So when the opportunity to escape to SeaWolrd & Aquatica presented itself, we weren't able to resist!
The girls had their bags packed and DVDs queued faster than we could kiss our dog goodbye.
SeaWorld is only a 4.5 hour drive from our house in south Arlington, making it the perfect weekend escape for marine enthusiasts, waterpark adventurers and kids of all ages. Don't get me started on how reasonably-priced the park is! And there are so many ways to visit SeaWorld without breaking the bank! Military members (both active duty and retired) and teachers can get in for free with valid ID. The preschool pass registration has closed for the 2018 season- but bookmark the site for next year and sign up your 3-5 year old for a FREE season pass. Visit the Website for more details!
SeaWorld itself is a truly awesome experience. My girls loved everything- from the Sesame Street-themed Bay of Play to the orca shows to the rollercoasters. We arrived at the park a little before 11 am and stayed until just after 8 pm, and even then, the girls didn't leave willingly!
We started our day at the Bay of Play, a huge climbing and water area for kids. Tunnels, climbing structures and spray features cover loads of square footage right as you enter the park. And there is seating scattered all around the area for parents and caregivers. Bathrooms, changing rooms and snack bars and restaurants are all close by. There isn't much shade on the climbing structure and play area, but there is shaded seating all around the area. And the kids don't seem to mind. Just bring sunscreen!
After playing for about an hour in the water, we decided to check out some of the rides. There are several kid rides in the kiddie area, including a Shamu Coaster my kids adored. Round and round they went many, many times. My youngest really enjoyed this one!
From there we checked out as many other rides as we could: The Wave Breaker (my middle daughter's favorite- a coaster that swirls you over a small lake!), the Journey to Atlantis (a raft ride where you do get wet- this was my personal favorite!), and the Rio Loco. My younger two were not tall enough for the Great White coaster (54" minimum height requirement) and I could not convince my oldest to ride it with me! I also couldn't convince my older two (who were tall enough, at 48" and 54") to try the Steel Eel. Maybe next time! We truly loved all the rides and thought they were each such a thrill!
We were able to see two shows during our day- the Ocean Discovery and One Ocean. We highly recommend both! We loved watching the dolphins and beluga whales jumping and spinning during the Ocean Discovery show. But my girls will tell you their favorite was One Ocean, where they got to see killer whales interacting with the audience. I genuinely thought both shows were both educational and gorgeous and highly recommend them both!
One of our favorites bits was the new Sesame Street Parade at 7:30 pm that is new this year. All our favorite Sesame Street Characters were out on floats, dancing and singing and interacting with the gathered crowds. My girls got to "take to the streets" of SeaWorld during the show, dancing and singing with cast members. It was very upbeat and a fun way to end the day!
We were too tired by 8 pm to stay and catch the nightly fireworks. But that's okay! Because the fireworks were visible each night from our Hilton Hotel. So after the girls showered and got in their PJs, we walked to the front of the hotel and watched the fireworks from there. It was a super special way to end each day!
After our day at SeaWorld, we spent our second getaway day at Aquatica. I have a love/hate with waterparks. They oftentimes feel overwhelming and stressful. My girls never want to do the same thing at the same time, and ultimately my youngest is never tall enough for the rides my oldest two want to go on. Cue drama.
But Aquatica didn't feel as stressy to me as other waterparks do. Perhaps its the layout or the offerings, but this waterpark felt entertaining without being too much. We parked at the wave pool, my girls' favorite attraction at any waterpark. This wave pool even has a sand area at the entrance for kids to play in when they just need a break from the water. I loved digging my toes in the sand from my cozy spot on the beach chairs, actually!
Cutback Cove was a favorite for my crew because it offered two water slides and a deeper pool with floating foam animals and creatures for climbing on. Although my kids were too big for Kookaburra Cove, it's the perfect spot for little ones (3ish and under) to enjoy the water and spray features without flotation devices (the water isn't very deep- a couple of inches at most). Walkabout Waters was another favorite for my little two- a huge 3-story interactive fun house with a dump bucket, sprays, see saws and more!
Our favorite ride at Aquatica was Stingray Falls, a fun, twisty waterslide you go down in a 4-person raft that ends in an underwater grotto where you can view stingrays up close! My girls are fascinated with stingrays, and also really enjoyed the stingray viewing area at the front of the park where you can get up close with and even touch the stingrays. So fun! We didn't try as many of the high water slides here- my girls were busy having too much fun in the wave pool!
We did do a dining pass on our first day at SeaWorld. We had 5 wristbands that allowed each of us to get food- an entree, a side or dessert, and a drink (including bottled water) as frequently as once an hour at any of the six onsite restaurants! While I'm generally ambivalent toward dining plans (because usually I think it's too much food and too expensive), I actually recommend this one. While you are allowed to bring snack foods and small beverages into the park (think small bags of goldfish, juice boxes, apples, etc.), this meal plan pays for itself in two meals. So if you go right at 10 when the park opens, you can have lunch, a snack (or two or three!) and dinner and another snack for one flat price. I highly recommend it. (Our favorite place to eat was Harbor Market because it had so many options and something for everyone. I loved the orange chicken!)
I highly recommend anyone with kiddos ages 6 months to 16 years take this quick trip down to San Antonio and check out SeaWorld and Aquatica. San Antonio itself has so much to offer, as well! (Check out Viola's Ventanas near the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country if you want to grab a delicious meal on a gorgeous patio with a fun playground for kids to hang out on while you sip margaritas!)
Here are my tips for a successful trip:
1. Wear water shoes or waterproof shoes in the summer. Even to SeaWorld. Your feet will get wet if you go anywhere near Bay of Play with your littles, so skip the sneakers and leather sandals (foam Birkenstocks are my go-to here!)
2. Bring a stroller or wagon to SeaWorld. My girls are getting bigger- 4, 6 and 8- and, for space reasons, we left the double jogger in Arlington. We decided last minute to rent a double for $20 at SeaWorld and it ended up being a great choice. Because I brought towels and changes of clothes for each girl, plus sunscreen, water bottles, etc., it was nice to have somewhere to stash the stuff while we walked around.
3. Wear cool clothes that can get wet. There are so many opportunities to get wet at SeaWorld- you may be splashed by whales or dolphins during a show, or try out a water ride, or chase your little one through spraying water features. Skip the jeans. I didn't wear a bathing suit, but I did wear athletic clothing that was fine to get soaked. (I did bring my suit in my backpack, though!)
4. Bring your charging cord for your phone- there are stations throughout the park to sit and recharge. Also consider a waterproof pouch for your phone. They are available at the park for $10.99 but you can find them cheaper elsewhere. You'll be glad to keep your phone free of spraying water!
Have you been? What's your favorite thing to do at SeaWorld and/or Aquatica?
For info on tickets, vacation packages and more, go here: SeaWorld
*disclaimer: this post was sponsored by SeaWorld and Aquatica. I did receive free lodging and park admission in exchange for my honest reviews and opinions. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
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