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Alright, we're heading to Sea World this weekend -- our first trip to a theme park. What do I need to know about taking a 3-year-old and 1-year-old? Should I bring our stroller or rent one? Does anyone have any safety tips? What are the most age-appropriate rides/shows?

As you can tell, I'm clueless!

1) Do you have to go now? This is the back to school last hurrah time. You're better to go in the off season, not around a holiday. went in Mid-October when Hannah was 2+ and Emma was 2 months. Perfect weather, not to crowded. If you go now, plan to wait in lines, sweat alot and unload your stroller at every exhibit. (they don't allow strollers inside. They will make exceptions if it isn't busy.)

2) Rent a stroller. If your younger boy is sitting up well, you should be OK. The reason is that if it gets spills, throw up, poo, whatever on it, just take it back for a clean one.

3) Get there as close to opening as possible for better parking. If you're renting a stroller, you won't have to carry all the kids and baby stuff, cameras, purses as far.

4) All the exhibits are fun for kids. There are not many rides, mostly walk through stuff. If you want to do the coaster, they do have a baby swap. And the Arctic Expedition has a non-motion option so you can take the kids on that.

5)Cold water is REALLY cold. Like an ice bath.

6) Bring changes of clothes for everyone. Refer to #5.

7) Take lots of breaks. Here is another reason for getting there early. When the kids need a break, you take one and still have time to see everything.

8) WATER WATER WATER. Freeze some bottled the night before and take several for each of you. Of course there are water fountains so you can refil. Water there is WAY expensive.

9) Don't take in food. I'm not sure if they allow you to bring in food, but the resturants are really kid friendly and it's expensive, but so is everything else and the portions are fair. And food is just one more thing to carry. If you're into it, there's free beer samples Don't worry about a DD, you'll burn off that alcohol pretty fast this time of year

Here's the reason for the extra clothes...

First the stroller issue...it's a personal choice. I took mine the time before last we went to Disney, then last time I rented one. There were pros and cons for both. Pros are 1) yours probably pushes better and is probably more comfortable. 2) No waiting when you get to the park to rent the stroller. The pros of renting for me were 1) I didn't have to lug my stroller from park to park (you won't have that issue at Sea World). 2) I didn't worry so much about someone taking it while in attractions. 3) I got a double stroller most of the time and my daughter had tons of room to relax. 4) The rented strollers seem to have more shade coverage. If you do rent one remember they are usually plastic which can get sore on the bottom after awhile,(we brought a small quilty blanket for the bottom of the stroller for her).

Now do make sure you bring sunscreen (I know you will ) Whoever pushes the stroller be sure to cover their forearms well!! When my youngest was about 2 she only wanted me to push the stroller and on day 2 I had small blisters on my arms from the sun...never even felt it coming on!!We carried fanny packs and also brought a backpack and her diaper bag when she was still in diapers. Fanny packs for money, ID, credit cards...etc. back pack was more for the kids...snacks and water(did I say water..bring water bottles)...and then the diaper bag...self explanatory!! I left the diaper bag with the stroller and figured if anyone wanted it that bad they could take it. I did keep one diaper, her juice/water and wipes. in the back pack just in case... (some times you are in a line for 30 minutes or so).

Comfortable shoes of course. We went back and forth from flip flops to tennis shoes at Disney but if its only one day you may want flip flops or something comfy that can get wet. Just make sure they are well soled flip flops or your feet will be sore from all the hard surfaces you'll be walking on. My daughter wore a pair of $3 flip flops on day one at Disney and wore them down to zip...no more sole left on them,(I warned her!).

Sea World : Shamu is a must but you WILL get WET if you sit close!! Its been awhile since we did Sea World but my daughter remembers a pirate/sea otter show that she saw at 6 or 7 and says she loved and was very interactive. (Grandma saw that one with her so I can't attest to that).

Polar Bear/ penguins/ sting rays were great! Stay away from the simulator plane ride...too scary for the kids...plane almost crashes.

As for safety...just don't take your eyes off the kids. Suncreen, sunglasses and hats if they will wear them, (mine will but some won't). Light comfy clothes for the kids..and mom and dad that will dry quickly.

Be sure if anyone has allergies/asthma that you bring meds that may be needed...maybe a few Tylenol/Ibuprofen so you don'e get stuck paying $3 for one pill!!

Sorry this is so long. If I think of more I will post it later. Hope some of this helps!!

Have fun and don't stress.

Karen

Caryn !!!!! Awesome , great picture...I know just where they were!!!!!!!

Sarah,

I sent you a pm.

Karen

Hey Sarah...we go to Seaworld all the time...we have the easy pay passes...which are a really good deal if you decide you want to go often. Seaworld (unlike Disney) doesn't let you bring in coolers. We always bring our own stroller because they have the big plastic ones and I think the seat gets too hot in the sun...plus they aren't great when my little man falls asleep. I think the food is pretty expensive...last time we went and bought food there is was around 35 bucks for 4 of us to have chicken fingers....so what we have been doing is not going down there until around lunch time and going to the Wendy's across the street. Since it's summer they are open later, so we just go later so it's not as hot. They do have a kid's area with rides...a carousel, a smaller roller coaster and few other rides. Not really any rides for the 1 year old (except the carousel). Most of the shows are fun...the sea lion one is pretty funny...but again..we wait and go to the later shows so we aren't baking in the sun waiting for them to start.
Over in the little game area, there is a a game for 5 bucks that the kids can play until they win...which is great because they get to win their souvenir and I'm only out 5/each Definitely bring change of clothes and swim diapers...they have fountain play areas. Over in the kids section too (in the back) they have a baby building which is great...diaper changing, plus a tv and chairs.
One thing we always do...when our daughter was little and now with little man too....when they fall asleep...one of us takes them to the underwater viewing for the dolphins...it's air conditioned! And we would sit down there and watch the dolphins swim while they slept! Have a great time!
Forgot to add! At the Wild Artic...go through the walking line...and if your kiddos are like mine and won't sit through their little movie thing...just tell them that you want to skip the movie and they will send you straight through so you can just go see the animals

OOOH I forgot. You definately want to see Shamu, but there are usually only 2 or 3 shows a day. Get there early or you might not get a seat. I don't remember if they let you take food into the show, but if so, that might be a good thing to plan around lunch so you can sit there and eat your lunch while waiting for the show to start.

Thanks Karen...you could land a plane on that lip