SeaWorld Celebrates 50 Years of Family Fun!

A Sea of Surprises is what's in store for guests during the 50th Celebration at SeaWorld! Explorer's Reef opened on March 21, 2014 and continues for the next 18 months. SeaWorld parks in San Diego, Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio will share the excitement and highlights some of the most memorable SeaWorld experiences. 

Image Credit: SeaWorld®

My family and I were excited to attend a media preview. We learned the 50th Celebrations happenings included a new evening Shamu® Show and a Surprise Squad delivering prizes and surprises throughout the park. There is brand new entertainment and animal encounters, as well as our family favorite, festive new fireworks that light up the summer skies. 

 Explorer's Reef is a hands-on interactive experience that allows guests to touch several different species of fish, including sharks!

Insider's Tip: Bring a beach towel and don't forget lots of sunscreen!

Explorer's Reef is a really fun adventure that has a tide pool look and feel to it. Don't say we didn't warn you, once you and your little ones get your hands wet, you'll want to stay a while. 

 Explorer's Reef with bloggers (my sister) Jessica from Fresh Angeles and Wendy from Choosing Love 

Our family adventures at SeaWorld over the years:

Fresh Angeles - Dreaming of SeaWorld

Fresh Angeles - SeaWorld's Blue Horizons

Places to take the kids for Spring Break (series) Sea World

What's New with Shamu?

SeaWorld Summer in San Diego

Summer at SeaWorld

SeaWorld Summer Nights

Disclosure: SeaWorld invited my family to enjoy the park at no charge for a media preview. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Summer at SeaWorld

Summer at SeaWorld

And because......... once is never enough!


Summer is for making memories with family, do you have a special place that you go every summer? Do you have family memories of summer vacations when you were growing up?
Share your favorite summer memory with me! 

My SeaWorld Sisters:
Tracey Clark
Jessica Fuselier

What's New With Shamu?

Every year my family and I

kick off the beginning of summer

with a trip to SeaWorld in San Diego, CA. Enjoying the weekend or even a full day spent with Shamu seems like the right way to start our family summer fun.

Check out some photos of our family trips to Sea World here and here 

What's new with Shamu?

One Ocean

SeaWorld has a brand new show called One Ocean. It sounds to me like it's got an educational/documentary feel to it. One Ocean has already opened at SeaWorld in Florida, it is opening in California this month and coming in June to Texas. 

I can't wait to sea it!

Visit more posts on SeaWorld

Fresh Angeles - Dreaming of SeaWorld

Mommy Musings - New Shamu Show to Debut at Sea World

Fresh Angeles - SeaWorld's Blue Horizons

Places to take the kids for Spring Break (series) Sea World



Can wait to see Shamu?
 Now you can watch him on your very own computer.

Shamu cam
(Click the link above)

The Shamu Cam is located in SeaWorld San Diego and runs between 9am - 5:30pm Pacific Standard Time daily. Starting at Midnight, we will replay the footage so you can see all of the fun from the previous day. Thank you for visiting!

 

Glow Fest at California Adventure

~Glow Fest Summer Fun~
Don't miss the party!
The lights go out in August
Extended through Labor Day!

Glow Fest was so wildly popular what can Disney do to top that?

 A "Tron" themed Dance Party is in the works.

A nighttime street party debuting this fall at Disney California Adventure will be tied to the upcoming “Tron: Legacy“ film and will feature sci-fi themed music, dancers and cocktails.
See the complete story here.........

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times staff writer.
Image: Artwork from the “Tron: Legacy” film. Credit: Disney

Win A Disney Cruise

Attention Disney Fans

If you're like me and you loved Toy Story 3

and you're like me and you would love to

Win a Disney Cruise

then listen up, it's time to set sail!!!!

You can enter, and win the

Disney's Toy Story

~Gamer Getaway Sweepstakes~

If you win the Grand Prize, you will receive your very own copy of Toy Story 3 Video Game and you and 3 lucky guests will also go on a 7-night Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

You may enter this Sweepstakes via the internet during the period commencing at 12:01 A.M., July 12, 2010, and ending at 11:59:59 P.M. All Entries must be received by 11:59:59 P.M., August 15, 2010. Entries are limited to one (1) Entry per person/Address per day regardless of whether one person has more than one Address or more than one person use the same Address.

PRIZES:

ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE: A seven (7) night Disney Cruise Line vacation for winner and three (3) guests (“Group”) leaving from Los Angeles, CA (“City”) and taken aboard the Disney Wonder® (“Ship”) to Disney’s Mexican Riviera itinerary (available starting in January 2011) on Sponsor-selected dates (“Trip”) including the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas and consisting of the following elements for the Group: [1] one (1) deluxe oceanview (Category 9 A,B,C or D) stateroom/quad occupancy; [2] all onboard meals; [3] opportunity to see Toy Story 3 The Musical, while onboard the Ship;

Seventy Five (75) FIRST PRIZES: one (1) Toy Story 3: The Video Game for the Wii™ console system.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, an Eco- Family Investment?

I was invited to explore Jean‐Michel Cousteau’s

Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.

Designed to educate families of all ages on ecology and the environment. They offer 9 programs for kids, adults, and families, and 16 different youth programs. My 10year old has made a list of the ones he wants to try.

Staying close to home and getting a real "vacation" experience out of a day trip or a easy weekend is very appealing to me, and my budget. Spending a day snorkeling and learning with the young men and women that make up the Ambassador staff at the hotel (hi Casey) is an outstanding addition to summer vacation.

*Note: you do not have to be a guest at the hotel to participate in the programs.

However staying the hotel, I'm sure would be a slice of heaven and the hotel staff treats you as if you live there. *I hope to weekend there with my family in August and will surely post more pictures and review the programs in greater detail.

Ambassadors of the Environment gives families the opportunity to get involved with hands on learning, weather your family is already active in preserving our oceans or you would like to learn more about how to do your part in taking care of our oceans. Ambassadors of the Environment provides an incredible one of a kind, nature's classroom.

Spending time with my family sharing the importance of being responsible by learning more about our mother earth and how better to take care of her.

I am making an Eco-Family Investment in my family.

I think I just made up a new catch phrase....
"Eco-Family Investment"

*remember you heard it hear first*

There is a specific spot in the hotel that is my favorite for sipping hand-crafted cocktails and watching the sunset. Perched 162-feet above Salt Creek Beach, 180Blũ is an ocean front lounge with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Appetizer, dessert menu and lounge seating.

Everyone has their own tabletop firepit. SoCal CHIC at it's finest.

•Fresh Sushi served every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
•Live music on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
•Specialty cocktails, beer and wine

SeaWorld Blue Horizons

Looking for something to do this Memorial Day Weekend?

Spend time with your family at SeaWorld

Now through Dec. 31st, 2010 SeaWorld is offering $5.00 childrens tickets (up to 12 years old) with each adult ticket purchased online
(for more info click here)

The newest show Blue Horizons opens Saturday May 29th 2010

Also, you won't want to miss Into The Blue Fireworks
8:50pm or 9:50pm most nights check schedule .

My families' hands-down favorite show is Shamu Rocks an after dark show with Lazers and Rock n Roll Music, it's sure to be your favorite too!

See my other post on SeaWorld's Summer Nights here

More about our trips to Sea World here

Before you go, check out some Top Tips from SeaWorld Insiders

SeaWorld Cares: $5 Kids Tickets Are Here!

Summer is the perfect time for reconnecting with family and friends and making memories that will last a lifetime. This summer, SeaWorld is rolling out an offer that comes at the perfect time for summer vacations and allows families to make a difference for wildlife conservation.

Through the SeaWorld Cares offer, now through Dec. 31, with each full-paid, SeaWorld single-day, adult admission purchased online, any child age 12 and under gets a $5 admission, all of which goes to fund non-profit organizations that are working right now on wildlife conservation projects. The offer is good for SeaWorld San Diego, as well as SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio. Families even can choose which wildlife conservation effort receives their donation. Complete details are available at http://www.seaworldcares.com/.

For a few pictures of our trips to SeaWorld go to my Flickr page:

Click Here and Click Here

Photo credit: SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego senior veterinarian, Dr. Todd Schmitt, conducts a medical examination of a harbor seal rescued after it was abandoned by its mother. Once the pup is older and able to forage for fish, he will be returned back to the ocean.

With ‘SeaWorld Cares’ offer, 100 percent of each child’s ticket sold goes to
conservation organization of choice.

For more information about SeaWorld San Diego, visit http://www.seaworldsandiego.com/ or call (800) 25-SHAMU.

Entertaining Your Kids - Summer Series - The Greatest Show On Earth Part II

When asked if my family would like to go to the Circus, we adjusted our clown noses and "stepped right up". As I shared before (read more) I haven't been to a Ringling Brothers Circus since I was nine, now that Nick is nine the timimng couldn't be more perfect. Our day started early as we watched the elephants eat breakfast and have a bath a "Pachyderm Scrub Down", if you will. We met and chated with Libby Morris, senior animal specialist. Libby, mother of 2, spends so much time with her "other kids, the elephants" they have become a part of her family. Thanks Libby for spending time with us!!! And thanks Jennifer for giving my son memories he can share with his children. This was a very special day!

That is Nick feeding the elephants!!!

They were so gentle and playful.

After feeding the elephants, they were best friends with Nick!

The show was fantastic....

Yes, even HappyHourMom had to get into the act

with this cutiepie~wink. (no comments please... hubby took the picture)

So.... any other circus people out there?

Share your memories of the circus with us. I want to hear about it, and if you've never been....what are you waiting for???

Entertaining Your Kids - Summer Series - Sea World Summer Nights

We love Shamu!!!
Which is why when we got an invitation to experience
Sea World's Summer Nights

we jumped at the chance! Our last visit to Sea World was a once in a lifetime memory maker.... (read about it here)

We had never been to Sea World after dark. We usually get there early and head out at sunset, with wet clothes. The boys love the water rides there. This trip we planned on staying into the night and I'm so glad we did. We headed to the car and changed into warmer (dry) clothes. They have lockers near the enterance, but the parking is so convienent (we always upgrade $5 to prefered parking and park really close) we don't even need the lockers. Parking close is a lifesaver when little legs get tired after a long day!

Click here for a slide show of our wonderful summer staycation at SeaWorld

After exploring Sea World's website at http://www.seaworld.com/ I am so impressed... If you were on the fence about making Sea World part of your vacation this summer visiting their website, hearing the music, watching the beautiful slide shows makes you want to get in the car and go now~ Another totally unique feature Sea World has on their website is the ability to share the Sea World photos of your personal family trip. Easy to use, follow the instructions to upload your Sea World photos and watch as they are displayed with other families' memories online. It's a gem of an idea! And the music is a nice Sea World touch!!!



Living in L.A., San Diego is just a hop, skip, and a jump away which makes for the perfect little weekend getaway. There are many family friendly hotels to choose from...... more on that later.

Entertaining Your Kids - Summer Series - The Greatest Show On Earth

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my!!!

Or should I say Clowns, Elephants and a Human Cannon Ball, wowzers!!!

I have such fond memories of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. My grandparents took me in July 1982, for my ninth birthday. I was mesmerized from the minute we got there until I fell asleep in the car on the way home. I remember looking through the program for weeks after and I had my first ever "flashlight spinning wand thingy" to remind me of that magical night called the Circus!

I can't explain my excitement when I heard:

"The Circus Is Coming To Town"

The timing is perfect, my son is nine. My husband and I can hardly wait to share the magic of the circus, it's a family event that happens at least once in everyone's lifetime!!! The Circus promises an "experience that will surprise and delight Children of All Ages, rendering us speechless and reminding us that the magic of The Greatest Show On Earth® lives forever in our hearts and imaginations."

This sounds like the kind of memories I want to make with my family this summer.

Now more than ever, the Circus will be part of my families'

"Staycation Summer 2009"

Share the magic with your family this year...
as an added value I have been given a discount code to share with your family:

A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU!
Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44

by logging onto http://www.ticketmaster.com/

and entering the coupon code: MOM*

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...Southland Performance Schedule
Los Angeles – Staples Center, July 8-12
Wednesday, July 8th 7:30pm
Thursday, July 9th 7:30pm
Friday, July 10th 12:00pm & 7:30pm
Saturday, July 11th 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, July 12th 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Orange County – Honda Center, July 15 – July 26
Wednesday, July 15th 7:30pm
Thursday, July 16th 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, July 17th 10:30am & 7:30pm
Saturday, July 18th 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, July 19th 1:30pm, 5:30pm
Tuesday, July 21st 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 22nd 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Thursday, July 23rd 10:30am & 7:30pm
Friday, July 24th 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Saturday, July 25th 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, July 26th 1:30pm & 5:30pm

Ontario – Citizens Business Bank Arena, July 29th-August 2nd
Wednesday, July 29th 7:30pm
Thursday, July 30th 7:30pm
Friday, July 31st 7:30pm
Saturday, August 1st 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pmSunday, August 2nd 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pm

*Use promo code MOM when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter code in the “MC Promotion Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP, Front Row and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charge, facility fee and handling fees may apply.