Celebrating 50 Years of SeaWorld with My Family

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.” - Baba Dioum

I can't recall the first time my parents took me to SeaWorld, but I do know that it sparked a lifetime of love for orcas, dolphins, belugas and pilot whales deep within me. From the moment I was able to pet a dolphin, watch a killer whale, come face to face with these incredible creatures I was hooked. I felt a instant connection with them and have ever since. I continue to bring my family to this water park because all of the good they have done and continue to do. From rescuing thousands of hurt and endangered animals to educating millions of guests about the conservation and care of these majestic creatures.

It's been awhile since we last went to SeaWorld in San Diego. We heard about the newest attraction opening at SeaWorld and we really wanted to check it out. Kaia doesn't even remember visiting SeaWorld when she was younger, so we thought this would be a great time and a great age for her. She is REALLY into science, fish, whales, dolphins, oceanography, and all things under the sea. With SeaWorld celebrating 50 years, we knew we'd be in for a Sea of Surprises!

The night before our trip, my daughter got the idea to design her own shirt. So we got out the white Hanes t-shirt, and the fabric markers and started to color. To be honest, I was reluctant at first, but once we started to color together, it was actually kind of fun.

We walked in and were pleasantly surprised with the beautiful new Explorer's Reef. It's the coolest under water petting zoo (of sorts) where kids and adults alike can get even closer to animals. Judging by the excitement of the guests and the crowds it will be one of the most popular attractions at the park. Make sure to catch it at night time too. It feels like a whole other experience at night, the ponds change colors, the magical music is playing - it's very neat. My family spent easily an hour when we were there in the morning, and another hour when we were leaving at Explorer's Reef. It was great for the kids to be able to interact with animals and get involved with wildlife within moments after entering the front gates.

What can you pet in the pools at Explorer's Reef?

Cleaner Fish - These fish nibble plant and animal matter off of solid matter like rocks (and hands!) These guys are the highlight of the exhibit, because they nibble at your hands and it really tickles. Everyone LOVED this feature! It was the hit of the day.

White-Spotted Bamboo Shark - These sharks can "walk" along the bottom with their pectoral fins.

Brown-Banded Bamboo Shark - Young bamboo sharks dwell in very shallow water, even in tide pools. They also had a pool with rays, and even horseshoe crabs. 

Another thing we suggest is the All-Day Dining Deal. We bought these for our family and because we have teenagers who can EAT, this works out really well. You buy a dining pass, that allows you an all you can eat at 4 of the restaurants as much as you want. We just paid the money when we arrived at guest services, (you may be able to get a discount of you order ahead of time online) and put on the wristbands for the rest of the day. We may or may not have let our kids have an extra dessert that day.

Some of the shows we caught throughout the day were One Ocean, Blue Horizons and Pets Rule! They were great and also gave us a nice break from walking. We recharged during the shows, while we sat and watched in amazement the glorious animals. We finished up our day at Sesame Street Bay of Play, perfect for the younger crowd. Our youngest rode rides, ran around, jumped, climbed, bounced, played in the sand, and used up all of the last of her energy at the end of this very big day of fun!

Here's what Kaia (6 years old) had to say about her day at SeaWorld, "I really liked to touch the fish. The cleaner fish felt funny and made me laugh, but they only come to you if you are very still. I liked the dog and cat show. (Pets Rule!) My favorite part of the day was going to look at all of the animals."

Happy 50th Birthday SeaWorld!

*Disclaimer: I was not paid, nor compensated in any way for this post. I received free tickets for my family as part of the media preview. These opinions are 100% mine and 100% fresh*

Dreaming of SeaWorld

As spring break comes to a close, I'm already thinking about places I'd like to take the family on Memorial Day. Last year on the holiday weekend, we were invited to SeaWorld San Diego to experience the newest show Blue Horizons. We had such a great time, that the kids are still talking about it. Which is saying a lot, because they are teenagers and they are VERY hard to impress.

As you all know I follow the SeaWorld Parks's Blog. (I have the link on my most read blogs list down to your right) So when I saw that they are giving the Shamu Show (my favorite show of the park) a makeover, debuting in SoCal on Memorial Day weekend, I decided exactly where I want to be this year.

Here's a little bit about the new show.

It called ONE OCEAN, it's replacing the current show BELIEVE. But the new twist, (an educational message) and hope from SeaWorld is that this show inspires us as viewers to make a difference in this world. Jim Atchison, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment says "One Ocean" brings to life SeaWorld's mission in a powerful way. By educating & inspiring you to celebrate, connect and care for the world we share." I am also looking forward to seeing the new ways in which trainers interact with these magnificent and beautiful creatures. As we all know they've had some really tough times lately.

Here are some photos that I took last year of the Shamu Show Believe, the last shot is of the night time spectacular Shamu Rocks... I cannot wait to go back and "SEA" all of the new things they have going on!

For more information you can follow SeaWorld Parks on TWITTER, & like them on FACEBOOK.

*Disclaimer: I was not paid, nor compensated in any way for this post. I love SeaWorld & these opinions are all my own. For use of any of my photographs, as always, please contact me.*

Beloved Killer Whale Dies at SeaWorld San Diego

The Shamu Show has resumed today in SeaWorld San Diego, while devastated trainers and mourning fans do their best to put on a happy face. Yesterday, Tuesday September 7, 2010 the unimaginable happened in the SoCal theme park. Sumar, star of the SHAMU Shows, passed away very suddenly & mysteriously.

Sumar who was 12 years old, was born in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando in 1998. He was then transported to SeaWorld Ohio, for a short time. In 1999, he was transferred to his final home in SeaWorld San Diego.
He was about 15 feet long and over 5,000 pounds. They say that orcas in captivity can live up to 25 years, up to 50 in the wild, making this young whales death even more of a shock.

I'm a big fan of SeaWorld, an even bigger fan of killer whales. I feel connected to them in ways that even I can't explain. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an amazing creature. To all of us who care so much about these animals, this is a very sad time. Thank you SeaWorld for giving us an opportunity to know Sumar. He will be missed.

Here are some photos that I took, when I was there a few months ago. Little did I know it would be the last time I would see Sumar. Six killer whales now remain at the park.


SUMAR, the killer whale 1998-2010

SeaWorld Saves The Day for Animals & Park-Goers!

There was a gray whale that had swam right up to a Dana Point harbor a few days ago, you may have heard about it. Her name is LILLY. It's been all over the news. They had thought she swam in to the shore because sometimes whales beach themselves when they are about to die. But after having a crew of experts, including SEA WORLD specialists check out this poor creature, they realized was she was just searching for help. You see, she was trapped in a net, about 150 pounds of netting to be exact, which was making it very hard for her to swim & she just got really tired. So the SEA WORLD biologists, along with other local experts were able to get the nets off of her. Which she obviously wasn't able to do herself. Hopefully by now Lilly is well on her way back to meet up with her family.

I felt really compelled to post this because I feel that some people give SEA WORLD a bad rap. The whole animals in captivity thing is always a heated debate. But what people don't realize, what doesn't get talked about is all of the good that they do. For 45 years they have been committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals in need. Just like that whale on the news.

Not only do they help all of our friends in the sea, but they want to help out families who come to their THEME PARKS too! For a limited time only they are having a special, where you can get a childs admission for $5 with a paid adults ticket. (which is only $69) Even more Awesome is that 100% of those proceeds will be going to a wildlife conservation of your choice. It's called SEA WORLD CARES and it's going on now through December 31, 2010. Can you imagine how much money they will be raising for these amazing animals? I hope everyone I know takes their children... And at $5 a ticket, they have made it possible, by making it affordable.

Here are the 4 areas that need our help most:

Dolphins are important predators of fish, crustaceans, and other marine fauna. They are negatively affected by habitat loss, commercial fishing conflicts, and pollution. Your support can help improve the lives of dolphins by addressing these challenges.

Sea turtles are vulnerable to natural and human impacts. Extreme weather can significantly impact coastal waters as well as key nesting areas on which turtles depend. Additionally, coastal development and disturbances, leave little room for sea turtle nesting areas. Because of these challenges and others, all sea turtles species are either threatened or endangered. Researchers and conservationists need your support to help turn the tide for these imperiled animals.

Populations of Manatees have declined over the past 100 years, especially in Florida, due to habitat destruction, boating collisions, and pollution. The Florida manatee is one the most endangered marine mammals in the United States and is in dire need of your help. Your support will help create a brighter future for manatees in the wild.

Coral reef fish live in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Their coral home provides food and income to billions of people. These beautiful animals are threatened at an alarming level, due to pressures from climate change, habitat destruction, coastal development, over-fishing and water pollution. Your donations will protect these reefs and the fish that make them their home.

So what are you waiting for????

Go help SEAWORLD SAVE THE DOLPHINS Now & teach your family the importance of saving other families in the sea... I'll see you there!

I recommend to buy a SeaWorld FUN CARD: Pay for a day, Get the rest of the year FREE or the BEST VALUE is to buy a Silver Annual Pass (ONLINE) for ONLY $109 pay for a year & get a second year for FREE!

*I was NOT paid or compensated in any way for this post. I just LOVE Sea World & like them, have a strong passion for saving the animals.

I'll See You Soon SHAMU!!!

As a child, when people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up I always said the same thing. I never said I don't know, or had to think about it even for a second. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. I loved the ocean, & the things that lived in it. But the real reason I wanted to DIVE (pun intended) into this career path was because of Sea World! From the first time my parents took us to San Diego for a vacation, I was HOOKED (another funny)! My favorite parts were The Shamu Show, & the Dolphin Petting Pool. When I asked my parents, how does one become a dolphin/whale trainer they told me that I would have to study marine biology in school. So that is all it took. I knew what I was going to do for a living. Work at Sea World & be one of Shamu's trainer. I mean I would have settled for a dolphin trainer, or beluga whale trainer... but Shamu was the ultimate goal!

Fast forward 20 years later... So I'm not exactly a marine biologist! Okay, I didn't even finish college. I don't even live in San Diego! I live in L.A. and work in the entertainment industry. So it's more like working with Sharks, LOL!
I'm also a mom which brings me to the real reason I'm writing this post.

My husband & I are taking the kids next week to Sea World for the very first time. I CANNOT WAIT TO INTRODUCE THEM TO MY OLD FRIEND! I myself am thrilled to be going back for the first time, since I've been an adult. But the real joy will be seeing how my children like it. Watching them as they watch The Shamu Show, if they feel the same connection as I do with these amazing creatures. Seeing if any one of them catch the killer whale fever like I did so many years ago...

Maybe we'll hit the jackpot & be selected to Share Our SeaWorld Story & become VIPs. A mom can dream can't she???

If you too would like to stalk SHAMU, like I do make sure to check out:

SHAMU LIVE CAM

SHAMU ON FACEBOOK

SHAMU ON TWITTER