Over Spring Break this year, we headed down to San Diego for a bit of family fun and to attend a wedding of a dear friend. The very first thing that came to our mind when we decided to go to San Diego was
Sea World. We knew our little fishy boy would LOVE it...and he sure did!
After arriving at Sea World nice and early, we started walking straight over to the turtle reef exhibit. On our way, however, we had to walk through the carnival games. I spotted a a cute game where you throw a ball into a colored tube and you can win a plush Angry Birds Star Wars character. I know these games are rigged but my Little Man is OBSESSED with Angry Birds Star Wars and I thought it would be fun. Wouldn't you know it, I actually threw the ball in the tube and won the most enormous Han Solo ever. We convinced the game attendant to give Noah two smaller birds in exchange for the large one. Han Solo and Chewbacca are great additions to the family.
The Turtle Reef exhibit was so fun. Noah loved looking at all the turtles swimming so gracefully.
Our first show was, of course, the Shamu Show. It was truly amazing. Noah didn't quite know what to think about it and spent the entire show on my lap. He was pretty quite and even buried his head in my chest a few times when the orcas would splash the crowd.
Once the show was over, however, Bubs talked all about the orcas. He loved to see them jumping and splashing.
The second show we went to was definitely our favorite. It is called Blue Horizons and it has dolphins, birds, pilot whales, and a large cast of performers.
It was so impressive to see all the dolphins (there were 16 total) doing tricks in unison.
There were amazing aerialists, divers and bungee performers very reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil show. There were even trainers who rode the dolphins.
How can you not love these animals?!?
In addition to the dolphins, there were two enormous pilot whales who performed. They had a baby whale who would swim around with them and try to do the tricks. So cute!
We finished up our day with a visit to the Sesame Street Bay of Play. This was Noah's first time on any sort of ride so we were not sure how he would like it. Our first stop was Abby's Sea Star Spin and Mr. Man LOVED it!!! He kept telling Daddy to spin faster and faster. Next, Noah and I went on Elmo's Flying Fish.
We went up and down and 'round and 'round and had a blast!
We had a great time at Sea World and are trying to figure out how we can go back in the near future.