SeaWorld After Dark July 13, 2008

My friend Patti invited me out to SeaWorld yesterday afternoon to see the "After Dark" summer event. The weather forecast wasn't good for Saturday...70% chance of rain. So we checked about 4p.m. and it looked like we might be in luck, so we left for the park.

We had a few sprinkles in the parking lot and a few more as we walked up to the gate, but, that was it. Neither of us had been to the park in about a year, so, we talked to the guy handing out maps to get his take on what we shouldn't miss. Then I asked Patti if it was more important to her to walk around or to try to see ALL the shows. Luckily she voted for just walking around!

We started on the "left" side of the park...stopping in at the turtle pond, the ray petting pool and then the dolphin pool. At the dolphin pool they have made a not so great change. Now, if you plan on feeding the dolphins you are channeled into a special line with all the others feeding the dolphins. Those people not wanting to pay the extra are relegated to the end of the pool...where since there is no one feeding them--they are no dolphins. Luckily they still have the underwater viewing area so we still got to see some up close.

Since Patti isn't a roller coaster rider, I skipped checking out the new coaster so we could visit. On the way over to the Hospitality House (sponsored by Annheiser Busch) we stopped to see the penguins, the sharks and the clydesdales. We got yelled at for trying to pet the donkey! LOL

At the Hospitality House we were going to get something to eat and have a beer. But Patti had an awesome idea--why not head over to the Cheesecake Factory after the last show for some appetizers and a slice of cheesecake. That was a no brainer when our choices were hotdogs, hamburgers, brats or beef stew! LOL So, even though I was starving...we waited.

I sampled Shock Top Belgian White Ale and Stone Mill Pale Ale...both yummy! We then headed over towards Shamu Theater where we had plenty of time until the last show. We decided to hit the polar bears exhibit. Both bears were sleeping, as was the walrus--but we did get a blurry but hysterical picture of the walrus' butt against the window of the underwater viewing area. The beluga whales were swimming gracefully to make up for the sleeping bears and walrus.

At the Shamu Rocks show, we had a seat on the top row of the stadium. That was pretty nice as we had a great view into the training pools and got to see the big guy doing some "practice" leaps! The show was great--don't miss it if you have a chance to see it.

On the way out of the park, we stopped by the Bayside Ski Show. We weren't really impressed. It moved too slow. But the entertainers singing were great as was the jet skis pulling big lit kites that showed up so nicely at night. We skipped fireworks since we both can see them from home just about nightly.

Cheesecake Factory wasn't too busy--we even got a parking spot right up front. We were told the wait was going to be 10-20 minutes, but, we didn't even wait too much more than 5 minutes. Apps were delicious. Cheesecake was too! I had the Pecan Carmel Turtle Chocolate Cheesecake. Patti went with the White Chocolate Carmel Macadamia Nut slice. We both had plenty to take home...mine didn't make it past lunch time the next day!