Shamu and I Belong Together
Over Thanksgiving weekend, we spent a day at Sea World with Chris’ mom and sister. I had never been before, but I figured Bean would like it because he’s really into fish right now. Specifically whales. He has this book with pictures of different types of sea life that has sound effects for each body of water and his favorite is the blue whale page. I think he likes the long, one-note sound that the whales make.
Anyway, we thought Sea World would be a big hit.
And we were right.
We went to the Shamu show and the stadium was so big that I worried that he wouldn’t be able to see the whales or wouldn’t know what he was looking at.
But he didn’t have a problem with that at all. He focused on the whales the whole time and pointed to them shouting, “Waaaalll! Waaaalll!”
The Shamu show was actually pretty impressive. They had these massive killer whales doing the craziest things. Like this whale:
Not only did he beach himself up on this platform, but then he started spinning himself around in a circle before finally backing himself down the platform and back into the water again. It was incredible!
Bean’s favorite part though was when the whales swam around the edge of the pool, splashing the crowds with their tails. He thought that was so funny!
We also headed over to the sting ray pool. They had these shallow pools of water with giant sting rays swimming around in them and you could put your hand in the water and touch them. Notice that I said, “you could.” As in, I didn’t. And neither did Bean. But, he really loved watching them swim by so close.
We also got really close to the dolphins. There was this area where you could pay all this money to feed the fish by hand. Instead, we went under the feeding area and saw them through glass…
…and then we went up to the feeding area and stood just on the other side of the rope. Basically, we mooched off of their expensive, family experience.
And as if we weren’t already close enough to the fish, Chris and Bean actually got IN a fish tank with them.
Funny story about this little viewing area in the fish tank. I got this great idea that all three of us – Chris, Bean, and me – should climb into the hole together and have our picture made as a family. How fun! But in order to get up inside the little hole, you had to climb through this even smaller hole to get up under the fish tank. And – funny thing – I didn’t fit in the hole. My belly was too big. Awesome.
See that clown fish right there swimming by Bean? He kept calling out, “Nemo! Nemo!”
After a morning of all that excitement, Beaner was worn out.
So Chris and his sister, Annie, took advantage of the downtime to get a few rides in. Personally, I am not a roller coaster person. I’d rather sit on a bench and drink lemonade while I wait for other people to attempt death while strapped to a small, upside down train. It’s just who I am.
Chris though? Totally would rather be on the upside down train.
That’s him in the third row back. The one on the end with his hands in the air.
Next they rode Manta, another roller coaster at the park.
Honey? Did you remember to lock the car?
What’s that? I can’t hear you over the death screams…
Honey? I think Bean’s got a stinky diaper.
Oh, I guess you expect ME to change him since you’re hanging upside down about two feet off the ground going 60 miles an hour at the moment.
You’re so demanding.
While Chris and Annie attempted death, Jackie, Bean, and I took in a more serene experience.
We watched sea turtles swim.
And we talked to the flamingos. But you can see in this picture that Bean was really concerned about his dad who was flying around in the roller coaster over our heads. He wanted to be up there with him, even though we tried to explain that he was too small for the roller coaster.
All in all, it was a pretty great day. I loved Sea World and Bean was just the right age to take it all in. Plus, we got to spend the whole day with family, and what’s better than that?
The next time we go though, Chris says he’s going to bring one of those baby backpacks and strap Bean to his chest so he can go on the roller coasters with him. I said over my dead body. And then Chris laughed.
I think he thought I was kidding.
25 Comments
Lori @ I Can Grow People
Porter is loving whales now too! There is some commercial on television with a mommy whale and a baby whale and he stops whatever he is doing to watch. And then he points and talks to me about what is on the TV, not that I understand…but, we can’t wait to take him to the Aquarium here (and maybe whale watching on the Cape this summer–but Aaron doesn’t know that yet…)
Maggie
I love Shamu! My Mom and sister and I saw dolphins at Six Flags in CA, but I don’t think I’ve been to Sea World since I was about Bean’s age. That seems like such a great age to go to a park like that (except for not being able to ride the rides, of course). It’s one of the things that I’m really looking forward to doing with kids once I have them.
Jen C
How unusual to see Thanksgiving with no sweaters. I need to get out of the midwest pronto. I love seaworld! My 29 year old hubby ran around like a 5 year old the entire time we were there, pointing out all the things to see and animal facts. yes, 29. Looks like you guys went home with a satisfied, sleepy Bean which is always a bonus 🙂
Katie
I love reading about your successful adventures with bean. Our last family outting didn’t go over so well, but it did give me something to post about on my blog. I look forward to an older kid (like bean) that can enjoy big kid things.
Annie
Umm..Katie, I am a little disappointed that you didn’t mention the best part about that day..Pets Ahoy!!! I realize that you probably didn’t get any good pictures because it was kinda dark, but you have to admit that the show was amazing!! 🙂 Love you!!
SueC
We love Sea World! We went for the first time last summer. Such an unexpected treat. My kiddos (7 and 3) still talk about it frequently. What a treat!
Kat @ Living Like the Kings
That looks like such a fun trip! You guys always get to do so many fun things – Bean’s a lucky little boy. I love the last couple of pics – are they going on a holiday card?
Casey
What a fun day! I love Sea World!
Oh, and me and you would be great park buddies… I would also much rather sit on a bench watching my loved ones look death in the eye.
Alaina
Aw, he looks so cute and so into the show! that’s so great he got to go!
Window On The Prairie
I used to love roller coasters, but I’m 42 now, and I know I would barf if I got on one now.
Suzanne
Robin
Your pictures bring back such great memories. We went in March, and the “Shamu” show was also a big hit with us. So glad you guys had a great time, and Bean got to see all the different types of fish. Note for the future: The Atlantis water flume ride is SCARY and definitely not for young kids even if they meet the height requirement. My daredevil daughter was so mad she couldn’t go on a lot of the roller coasters with her daddy, so when we saw that she was tall enough for the Atlantis one, she jumped at the chance. Let’s just say her nails were completely black at the end after she clutched the foam handle bars for dear life on the big drop. I was even freaked out by it. I’m sure her screams could have been heard all the way at the entrance! Luckily she pushed through and still got on roller coasters at Magic Kingdom the next day. 🙂
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
I adore Sea World. We’ve been to Orlando and San Diego and they were both a great experience. Isn’t it great when you can educate your kid and give them a great time all at once?
Jaclyn
I LOVE Sea World. It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but I loved the Shamu shows as a kid, and all the petting/learning experiences were cool as I got older. The roller coasters are fun too, but I definitely go to Sea World for the animals — I can get roller coasters at Universal!
Rachel
We (famliy of 4) LOVE Sea World. We’ve been to the Orlando location when our daughter was 18 mo & then again when she was 7 & son was 4. Love love love that you can get in free again if you go within 7 days, but our last visit there was 7 years ago, so that may have changed. =) We enjoyed Sea World more than any of the Disney parks. Next time we visit, I’d do Discovery Cove. =) Your pics make me want to go again. Living in ND, it’s not something you can do without some advance planning. =) I think my kids would love those roller coasters, but I’ll stay safely on the ground, thanks!
Megan @ Red Dirt and Crazy
I’ve never been to Sea World but I would LOVE to go! I think Q-Tip would totally love it! Whenever she sees a clownfish she says…Nemo clownpish mama..Nemo clownpish!!
🙂
Megan
Mrs. Jen B
I think “Nemo” every time I see a clown fish, too. Not sure what that says for my maturity level. Glad you had such a good time!
Morgan G
This makes me miss the days that Sea World was in Ohio! I’ll definitely have to make a point to get down to the FL one, it looks great 😀
Amy
Bean is adorable!! Especially the picture where he screams Waaaalll! Waaaalll!€.
Brandi
Aw Sea World! So cute! I LOVE Shamu! 🙂
Carrie T
Oh I loved Sea World when were in FL last Feb. It was my first time and I thought it was great. My favorite show was the Otters and Sea Lions.
Amy @ Serve At Once
Watching Bean being SO excited about the whales…well…that melted my heart. And punched me in the ovaries. What are you DOING to me, Katie?!? 🙂
Christina
I love Sea World!! We used to get Season Passes when we were Florida residents. We haven’t been in a long time now…but I really would love to go back. Bean’s face is just precious when watching Shamu. 🙂 So much fun!
Mom of 3
Sea World has been a favorite since our oldest was a toddler. In January you should get a Fun Card…it’s the same price as a 1 day admission and you can go back all year. If you think you’ll go often, then one of you should get an actual Annual Pass because that comes with free parking and discounts on food. We prefer Sea World to Disney because it’s so easy to go for half a day and Disney is such a time commitment. You’ll have have a blast over the years watching how Bean’s reactions change to the things he experiences there. If you didn’t see the dolphin show, make sure to do that next time. And Pets Ahoy (my kids call it “the dog and cat show”) is fabulous, as strange as it may seem. Sometimes they have Sesame Street stage shows which are always fun for the little ones.
Glad you had such a great day!
Sarah
I just love the picture of bean in the fake roller coaster seat. The expression on his face is priceless. I don’t know the kid but I really likes when he makes that face. It totally amuses me. : )
Megan (Best of Fates)
I love the phrase “he’s really into fish right now.” Mainly because it reminds me of my own fish phrase.
That is, before fish broke my heart.
Now Sea World only serves to make me cry.
Cry big, salty tears.
You know, the kind fish can live in.