Shamu Shamu Sea World was a great deal as I found a discount online and with any paid ticket you get a 2nd day free. So all of us (My SIL's family too) went to Sea World Friday. It started out great as Mia LOVES animals and was excited to pet Rays and see dolphins. We saw the some shows, some exhibits and then found the best part of the park. The free beer! As Sea World is owned by Anhueser Busch they had a hospitality room where they handed out samples (regular size beers). I am not a big fan of Budweiser but they had all kinds to include Rolling Rock, Kirin and Amberbock. The park was pretty crowded so we just kept getting back in line. Then we saw Shamu's show and went to the "Happy Harbor" where there's kid's rides, games and a huge net tunnel system. This is where Mike lost it. Mason wanted to go up in the tunnels so he went with Mia and their cousin Bailey. Mike followed as Mason is really tiny and thought he'd need help. Mason was quick and just kept going and while Mike helped Mia.... Mason took off with Bailey following (Thank God she stuck with him!). They got to the tunnels where 5 or 6 would intersect into each other and the other children basically used Mason as a stepping stone. Mike couldn't get past the other kids and therefore couldn't get to the kids. Bailey got Mason to turn around and they eventually made it back to Mike. Mike said the tunnels felt like an oven and must have been about 120F inside. He said he was just happy to get his kid back alive and unharmed.

Then he came down REALLY pissed off and we left the park. Just a note there were a lot of school field trips and we see groups of children (or just a few) with their matching T-shirts walking around unsupervised. They were not at an age where I would have let them navigate the park unchaperoned. Good to know that I'm going to have to volunteer to chaperon to make sure my children our safe on their future school field trips.

The scene of the crime.

We went back to the condo and to the pool. Al (my SIL), says, "you know it's sad because this is the happiest our kids have been in the last two days." Not at Disney, not at Sea World.... at the pool where there is no admission charge.

We did go back to Sea World last Tuesday before we came home. It was much better! We actually had a good time. We some 3 shows and this time was down front for the Shamu show (right in the heart of the Splash zone but it missed us and we remained totally dry). The kids did some rides, got their picture with Shamu (the character walking around) and we still left early enough to go to the pool when we went back to the condo.