Sea World is open from 10am until 6pm. We planned on being there for every minute of it. I wasn't sure how crazy the park would be since it was spring break. Luckily for us, it wasn't busy at all. We went on roller coaster riders, over and over, without having to wait in line. We were able to get great seats at all of the shows we wanted to attend. The only annoying line we gave up on, was the one for pizza around lunch time.
Sea World has more than just aquatic life. It has an area called "Animal Connections." This area has a few unique animals that one doesn't usually see when they are out and about: porcupine, beaver, armadillo, poisonous dart frogs, llamas and miniature horses. As we finished petting the beaver, we ran into a flock of flamingos going for a walk.
The flamingo flock was used to being around people and would walk right up to us.
Although the directions from the flamingo keeper was to not touch the flamingos, Grant just couldn't resist the temptation. He says the flamingos are super soft.
Next we went to our first roller coaster ride, "Journey to Atlantis."
I was plenty wet after riding the ride once, I didn't need to go on it again. Grant, on the other hand, ran back to the ride boarding zone and went again.
Grant is in the orange shirt with his hands in the air.
Getting soaked!
On his way by...
After air drying for a few minutes, we headed over to our next ride/exhibit, "Wild Arctic." On this ride (it's more of a glorified entrance to the exhibit) people board a helicopter and fly to the arctic base station. When we exit from the bumpy helicopter ride, we were able to see a polar bear and a HUGE walrus.
When the polar bear wasn't swimming, she paced back & forth along the "tree trunk."
The walrus has a hairy face and long tusks.
This walrus has to weigh over 1,000 pounds. It would be scary to run into this big walrus in nature.
On our way to our first show, we stopped to check out the sea lions. They made lots of noise as people fed them.
The Clyde & Seamore Show was very entertaining. The sea lions were very talented. They swam, balanced a ball on their noses, danced, and did lots of cute tricks.
Our next stop was to see the bat rays. Grant loved to touch these large slimy creatures. They are so graceful as they swam in the pool. They even take fish out of your fingers. They kind of suck them in.
The next show we saw was called "Pets Rule." This show featured rescued cats, dogs, pigs, emus and other animals. The biggest surprise for me was seeing cats do tricks on command. Cats don't do anything on command! They are the most fickle creatures on the planet. The show was very cute. Grant was ready to run on stage to give all of the dogs belly rubs.
Our next stop was to the Blue Horizons Stadium to see the dolphin show. We arrived right before the show started. Grant found a seat in the front row. Brent & I were several rows up from him.
Grant was in the "Soak Zone."
He was DRENCHED after the show (and not very happy about it).
The show was incredible!
The dolphins are waving good-bye.
After we spent some time drying off, grabbing a bite to eat and viewing the park from the Skytower Ride, we headed over to the penguin exhibit. Aunt Brenda loves penguins. I thought of her the entire time we checked out these beautiful birds.
Grant looks a little creepy hugging this stuffed bird.
There is just so much to see at Sea World. The next exhibit we went to was at Turtle Reef.
Grant & I were so loud on the Riptide Rescue ride. We yelled for Brent almost the entire time. Brent did a good job of ignoring us. We thought we were pretty funny!
Next stop, shark encounter...
It was hard to get good pictures of these sharp toothed creatures.
It was very scary to be near so many SHARKS!
Watch out!
Our adventure continued with the Shamu show at 5pm. Grant refused to sit with us because we were in the "soak zone." We were at the top of the section and weren't worried about getting wet. The people at the front of our section were soaked!
Look closely, he is sticking his tongue out!
There were lots of incredible jumps and flips.
It was an incredible show.
Since the park didn't close for another 30 minutes, that gave us time to visit the tide pools and play with star fish and anemones.
(The canopy covering the exhibit reflected in the water which made for lousy pictures.)
Time was up. It was time to leave Sea World, find a place for dinner, buy sunblock & a hat for Brent, and sleep. It was a long but INCREDIBLE day!
