Summer is finally back and it’s in full swing! As part of my press tour around San Antonio recently, I was able to really sink my teeth into the heat of the season by visiting some awesome sites and seeing what San Antonio had to offer it’s seasonal visitors.
During my visit, I was given the amazing opportunity to make a stop at the San Antonio SeaWorld and Aquatica parks. I can’t even begin to tell ya’ll how much of an exciting opportunity it was to be experience Sea World with my family all over again.
Many of you know I have older, school-aged children. Having a pre-teen and teenager can have it’s drawbacks, traveling with them is a fairly easy to do. While visiting Sea World I saw several groups of school aged children throughout the park. It seems only naturally that they would be having a fantastic time but I also saw many babies, toddler and pre-school aged children having a blast as well!
I thought to myself, it must be difficult enjoying Sea World with younger children. But in actuality, Sea World is perfect for little ones!
As exciting and thrilling Sea World is to children (and adults) of all ages, the pace was perfect different for our traveling family. When we travel we are non-stop, scheduling as many attractions in a possible. Sea World San Antonio is a very calm theme park! The thrill-ride lines were at a minimum which kept many families calm and relaxed. Little ones can sense anxiety and stressful situations so happy parents make happy toddlers.
Who wouldn’t be happy with large areas devoted to toddlers! With shows like Pets Ahoy or toddler/preschool play areas like Sesame Street’s Bay of Play there is something for all ages, including the little ones.
SeaWorld’s origins can be traced all the way back to 1959 when, what would later become Busch Gardens ( a small bird sanctuary and garden) opened adjacent to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Soon after opening the park expanded to include the countries first free-range habitat for herds of exotic animals, zoological attractions and a handful of thrilling roller-coasters.
SeaWorld itself was founded by George Millay, Milt Shedd, Ken Norris and David DeMott in 1964. It was originally thought up to be an underwater restaurant but the concept morphed from one idea to that of a marine zoological park. It was built on 21 acres along the shore of Mission Bay in San Diego. With a cast of several dolphins, sea lions, two saltwater aquariums and 45 employees, the park drew in an incredible crowd of 400,000 visitors!
Today, there are a total of 3 SeaWorld parks in the country: San Diego, California, Orlando, Florida and one in San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio SeaWorld itself, is home to 8 different Exhibits, 13 exciting Animal Tours, 9 fun Shows and 5 amazing rides.
Exhibits
- Dolphin Cove
- Boardwalk Games
- Animal Connections Conservation Center
- Sea Lions at Rocky Point Preserve
- Penguin Encounter
- Sharks/Coral Reef
- Alligator Alley
- Flamingo Cove
- Sea Lion Interaction Program
- Shamu’s SeaSchool
- Beluga Interaction Program
- Penguin Interaction Program
- Grand Adventure
- Dolphin Encounter
- Beluga Tour
- Sea Lion Tour
- Penguin Tour
- SeaFari Tour
- Dolphin Touch
- Dolphin Tour
- Behind the Scenes Tour
Rides
- The Great White
- Journey to Atlantis
- Quick Quenue
- Steel Eel
- Rio Loco
- Shamu Express
- Pets Ahoy
- Killer Whales: Close Up
- One Ocean
- A Beluga Story
- Clyde and Seamore’s Sea Lion High
- Hydro Power 2.0
- Shamu’s Celebration
- Sesame Street Bay of Play Block Party
- Sol Celebration
- Azul
- Walhala Wave
- Kiwi Curl
- Woohoo Falls
- Tassie’s Twisters
- HooRoo Run
- Stingray Falls
- Big Surf Shores
- Walkabout Waters
- Slippity Dippity
- Kata’s Kookaburra Cove
- Whanau Waters
- Loggerhead Lane
- Cutback Cove
- KeRe Reef
- Stingray Encounter
- Roa’s Aviary
What type of attraction do you look for when traveling with little ones?
It looks like there’s so much to do and explore. I do adored dolphins, they are so cute that would be my first port of call x
This looks like a great vacation for anyone- especially families! Love the pictures. Thanks for the review and info!
I would love to go there. I love that you say it is not as chaotic as some of the other places you could go.
It looks like you had a great time there at Sea World. I have never been to Sea World and my boys who are now young men haven’t either. It does look like they have things there for all ages so maybe I can get my sons to go with me soon. Thanks for sharing.