Another Spooktacular Time

Every year, my kids look forward to our Halloween tradition, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular.  My children absolutely love SeaWorld and all the fun SeaWorld’s Halloween Spootacular offers, but what I love most about this Halloween experience is that the trick-or-treating party atmosphere is included with a one-day admission.

Unlike previous years, the weather has been ridiculously warm for October and I advised my girls to wear something cool for fear that dressed as Merida and Finn, they would suffer heat strokes.  So, Allana modified her Adventure Time Finn costume by wearing a sweatband instead of Finn’s usual bear fleece cap.  Instead of Merida, Emmalynn decided to match her sister’s costume by dressing as the Bubblegum Princess from Adventure Time.  Liam could stay cool in his road costume from last Halloween and thankfully, the shirt still fit him.

Since we had some time to spare before the official open of SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, I hopped into the single rider queue for Manta, the most amazing roller coaster in Orlando.  On Manta, riders sit parallel to the track to simulate the feel of an underwater flight of a giant sting ray.

After my Manta moment, we made our way down the trick-or-treating path and we eventually found ourselves at Penelope’s Party Zone, located at SeaWorld’s Bayside Stage.  Much like last year, the under-the-sea dance celebration is the most happening Halloween hot spot.  With happy pumpkins leading the dance steps and an energetic DJ pumping out tunes to make every creature move, this underwater Halloween dance party is non-stop fun for all ages.

 

Additional craft tables and art easels have been added to Penelope’s Party Zone this year.  My girls enjoyed assembling the free foam craft witches.

The Spooky Sand Art Station and Apple Decorating Post have returned once again for an additional nominal cost.  At the Apple Decorating Post, large tasty apples or brick-size Rice Krispies treats are dipped into chocolate or caramel sauces and then topped with sprinkles, candies and other sweets of your choosing.

Since I have three children with very different tastes, each could build their own tasty creation.

I especially liked the additional treats for grownups.  Beer in a boat and other soft drinks are now available inside Penelope’s Party Zone to help keep guests cool in this Halloween hot spot.

Just outside the party zone is a new stop, Penelope’s Photacular, where guests can show off their most Spooktacular costume which might make a celebrity guest appearance in a virtual costume parade before the Shamu Rocks show.

Since there was candy to be collecting, no one in my Halloween herd wanted to pose with Shamu, but the polar bear at Wild Arctic was a great catch in Emmalynn’s eyes.

And of course, there were lots of candy stations to visit for trick-or-treating, but sadly there were no mini bananas or peanuts as in previous years.  Those treats were replaced with unlimited quantities of Vitamin Water, which was quite refreshing in the heat, although Liam was more fond of the little boxes of raisins.

After visiting all trick-or-treating stations, Liam and I stopped to cool off at the splash pad inside Shamu’s Happy Harbor while the big kids rode some rides.  Once again, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular was a huge splash for my family.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place every weekend in October (6-7th, 13-14th, 19-21st, and 26-28^th) and the daytime event runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

If you have concerns about food allergies, all park restaurants are equipped and trained to take care of guests with allergen needs.  SeaWorld Park restaurant managers and supervisors will work one-on-one with guests and oversee the preparation of each allergen-friendly meal from start to finish. “Chef Cards“, filled out in advance by guests to outline the foods to avoid, are handed to a chef before the preparation of the meal.

For more information about allergen-friendly meals or to purchase advance tickets for SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Dine with Shamu

For those who love the Shamu, get ready for a whole new, up-close experience with SeaWorld Orlando’s most famous resident that will leave you craving more.

 Dine with Shamu offers poolside entertainment with an educational twist on how to preserve the ocean’s habits and resources all while dining on an delicious assortment of seasonal and sustainable items.

 With this exclusive behind-the-scenes highly entertaining experience only available at SeaWorld Orlando, guests will witness the bond between SeaWorld trainers and these incredible creatures.  

Almost equally enjoyable as the presentation, guests will find the buffet very pleasing.  With four types of meats (grain-fed Black Angus strip loin, cinnamon-cured roasted pork loin, rosemary-glazed free range chicken and cod), vegetarian options, kid-friendly meals, tasty side dishes and several signature desserts, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  In addition to a remarkable meal, the wait staff offers outstanding service with a smile.  Our server, Anne Marie, was very accommodating and made our dining experience a very pleasurable one.

 After our dinner and a show, my family and I had the opportunity to speak with the warm and fuzzy animal trainers at the Shamu Under Viewing exhibit.  My youngest daughter loved chatting with Amber.

Amber demonstrated a few of her commands and even encouraged one of the whales to greet at my daughter.

To enjoy your own up-close experience with Shamu and the trainers, make your reservations at SeaWorld.com or call 1-888-800-5447.  Reservations can also be made at the in-park reservations center.

And here’s a deal to make your dining experience even more enjoyable!  Make a reservation between now and December 25, 2012 and receive a FREE child’s meal (ages 3–9) with each full-paid adult reservation!

My family and I enjoyed an all-paid dining experience in exchange for my honest opinions and review.  I received no compensation for this review.

 Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

SeaWorld’s TurtleTrek

From the moment they hatch, sea turtles face many great challenges on their way to the sea.  From mistaking lights on the beach for the moon to the numerous predators, sea turtles must overcome great odds to survive.

SeaWorld’s newest attraction, TurtleTrek, teaches visitors how to help sea turtles as they make their journey.  With a little education, conservation and awareness, we can make a difference in the life of a sea turtle.  As the exhibit proudly proclaims, each of us has the potential to be everyday heroes to help make the world a better place for all.

TurtleTrek’s  up-close observation deck allows guests to encounter West Indian manatees and sea turtles in a naturalistic habitat.

In one corner of the exhibit, a model of a turtle nest offers a real-life example as to how some everyday heroes protect sea turtles on the beach.

Also on the observation deck, visitors can play Race for the Beach, an educational video game displayed on massive screens.  After selecting their species of sea turtle, guests swim the ocean munching on favored foods while avoiding hazards like nets and plastic bags.

As guests follow the TurtleTrek trail below, they become immersed in underwater life.

Schools of more than 1,500 Caribbean-native fish, sea turtles and manatees greet guests on their way to the world’s first 3D 360 dome theater. With the aid of a state of the art film, Nyah, a sea turtle shares her amazing journey and there are no bad seats in the house.

Once I learned a portion of each dollar spent in the TurtleTrek gift shop benefits in-the-field research to help save animals, I couldn’t resist purchasing some gifts for my children.  With small trinkets, I would be an everyday hero to my little critters as well as sea creatures.

For residents and locals, the best way to experience TurtleTrek again and again is with a Fun Card or annual pass. Each provides unlimited visits to SeaWorld Orlando and all the park’s special events and festivals including Halloween Spooktacular and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.  Even better, there are no blackout dates!

For more information or to buy your Fun Card or annual pass now, go to www.SeaWorldOrlando.com

*I experienced SeaWorld’s newest attraction, TurtleTrek, as part of a grand opening media event and received no compensation for this review.*

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration 2011

To start the holiday season with a splash, my family and I set sail once again for SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

The evening’s Christmas festivities started with small reception to meet some new friends: a sloth, a sea lion and a macaw.

During the reception, we snacked on sugar cookies and sipped on hot cocoa while the Sea of Trees danced and sang.  With 25 more trees this year and comprised of more than 200 thousand individually choreographed LED lights, the Sea of Trees truly brings the season to sea.

Once our senses were dazzled and our bellies were full, we made the long journey to the North Pole for The Polar Express Experience.

Liam and I traveled by foot through the Wild Arctic while the girls traveled by train with Daddy.   Little Lion Man and I followed the frosty paths through the polar bears and beluga whales to find our way to Santa.

This year, SeaWorld added a new show, O Wondrous Night- The Greatest Story Never Told. 

“O Wondrous Night tells the greatest story never told, with more than 30 carols, based upon the Christmas Story and told through the eyes of a variety of live animals.  The 30-minute show features puppetry and dance against the backdrop of traditional Christmas music  and a true living nativity including camels, goats, sheep, an alpaca, a zebu and a flock of white doves.” –SeaWorld

Unfortunately, my girls were more interested in rides without queues than shows depicting the real season for the season, so we spent the rest of the evening in Shamu’s Happy Harbor.

In between rides, we stumbled upon two lively elves playing a game of marshmallow toss and the girls joined in the fun.

Although the girls wanted to stay for s’more fun, it was time to end the evening on a high note by remembering the Frosty the Snowman philosophy.   We’ll be back again someday.

Many other Orlando amusements parks charge an additional fee to participate in such extravagant holiday festivities, but all this magic and wonder is included with a SeaWorld admission every weekend night throughout December including Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

On Dec. 31, families can ring in the New Year SeaWorld style!  On New Year’s Eve, SeaWorld offers a spectacular musical celebration with DJs and live bands plus a bold fireworks display to send a wave of welcome for the New Year ahead.  With special show times for New Year’s Eve, the festivities continue until 1 a.m.

For more information about the last few days SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration or to purchase a Fun Card, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

But wait!  There’s more!  

Saturdays in January, SeaWorld kicks off a new program Just for Kids featuring special performances by LazyTown, Max and Ruby, the Doodlebops and Choo Choo Soul.  Check SeaWorld.com for dates and show times.

Snapshot Sunday

These photos were taken at the end of a very long and fun day at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular.  You can read all about our fun here.

Today, I’m linking up over at Gone Bananas for Kirsty’s new meme called, Snapshot Sunday.  If you have a photo or photos you ‘d like to share, post it and then link up over there.  (Sorry for the lame poem.  It just flowed out me like that.  I’m a poet but didn’t know it.)