SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Eve Extravaganza

 Merry Christmas Eve (a couple months ago)! We got a hotel so we could hop from Legoland to SeaWorld. We arrived right when the park opened:

We had a few minutes to spare before we could get into the main part of the park, so we checked out the touch pool. What was cool about this touch pool was they had fish that nibble on your skin, so it was fun to hold your hand in there and see how many came over. It tickled more than anything!

Of course they also had sharks!

While Sam, Elijah, and Eden were in line for the first ride, Joseph, Noah and I checked out a mini aquarium nearby. I noticed this little fish at the top of one swaying back and forth. It looked weird until I realized it was a human hand swaying the fish. I then saw what the person was trying to attract as it slowly came out. A giant Pacific octopus! It then went for the fish and showed off its beautiful body.

Another beautiful aquarium scene.

Time for a swing!

Eli and I got to ride the Journey to Atlantis ride and it was definitely the best one! Ten out of ten would recommend it! We ended up riding it twice, then Eli went with Sam. It started with a huge log ride fall and got wet (luckily it's warm enough in December not to bother us) and then a roller coaster right after that. Sam got a photo of us:

Now one of my favorite parts: the beluga! My spirit animal. My Patronus. My favorite animal on this beautiful planet. There she blows!

 

I mean, look at them! They are so stinking cute! The melon, the white color, the rippling blubber in the water, I just love watching them!

I didn't get a good picture, but I also loved watching the walrus! I had no idea how massive these things are, and I wish I could go back and see them from a better angle.

This picture really doesn't do it justice.

And there's an otter!

Since we went during Christmas time there were decorations around, but we didn't really end up walking in the most Christmas-y part of the park. Here is a picture I did take, though.

While Sam and Eli were on Journey to Atlantis I took the rest to the play area. There was a rope climbing structure, tubes, and a big bounce area.

 

Noah and I on a kiddy ride together.

If you asked the boys what their favorite part of the park was, they would tell you it was the arcade we came across. Joseph wanted to spend his souvenir money on the claw machines. After a few tries he got a stuffed Cheep Cheep from Super Mario. Elijah also spent some to get a stuffed Mario star, which he calls Numi. Noah liked looking at the different games and sitting on the car rides inside the arcade.

"Ca-cao!!"

Around lunchtime, we got in line to eat at this chicken place, but Noah was getting super restless, so I told Sam I would save us seats at the dolphin show while he got lunch for us to eat there. Sadly the line took longer than we thought, so I enjoyed the dolphin show without Sam and the older kids. Maybe I should have taken them too. They missed a super fun show filled with Bottle-nose Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins and Pilot whales!

Swimming right by as I walk in the stadium.

They always are bigger than you realize!

Dolphins first!

Pilot whale time!

Then they brought out all their dolphins!

It was such a fun show, I felt bad the rest of the family didn't make it. The older kids didn't seem to care afterward though.

When Noah and I came out we met the rest of the family near the seals so we could eat our chicken lunch. Not the best food, and it was overpriced, but what can you do. There were these white birds (ibis? egret?) hanging around us for our food. One even got brave enough to snatch a fry right out of Joseph's hand. Poor thing wasn't even trying to give it to him and got nipped.

Poor Joseph!

We didn't attend the seal show, so this is all we have of seals and sea lions.

We then went to the biggest stadium in the park to watch the orca show. Always a great show when you get to see these beautiful whales.

Another ride! 

While Sam took Eli on another ride (I forgot which one), I took the other kids to pet rays and see the big aquarium.

Spot the bonnet head shark?

The kids were getting tired and didn't really want to go to any other shows or rides, so we pretty much ended it playing before making the trek home. It was Christmas Eve after all and we still had to get ready for Santa to come. The last few things we did in the park were play on this little boat, check out the Build-a-Bear shop (now I know where I want to take Eden for her birthday!), and buy the last little souvenirs. I got an ornament for the tree while Eden got a unicorn beanie boo. The boys spent it at the arcade and Noah got a stuffed seal. 

I'm on a boat.

Going before it got dark!

We decided to hit SeaWorld mainly because of the Waves of Honor promotion. All military personnel and up to 3 dependents got free tickets! I only paid for one more as Noah was under 3 and then we paid for parking, food, and souvenirs. A great deal really, so thank you, SeaWorld! Now to go home and celebrate Christmas.