Monday, March 31

Florida Part Four: Seaworld

Our last day of outings was Friday and we went to Seaworld. I love zoos and aquariums, wildlife in general. We are very lucky that Seaworld and Busch Gardens offer up to 4 tickets to each park once a year for FREE to military families. And that's active, prior (I believe), and I know for sure foreign military that are US allies. So Seaworld was a must do for us and even though my mom, Min, and Cecy all had to pay to get in (they got 10% off for being with us) it was worth it.



Our day started out later, after Disney we were exhausted. We got up around 8am I think and arrived (without incident or traffic) by 10:30am. We managed to secure seats at Pet's Ahoy despite arriving to the theater a bit late (15mins early) and the girls loved the show. They had, dogs, cats, pigs, rats, birds, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, and a skunk all doing pretty cool tricks. After that we hung out a little then headed straight for Shamu, we went to the Believe show and I wish we'd gone to Shamu Rocks instead, but it was still an amazing show. The girls, my mom, Cecy, Min, and my mom's friend Candy all sat in the Splash Zone and Shamu got them good! Kale, Delilah, and I sat on the two benches designated for babies/kids sleeping in strollers. To see over the people in the handicap row we had to sit on the back of the bench with our feet on the seat. But it was still a good show and they honored all military personnel (past and present, US and Foreign) by having them and their families stand. My mom said the girls proudly stood up even though Kale was not with them.



After Shamu we decided it was enough shows, the teens wanted to ride a couple of rides and we had to leave the park between 4-5pm to meet my grandparents at the airport to turn in the rental. We ate lunch, then went to see the Clydesdale's (Aidan's favorite part). We thought about going into the shark exhibit but when we saw the line we RAN! No not really, but after all the lines at Disney the girls (Sophia) had had it with lines. Instead we split up Kale and the teens went to ride the rides and the rest of us took the girls to the kiddie rides. They only were able to ride two rides, the carousel and one that you spin yourselves while it goes around and up and down. The line for the second ride was long and families were being very rude by splitting a group of 4 into 2 groups of 2 when 4-5 people could fit easily into one car. The thing only had 8 cars that were working and there were three 2year olds right in a row that weren't up for the long wait. The lady behind me and I had just gotten our daughters calmed down thinking that we'd be in the next group, but NO there were two families of 4 that split into 2 groups of 2 for one family and a group of 3 and 1 bratty girl who wanted to be alone in a car. (I am all for riding the way you want, when it's not busy or when there aren't three 2 yr olds crying behind you. Have some common courtesy for Pete's sake) I got up to the gate and it was closed on us, we had to wait ONE more time. Sophia cried until we finally got on the damn ride. I spun that thing so fast, poor Sophia was hitting her head on the seat, then the wheel, back and forth. But when I tried to hold her to stop it she yelled at me, she had a blast.



That was it for us, the teens and Kale had finished their two rides, so we headed out. As soon as we got back to the house and ate dinner, I crashed for the night. I had to get up at 3 freaking AM to take Min (and Cecy and my mom, but their flights were later) to the freaking airport.



More about the last HELLISH day in Florida, tomorrow or maybe something more interesting.

2 comments:

Jennifer said...

I love Sea World!! I have been to one in San Antonio and one is FL. I loved them both!! I think the Shamu show is really awesome! But I love the entire place. I haven't taken my kiddies there yet, we are thinking they are a little too young to really remember it or to walk and stand on line and all that w/o being total fuss pots. lol so when they are a few years older we will go. :) They are 2.5 and 4.5 now... we have some time.

I'm glad that they honor the military... everyone should and all the time!! Kale is doing amazing things for our country, people, families, children and we really appreciate him and all he does. thank you.
xoxoxo jenn

Stephanie said...

I am very lucky when it comes to my kids and not being that bad about waiting. Sophia has been the worst by far and it was unexpected and out of character for her. I am pretty sure it was the whole two weeks that had worn her down. She was not happy that she was at my in laws without me, she probably was allowed run wild there. I know at Seaworld she was tired from Disney, we needed a day of rest between the two parks. At Disney she was much better behaved until the very end.

Lilly and Aidan have always gone places and done things. They really have been to so much for such little people. They are lucky. But this has helped them be well behaved and they know what to expect and don't complain a lot when we go to things like this. Never have complained. The first time they went to Disney and Seaworld they were 3 and 6mths, the 2nd time they were 4 and 18mths, this time they were 8 and 6 and I know they will remember it better now.