This post written by Shellie from Blog4Mom.com
If you have never been to SeaWorld before, or even if you are a veteran visitor, the Dolphin Cove in Key West at SeaWorld, Orlando. As a child (living in Ohio) I remember loading up in the car and making a day of going to SeaWorld. Yes there use to be a SeaWorld in Ohio! Now that I am a mom, and get the privilege of not only living in Florida, but being only a short car ride away from SeaWorld I am enjoying watching my boys experience SeaWorld’s magic.
It is always fun for a mom to watch her child’s eyes light up as a whale thrusts itself into the air, or they get to touch a shark for the very first time. Hands down though taking them to Dolphin Cove and watching their faces when they both get to feed, and touch a dolphin is just priceless. We visited SeaWorld as a family when the baby (turning two this April was just weeks old. So of course he remembers nothing, but we have the pictures to show him he was there. Our older son (about to be 11) was on a school trip, and had a great time seeing everything, and loved getting to touch the dolphins and interact with them. So since SeaWorld is so gracious, as to offer free admission once a year to all Military families, we try and go close to the baby’s birthday. What a great way to celebrate every year, and watch him as he grows and learns in such a rich environment.
Now as a mom, and especially as a mom of a child under the age of 2, I tend to never go anywhere alone. It just not happen, and I wouldn’t change that fact for amount of money. However, I was recently given the chance to meet up with fellow mom bloggers for the day at SeaWorld! The best part, I mean besides grown up talk, was it was FREE! We were invited to bring 1 child or come alone, since I don’t like to play favorites, and we have plans to go in April, I went just as a mommy. The boys enjoyed a day of daddy time at home, and everything that comes with that.
We met around 9ish at the front gates, and gathered into our group for the day of fun. Thanks to Ted from IZEA and Wendy Piersall (@eMom on Twitter) we had a fabulous time, enjoying the best SeaWorld had to offer with fantastic weather too. We saw the shark encounter, watch Shamu amaze us all, and were wide eyed as high flying performers and birds skimmed the water’s surface as dolphins and whales launched themselves into the air.
This is on the must do list this year for our April trip. It will be the baby’s first time, and I just he is going to love it. It is for the young and older alike. No need to worry about if your kids will get to see one up close, or not. Trust me when I say, they want your attention, and are very willing to say hello in their own way, just so long as you reward them with some tasty fish in the end.
The staff is first rate, they take pride in what they do, and making sure YOU have a great experience that is safe and fun for you and the dolphins. Listen to them as you enter the feeding area when it is your turn. Follow their directions, and you will come away with amazing photos, and memories to last a life time.
The learning and fun don’t end there though, make sure you follow the upper path, and read all of the interactive learning stations. Once you have done that, I highly recommend you wonder around the opposite side and go watch the dolphins zoom by underwater! Yes, you can actually stand on the other side of a glass wall, and see them diving to the bottom of the cove and go swimming by one by one or in groups as they play. This is another great place for a photo opt. Let the kids get up close, while you hang back and get some amazing pictures of them memorized by what is in front of them.
If given half a chance I would so bring one home with me, think the dogs would mind the constant splashing? My guess is hubby would mind sharing his sushi though, so we will just make the trip more often, so I can I mean so the kids can enjoy feeding the dolphins at Dolphin Cove. This in the top three MUST do things for anyone visiting SeaWorld, right up there with Believe (the Shamu show), and our family favorite The Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island show.
Come and stay for awhile, and leave with a lifetime of memories the whole family is sure to cherish. While you are here tell Shamu Military_Mom said Hey………..because you know he remembers me.
I am so jealous that you live in such close proximity!! I have to say – I’m a rabid convert! You’ll find me haunting dolphin cove though… Shamu got me soaking wet! He was probably just saying “hey, say howdy to Military_Mom for me!” but it was a bit of a big, wet, slobbery greeting!
I also grew up near Aurora, Ohio and we used to make the trek to SeaWorld at least once a year for as far back as I can remember. Now that I live in Orlando, I still love to spend an afternoon visiting the dolphins, sharks, penguins, manatees (they didn’t have those in Ohio!) and rays. SeaWorld is truly a magical place.
@Lucretia Pruitt: LOL, so sorry he didnt even offer you a towel I bet. I will tell Shamu and the dolphins you say Hello when I go back in April.
beautifuL!!!!!!
last summer my best friend carin went to florida with her mom her grandmas and grandpas and her moms boyfriend jerry they went to discovery cove for a week they had a blast they also went scuba diving and swimming with dolphins this was for carins 11 birthday i just wish i could of been there to see my best friends face light up when she saw her favorite animal a dolphin of course its just not the same to see the pictures and videos compared to the real thing shes doing again this summer to celebrate her 12 birthday unfornuetly i cant come again but its okay because i love to see her face when she comes home to see me again and I would like to say you rock my socks and your a real friend and im lucky to have as friend love you daynara
this is amazing
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