Sea World, day 1

Going to Sea World during Thanksgiving week is the BEST. The temperatures are just right and there are essentially NO lines, or 3 minutes wait time maximum. Several rides that we had been counting on were CLOSED this year. Texas Splashdown (precis som Flume Ride - Isak och Elina åkte hur många gånger som helst), och Rio Loco som var våran favorit, (till och med Donna åkte med på den, och Isak blev genomblöt). After some mandatory mourning, we enjoyed ourselves anyway. Anja grew over the last year and qualified to go on some 'adult' rides. First she rode the Shamu Express (typ Nyckelpigan, länken visar den i Orlando och den i San Antonio är något mindre, men går istället två varv) and loved it - refused to get out when the ride was over, then doubled back to get in before the next wave of people. She rode it five times.

Then, Anja braved the Journey to Atlantis after Elina went once (and refused to go again). Anja, however, LOVED it and told me when the ride was over "Mamma, gå inte av! Sitt kvar!" But we had to get off and get in line again. She went twice with me and twice with Mark and then once more with me. Five times, and she was not done! Isak, who rode it last year was suddenly scared. It took him all day at the park to muster up bravery to go. He was reieved when it was over, happy he had done it. He may, or may not, go again today. But Anja wants to go at least five times today again. "Var du inte rädd, Anja?" "Nej, båten är bara rolig. Det går jättefort och alla skriker!" And she added sound effects and theatrical moves to go along with the sound of speed and people screaming.

She also wanted to ride the Steel Eel but she is not tall enough. Elina and I went once last year. Elina was only 5 and before that day had never gone on a roller coaster or any type of amusement park ride. I swear I willl NEVER go on the Steel Eel again. It is by far the worst ride I have ever done. If there had been hills underneath the rail I would have been fine, but the sheer distance from the ground was enough to have me praying the whole way. Isak went on the Steel Eel THREE times last year with Mark, but on the last ride got a bit sick to his stomach and therefore is reluctant to do it again this year.

Mark and I, who both love roller coasters, had during 10 years of marriage never gone on a roller coaster together. Our marriage has been mainly work, I guess, and not so much play. But last year we rode the Great White together some 4 or 5 times while Donna stayed with the kids. No lines, just walked straight on to the ride each time. One or twice they let us just stay on without getting off. I rode it twice yesterday and so did Mark - not together though. We cannot convince Isak to go. He has sufficient height but not enough guts. Elina has the guts but not the height. And Anja, well, there is not a ride in the park she doesn't want to ride - over and over.

We also saw Killer Whales (awesome show!), Sea Lions, Dolphins and all manner of ocean life - penguins, sharks etc. This year a new show called "Azul" in the Beluga stadium that was amazing. Very much like the circus - acrobatics and diving combined, with dolphins and Beluga whales.

 Rio Loco, last year

 Fantastic whales.

 Anja's very first amusement ride, last year. but not her last.

 Last year.

 Texas Splashdown - closed this year, sadly!

 Getting ready to swim, yesterday morning.

 Elina waiting to get splashed from Journey to Atlantis.

 Yep, she got wet! And good thing too,because it was rather warm.

 Anja and Pappa after her third Journey to Atlantis ride.

From the Azul performance. Its amazingness completely un-captured by this photo, though.

 Splash from Journey to Atlantis.

I can add that pretty much ALL restaurants were closed all day yesterday, or closed early. We had a choice of Whattaburger and IHOP and chose the latter. But we were so hungry it was not enough food. Last year we did cook a Thanksgiving dinner after being at the park at our condo (but we are in a hotel this year) - rotisserie chicken (store bought), instant mashed potatoes, instant stove top stuffing, green beans out a can and apple and pumpkin pies - store bought. It was a great dinner and no one was hungry. We're going to have to have Thanksgiving dinner today instead.