Taking the Kids™
Taking the Gang to SeaWorld on Southwest
Quick. Name a place where the kids will have a blast and learn enough for their next three school projects.
Stumped? Go directly to SeaWorld on Southwest Airlines Whether you opt for San Antonio, San Diego or Orlando, you can meet Shamu and find plenty to amuse as well as teach the kids about sea life, whether they’re two, ten or in their teens. You’ll have as much fun as they will on the water coasters, watching the shows, getting up close and personal with whales and walruses. Ever see a Hawaiian monk seal? And with so many special hands-on programs, don’t be surprised if the kids start talking about becoming marine biologists or dolphin trainers.
Before you go, sit down at the computer with the kids and go to www.seaworld.com. and figure out what you want to do first. Hit the water coasters? See Shamu ? If you’re going to be in Orlando and want to swim with the dolphins and wade with the stingrays, check out SeaWorld’s sister park, Discovery Cove at www.discoverycove.com. Everyone - even the 5-year-old - should get to see their top picks, if not every attraction on their list. Besides, it’s good for kids to learn to compromise!
Don’t be afraid to divide up if the older kids want to ride the coasters while the younger ones want to spend more time watching the fish. Just make sure you’ve got walkie-talkies or cell phones so you can stay in touch. To help you plan, here are some must-see attractions at the parks:
- SEAWORLD ORLANDO - The thrill seekers in your gang will head straight for Kraken, a floorless roller coaster where your feet will dangle as you race across the track at speeds up to 65 mph. Gulp! “Journey to Atlantis” is a favorite with water ride lovers, as they experience the fastest wettest drops. Everyone in the family will love the “Pets Ahoy!” show where dogs, cats, birds, skunks and pot-belly pigs, among others, show off their talents. Did you know nearly all of these stars were rescued from animal shelters? Younger kids also will want to see the show featuring the sea lions, otters and walrus as they try to capture Pirate Island. The high-flying acrobats in Odyssea will wow everyone. Check out the Manatees who have been rescued by SeaWorld’s animal rescue team (the attraction was named best new zoological exhibit by the American Zoological Association). Feed the dolphins and stingrays and get up close and personal with the endangered sea turtles at the five-acre Key West area. Make sure to check out the baby dolphins in the nursery. Watch the sharks swim around you as you walk through the long acrylic tunnel at the Terrors of the Deep.
“Dine With Shamu” -- literally by signing on for a poolside meal with Shamu trainers, watching them teach the dolphins tricks. Come at night in the summer for special shows and fireworks.
- DISCOVERY COVE in Orlando is the ideal place for families who want that once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with the dolphins (you must be 6-years-old), hand-feed hummingbirds and meet toucans, as well as snorkel among the stingrays and tropical fish. Only 1,000 people a day are admitted, paying $229 each (including lunch). You won’t need sunscreen if you opt for the Cove’s new Twilight Discovery. Just 100 people an evening will be treated to strolling musicians, tropical drinks, dinner and, of course, a dolphin swim ($249 pp). An extra plus: With any Discovery Cove admission, you get a seven-day pass to SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
- SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO is top on every San Diego visitor’s list. This summer, check out the new dolphin habitat and the wet - and scary - journey to Atlantis ride that will tell the tale of Atlantis through (simulated) earthquake, floods, even water cannons. The best part: you get an underwater view of the dolphins. Of course everyone who comes here wants to see Shamu, the world-famous killer whale. If you’re lucky, Baby Shamu might join the fun. There are plenty of other rides and shows too. Younger kids will especially want to see California sea lions Clyde and Seamore compete for star billing on their cable-TV home repair show. Wild Artic has always been one of the park’s most popular attractions with visitors boarding a (simulated) helicopter for a bumpy ride to a “arctic research station” where they see beluga whales, polar bears, and more. There’s even snow…
The youngest in the gang won’t want to leave Shamu’s Happy Harbor, a 2-acre play land where they can crawl through nets, jump in fountains, slip down water slides and play in a 2-story fun ship. There is also a Dolphin Interaction Program here as well as a chance to Dine with Shamu, kayak with beluga whales or feed the Manatees. Come at night over the summer for Mystique de la Mer, with aerial performances, live music, special animal shows and fireworks.
- SEAWORLD SAN ANTONIO has got a coaster for everyone this summer, even the littlest coaster lovers with the opening of The Shamu Express kiddie coaster. (Kids must be 38-inches-tall to ride.) There’s also Shamu’s Happy Harbor, complete with a giant sand box and water canons and a Lil’ Gators Lagoon for young swimmers, alongside the Big Kids’ Lost Lagoon. Older kids will love Texas’ first inverted steel roller coaster, as well as the Lone Star State’s longest water ride. But a visit here wouldn’t be complete without a turn on some rides like Peter’s Pinwheel Ferris Wheel that have been favorites for decades. This SeaWorld is actually four parks in one - with animals, shows, rides and water ride area. Check out the 400,000-gallon shark habitat or the 100-plus penguins who call the recreated Antarctic environment in the heart of Texas home. Of course you won’t want to miss the shows with Shamu, the silly sea lions and champion swimmers and divers who share the spotlight with whales and dolphins. Come in the evening to see Riptide, featuring 17 young circus performers.
- BUSCH GARDENS - Take your pick. You can visit R.L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse, go to the heart of the heart of the African jungle via music, get up close and personal with hyenas or ride the Southeast’s biggest wooden coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. There are six world-class coasters, along more than 2,000 animals and live entertainment shows like the new KaTonga musical celebration of animal folklore at the African-themed adventure park. It offers more animals and more ways to see them than any single place outside Africa!
There’s as much for families to do at Busch Gardens Williamsburg too, with its own Haunted Lighthouse, heart-stopping coasters and the chance to stroll through six European “countries” with local craftsmen, food, entertainment and rides. There’s a new European-inspired circus show at night and a live-action animal show that will make everyone laugh. At Water Country USA, younger kids will love the interactive play area while older ones can test themselves on a water obstacle course. Got plenty of sunscreen?
Don’t forget your camera -- and the sunscreen.
For your convenience, you can purchase tickets online to the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks mentioned above.
By: Eileen Ogintz
