A Day at SeaWorld

My parents and brother gave us a day at SeaWorld for Christmas, and we were finally able to go last week.

Harrison has lately been into sea creatures and diving. Especially diving. He watches Blue World on YouTube which really keeps his interest. He's still fairly scared at swim lessons, so we'll see if the diving interest goes anywhere, but he was the one who especially loved SeaWorld.

I tried to get us in on a day when kids would be in school and there wouldn't be a crowd. We did get good, close parking, but I just don't think you can escape the school field-trip crowds. There were many, many buses when we pulled up. And yet, when I looked at how much parking was available and what kind of space they provided for long lines at rides, I knew this was a light crowd day. So, yay! We did have to wait about 45 minutes in line for one ride, but that was the only wait. Oh, besides the lunch line. That one was also unnecessarily long. 

The animal shows were a big hit, especially for Harrison and I. We got to see shows with sea lions, beluga whales and dolphins, and orcas. I think the pretty beluga whales were my fave. Divers would swim with them and ride on their backs and be pushed around by the whales' heads. The way the orcas would leap out of the water together, the way the dolphins could "stand up" in the water .... it's amazing that we can train animals that way. I really enjoyed it.

Penguins!

Puffins!

Sea Turtles! 

We rode a few rides (we are not a "scary ride" family, so we did tame rides). We got lunch and snacks. Harrison played in the splash area and got soaking wet. We saw animal shows. We bought mementos. We stayed all day (except for Dad and Liz who stayed for a good portion but then headed home after Dad got soaked form the Rio Loco ride). It was just a neat day. Thanks, Mom and Dad and Cory!