Labor Day Weekend vacation with friends - day 3

The ticket to Discovery Cove included passes to Sea World, so day 3 was spent at Sea World. We walked to the park from the hotel,

and when we got into the park, we got the family picture taken,

and the kids got a pic with the penguins.

We ate breakfast (I highly recommend the all day dining - it was worth it),

and then started our fun. We started with the Pets Ahoy show (Megan's favorite), starring rescue animals trained to do all kinds of tricks on stage.

Then, after a visit to the dolphin nursery to see the babies,

George and Zac rode the Manta while the rest of us went to the aquarium. Then, after a stop at the stingray pool,

we headed to the  dolphin petting/feeding area. The dolphins were very active with each other (read that as not very interested in the visitors), and after a short time, we went down to the underwater observation area.

There, we found out why they were so "active." Evidently it was mating time for some of them, which I swear I have never seen in 37 years of going to Sea World, and we had to cut our time short as the "activity" was graphic and repetitive.

We moved on to Turtle Trek, the new 3D show and exhibit. I really enjoyed the exhibit (surprise! - they're turtles), and we got some good shots of the turtles

 

and this gang (full of attitude, aren't they?).

 

 

After seeing a few more shows

 

 

and a few more rides, we went to feed the seals

 

 

while George and Zac rode the Kraken (no one else was brave enough). Megan and Danny got to throw fish to them,

 

attempting to avoid the birds.

 

 

 

Thief! By this time, we were getting close to time for the Shamu Rocks! show, so we trekked over to the polar exhibit to visit and wait.

 

 

Once inside, we stood watching the Beluga whales swim, and I noticed that they were also very "active."

 

 

I asked the trainer if there was a certain mating season for dolphins and whales, and after confirming my suspicions, he stated that they are pretty much always active.

 

 

Again, 37 years and have never seen this, much less with two different groups!

 

While waiting for the Shamu Rocks! show to start, George and I managed to steal some alone time, making a trip to switch out lenses, and make a few purchases.

 

 

We worked our way back to Shamu stadium, and went inside for the show.

 

 

The music was really good, but the show was too short and not enough splash, according to the kids. After a very long day, we made our way back to the hotel and collapsed. In fact, I don't even remember that part. What a good day! 

 

 

Labor Day Weekend vacation with friends - day 2

Day 2 was our day at Discovery Cove. It started very early as we needed to be at the park around 8 to reserve our dolphin swim.

The McCranies had secured a cabana at the park, and once we ate breakfast,

we headed to our secluded spot.

It was truly a piece of heaven on earth. After putting on our sunscreen (quite the feat as it the dolphin-safe sunscreen that the park provides has no oils - you know, the stuff that makes you able to rub in the sunscreen).

 The kids had a bit of fun with Dave,

and then we all headed to the Grand Reef for some snorkling.

 

 

 

 

Once they got used to it, the kids had a blast swimming with the rays

and fish and going over to see the sharks in their own tank.

 

See, I told you it was hard to rub in! Soon enough, it was time for our dolphin swim, so we headed to the cabana to meet up with our trainer. Our dolphin, Rose, was wonderfully gentle with the kids, and our interaction with her was amazing - something we'll never forget. Here are some shots from our time with Rose...

 

 

Scheduled activities being over, we were free to explore, eat lunch, and drink - a lot.

 

 

 

We explored the aviary where the birds eat from the cup in your hand and deer come up so you can pet them,

 

 

 

and then George and Deborah took the kids down the lazy river to see monkeys, otters, and generally have great time.  

 

 

They eventually went snorkling again, while I went to the dolphin tank wall next to our cabana, and for the last hour or so was visited by numerous dolphins who talked to me, checked me out, and splashed me and Megan (who joined me later).

 

 

It was absolutely awesome.  It was a day none of us will ever forget. In fact, last night Danny said he wanted to go back in time to be there again. Believe me, I did too.  



Labor Day Weekend vacation with friends - day 1

This weekend, we had so much fun in Orlando with our friends, the McCranies. We drove down on Friday, and after resting for a bit in the hotel (The Doubletree Sea World), we went to eat at Tommy Bahama's in Pointe Orlando, and the kids (who ate at Johnny Rockets) had some fun shopping. Megan shopped for jewelry, and then headed in to the art gallery, where she picked out her favorites. 1. Give us this day our daily bread by Salvadore Dali

and 2. almost all of the Pinot paintings - she said they reminded her of me.

How I love that girl! After dinner and play time, we went back to the room, and I went to sleep while George took the kids swimming. Little did I know that when he returned, he's have some fun of his own, caught on camera by Zachary.

I feel so loved...