Travel Tuesday-Seaworld San Diego

***Disclosure-I am a SeaWorld Wildsider.  Complimentary tickets to SeaWorld San Diego were provided for my husband and I.  Any opinions expressed are my own based on my personal experience.

To be a kid again and see things through their eyes is amazing.  Recently my husband and I took a trip to San Diego and we were able to visit SeaWorld San Diego together for the first time.  We asked many of our friends who travel what is on their list to visit and SeaWorld was on everyone's list.

This year SeaWorld is celebrating 50 years.  The celebrations are going on now. 

I want to share my pictures of our recent trip.  We had a blast and an experience of a lifetime.

From the moment you walk you, you get to interact and be hands on.  Start your adventure at Explorer's Reef...Have you ever touched a shark?  I have!

Then head to Animal Connections...Protect, Conserve, Discover, Share

Meet Peanut-Rescued after a bear stack, sole survivor. 

Do porcupines really shoot their quills?  We found out the answer to this question, always wondered if this was true or not.  And by the way they don't.



 

This the poison dart frogs, their colors are amazing.  Kiddos will recognize these from a movie.  The girl frog that falls in love.

 

We got a really could treat because as we were leaving, we saw the Caribbean being walked back to their area.  They do more than just stand around on one leg.  Did you know Flamingos are not born orange?  They get their color from their diet and food they eat.

When we walked in we were handed a map of the park, but I had already been online and knew where I wanted to go.  I kinda outline the park and worked my way by the show times.  But if you are not a planner like I am, SeaWorld has an app.  You can download it FREE.



Next we headed to Wild Artic...a virtual ride and then you get to see the animals.  This viewing is incredible. 

 Next we headed to the Shark Encounter, and what an encounter it is.  You like seeing Shark Week on TV, this will be your spot. 

Right next to this is Turtle Reef.  I love turtles.  My husband rescued a turtle a couple of years ago.  We cared for her until we passed.  We loved Tessa the Turtle.  When we first got her, we did not know what to do.  I remember looking online, going to the pet store, and being clueless.

We were not the only ones amazed with the turtles.  We then headed to the grab a bite to eat.  As we waited in line, I noticed the sign on the door and the Allergy pamphlet.  You can let the cooks know what your or your kiddo's allergies are.



We caught some shows in between, Blue Horizons, Pets Rule, and Sea Lions Live,

All the picture and video taking killed my battery.  Lucky we found this recharge station.  We took a quick break in between shows while we waited in the shade and recharged our phones.  You can carry your USB cord because they have an outlet for that too.

We then headed for another show-Cirque de la Mer,

 and rode the Bayside Skyride.  You can see the entire park from up there.  The breeze is wonderful.

We also rode the Manta.  I got to tell you, I screamed the entire time.  I loved it!  We then headed to the Dolphin Encounter, up close and personal. 

 We didn't Dine with Shamu but you could if you wanted to sit right up front, poolside. 

 But we did get to get a great view.  I also learned that a female's fin curves back.  Dorsal fins are not all alike.  A whale's flipper contains bones similar to those in our arms and hands.

The night was even more amazing when we got to see the Light Up The Night-Shamu's Celebration

 and the Celebrate the Wonder fireworks!!





Stay tuned as I share with you our adventures at SeaWorld Orlando when we take the kids in 2 weeks!  I can't wait to be amazed.  Have you ever been?  What is your favorite show or ride?  Do you have any tips?

Travel Thursday-Seaworld's 50th Celebration

I do not think I have had the chance to share with you the wonderful news that I will continue to be a

If you remember my adventures last year, we got to do so many fun things as a family:

-Stingray Encounter
-Met Franklin and had an awesome time at the Just for Kids Celebration
-Polar Plunged for Special Olympics
-Snow, Snow globe, Dinner with Santa....so much fun

This year sure will bring many more adventures for our entire family to enjoy.  All the fun has already started as Seaworld has opened it's doors and is celebrating 50 years!

The party and celebration was so much fun.  But it did not end this day.  The party will continue all year long.  You too can come and party.  Look for the Surprise Squad, they will be delivering an experience everywhere they turn up, including all sorts of surprises and prizes.

As part of the 50th Celebration, there will be more animal encounters, from the fun and frivolity of flamingo parades to the grace and nobility of the magnificent eagle.

For the 50th Celebration, they wanted to highlight the importance of our oceans and so with the help of the non-profit artisan group Washed Ashore, a collection of larger-than-life sea-themed sculptures – many weighing more than half a ton – have been created out of debris that was found washed up onto shores.

 Find out more at SeaWorldCares.com.

This is the schedule for this year:

 Also find out about the 50 trips Seaworld is giving away as part of their 50th celebration, click here.

Check out all the Seaworld Wildsiders.

Travel Tuesday-Seaworld Preschool Pass

I have some great news I want to share with you.  If you are living in Texas and have a kiddo age 3-5, SeaWorld has a FREE SeaWorld Preschool Pass for them.  What is that, you ask?

A SeaWorld Preschool Pass is for kids ages 3-5 living in Texas.  How can you get one, you ask?  All you have to do is register online before May 31, 2014.

Register now for your child's FREE Preschool Pass, click here. 

Print your confirmation and take it along with a valid from of ID for your child to the park. Acceptable forms of ID include a copy of a certified birth certificate or travel passport. 

You must redeem your Preschool Pass at the park by June 30, 2014, but you don't want to miss out on Just for Kids!

Don't miss Just for Kids! concert series:

April 26 & 27

May 3 & 4May 10 & 11May 17 & 18

As always, children under age 3 are admitted free.  So mom and dad, what are you waiting for?  Check pricing online:

• 2014 Fun Cards – Adults (10+) $65, Children (6-9) $55 • Single Day Tickets – Save $15! Adults $50, Children $40

Seaworld's Just for Kids

Are you looking for fun stuff for you and the family to do with the kiddos?  We are always looking for family friendly events.  Events that are tailored to our kids and what they like.

Seaworld has an event going on now called Just for Kids.  Just for Kids is available free with your paid admittion to the park during the month of April.

The schedule is:

April 20 - Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve (show times: 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.)
Live at Nautilus Amphitheater, it’s Choo Soul with Genevieve. All aboard for a concert that will have the whole family dancing!
April 27 - Imagination Movers (show times: 12:45 and 3:15 p.m
Get ready to move with the wildly popular Imagination Movers. It’s an unforgettable interactive concert for all ages, full of energy, music, imagination, and a whole lot of moving!
April 7, 14, 21, & 28 - Elmo Rocks! (check schedule here)

It's a rock 'n roll sunny day at SeaWorld with this hilarious musical show, "Elmo Rocks!" Starring Elmo with Zoe, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie!

My Wildsider friends and our families were able to come hang out with Caillou.  We got to see his performance and boy did everyone have a good time!

Caillou and his friends had babies, toddlers, kids, and even parents dancing to the music and kept us entertained.  And after the show my Lil Bit got to meet a very special newcomer to Seaworld-Franklin

He was not the only around that she got to take pictures with, so many photo op chances.  But that is not all, there was a party going on in the Just for Kids zone.  There was a DJ and music playing for the kids.  The dance floor was ready for them to show off their moves.

My Lil Bit had so much fun dancing and playing.  But wait there is more, there is a train too.  Catch a ride before you leave!

There is so much to do..

-Spring into Night, Saturdays thru June 1

Stay late at SeaWorld, Saturdays this spring.  Enjoy the park at night with extended hours and get a sneak peak of this summer’s shows:

-Shamu Rocks!® - a crowd rockin’, electrifying show featuring SeaWorld’s famous killer whale, Shamu, and a few new surprises
-Sea Lions Tonite - showcasing pinniped-pranksters, Clyde and Seamore, as they spoof the park’s daytime shows.
-Elmo Rocks - a Sesame Street rock ‘n roll musical show starring Elmo with Zoe, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie.
-Sesame Street® Bay of Play® Block Party - guests can dance and sing along with all their favorite Sesame Street friends.

-Praise Wave, May 4-5   Event Times:  May 4: 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  May 5: 7:00 a.m.

May 4 - Matt Maher with Chris August, MercyMe

May 5 - Free Sunrise Service

Worship by Shane & Shane, Message by Pastor Mike Hooper, Jr., Glory! Shamu show
Free Sunrise Service

Don't miss the first-ever Sunrise Service at Ski Stadium, featuring worship by Shane & Shane and a message by Pastor Mike Hooper, Jr. This event is free and open to the public. Admission is not required or included.
Habitat for Humanity Build

Following the Sunrise Service, join us for the first-ever Habitat build at SeaWorld. Guests can volunteer to build walls for a Habitat for Humanity home in SeaWorld's preferred parking lot. The walls will later be moved to an active Habitat site in San Antonio. Tools and instruction will be provided by Habitat representatives. Event begins at 9 a.m. and park admission is not required.

***Disclosure-I am a Seaworld Wildsider.  My family was provided with complimentary fun passes.  I was not asked to post about this or any event.  Pictures of my family and events are being shared from my personal experience. 

Check out Aquatica's Wildside

Do you like swimming with Sharks?  Well I don't either....what about Stingrays?  Did you know that they are close relatives of sharks?  I didn't.  They bury themselves on the sea floor in the sand. 

This is my wild child, I guess she gets it from her mami.  My dare devil of a daughter, my son, and I all got to get in the water with these Stingrays.  (disclosure-no animals, kids, or parents were harmed)

So we got a briefing first and learned how to act around the Stingrays for our protection and theirs.  My 15 month old daughter was not scared at all and was loving the enviroment.  Once she got in the water, she laughed every time a Stingray passed her, brushed by her, or came up for food.  My son and I were really intrigued by this wild experience.  We walked on the wild side, now will you?

Would you go in the water with Stingrays?

***Disclosure-I am a Seaworld Wildsider.  All experiences are my very own.  All interactions and opinions are my own and are honest.  The Stingray experience has been Independentmami and kid tested and is Independentmami and Lil Bit approved!