Sea World, Part 2

In addition to the exhibits, we also got to enjoy a number of great shows and rides while we were at Sea World.

The Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island (sealion and walrus and otter) show was quite entertaining. It was amazing to see all the trick that the animals had been taught.

The Blue Horizons (whale and dolphin) show was out of this world. Not only were the dolphins wonderfully acrobatic, but the (human) performers were as well. Kalyn was mesmerized by all of the stunt performers as they dove from the high platforms and swung out across the water from various swings. Each time she saw something, she would say, "I want to do that. No, I want to do that when I grow up!" Her eyes were as big as saucers with every flip, turn and dive.

No visit would be complete without viewing the Believe show, otherwise known as the Shamu show. There was a very touching tribute to Dawn Brancheau, the trainer who had lost her life just a couple of weeks prior to our trip. Again, the animals were the stars with their flips and moves.

The rides were great! The girls loved riding Journey to Atlantis, a water flume ride with a number of drops! Plus, any spectator could spend a few quarters to be able to spray the riders as they landed at the bottom of the large drop. Just a little added "fun" for everyone!

Mimi was a great help as she watched the kids while Papa, Craig and I headed to the other two big roller coasters. (I think the ice cream helped during the second coaster also.) I had been a little disappointed that we hadn't been able to ride Space Mountain at Disney, so I really wanted to make sure that we got the chance to ride these coasters. Manta was amazing!!! We loaded as you would a normal roller coaster, sitting normally. But then, before the ride begins, our feet were raised up so we were now looking straight down in sort of a flying position. A very unique way to ride. We aren't in this shot, but it shows you how we were riding. Trinity was very eager to take our picture while we were riding and she caught a great picture!

The second coaster was Kraken. This one also had a special twist. Again, we loaded normally and then the bottom of the ride comes away, so as you ride, your feet are dangling in the air! To help get back to Mimi in time, the three of us split up with Papa riding first as us catching the next round.

Both of these roller coasters were great because the rides were pretty long, making the wait (albeit short because there weren't too many crowds) pretty worth it. Kalyn was a bit upset that she could not ride these - there were some tears, poor thing. She just wasn't tall enough. Maybe next time. It was a great day at Sea World. Again, one more day of no arguing, no complaining, no asking for sourvenirs, no traumatic meltdowns. We had one more event planned before we headed home the next day. One more Orlando blog, then it's back to our Georgia life.