4 ways to beat the heat at #SeaWorld #SanAntonio

Early last month our family traveled down to meet with the other Wildside Bloggers and their families at our favorite San Antonio haunt....Sea World, San Antonio.

Even though we've visited SeaWorld, San Antonio several times over the past three years we've never ever done what we did this time....
we actually got into the Park when it just opened up at 9 am and only left at 9.45 pm!!
With 2 little ones (a 5 year old and a 1 year old mind you) that is some accomplishment especially if there were no meltdowns from start to finish!
How did we do it especially with the Texas summer heat blazing down on us?
Simple!
We remembered to follow the 4 Rs....


1. Re-fuel and Re-hydrate

If your little ones are like mine, they don't realize thirst and hunger hitting them bad till it triggers off a whining spree or a wailing scene. Considering this we generally carry into the Park a little bag filled with snacks, juice in flasks (juice boxes are allowed into the Park but straws are not as a safety precaution for the animals) and bottles of water.
This time round as a 'Wildside family' we were introduced to the All Day Dining Plan.

At first glance spending 29.95 US$ per adult and 15.95 US$ per child (aged 3-9) may seem a little pricey for one's likes but when you think of the privileges you enjoy you will think again.


With our All Day Dining bracelets we re-fueled the kids with fresh fruit (juicy strawberries and sweet watermelon slices-yum!), sugar boosts with chocolate pudding (not very healthy I admit but at home our food regiment is healthy all the way so a holiday allows for a little cheating!)



and re-hydrated ourselves with lots of cold water and chilled lemonade.



I'm also excited to let you in on some "smoking" news!
You don't have to grin and bear burgers and hotdogs for lunch if you aren't a junk food kind of person, you just have to take your feet over to Shamu's Smokehouse.



Why is this different from the other dining spots in the Park?
Lets just say this....
BBQ!!
(Slurp!)



I definitely recommend the BBQ chicken platter while Hubby says the BBQ Brisket hit the spot and for the kiddos, Bunny girl thought the mini corn dogs were yummy.
(Oh and don't forget to save those souvenir plates and re-live the SeaWorld fun back at home!)

But if the kids suddenly go on an "I want pizza and only pizza!" trip, you don't have to leave the Park and hunt for the next Pizza joint. Just hop, skip and jump over to Rosita's All You Can Eat Buffet and yes, the All Day Dining Bracelet works there too!


2. Re-energize

Sit down, kick off those shoes under the shelter of the various show stadiums and re-energize watching entertaining performances like the award winning Azul with talented acrobats and beluga whales, the rib tickling Cannery Row Caper with sea lions Clyde and Seymour and Uncle Max the walrus or the impressive water ski acts in Cool Vibrations.

Early last month two brand new shows were added to SeaWorld's repertoire. The one that created the biggest splash is the Shamu show that has replaced the much loved 'Believe'. One Ocean has it's own charm with a global conservation message centering the theme



and you will get to see all three killer whales performing together amidst water jet effects and more.



We were fortunate to be able to see one of the newest members to the family....baby Shamu! This is definitely worth the watch and yes, if you love to get a good ol' frigid soak from head to foot, the "Splash Zone" still holds good in this show!

Another new show that opened the day we visited is one all the furry little monster lovers in your family will adore....Elmo and the Bookaneers.



This cute pirate themed show throws in the importance of reading (Bunny girl loved the fact that this was a book themed adventure),



a challenge thrown out to Elmo and the gang to prove if they're worthy of being bestowed the honor of becoming 'Bookaneers'



and features a lot of the old Sesame Street classic songs.

I would say this is one of our favorite Elmo shows of all time.
Don't skip watching this one when you visit the Park!


3. Refresh

March 2011 brought along a fantastic new way to refresh ones self at the Park with the Bay Of Play.(Click on the link to read my detailed post on all that this fun area offers to Park visitors of all ages)



We had Bunny girl and Bunny Boo's swim-wear on hand so we'd pop in and out of the water play areas through the day.

To take a respite from the water, Hubby and Bunny girl would hop onto the rides in the Bay Of Play area and cool off again under the super-sized fans in the shade.


Needless to say that the Bay was packed with adults and tiny toddlers cooling off through the day and I love that the water was not hot or warm but had a nice cool temperature to the same....very refreshing!


4. Relax

That's right....Relax! I know you think it's practically impossible to ever think of doing the same at a Park with young ones but guess what? At SeaWorld it IS possible at the Dolphin Cove,


the Coral Reef (the Park's well spaced out Aquarium with benches placed strategically in front of the life sized shark and fish exhibits.)


and the Penguin Encounter.


On this trip the Wildside children had the opportunity to experience what the Penguin Up Close Tour is all about. While the Tour is originally designed to only include children aged 8 and older, our little ones were duly supervised by accompanying adults and SeaWorld staff. The Tour is very educative and the ONLY way you will get to see a real penguin, in the flesh, right here in sultry Texas!


Hubby's ultimate SeaWorld dream involves him getting into the Park when it just opens and parking himself in front of the penguin tank till the Park closes....no kids, no distractions, just him and the penguins!

Our family enjoyed our time at the Park and knowing that the 4 Rs actually did work for us, we're seriously making one more trip down just before Bunny girl starts Kinder next month.

Oh yeah, the summer heat is no longer a deterrent to a great family Park experience!





** EBMR Disclaimer: As a Wildside Blogger, my family was provided with passes and a fab dining plan to enjoy SeaWorld, San Antonio's park on our recent visit. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: E.B. Mommy Dines, E.B. Mommy Travels, Mommy Tips, San Antonio, SeaWorld, Wildside Bloggers

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 4:05 AM 1 Comments

#SeaWorld #SanAntonio here we come!

Bunny girl knows we're taking a trip out of town over the weekend but is still clueless as to where it is she will be going. She has guessed San Antonio gazillion times already but both Hubby and I are keeping mum. I'm sure she will be ecstatic to see Sea World, San Antonio's welcome arches when we get there especially since she has been planning to hit the Bay Of Play ever since we got back from our last trip!!

What will make this trip all the more special is the fact that we will get to witness the brand new Shamu show everyone's buzzing about.... One Ocean.


We will also get to meet the other Texas Wildside Bloggers



and as always have a day packed with good ol' SeaWorld fun.

I know there will be lots to share when we get back especially since this trip will also include an E.B. Mommy Travel feature on the luxury Riverwalk hotel, the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.


And to spice things up further, these fun features will be follow by a fan-tabulous San Antonio Summer Vacation Giveaway Package sponsored by Visit San Antonio....Woo-hoo!!

More when I return!





** EBMR Disclaimer: Thanks to SeaWorld, Grand Hyatt San Antonio and Visit San Antonio, these features will be made possible. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsors in any way.**

Labels: Bunny Boo, Bunny girl, E.B. Mommy Travels, San Antonio, SeaWorld

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 10:58 AM 1 Comments

The Food....The Service....OH MY!....J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

If you want to experience Texan Hill Country Dining at its finest, then the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is THE place!

Guests (and visitors) can choose to dine at their choice of restaurants based on their taste palettes, cravings and cuisine preferences.

The Cibolo Moon offers a casual Texan cuisine experience while 18 Oaks provides a more "fine dining" experience with its traditional steakhouse fare and the Rivertop Grill, a more regional cuisine option. If you like the sports buzz and live games being telecast, then High Velocity will be more your style.


If you have a big appetite and plan to watch a Live Game at the High Velocity with friends, I would definitely suggest ordering the Sampler Tower.
The night we dined at the High Velocity I ordered a Chicken BLT Sandwich minus the bacon and it was wholesome, crispy and "del-umptious", if there ever were such a word!

I have to admit that we didn't have the opportunity to dine in at the 18 Oaks. I was told that their brunch is highly talked about and that maybe so but I have to rave about the yummiest breakfast buffet I have ever eaten so far....Cibolo Moon's Breakfast Buffet.

I have one word of advice-"starve yourself and then go attack the buffet!"
For 20 US$ that spread can sustain you till early evening or even till your dinner time.


I absolutely LOVED the breads (especially the sweet rolls. All the breads are baked inhouse), the freshly made waffles (made to order), the fresh squeezed orange juice (this was so good that I actually downed three large glassfuls through the course of my meal! Think I pretty much shocked my server!!) and the delicious signature Cibolo Moon Griddle Omelette (I know this is spelt 'Omelet' but I personally prefer the British English spelling for the same) paired with the spicy "sets your tongue on fire" but yummy salsa (a recipe handed down from one of the Chef's grandmothers).


We also did have dinner at Cibolo Moon on one of the nights we were there and though the main entree was more than just substantial, what hit the mark were the tasty, inhouse smoked Chicken Quesadillas.


Now I could dedicate this entire post to the succulent food the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa whips up for their guests but I'm reminded that it's not just the food (or the facilities or the location) that make a Resort stand out but also the quality of service provided.

We had our own "customer delight" moment the first night that we were there. Hubby realized that the Starbucks on Property had closed for the evening and stood in the Lobby, way past 9.30pm, looking perhaps a little contemplative as to where he could get our precious Bunny girl her ritual mug of hot chocolate before she went to bed. One of the employees walked up to him and asked if he could assist him with something and Hubby explained to him what was required. The employee assured Hubby that we would get him a mug even though the kitchens were closed and a few minutes later returned with a steaming mug of Hot Chocolate from the Cibolo kitchen. Oh and that's not all it was not just a mug of regular Hot Chocolate but a super special mug with swirling marshmallows in it!


We weren't given any preferential treatment.
All the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa guests ARE treated liked they're the only guests on the Property.
Just hop over to the Resort's Facebook Page and read the numerous posts that testify of the warm, impeccable service enjoyed by guests to the Resort.
While we were there, we heard of a family that actually spent their Spring Break as guests on the Property even though they only lived 3 miles away from the Resort!! (That just tells you how awesome a place it is!)

If you're concerned about whether or not this would be a good deal to jump onto, I would recommend choosing one of the Resort's Special Packages.
Your family will have a thoroughly enjoyable, relaxed, memorable and wonderful time at the Resort....
Mine did and we can't wait to go back!

Hop over and take a 360 Tour of the Dining Facilities and then click HERE to enter the giveaway you have been waiting for!!






Click on these links to read what you missed:

Paradise....J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Something for Everybody....J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa



** EBMR Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to stay at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country & Spa and enjoy its facilities with my family. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. **

Labels: accomodations, E.B. Mommy Dines, E.B. Mommy Travels, Hotel, J.W. Marriott, J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:34 PM 0 Comments

Something for Everybody....J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

The J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is more than just a gorgeous property. It's also a hub of activity for the guests staying on the property.

I'm not joking when I say that the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa actually has a page filled with activities for guests to enjoy over the weekend (Fri-Sun)....right from sunrise to sunset, literally! (Check out the March-April 'Experience' schedules)

While on my tour of the property, I was told families split up in the morning and engage themselves in an activity they each love....

The Hubby generally spends the day at the TPC San Antonio Golf Resort that houses two PGA Tour, 18 hole golf courses


while
'Wifey' laps up a luxurious massage session, body treatment and enjoys a specially prepared organic meal in the 26,000 sq foot world class spa, the Lantana Spa.


Kids between the ages of 4 to 12 generally make the most of their day at the Range Riders Club, a full service children's recreation program.

Bunny girl got to spend an exclusive one-on-one session, one morning, with Aaron, one of the sweetest "Kid At Heart" Range Rider Leaders.


In the three hours she was there, she decorated her own Cowgirl hat, personalized a water tube with stencil drawings, created a "WANTED" craft poster, played "Howdy Rowdy Rodeo"( a lively, 'hot'-'cold' "find the hidden object game" that Bunny girl has been playing everyday at home, ever since we returned!) and a set of board games.

When it was time to pick her up, I have to confess that she was disappointed she had to leave but chattered with bubbly excitement about all the fun things they did. She even named her souvenir Range Riders plush Armadillo, Aaron!

After the family re-unites later in the afternoon, a majority of the guests generally haunt the River Bluff Water Experience....


Six acres of heated pools, fountains, waterfalls, rivers- Oh yeah!

Both my water babies ((Uhm...lets make that three!)) thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the refreshing, 1200 feet long lazy river.


It was Bunny Boo's first "baby pool" experience so it was such a treat to watch him gurgle, water crawl and splatter the mini water fountains.

Now if you are more of the "indoors-y" kind of person, there's lots for you to do as well!....
You can choose to relax in the Texas Library reading a book or listen to Texan artists serenade you while the kids get balloon animals created by Balloon artists.


You can also shoot some pool or play chess and/or checkers on one of the high tech media boards, in one of the secluded nooks, in the Crooked Branch Lounge.

(We could also see Grandparents out on the lawn with their young ones, teaching them some classic lawn games.)

Other complimentary family centered activities include

• Interacting with animals from the San Antonio zoo.
• Decorating ducks and competing in the Lazy River Duck Race!
• Exploring the world's largest J.W. Marriott Property (Yes, this one!) on a Segway Personal Transporter Tour.
  
• Roasting s'mores outdoors on a campfire.
• "Flick 'n' Float" - Watching a family movie while floating in the activity pool.

and MORE!!


I'm not lying when I say that this Resort is the first that I know where everything is designed around your family.
You will not be disappointed because there really is an activity for every member in your family to enjoy!



Hop over and take a 360 Tour of the Great Onsite Activities and don't forget to check out the Packed Calendar of Events for this year.





If you missed reading my first post, click the link to see what you missed: Paradise....J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa


* Stay tuned to read my last post on the luxury of enjoying top notch service at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and yes the magic "F"....FOOD!!

I'm also thrilled to confirm that we DO have a surprise giveaway that will be announced at the end of the final post! *



** EBMR Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to stay at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country & Spa and enjoy its facilities with my family. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. **

Labels: accomodations, E.B. Mommy Travels, Hotel, J.W. Marriott, J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 4:00 PM 0 Comments

Paradise....J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Nestled in the quiet hill countryside of San Antonio, Texas, is a new luxurious Resort and Spa that, unknown to many, with its opening in January 2010, is the first of it's kind around the world.



The J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is the largest J.W. Marriott resort in the world, sprawled across 600 lush acres of rolling hills, live Oak trees and meandering creeks.

Walking around this beautiful property gives you a relaxed feeling of being serenaded by Nature.


Its strategic location between two bird sanctuaries only enhances that feeling.

The J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has 1002 guest rooms (which includes 85 suites) with a scenic view of the Hill Country from every location on property.


The Resort proudly boasts of one of a kind facilities for their guests, that include

• Two PGA Tour, 18 hole Tournament Player's Club (TPC) Golf Courses

• A six acre water park
• A 26,000 sq. foot world class spa
• Seven restaurant and lounge options
• Over 140,000 square feet of customizable exhibit hall and meeting space that is conveniently segmented into a dedicated area in the Resort, to ensure the business guests have the privacy.
  

The Resort has this beautiful calm about it. Even though we were there during their peak Spring Break pocket, it was still very relaxing to lounge around on the lawns or even indoors around the private nooks and fireplaces.


Aesthetically, the management has taken the pains to ensure that every article of decor is the creative reproduction of a local San Antonio artist/artisan/merchant. There are ofcourse necessities that are unavailable locally but to stay true to the Texan ambiance and flair, the products are procured from within the Lone Star State itself.


What was most impressive was the lengths they've gone to build the Resort to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Their Greenitiatives include having a"smart system" installed in every room. Thus whenever an exterior door is opened, the climate system automatically shuts down to conserve electricity. 70% of the Resort is also fueled solely by windricity making it the largest single user with the City Public Service (CPS).



I was also told that every tree I could see was an original sapling. During construction the same was uprooted only to be planted in position later and for those saplings that could not withstand the transfer, a replacement was rooted in.

There are some great vacation specials you can avail of this Summer. Considering the Resort is only about 20 minutes away from San Antonio's International Airport, this is a wonderful family getaway to unwind at.




We've stayed in several hotels before but this is the only one our family has actually come away from feeling relaxed, refreshed and energized to get back to the grind again.....
and yes, that's why we've nicknamed it PARADISE!


Hop over and take a 360 Tour of the Property. The Photographs don't lie...it really is as gorgeous as it looks!





* Stay tuned to read the next two posts about the great family activities you can do at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, the luxury of enjoying top notch service and yes the magic "F"....FOOD!!

AND.... I'm also thrilled to confirm that we DO have a surprise giveaway that will be announced at the end of the last post! *



** EBMR Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to stay at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country & Spa and enjoy its facilities with my family. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. **

Labels: accomodations, E.B. Mommy Travels, Hotel, J.W. Marriott, J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, Reviews / Giveaways

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:32 AM 0 Comments