December 25, 2021

 SeaWorld Day! We had never been to SeaWorld before so today was a day of new experiences. We got there at about 8:50 knowing the park opened at 9:00. There were very few cars in the parking lot! We didn't quite know where to go, so we started toward one of the rollercoasters because it wasn't busy. SeaWorld has an assortment of ocean animals, but also a few rollercoasters that are big and popular. We found the line for Manta and Drew, Dad, Thom and I waited while Mom took the boys to see dolphins.

The Manta was unlike any rollercoaster I've ridden before. Named after a Manta Ray they want you to experience swimming like a manta so once seated, they lay you forward in a dangling position. The ride was filled with turns, loops and twists to simulate swimming like a ray. It was intense! At one point it took our breath away and like knocked the wind out of us! 

We then met up with Mom and the boys and headed to Sesame Street World. Walking across the dock to get to that part of the park was calm and there were very few people.  

Once we got into Sesame Street World we found very few people. Rocky was so excited to see Elmo and Cookie Monster nutcrackers and once we entered he found statues of Elmo and Abby that he got his picture with. He was so excited he started dancing in the street! We rode lots of rides meant for the boys like Abby's Flower Tower, a train and a little coaster. The boys enjoyed making monsters and seeing them pop up on the TV screen.  For many of the rides we were one of maybe 2 other people on the ride. It was awesome! Dad discovered Elmo and Rosita in the gift shop and there was no line to meet them! Rocky was so excited! Teddy found a cape he wanted, but we didn't get it in case he found something else later he was more drawn to.  

At about 11:40 we headed to the Orca Encounter Show. It was amazing to watch, and yet, I was so sad for them too. I remember learning that an orca's dorsal fin is meant to be straight up- it is a muscle; but orca's in captivity have a hunched over dorsal fin because they aren't able to utilize that muscle enough. I pulled up a picture of an orca that we saw in Alaska in the wild while we were there in September, and also took a picture of one in SeaWorld. The comparison is heartbreaking. The orcas did incredible tricks and jumps and they were magnificently beautiful. It was perfect timing that Naha and Lynn facetimed while we were at the show and she got to see some of the show. We called her after to wish her a Merry Christmas.

It was then time for lunch. We got burgers at Arctic Burger and I got some chicken strips for Rocky at the stand in Sesame Street World. Both were good.

After eating we headed to another rollercoaster- Mako.  This rollercoaster has the biggest drop in Orlando.  Mom, Dad and the boys went to Shark Encounter while Drew, Thom and I rode Mako. It was an awesome rollercoaster! So smooth and the ups and downs made it feel like you were floating!

After riding, I met up with Mom, Dad and the boys to head to Elmo's Christmas Wish Show while Drew and Thom rode Mako again. While waiting for the show to begin there were to families who started to fight in the audience. It just amazes me; it's Elmo...it's Christmas...seriously?! The show was SO CUTE! They sang and dance and Rocky's reaction to everything made it so worth it. He just loved it all and sat with his mouth wide open soaking it in.  

Our next stop was Antarctica, but when we got there there was a huge line and we had no desire to wait. Teddy was also starting to act tired. So we swung through, saw some alligators and manatees.  At this point Teddy was resting his head on Thom's shoulder so we knew it was time to go.  After finding a quick Christmas ornament we headed back to the condo.

Back at the condo we swam for a bit before having tacos with Larry and Marci for dinner in our condo.  It was yummy and we enjoyed a game of Catan after dinner. Larry and Marci had never played so we were on teams: Mom and Dad, Drew, Thom and Larry, Marci and me.  It was fun! The boys were tired- Teddy still wasn't acting himself so he went to bed early. Looking forward to a condo day tomorrow!

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