I visited SeaWorld for the first time when I was 7 years old. As my 11 y/o cousin said, “There was a SeaWorld when you were a kid?” Why yes…yes there was, thank you! Anyway, I could never remember all of the attractions we saw back then, but what I never forgot was how mesmerized I was with the Shamu performance and the overall experience ther. I think I compared every visit to any aquarium to my SeaWorld experience and although I’ve been to some great ones, the experience at SeaWorld is certainly one of a kind.
So naturally, as we were taking a trip to Orlando, I had to make it a point to take the girls to visit SeaWorld. I knew Leila – being the lover of all animals and wildlife – would love it and I hoped Samara would also get some lasting memories.
Leila’s review of SeaWorld
The folks on Seaworld’s media team were so generous and gave me and my family tickets to enter the park in exchange for a review. I could rave on and on about SeaWorld to this day, but I figured I’d let my handy blog helper Leila give you guys the rundown.
Me: Leila, what is one word you would use to describe your day at SeaWorld?
Leila: umm…good. No awesome because the Dolphins were awesome.
Me: What were your favorite parts of your day at SeaWorld:
Leila: Oh boy. I really liked the Dolphins. They were so cool. I really couldn’t understand how those people {the trainers} did all those [tricks] with the Dolphins.
Me: What about the whales? Do you remember them?
Leila: Oh yeah, I liked the whales too and all the splashing they did. I liked playing in the water place (Shamu’s Happy Harbor / Sea of Fun) and 
splashing water at you. (Which she did). And also the wheel thingie (I’m not sure exactly what she was referring to. I think maybe one of the rides from “the water place.” Or maybe this thing —>)
Me: What did you like the least?
Leila: The boat thingie (This is where we differ. There’s a super fun splash roller coaster called Journey to Atlantis. It was her idea to do it, but she soon realized it was a little too scary for her. She probably would’ve been better off staying on the splash deck.)
Me: Anything else
Leila: Yeah, you guys not letting me get cotton candy or ice cream (guilty!)
Me: Did you learn anything interesting or new on this trip?
Leila: I didn’t know that a walrus was that big! And I didn’t know that people could stand on dolphins like that.
Me: Anything else you want people to know about SeaWorld?
Leila: It was fun. I wish we didn’t have to leave and I wish we could go back there every day! (If only…)
So that’s Leila’s review of her day at SeaWorld in a nutshell. If you asked me, I would concur with her sentiments. I had a great time and enjoyed all of the attractions both old and new. I can’t recall whether or not Shamu’s Happy Harbor was there last time I visited (pre-kids), but I’d have to say it was one of my favorite attractions too…errr…for the kids. We all got to enjoy the rides and splash around in the water (which was great because it was HOT!) Kept the kids occupied for hours and gave them a break from all of the walking.
Shamu’s Happy Harbor
Turtle Trek and Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins were also really cool new additions. We walked through the Antarctica area, but unfortunately, the kids were losing their mojo by that point and didn’t want to wait in line. What would have been great is if we had the foresight to purchase the Quick Queue Unlimited ahead of time so we could’ve gone to the front of the line, but now we’ll know for next time!
Another I guess new-er feature in the park that I noticed and loved were the “relax and recharge” stations. Yes, just what it sounds like, you stop, have a seat and not only recharge yourself, but there were charging stations for your phone! Maybe that’s all just a sign of changing times, but that was a much welcomed destination point for someone like me who can wear through a phone battery in a matter of hours.
So…is there anything I’d like to tell everyone…It was fun…I wish I didn’t have to leave and I wish we could go there every day!
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