Cookie Cookie Cookie Starts with SeaWorld

Now that Kyle is three and potty-trained, so we have more room in the diaper bag for Brady's supplies, I'm not as squeamish and angst-ridden about ambitious day trips as I used to be. So when the invitation to SeaWorld came, with its promise of meeting Sesame Street characters and seeing Shamu, I jumped at it.

Then, when my friend Julie offered her house for us to use while her family was out of town at a wedding, the idea seemed even better because then we didn't have to cram ourselves into a hotel room.

So when the weekend finally came and the forecast for all of southern California was rain, possible thunderstorms, and maybe some more rain, it didn't even bother me or make me run to Target to get four matching raincoats. My calm was rare, so I went with it. Karma rewarded me when Saturday came and went with very little rain indeed.

However, the forecast scared enough people away from SeaWorld that the park was crowded but not too crowded, which made for a really enjoyable day. Overall, SeaWorld is clean, easy to navigate, and staffed by friendly, informative "leadership team" members. Even the cleaner in the women's bathroom asked me how I liked Shamu and suggested other locations we might like to check out, and told me how to find them! Now that's service!

We started the day with a kickoff of the new Sesame Street Bay of Play attraction. There was a speech by Shawne Merriman in honor of his Lights On homeless charity. A SeaWorld exec welcomed us, then the kids were unleashed to hop around in this place, what I would call the coolest playground that I've ever seen.








The characters came out and did a show, and transfixed the under 5 set. Then they made a photo-op appearance. I must say, I never imagined I would get to meet Cookie Monster in person. Or should I say in monster?

Cookie Monster tries to absorb Kyle.

The nice people - and they really were all so nice - treated the bloggers to snacks and juice and coffee, and let us talk amongst ourselves. These blogger events are exciting because we get to see and talk to each other, and at this event we even got to see the famous children in person.

Beware of bloggers bearing cameras. You can see Child's Play x2's photos here.

But the rest of SeaWorld awaited and the kids would not sit still, so off we scattered, our "nice to meet you's" and "here's my card's" fading beneath the cries of "Mommy, let's go see SHAMU!"

Julie's cat is white and black, so from then on Kyle called it "Shamu cat."

Here are some more photo highlights from the House of Prince SeaWorld experience:

There's got to be a '70's sitccom theme song to go with this photo.

There's no better way to end any excursion than with ice cream.

REVIEW:

We had a fantastic time, so overall I give it two thumbs up. The amenities made us comfortable: plenty of stroller parking, clean and spacious changing rooms, lockers to rent for the day. We at at the Shipwreck Cafe, which I found overpriced and unappealing, but I would say that's the only downside we encountered. I think Kyle has good memories of the whole experience. Both children enjoyed the Shamu and dolphin shows, and watch them watch the shows was worth it to me.


READER CONTEST:


My first blog giveaway!


Before we left the blogger event, the nice people (did I say they were nice?) gave out really nice Sesame Street cookie jars with something cute inside. I have one to give away to a faithful reader (shipping and all that is taken care of, too), so here's the contest: send me your best photo from SeaWorld or a similar theme park visit, and Kyle will pick his favorite. Then you'll be the proud owner of a cookie jar with Cookie inside!