Today’s post is in partnership with SeaWorld San Diego and The Moms. I am so excited to share our amazing day at SeaWorld San Diego with you! The kids and I have not been to SeaWorld in years. In fact, the last time we went Elijah was just a little tot. So, you can only imagine how ecstatic my kids were when I told them “We are going to SeaWorld!” + thanks to the sweet ladies from The Moms!
Our trip to SeaWorld San Diego was not your standard visit. Okay, don’t hate, but we received an exclusive behind-the-scenes adventure that we will never ever forget! It was such a moving and life-changing experience for our entire family.
There were so many favorite parts of this trip (as you will see) but our most dear moment was visiting the Sea World’s Animal Rescue and Research Area and discovering their passion for the lives of all animals.
Meet Melissa Gerstein and Geanine Cilenti of The Moms, a multi-platform lifestyle brand based out of New York which delivers the most engaging and important information to parents all year round! These amazing #bossbabes were the best hostesses and made our experience at SeaWorld unbelievably comfortable and memorable!
I was completely impressed with every SeaWorld team members’ interaction with my family and me. It is clear how much these wonderful people love animals and the mission of SeaWorld. Everyone was so kind, helpful, and fun! Seriously, my daughter Emi wants to work here when she is of age!
Kelly, Dave, Kat treated us like family and guided us through every highlight and showcased us what SeaWorld San Diego has to offer! This was the very best tour experience I have ever had!
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.
The party started adjacent to the Nautilus Pavilion which is SeaWorld’s Special Events Area. This gorgeous place hosts group and private party events with delicious food in style catered by their in-house catering team. Our lunch was absolutely magical and the kids and I felt like celebrities.
Food stations were set with the most mouth watering foods and desserts. The staff was so accommodating and courteous. The presentation of the food and flavors were amazing! We had the opportunity to dine with SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team and they came to each of our tables to say hello and share with us their day. These guys are real life HEROES!
Just when the kids and I thought it couldn’t get any better we were greeted with live animals during our lunch experience! The Animal Visits were out of this world – I mean these are the kind of animals you normally see behind a thick glass wall. The kids hurried and swallowed their last bite and ran to greet a friendly penguin, porcupine, and little owl. This is just one of the many enhancements that made our experience so fun at SeaWorld!
Dolphin Amphitheater viewing the Dolphin Days Show!
We are VIPs and loving it! One big happy family!
Our Meet and Greet with a Beautiful Dolphin
It was so fun to watch the Dolphin Days show! My kids loved watching the dolphins and pilot whale families show off their athleticism and playfulness. The music was lively and the presentation was engaging and informative! Our favorite part was hearing this sweet gal’s dream of becoming a dolphin trainer as a child.
I love to hear when people follow their dreams and this sweet dolphin trainer did. Her story was so inspiring and I honestly had a lump in my throat when she was sharing it! After the show was over, we got to stay longer and experience the dolphins in our own personal meet and greet. We also got to feed the dolphin too. We loved each second and it was amazing to get so up close and personal with this friendly water friend!
SeaWorld San Diego’s Next Generation Sea-Life Experience Featuring Orca Encounter.
Orca Encounter highlights SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales in a documentary-style format featuring a three-story, first-of-its kind infinity screen and a natural rugged coastline setting complete with towering pines and picturesque waterfalls.
This presentation was awesome! I can’t even describe it and you must bring your family to experience this with your very own eyes! The amazing SeaWorld Public Relations Team took us to the VIP section where we got a perfect view of this inspiring and extraordinary experience. The combination of the live orca presentation coupled with the massive digital infinity screen exhibition was astonishing!
Orca Encounter seats about 5500 guests. The Orca Habitat holds 5.8 million gallons of salt water. The backdrop features a Pacific Northwest-theme.
The inception of Orca Encounter at SeaWorld San Diego strengthens the company’s commitment to educational and natural orca presentation.
My kids sat in awe as they watched Orca Encounter (they were actually quiet!). It was beautiful to witness the amazing bond between the orcas and trainers. You could see every characteristic of the whale from the 140-foot-wide screen. Every seat in the house was a good one because of it! The kids and I were inspired by this presentation.
I have a deeper understanding of these wild animals and I am happy knowing the kids got this experience because this insight helps you better understand why conservation for these sea animals are so important.
The final phase of our behind-the-scenes Family Event with The Moms at SeaWorld San Diego was at their Animal Health and Rescue Center. Wow, were the kids and I in for a treat! Learning about SeaWorld’s rescue program made me feel so happy!!! Why? I had no idea at all that SeaWorld has helped lead advances in the care of animals — until now. What a honor it was to be invited and a privilege for my kids to learn and experience this first hand.
The goal of SeaWorld rescue program is and has always been to medically rehabilitate and return all animals back to their home in the wild. Elijah is amazed to find out that the display case here was obtained from a seal who had ingested fish attached to hooks.
SeaWorld San Diego has rescued more than 17,000 animals over the history of the park, and all the SeaWorld parks have rescued more than 30,000 animals in the last 50 years. Shown here is a rehabilitative holding tank with a sweet dolphin the team is caring for.
Every visitor to SeaWorld park helps them to have one of the best rescue programs in the world!
Knowledge is power. I am so grateful for this educational experience SeaWorld provided for my children and I. SeaWorld rescue program is the primary example of the passion SeaWorld has for the lives of all animals. On average, SeaWorld San Diego comes to the aid of 300 – 400 marine animals every year. The animals they medically rehabilitate and aim to return back to their home in the wild are: sea lions, seals, dolphins, whales, sea turtles and sea birds.
Speaking to the crew here I got a strong sense of their passion and commitment to the animals. They are fantastic individuals with a heart of gold! We were told that they work around the clock, every day of year, rain or shine to care for these animals. These men and women love these animals who are either ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned. Collectively SeaWorld rescue team has helped more than 29,000 animals in need over the last 59 years!
It was 4:30 PM and it was time to part ways! We loved our personal tour adventures with the SeaWorld Public Relations Team and the fine ladies from The Moms. Thank you! Thank you! We were granted use of the entire park for the reminder of the day and the kids were ready for the “after-party” festivities to begin!
We headed over to ShipWreck Reef Cafe for a delicious dinner! Man, were we spoiled!!! The exclusive wristbands allowed us access to each participating restaurant (every hour if we wanted) for “on-the house” entrees! I need to mention again how delicious the food is at SeaWorld!
The world diet does not exist at SeaWorld. There is so many healthy and delectable options to choose from with their main entrees, side dishes and desserts. SeaWorld dining, drinks, and snacks made our tummies very FULL and HAPPY!
Thank you SeaWorld San Diego for our SWAG BAG!
Come and see all of SeaWorld Amazing Animals by exploring their many beautiful aquariums.
The heart and destination of Ocean Explorer is a series of undersea research bases housing specifically-designed aquariums and displays that showcase unique and elusive ocean animals. Interactive surprises – like pop-up bubbles and a kid crawl. Kids can get face to face with these amazing oceanic species.
Dive deep into SeaWorld San Diego’s new Ocean Explorer. This family-friendly realm features five children’s rides and three awesome animal aquariums which are: Octopus, Crab, and Eel Aquariums.
Elijah was so excited to ride Ocean Explorer’s Submarine Quest ride! It is a mini-submarine ride with digital interactive learning components. Each sub ride vehicle has its own nautical-themed name (e.g. Bubbly Bailey). There are touch screens in each row of the mini sub allowing kids to play and interact! My kids had so much fun on this three-minute ride that allowed them to discover oceanic exploration!
Looking at these photos wants me to experience these moments again with my children. The girls were able to ride together on both the Bayside Skyride and Tentacle Swirl Ride. Elijah and I enjoyed some mommy and me time together and my heart is so happy to have these sweet moments with my son! This was honestly the best thing we have done this summer. Nothing will beat this!
Live pink flamingos habitat at SeaWorld San Diego! This honestly looks like a painting! So, beautiful!
Explorer Reef is the best way to start and end your day at SeaWorld. Elijah and Chloe loved feeling the reef sharks. This hands-on experience with the wildlife at the touch pools is priceless.
All new night time celebration at SeaWorld. Check out Electric Ocean where a family-friendly dance club starts at 7PM, lively shows, biofluorescent sea creatures at the touch pools, laser shows, and more!
This caps our fabulous behind-the-scenes Family Day at SeaWord San Diego with The Moms! I am so grateful I got to take my kids to this destination. I know they will never forget this experience! This place is perfect place for families.
There is something for everyone, whether you love shows/presentations, rides, exhibits or dining — SeaWorld San Diego is your place for educational entertainment for the entire family. SeaWorld offers each and every visitor a meaningful experience. Be inspired to help preserve our ocean home and creatures.
WIN A SEAWORLD FAMILY FOUR-PACK OF TICKETS NOW!
Our family loves SeaWorld! We are proud to partner with SeaWorld in offering one of my lucky readers a chance to win a Family Four-Pack of Tickets to SeaWorld San Diego!
To ENTER all you have to do is comment on this post by letting me know you are interested in winning the tickets and what attraction(s) you are excited to experience at SeaWorld.
It is that easy! Contest ends by July 31st so make sure to enter by then. Check back in on August 1st (to this original blog post) to see if you were randomly selected. Please, tell your family and friends! Good luck everyone!
Congratulations to @emilytycksen! You are the lucky winner of the family four pack of tickets to SeaWorld San Diego!!! Please email me to claim your tickets. Thank you all who entered. Wishing you a Happy Summer! Thank you for supporting To Thine Own Style Be True.
Thank you for stopping by!
