We had a great time at Sea World in San Antonio and (no, they are not paying me to say that – Darnit!) and after day one we decided to spend all three days there. They currently have a deal where you pay for a day and then can come back all year and because they have a few roller coasters (for Tim to ride) and a water park within the big park, we figured we’d just stick with what we knew. And what we’d already paid for!
The hotel where we ended up staying (hotel reservation story to follow…) had a shuttle and we were VERY thankful for that on Friday and the busiest day, Saturday. Especially after not using it the first day (we hadn’t checked in yet) and having to go back to our blazing hot car that afternoon.
So here’s what happened with the hotel. I made a reservation for this trip the same day I made a reservation for us to stay in Lafayette the first weekend we went there. I KNOW I made both reservations because I was on the phone with the two different hotels back to back.
Anyway, when we were ready to find our hotel that afternoon (after the first day at the park) I couldn’t remember the name of the hotel I’d settled on and did not bring along any paperwork or even re-check my email before we left to remind me which one I had booked. “Pregnant-head” was in complete overdrive. I knew what area it was in so we checked with three hotels and none of them had a reservation under my name. I cried. A lot. I also did not have the pamphlet that my SIL had sent me in the mail about the hotels, which had the map I used to choose the hotel so I HAD NOTHIN’! And I was so upset about this whole thing.
Finally we settled on the Hilton that was just across the highway from the park and it worked out wonderfully. Our room was on the first floor and I loved not having to wait for the elevator. And, it was a handicapped room so we had a big bathroom and a walk-in shower that worked great for showering the boys. Tim and I had a nice king-sized bed and The B Man loved his twin roll away. And they had a nice pool area that included a kiddie pool for wading that was perfect for Little G.
Sea World itself was nice and the boys had fun feeding dolphins,
eating lunch (mmmm… watermelon!),
splashing at the splash park
and going to shows.
We only saw two shows, one with acrobats and divers and some dolphins and then the Shamu show, of course. We got there early so we could sit in the “Splash Zone” and then did not actually get splashed (which I was quite glad about). But since we were so early we had to wait and well, of course you cannot wait without a snack. Then SOMEONE stole the rest of the popcorn. I’m sensing a theme here (see previous post).
As we continued to wait the nice couple in front of us offered to take our picture. I think Little G’s cheeks are still full of popcorn…
Shamu left QUITE an impression on Little G. As I’m typing this and pulling up the pictures he keeps saying “SHAMU SHOW!!!” And yes, the show was fun but it was more fun to watch the boys’ reactions to it all. That’s what being a parent is really all about, showing your kids all these wonderful things and watching them take it all in and seeing how excited they get. At least it is for me these days…
We did spend all day Friday at the water park but I didn’t take any pictures that day. The “lazy river” was certainly the boys’ favorite attraction there. And my legs were SO sore from doing the “crab crawl” as I took Little G around it 4 times. Ouch.
We did leave the park by 3 p.m. every day because it got hot and we wanted to see if G would take a nap (which never happened while we were there…). But me and the “wee one” I’m carrying were also too tired and hot by that time to continue so we came back to the hotel where G and I rested and The B Man and Tim went back out to the hotel pool.
So, despite the hotel debacle (btw, I checked and it was the Fairfield Hotel that I am CERTAIN I booked and since I never got an email confirmation, pretty sure they lost my reservation…) we had a wonderful time on our trip.
Here’s a little video of Little G and the B Man near the elevators in the hotel that we had to pass every time we went to and from our room. Little G had to say “SHAMUS!” every. single. time we walked by. Notice his impeccable “timing” when he says it at one point, early in this little snippet… Let’s just say, thank goodness she was a thin lady…….. : )
looks like you had a great time!!
i’ll never forget taking bean to see the shamu show when she was about 18 months old. she kept claping wildly shouting “yay dolphin, yay dolphin”. i reminded her that it was a killer whale. she then shouted “yay whale… yay dolphin, yay dolphin!!!” sea world is just awesome. 🙂
Looks like you guys had a great time–I’ve never been to Sea World.
Yay! For a wonderful vacation with family especially when life is about to get super crazy!!
Looks and sounds like you all had a wonderful time. So glad you could get this in before the big move to the east! 🙂
That looks like a great time, I will put Sea World on my list..I have not been since I was young
That video is priceless!!
So glad you all had a nice vacation. What a cute video! We definitely need to take Evelyn to Sea World.
Pregnancy brain. I HAZ IT. I’m glad everything worked out and that you and your boys had a faboo time at the park!
The hotel snafu sounds like something I would do… and I can’t blame it on “pregnancy brain”, LOL! Glad it all worked out.
We’re going to Sea World next month… it’s been over 20 years since I’ve been! I’m sure things have changed since then, LOL! But my girls have never been, and we thought this might be something they’d enjoy.
who doens’t love shamu? that video is too cute! glad it all worked out for ya!
So cute! That lady looked at him like… “seriously kid, are you calling me shamu?” haha! So funny!
It looks like you all had a blast despite your hotel mix up. So glad to hear that everything turned out well. I enjoyed looking at the pictures. We have been to Sea World in Orlando and San Diego, but not the one in Texas. May have to go there sometime!!
Despite the hotel mix-up it sounds like ya’ll had a blast!
I love all the photos and the video is precious!
Looks like a ton of fun! We took Phabian to Sea World in Orlando when he was about 1 1/2 and he loved it. We waited in line for 2 hours to get in the front row center for Shamu and then a normal Florida afternoon thunderstorm rolled in and they had to stop the show. Lucky for us my Aunts had paid for us to have dinner with Shamu which i will never forget. Something about a gazillion pound animal spitting on you from a foot away while you eat is completely unforgettable.
Looks like a fun vaca! Now back to packing, right??!!
Awesome pics! Glad you enjoyed your vacay!
This makes me want to go to Sea World more than ever! I adore dolphins especially. Sounds like the whole hotel debacle ended up working out pretty well in the end! Oh, and G takes his food quite seriously, doesn’t he?!
Looks like a great time! I’m wondering if Jax is ready for a day trip down there…not sure if he would hold up long. He doesn’t sit still long and likes to just run off without taking any of us with him! You got some great pictures at Sea World. You have to love it when someone offers to take a picture with all of you in it – I do! It’s the only time there is proof I exist in this family!!
Wow. Although hot, it looks like such a great family vacation!!!!!!
Oh my! That sounds like such a wonderful vacation! You got some amazing pictures at Sea World, of your boys and I LOVE that family photo! So glad you had such a great time, you really deserve it.
I’m happy it all worked out! Sea World is a great place 🙂
What a marvelous trip! All the pictures are wonderful, especially the one of Shamu jumping! WOW!
We’ve yet to take the kids to Sea World, but it’s most definitely on the agenda for the summer. Anything with water is on the agenda!!
Glad you and the family had a great trip!
I HATE pregnancy brain! I swear I forget a different thing every day – it makes me crazy!
Looks like you had fun, though. 😀
What a GREAT vacation! We are going sometime this summer and I CAN’T wait! Thanks for the tip on the buy one day, get the rest of the year free thing – we are definitely going to take advantage of that!
That video is priceless! The lady was good natured about it all and how could she not be, the dude is too cute to be offensive 😉
Looks like a great time and the hotel totally messed up!