“Amuse”ment Parks
A couple of weekends ago we took the 3 boys to Sea World. My parents had given us tickets for Christmas and we thought we’d go ahead and go before the summer crowds and Florida summer heat. What is so funny about amusement parks are my kids’ reactions to the whole event.
We haven’t taken the boys to many amusement parks, they are still young yet, so we haven’t felt the need to take out a loan for the trip, at least until they are tall enough to ride the rides. However, we have been to Sea World several times and Universal Studios once.
The first time we took Dawson to Sea World (that he could remember anyway) after about 30 minutes there he asked when we were going home. Bob and I just looked at each other thinking “seriously?” So, this time we have all 3 boys – our first amusement park visit with all of them. Dawson and Garrison were excited to be going and remembered in times past different parts about Sea World they liked. So, we took off to Orlando. After paying th for parking (I won’t even bother addressing that issue), slathering the kids with sunscreen (including my husband who insisted only his arms needed it), noting our parking spot (E28) and packing down the stroller – we were off on our trek to the entrance.
Once in the park we take care of bathroom stops, getting a map and such. Not 5 minutes into our walk through the park to the questions start. From Garrison (6), “I’m sooooo thirsty Mom. Can we get a drink.” From Dawson (8) “Can we go to the arcade.” (Which by the way costs additional money – YEAH). Again from Garrison “Mom, I’m really thirsty, can we get a drink.” From Jackson (2), who is in the stroller, “I get out.” From Dawson, “When can we go to the arcade?”
Already I’m tired and it’s been about 10 minutes now.
But, we get the place you can pet the stingrays, which they all loved, then on to see the dolphins. Next we see the Clydesdale Horses, which according to Garrison’s commentary are “boring.”
Now Dawson wants to go to the “kid’s area.” Here the go down tube slides and play in the water fountains that come up from the ground. Seriously, for a head they are going down slides and playing in water. Okay.
Then it was on to the Shamu Show. But first we needed ice cream because they were all soooooooo hot. Then the arcade – where we shell out money for the games. But, they had fun.
Our final stop was the dolphin nursery. I took a last restroom stop while the boys enjoyed the baby dolphins. When I joined them Garrison informed me (in his 6 year old voice) that the dolphins “communicate by whistling.” Good to know.
All in all it was a good day. But as I looked around the park and hot, crying kids and hasseled parents, I couldn’t help but think, it’s an expensive way to spend a day! I think the park and a sprinkler is a lot cheaper!
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July 9th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I really liked the story. I always thought I had a dry sense of humor, but you seriously put me to shame here. My favorite part was probably the quotations from the kids priceless…even if theme parks aren’t!