We arrived bright and early and got rock star parking! We were just a few feet from the entrance and trust me, by the end of the day we were grateful for spending that extra $5 to be close to the gate!
Noelle wants a Shamu bug for her first car!
Flowers at the entrance.
I had heard from a man at work about the dine with Shamu program that they have at the park. I have wanted to do this for a few years since he told me about it and I looked it up! Breakfast looked like the cheapest option and had the most food on the menu that we would actually eat so I signed us up! We were the first to reserve seats for that day so we were right up close to Shamu as he did "behaviors" (aka tricks) and we ate breakfast. We had time to kill before breakfast so we went to the underwater viewing tank to check him out!
I would highly recommend doing the breakfast with Shamu. The food was good and it was nice to go to a "show" and be right up close to the action! Plus, we were full for the rest of the day and didn't have to buy anymore food in the park which saved money.
A lady approached us and said, "Ok you two, that is the cutest thing I have ever seen...that baby with that hat!" We know, she's gorgeous and totally stylish! :)
Shamu (Ulysess) performing.
Shamu waving bye to the crowd!
This is a picture of a picture so the quality isn't the greatest. But, it's the only picture of all three of us!
After breakfast Noelle was pretty tuckered out! We drove to Sea World so she could nap half the day! We decided she probably wouldn't do well at the other shows as they were loud and there were 35,996 other people in the park that day. We did hit up the "Pets Rule" show when she was awake. It was only 1/2 full and she did more people watching then pet watching!
They had dogs...
And pigs...
And high jumping/tightrope walking kitties!
We went over to the Sesame Street Bay of Play. Noelle will really enjoy that area when we go back in a few years! Lots of fun stuff. Even Dave was drooling over the rope and bridges course! They had one area for really little ones. It's a squishy blue play mat that is supposed to represent water. We got yelled at because she had her shoes on and then were chastised because she was sitting in some of the hot spots where the sun was shining. A kid fell on Noelle and then another came over and stole her toy. This momma just about lost it!
Noelle contemplating trekking out into the play mat.
Enjoying her blocks...until they were stolen right out of her sticky paws!
Due to poor mommy planning Noelle did not get to meet Cookie Monster but she got to meet Elmo and Abby Cadabby! She did so well and was not scared! She snuggled up to Abby and loved when Elmo pet her!
Dave didn't want to buy any of the shots that Sea World took but I wanted the frame for her first birthday so he was over ruled! Again, this is a picture of a picture so it's not the greatest but I love the frame! It will be perfect!
Noelle got a little nuts in the Wild Arctic exhibit! She was awake and enjoying herself!
Watching the Beluga whales. I think that if I was to pay for one of the up close encounters it would be with these whales. They are different and it would be unique compared to playing with the dolphins. I don't know. I guess it would be up to Noey!
Sleepy Polar Bears.
Someone was not that enthused about the penguins.
Even less enthused about the Sea Lions!
We probably should have called it a day but we decided to go to the beach again. Dave and I were sunburnt and we were feeling the muscle fatigue of getting Noey in and out of her stroller all day and carrying her around. Sea World really needs to rethink their "no strollers in exhibits" policy. Noey didn't want anything to do with the back carrier so we bit the bullet and carried her a lot!
We drove around forever trying to find a place to park. The place was packed! We got Noey suited up and added some sunscreen. We trekked down the beach again, lugging her and her gear across the sand. We put up our umbrella and laid down the towels. We busted out the sand toys and had a beach snack. Then it was time to play and she freaked out!! She hates dry sand on her feet. She is my child. She wanted nothing to do with playing in the sand! So much for that! No pictures but we do have video! :)
There was a guy behind us that I believe is famous. I watch a lot of HGTV and Food Network. I'm thinking he might be a chef and will have to research this. I wonder if he enjoyed the little show we put on for him!
We walked a ways up the beach again. By the time we lugged everything back across the dry sand we were done....just about ready to pass out right there. We burned all of our breakfast calories an then some!! We changed Noey and had dinner at Belmont Park and then headed back to the hotel.
Noelle loves her Shamu!
It was a good and tiring day!
