The last time we went to Sea World, I was newly pregnant with Nicholas and Mikey was 2 years old. It sucked. Unless you are a fan of amusement parks, you won’t find going to a large park with children in diapers who still nap very amusing. Bemusing, maybe, but not amusing. We learned our lesson.
We went again this weekend, almost four years later, and I can’t tell you how more enjoyable it is when the kids are older. It was an entirely different experience.
We finished the day at San Diego’s Old Town Mexican Cafe. The food is fine. It’s more of a tourist trap (you can get better Mexican food in countless places across southern California) but it’s right by the park and anyone who isn’t accustomed to grabbing great Mexican food five minutes from their house will think it’s grub.
Some recommendations for out of town visitors to Sea World:
- Sun screen or hats.
- Water, water, water.
- Sneakers and comfortable clothing. Don’t dress like a rock star, please. I can’t tell you how many women I saw wearing flip-flops or high heeled sandals. People, California isn’t flat and Sea World is acres upon acres of land. We walked, easily, 5 miles yesterday and while it isn’t as hilly as the San Diego Zoo, I was glad I wore my jeans and a pair of Sauconys.
- Bring a change of clothes, including underwear, if you want to sit close to the action at the shows. When they call it the “soak zone,” they aren’t kidding. It’s not like you get a little wet. There are thousand-pound mammals using their flippers to spray you with water. Imagine someone dumping a painter’s bucket of water on you several times to get an idea of how wet you get. We were in the soak zone but near the holding tank entrance so we didn’t get a drop on us. A few yards to the left of us, one girl was so wet from repeated soakings that her shorts and tank tops started to slide off her body from the weight of the water. It was like she jumped into a pool fully dressed.
- Eat a large, late breakfast before you go, and you won’t have to spend a mortgage payment on lunch. Plus, the kids will enjoy the fun snacks you don’t normally let them eat, like ice cream sandwiches and churros. I recommend the frozen tropical lemonade.
Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments. Even though I am a local, my kids are only just now old enough to make going to amusement parks is worthwhile.
not to be a downer, but i’d really recommend you watch “the cove”. i will never visit sea world or any other facility that houses + uses dolphins as entertainment, again in my life. i’d definitely recommend going to the birch aquarium at scripps instead.
Hi, Jessica. Thanks for the comment. I understand where you are coming from and the issues covered in that documentary crossed my mind, even though I have never seen The Cove. It’s a difficult and contentious subject, and not one I feel I am qualified to participate in. That said, the tickets were a gift from the boys’s grandfather. Had I been asked, yes, I would have suggested a different venue, like Disneyland. I wasn’t asked, though, so I went and was grateful to give my sons a day full of activities with someone they love dearly.
We have a four month old. Sigh. It’ll be a LONG time till we get to go anywhere. And I’m pretty sure I’m the only person I know who has never been to Disneyland (or Sea World or any other big park).
Yikes. I didn’t know killing dolphins is the same as training them. Oh well. To each their own. Anyway, I remember going to Sea World as a kid and thought it was so cool! My family and I also really enjoy going to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago every few years. I think my mom and I could sit and watch all the anemones and corals for hours on end! Glad you guys had a fun trip :)
Sea World is a blast. You did pretty good with the tips I think. :) We haven’t been for a while (San Antonio) but I think yours is nicer. that’s awesome that “grandpa” paid for (and went???) such a nice day.
Was Nico laughing or crying at Abby Cadabby and Elmo??? LOL
Paid and went! It was a belated present.
Nico was crying. Not a fan of the furries, that one. ;)
Good tips! We’re pretty local too (La Verne) and amusement parks are much more enjoyable as the kids get older. My boys are ages 6 and 4 and they had a fabulous time at Sea World and Legoand this summer! Looks like your boys had fun, they’re adorable!
Legoland was actually grandpa’s first pick, but something happened with the tickets. Maybe he found a deal on these. How is Legoland? We’ve never been.
FUN, fun, fun!!! We love SeaWorld and have had season passes for a few years now. We started going when Andrew was 2, but then it was more of a morning trip before naptime & lunch- but it was great to be able to come over and over and take our time. We live locally in San Diego, so it is a great deal :) I agree though, theme parks are SO much better when the kids are older {my son is 6 now!} and can enjoy it like they are supposed to! Legoland is fun, especially for elementary aged kids. We took the kindergartners there for a field trip this past year and they had the best time! :) Glad you and your family had such a fun trip to SeaWorld!!!
xoxox Holly
Love, love, love, love Sea World!! Seriously, love. I went the second time I went to San Diego (and thought that nothing could beat the San Diego Zoo/Balboa from my first visit).. I really enjoyed it…. But, I’m pretty sure I wore flip-flops and I was OK, but then again, us ‘east coast’ chics use flops as our normal mode of summer transportation. My toes may be well accustomed to the ‘keeping on of the flops’.
I did not believe the soak zone thing either.. I was wearing a *gasp* white summer skirt and t-shirt (nothing hoochie, just comfy and thankfully was pretty thick). I got pretty well soaked and had to don the boyfriend’s t-shirt in the bathroom. Wasn’t pretty..but still a great time!!
I would suggest one of those cheapo waterproof bags..that zips. I found it invaluable to coordinate the zip-lock bags which contained the wallet and camera.
If you ever come to this side again, then may I suggest the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.. .the only thing to rival Sea World (not in terms of whales, but in other sea critters).
I really do like SoCal..it’s beautiful country, and the beaches are very different from those I grew up loving, like the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Charleston. On my last visit I finally got to see LA and Hollywood.. I was not impressed. San Diego, however…… :)
If you’re ever coming this way.. let me know…
Ahhh and I didn’t know there was a Sea World in San Antonio!!! How did I miss that last time I was there.. ??
Maybe it was the margaritas on the Riverwalk?
I can keep the flip-flops on, but don’t your feet KILL at the end of the day? I guess I have ruined my feet, because I can’t walk around in something flat all day. I need the cushion and slight heel of a running shoe.
I hear San Antonio is gorgeous, and my husband went to that Georgia Aquarium on a business trip. He thought it was amazing!
Flops..hurt the feet?? No way!!! My feet enjoy nudist-like tendencies, and I tend to allow them their freedom.. it works best that way.
My feet actually hurt more when I wear tennis shoes? Maybe I am really abnormal.
San Antonio was OK..but, over all (with no disrespect to the previous poster from Texas) that has not been my favorite state. I did find the Mexican/Tex-Mex, guacamole and margaritas the best part of trip.. Perhaps I have not seem much of it. The Riverwalk was a very gorgeous area though…and I thoroughly enjoyed that part!
Not to be super commenter here… but I had never heard of or seen “The Cove”.. So, I just ‘wikipedia-ed” it.
Disclaimer: Still haven’t seen the movie.
The killing of dolphins lured into a cove by Japanese doesn’t seem to be analogous to watching trained, fed, very much alive dolphins at an aquarium.
Just my two cents…
Something must be wrong with my feet, but I can very much get away with wearing flip flops to an amusement park all day. A couple of weeks ago we went to Legoland ALL DAY, and they were just fine :) I highly recommend Legoland. We were there from open to close with just me (no dad) and the kids had so much fun and so did I. It was a great day.
Teva. Mush. Flip-flops. You will never, ever wear another brand of flip-flop again! I’ve worn them to walk around all day at Sea World and had no problems at all.
Did you mention sunscreen? It’s very important. Sunscreen. Oh, and sunscreen. :-)
Maybe my problem is the type of flip-flop I wear. I don’t get anything fancy. Two summers ago they were Roxy’s (I think) and this summer I wore flat Havaiana like flip flops in brown and turquoise.
Thanks for that … I’ve been SO wanting a vacation. Living vicariously is all I have … sigh.
And now, I shall weigh in on the flip-flop issue {since I’m sure you’ve been waiting with baited breath to hear what I have to say on the subject}: I have a really high arch, so sneakers must have good arch support. But for some reason I can get away with certain flip-flops. I have a pair of Nikes that I love. But a few years ago we went to Disneyland and my sneakers rubbed a blister from our hotel to the park. I found a pair of cheap (if you can believe it) flip-flops {red with white polka dots … oh so fashionable} and they saved my life. I think it’s the soft foamy-like flippies that work the best. For me.
And now that I’ve written novella, I shall close …
Where to begin?
Sunscreen – An absolute must, especially during summer however really it’s needed year round for everyone and especially for the fairest of them all.
Treats/Snacks – I had kiddos begging me for the homemade brownies I baked the night before we headed off to the happiest place on earth and every time we passed the poor churro stand I kind of snickered to myself. The kids didn’t ask for a churro, popcorn or multi-colored swirl sucker. Most places (DIsneyland and Universal – I know for sure) will allow snacks and nalgene water bottles that will really help with keeping the spending to a minimum. Regarding the water bottles, most restaurants at both parks will be happy to fill them up for you – Stay hydrated. You made a great point – Eat a hearty breakfast! We did this just last Friday, arrived at the park @9:30 AM and between the hearty breakfast and healthy snacks we ate we were able to have a late lunch/early dinner and stay until 11:30 PM. No one withered away. As a native Southern Californian, we have so many great places to eat, if you come for a visit – ask around for a local place and this is for two very important reasons, First, you will spend a lot less and second, the food will be a lot better than a chain. I have a rule, when traveling, I never eat somewhere that I can eat at home.
Taking a break – Sometimes you just need to sit and rest a bit or take a nap. When the 4 year old joins us on the trips to the theme parks we get a hotel close by and structure our day slightly different – We open the park, take a mid-day break/nap/lunch and then return to the park. There are a lot of options, check out priceline.
Clothing – Dress in layers and be sure to wear shoes that you can feel comfortable walking in for hours. If you can walk in 4 inch stilettos for 8+ hours – more power to you but you will get eye rolls from many people, including myself. I counted 3 people wearing heels – ranging from low to stiletto @ Dland on Friday. I don’t understand why but perhaps they were on a first date? Anywho – flops or sandals are fine if you can walk in them for extended amounts of time (and actually you will want to bring a pair if you want to enjoy Universal’s Curious George water exhibit) however I cannot so I am with you on the running shoes. I need the extra support otherwise my feet and shins get really sore.
Backpack – Invest in a comfortable back pack, especially if you have invested in any kind of annual pass. We carry a comfy backpack that holds the snacks and take turns carrying it around. As far as the kids go, at ages 6 and 10, they are responsible for carrying their own smaller backpacks that house their swimsuits, water shoes and personal water bottles.
Discounts – *if you are a So-Cal resident* here are some tips. I work for a school district and between January and March – I got in for free at Universal, this saved us GREATLY. Sadly, it was just for me and not the entire family but it still helped with the cost. As far as Disneyland goes, well – they know they don’t need to give discounts due to their popularity but if you have a relative that works there ask if they are able to sign you in. I have a relative that was able to sign us in on a black out day and save us a ton of money. By the way, annual passes are increasing (I believe) to $184 for the least expensive one. When purchasing the passes, be sure to ask each vendor at the park if they give discounts for pass holders, it all adds up.
If you can, visit the parks off season and especially during the holidays (Legoland is adorable around December). Crowds are not fun, people get cranky and we all tire so easily in the heat. Go when it’s cooler and there will be a lot less people.
I think that’s it – Most importantly have fun!
What great shots, Nico crying with Abby Cadabby is classic.
Glad you had fun!
Love the post! I lived in San Diego for almost 5 years and never made it to Sea World…I even lived on Mission Bay for a while and used to watch the fireworks at Sea World every night in the summer…priceless.
I did however, go to Disneyland and I feel that some of the same tips apply there, except maybe getting wet!
I just have to weigh in on the flip flops comments b/c everyone was cracking me up! I am back in my hometown of St. Louis and I honestly wear flip flops every chance I get. I’ve been addicted since way before I lived in Cali. If I could golf in flip flops, I would. I have worn them in the rain, snow, etc and apparently have adapted my feet & leg muscles to them. I have never even tried any “fancy-schmancy” pairs. Old Navy 2 for $5 work for me!
I haven’t seen The Cove, but this article in Outside magazine gave me pause about SeaWorld:
http://outsideonline.com/outside/culture/201007/killer-whale-behavior-trainer-death-seaworld.html
The issue seems to be whether highly intelligent animals – who have complex social structures in the wild – suffer under the living conditions at parks like SeaWorld.
It convinced me to plan a trip to Legoland for our visiting niece & nephew instead of SeaWorld, though I totally understand the decision to go when the gift was offered.