Part of Julie’s 30th birthday celebration took us to Sea World. The weather was beautiful and we had the park practically to ourselves. An awesome day!
The day started, where else, at Sesame Street Bay of Play. Katie couldn’t wait to ride Elmo’s Flying Fish.
Next up was Abby’s Sea Spin. I didn’t have to turn the wheel much, the ride had enough motion of it’s own to give Katie a great time.
Katie loved running/bouncing in this huge inflatable area. She “graduated” to this larger and bouncier floor.
At the starfish touch tank.
Katie sort of got the idea of how to handle a star fish. She wasn’t too excited about holding it in the palm of her hand, but we’re proud of her for reaching out and touching it.
The World of the Sea Aquarium is one of my favorite attractions. I love the newer mega-exhibits like Wild Arctic, but there’s something about the old-school, low key aquariums that are still really interesting. They remind me of the Sea World of my childhood before rides and larger habitats, when you literally moved from show to show and saw a few of these aquariums along the way. Julie noticed the music…really laid back 70’s stuff. :) Totally old school, very relaxing, and still a great part of the park. There are two or three of them left.
Get out of the sun and enjoy the low lighting, cool air conditioning and all the interesting fish.
I can almost picture the guide books of the day, “Come see the tiniest fish up close with our giant magnifying glass!”
“Roaming the coastal sea bottom in search of food is the grouper or giant sea bass…”
Heading back outside, Manta rises over Shipwreck Rapids.
Katie found something interesting on the skyway.
Gliding over Mission Bay.
Looking back at the park.
The heavy-handed California Coastal Commission, local residents, and local zoning laws prevent Sea World from building tall attractions, including world-class roller coasters. Instead, they’re forced to be creative with the restrictions and build what they can. Sometimes that extra push to do something other than "faster and higher” is a good thing. Manta looks like a very fun, highly themed coaster that will use multiple launches and lots of twists and turns to build excitement.
Leaving the station, heading to the launch tunnel.
The first launch will be enclosed inside this show building.
More twists and turns.
Turtle Reef.
Katie loved seeing the turtles and the fish up close.
Blue Horizons is the new dolphin show. It was very unique with acrobats and divers flying into and around the water.
The splash zone. It never fails that people will sit here and wait for the show, hear the announcement warning of the splash, see the paintings on the ground and on their seats, etc., then after the first splash, run up the stairs and proceed to watch the show from the stairs, standing in the way of others. Really?
We love visiting the Sea Lions.
Katie tried feeding them this time.
Penguins!
We love Wild Arctic. The ride is great and the viewing area is themed perfectly.
The polar bears are awesome too!
Fridays in January are great. We had the place to ourselves!
Katie loved the ice cave.
The otter and sea lion show was the last show of the day.
Katie was such a good girl and patiently sat through all the shows. It was really a good day for her and us.
One more trip through the cargo net and suspension bridges. I loved being able to run and climb and generally keep up with her. A fun end to an awesome day.
