Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge: 2015 Week #8

Jellyfish, SeaWorld Orlando

 

Spotlight on a Florida Christmas: SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

I’ve been going to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration for years, even before Kai. It’s our must do Christmas activity every year. Here’s a highlight of what you’ll experience.

Here we have several shows: Santa’s Fireside Feast Dinner Show, O Wondrous Night and Shamu Christmas Miracles. (click each picture for full description)

Santa’s Fireside Feast Dinner Show. Enjoy dinner with Santa and Mrs Claus. All the elves are so helpful and Mrs Claus brings everyone a Christmas cookie. After dinner all the children get to meet Santa.

O Wondrous Night. Experience a traditional nativity play from the perspective of the animals.

Shamu Christmas Miracle. Enjoy performances by Shamu and his friends in this special Christmas show

Time to take a break, do some shopping or sit and relax with a nice cup of Crème de Menthe Hot Coco (my favorite) and some seasonal goodies in the Christmas Market. While you’re there enjoy dancing Christmas lights in the Sea of Trees show, listen to whimsical singers having fun with carols and get your photo taken with the local wildlife.

Christmas Market

Local Wildlife

Christmas Market

Whimsy Carolers

The Conductors

Sea of Trees

My favorite is Winter Wonderland on Ice – even though this is my first time to see it all. You need to arrive an hour and a half before the show starts to get a good seat. Years past I was always stuck behind some big piece of concrete or some big head. We got there early, fought with a very active three-year old, and watched the show from wonderful seats. This year they had a great opening act, an amazing acrobat.

What else is there? There’s a miniature train display so large it wouldn’t fit in my home. There’s the Polar Express Experience, a simulator based on the Christmas movie. I’ve been several times but not these past two years. I don’t feel right going without Kai, it’s one of his two favorite movies and he does watch it year round. Hopefully next year he’ll meet the height requirement. Oh, and yes there is snop.

Other activities include Elmo’s Christmas Wish and the Holly Jolly Railway at Shamu’s Happy Harbor. I haven’t been to these…maybe next year.

Finally we come to the end of the night with Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountain Finale. Best viewing is from the Christmas Village.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 

Spotlight on Florida, Special Edition: A Spooktacular Halloween

 

SeaWorld’s Spooktacular

Admit the Howl-O-Scream, Halloween Horror Nights, various haunted houses, spooky graveyards and other scary events, SeaWorld Orlando offers a safe place for younger children to trick or treat and enjoy Halloween festivities. Here’s a little of what to expect:

The Creatures:

The Costumes:

The Candy:

The Games & Activities:

We didn’t do the games and other activities, Kai’s a little too young. Maybe in a few years.

They have games, face painting, pumpkin decorating and other crafts.

Spooktacular runs every weekend in October and Halloween. Hope you can make it next year.

Spotlight on Florida: SeaWorld’s Wild Side

I’m continuing with my weekly Spotlight on Florida series. I’m surprised I haven’t covered this week’s location as its one of my favorites and it keeps us here in Orlando…SeaWorld. Over the next few weeks I’ll cover other theme attractions in central Florida, some maybe more than once since there is so much to see.

This week it’s all about the animals…the wildlife and marine life.

There are birds and bears…

And of course SeaWorld has numerous aquariums, here are a few…

Then there are SeaWorld’s show stars. These wonderful mammals bring in the crowds that help fund the research and rescue of injured and ill wildlife and marine life.

This little guy is something you may only see dead on the side of the road but here is Mr. Possum enjoying the attention of his trainer and all those amazed at how docile this little guy is. Despite the negative press of the past few years, SeaWorld does a lot to help animals in need and not just those in the water. This little guy’s mom was one of those unfortunate possums you find dead on the road. This lucky one survived through the efforts of SeaWorld’s rescue teams.

And of course no SeaWorld park would be complete without their star: Shamu.

SeaWorld is located in southwest Orlando on Central Florida Parkway near International Drive. The park is open 365 days a year and hours vary with the seasons.

With planning and quick feet it is possible to see the whole park in a day, two if you want to enjoy it.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Color

Pink Flamingos, SeaWorld Orlando

More Pink, The Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas Nevada

Check out this and other Weekly Photo Challenges

 

12 Days of Christmas Photos, Day 11: SeaWorld Christmas Shows

12 Days of Christmas Photos, Day 10: A SeaWorld Christmas (3)

12 Days of Christmas Photos, Day 9: A SeaWorld Christmas (2)

If you saw my post Day 3: A SeaWorld Christmas (1) you might have noticed the photo of my grandson playing in the water. This photo taken less than a week later he’s bundled up with hat, mittens and blankets. None of us have winter coats and boy was it cold. I know I’ve become accustomed to this southern weather, 35 degrees is just too cold.

12 Days of Christmas Photos, Day 3: A SeaWorld Christmas (1)