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

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Encouragement (@SeaWorldTexas)

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"I sought the LORD, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears"
(Psalm 34:4)

I don't know what mountain you have to tackle today but know this, that if you look up to God and ask for His help and strength to overcome, He WILL answer.

Be Encouraged!





Come add your Wordless Wednesday moments on 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday moments on Seven Clown Circus

Labels: 5 minutes for mom, Christian, faith, Reflections, San Antonio, SeaWorld, Wordful Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 9:21 AM 2 Comments

Wordless Wednesday- A Penguin encounter in Texas!

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Something I can now cross off my bucket list, thanks to SeaWorld, San Antonio.

* This incredible moment was a surprise treat the Wildside kids got to experience. *

More buzz on our Wildside SeaWorld trip will be shared soon!


Come add your Wordless Wednesday moments on 5 Minutes for Mom, Seven Clown Circus and Dear Crissy

Labels: {Not Exactly} Wordless Wednesday, 5 minutes for mom, penguins, Reflections, San Antonio, SeaWorld, Wordful Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 9:05 AM 0 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

Value For Money Dining at SeaWorld, San Antonio....Rosita's Cafe.

The Buzz:

To tie in the Sesame Street theme at the "BAY OF PLAY" (Read more about this fun new attraction, HERE), Sea World, San Antonio has opened up a fun, casual dining "re-fuel" stop called Rosita's Cafe.



Rosita's Cafe offers an "ALL YOU CAN EAT" pizza & pasta buffet that I personally think gives you most out of the buck you spend while dining at the park.

The kids pizza counter serves up freshly baked cheese and pepperoni pizzas



while adults can pick slices off three freshly baked, signature thin crusted pizzas.



Our choices for the day were a barbecue meat pizza, a regular meat pizza and a veggie pizza.

The pasta counter serves up regular mac and cheese (did I hear the kiddos cheer?) and a traditional sunny sweet, tomato based sauce with penne pasta.



Don't forget to grab an extra plate to pile up some fresh, crunchy green salad



with your choice of dressings



and ofcourse your choice of a drink (with unlimited refills while in the Cafe) from the counter.

And guess what? That's not all....
You even get dessert!!



This includes the signature thin crusted dessert pizza, vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding,



and fruit.


E.B. Mommy's Report:

If you've been to SeaWorld, San Antonio before you will recognize Rosita's Cafe location as the old Mango Joe's Cafe.



The location is great as it's just about a 5 minute walk away from the Bay Of Play.


Food-

Bunny girl loves pizzas and pasta so I know this will be our "Dining Stop" from this point on.

Between the pastas and the pizzas, I have to admit that we piled on the slices!

I'm personally not a big "meat" lover but loved the tangy barbecue-y kick on the barbecue pizza (I preferred to "donate" the mini sausage ringlets to Hubby) and the crunch on the veggie pizza.



Even if you aren't a big pizza or pasta kind of person, the salad will win you over.



I noticed I wasn't the only one returning to the salad counter to load my plate with the greens!

I honestly would've crammed every inch in my tummy with the salad but knew I had to leave a little space for dessert and I'm glad I did because I love anything with a hint of cinnamon. The dessert pizza is a crispy, cinnamon-y slice drizzled with chocolate and vanilla pudding...yum!



Don't tell anybody but the two slices Hubby had on his dessert plate were actually for me. Okay fine....I admit it! I DID wallop three slices!!


Value for Money-

Price-wise I think this is a great deal for what you can get inside the park!




An E.B. Mommy Tip-

My only suggestion is that you hit the Cafe early, if you want to beat the rush.



This new "Dining Spot" is already a park favorite with both the old



and the young!





** EBMR Disclaimer: My family had the opportunity to try out the buffet at Rosita's Cafe, Sea World. 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: Bay Of Play, E.B. Mommy Dines, Reviews / Giveaways, Rosita's Cafe, SeaWorld, Sesame Street.

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 7:56 AM 0 Comments