjoyed the stampede! I think I am starting to lean that way

 

[tinytink]

We just got back from our second visit to MB and we stayed at the Kingston Plantion where they have a free water park w/lazy river which we spent a lot of our time at. I checked out the Ripley's Aquarium and the price for adults is $18 (AAA offers $1 discount and the active military discount is 75% off). Our kids really enjoyed Magi Quest which you can find plenty of coupons for ranging from $1 off package deals, $1 off play time from 4-6pm, 20% merchandise, the good coupons are $2 off 1hour of play time or $3 off the package deal. The cheapest package is about $25 and they get to keep the wand for a souvineer and can be used if you want to return for future visits and Magi Quest is located at Broadway at the Beach. I found lots of coupons from our hotel lobby, Kroger Grocery Store, Eagles, Wings, Visitor Centers located all throughout Broadway at the beach. There is a really good coupon book called the Monster coupon book that can provide lots of savings.

They also have a coupon for the Tanger Outlet Coupon Book which costs $5 at the outlet but you can get it free with the coupon from the Monster Book.

Good Luck and have FUN!!!

 

[coolbeans]

thanks for all the help.. please keep the ideas coming...

DH wants to take DD Parasailing.. I can't swim (although I UNDERSTAND you wear life vests.. I couldn't go anyway, someone has to watch DS.. whew!).. are there any deals for that??

 

[Mickeypooh99]

We went to Myrtle beach in June, and my favorite thing was Brookgreen gardens. It was a bit of a drive from our hotel about 40 minutes, but it was so worth it.

I really didn't like the aquarium. It was okay, but we have been to much better aquariums. They did give us a AAA discount. They also offer discounts if you buy your tickets in the information center ahead of time. The information center will give you discounts on all the attractions, but they also try to get you to take a tour of a timeshare so be prepared to say no.

We liked alligator adventure a lot. My boys loved Magi Quest. We went two times.

We also went to freestyle music park. (former hard rock park) It was okay. The place was so empty when we were there it was a little creepy. We never once waited in a line. Many times we were the only ones on a ride, and they would let you stay on multiple times. I felt kind of bad that they weren't getting much business. The place was very clean. If you go there, I would check for discounts online. When we went they were offering childrens tickets for free if the kids had good report cards. We had my sister fax my kids report cards to our hotel, so we could get the discount.

My 7 year old DS says his favorite thing was Le Grand Cirque. (not sure if thats how its spelled)

 

[NiftyJ88]

We enjoy Alligator adventure. Their tickets are more reasonable than the aquarium, and they always give you a second day for free. My daughter got to feed a bear there, which was cool. Also, it's at barefoot landing so there's lots of restaurants and shopping.
We usually do Dixie Stampede every year (skipped it this year since we're doing Disney in the fall and were doing beach on a budget). I really enjoy it. The food is pretty good and the show is entertaining. I also liked Medieval Times. Younger kids would enjoy Dixie better because it's musical and funny, where Medival times was louder with clanking swords and a little scary for little kids perhaps.