One of the things that I love about SeaWorld is that it has something for everyone – young or old.
I have been a consultant for the San Antonio park since August of 2005. My family used to live just two miles from the park and we visited often. Last year we moved to Houston and one of the things I have most regretted is that I can’t get into the park with my family as often as we used to do.
This summer, we loaded everyone into the car to come for a visit, including a brand-new Kindergartener, a two-year-old toddler, a seven-month-old baby and my husband — who insists he is my fourth child.
When we arrived, we headed straight for the Dolphin Cove where we easily were able to get a tray of fish for Mommy to feed the dolphins – hey, everyone else was too afraid. We then caught the first showing of “Believe” and afterward headed over the Sea Star Market and Cafe, which is located at the backside of Happy Harbor.
Tip: I rarely use the restrooms right outside of Shamu Theater right after a show lets out and instead head for this area. It’s much less crowded at that time of day.
I took the baby into the restroom near Sea Star to change his diaper and a team member pointed me to a new changing area that hadn’t been there the last time I had visited. It was a separate area that included a changing station, sink and a small room off to the side with a shelf/bench where someone could nurse or a small child could sit and take a break.
It was also wonderfully cool.
If you hadn’t noticed, this summer has been HOT in Texas. I was concerned that the little ones would not be able to stand up to the heat, and indeed, when I undressed the baby he was very sweaty and a bit lethargic. However, a few minutes in the changing area brought him back to life. There was plenty of room for my toddler and 5-year-old, too,
After using this great family changing area, you can take your younger kids to eat at either Seafire Grille or Sea Star Cafe to beat the crowds. After eating they can play in Happy Harbor. My oldest son loves the giant sand box under the net climbs, and the water play area is great to beat the heat.
When I got back home, I recounted my story to some of the communications team and learned that there were several more of these changing areas throughout the park. If you have a child in diapers, or are still nursing, be sure to print out this list and take it with you as you plan your day at SeaWorld.
Changing Stations
There are 10 Baby Changing Rooms located around the park with sink/counter tops designed in width and length for diaper changing. Some of these are also equipped with a small room for semi-privacy.
The restroom located at Front Gate on the outside of the entrance has a baby changing station
Texas Surf Shop bathroom has a changing station
Boardwalk Games / Event Center (Games Center) Bathroom has a pull down Koala changing table
Lost Lagoon has two baby changing stations
White Water / Rio Loco bathroom has a changing station
Changing and Nursing Stations
Main Mast / Bakery Sweet Treats bathroom has a changing station and small room with a rocker
The Nature’s Kingdom / Happy Harbor bathroom has a changing station and a small room with a rocker
Seafire Grille / Sea Star / Happy Harbor bathroom has a changing station and a small room with a bench
Shamu bathroom has a changing station with a separate room with rocker
Please see the park map for locations.
Hope you have a great time in the park with your little ones. If you have any great tips, share them with all of us in the comment section.
August 28, 2009 by Kami Huyse • Comments Off Posted in Video, WAVE TV
There’s always a crop of new chicks, and by that we mean birds, from different species arriving at SeaWorld. There’s also a crop of new bloggers joining the team who will soon start showing up right in this space.
Wave TV is SeaWorld San Antonio’s bi-weekly video feature program created for team members. Wave TV debuted in 2005 and was originally conceived to showcase park events for team members as they rode the shuttle bus to their workstation. Last year, this award-winning communications program moved to the SeaWorld YouTube channel.
Even though it’s hotter than I can remember, we are carrying around Christmas presents and wearing Santa hats. We are months away, but the training has already begun for our sea lion Christmas show!
We started with a couple of brainstorming sessions about what new animal behaviors we can come up with. Then, it was time to start training the behaviors. Our creative services department makes the props for the show and we get the animals used to the new objects. Sea lions, walruses and otters have to get used to Santa hats. The otters are learning how to maneuver themselves out of a present box.
Uncle Max and O.P. Otter currently training on some group animal behaviors for SeaWorld's 'Deck the Halls with Clyde and Seamore.'
Get ready to come see our Christmas show and you will appreciate seeing new things, all the while knowing we were working on them when it was 100 degrees outside!
August 25, 2009 by GeoffBaldwin • Comments Off Posted in Around the Park
Click on this photo to go to the interactive SeaWorld San Antonio park map
Well, school is back in session so summer is over until next year, right?
WRONG!
Labor day weekend gives you one more chance to enjoy the summer at SeaWorld of San Antonio! There is still time to beat the heat that never seems to end at our waterpark, Lost Lagoon, visit our water rides and getting soaked by Shamu!
I have put together some insider information and ideas to help you and your family make the most of your day on this busy weekend.
A good strategy is to plan for two days; one day for rides and Lost Lagoon, and the second for shows and exhibits.
The Early Bird…
If possible, arrive early. Most of the park opens at 10 a.m., but you can arrive between 9:00 & 9:30 and enter Compass Plaza to start planning your day.
Time Savers
If you are going to start by visiting our rides and Lost Lagoon (the water park), our QuickQueue front of line access pass will save you tons of time, you can buy it online or at the park. While you partake in the coasters, take a minute to cool off in our Penguin exhibit between rides.
After the National Anthem, head north to feed our Dolphins at Dolphin Cove and then stop by Sharks/The Coral Reef. Both these areas start the day slowly, but get busier as the day progresses.
The Show Must Go On
Our show stadiums fill up fast on busy weekends, and you won’t want to miss any. The secret – we open each stadium 45 minutes before show time. The Shamu Believe and VIVA! shows fill up the quickest, but if you arrive 30 – 45 minutes before show time seat, selection is usually great. The first and last show of the Cannery Row Caper at Sea Lion stadium tend to be less full, and seats are usually available even 15 minutes before show time. The stadium attendants are there to help with stroller parking directions or assistance if you have a wheelchair or other needs, just ask.
After you catch the show, visit our Sea Lions. You can feed the Sea Lions in the exhibit behind the Cannery Row Caper at any time of the day — unlike the dolphins, which are on a schedule.
Take Care of Yourself
Be sure to drink plenty of water. We have drinking fountains located throughout the park and we also have our complementary Operation Hydration station set up near Shamu theater and at some of our rides with cups of ice water. Sun screen and hats are a must and if you need either our Merchandise team has a wide selection of both.
My guess is you’ll get hungry with all the walking and there is a wide variety of food choices, but avoid “lunch time.” It’s the busiest time of the day. Try our “All You Care to Eat” picnic at our Ports of Call picnic area – a great deal for a great meal!
I hope you visit and I can assure you that the SeaWorld of San Antonio team will work very hard so can you enjoy your day.
Thirteen years ago, I visited Sea World San Antonio with a close friend. We entered the White Whale and Dolphin Stadium where a trainer was observing the animals in the front pool. “You have my dream job!” I said after introducing myself. “What do I need to do to become a trainer?”
This is the answer I received…
You have to love animals. You need to be strong team player. You need patience. Every applicant is required to pass a swim test. We require a high school diploma, though a college background in marine biology or psychology is preferred. Applicants must be certified SCUBA divers before receiving an invitation to participate in the swim test.
You must swim a distance of 250 feet in less than one minute and twenty seconds and swim 125 feet underwater taking only one breath. Applicants must also dive into the pool from a six foot platform then surface dive to the bottom of the pool. By the way, in the Whale and Dolphin Stadium that pool is 25 feet deep. After retrieving a dive weight from the bottom, you must pull yourself onto a ledge that is one foot above the surface of the water. Once you are completely out of breath, we test your skills on the microphone.
Trainers that work at Shamu Theatre are required to swim to the bottom of its main show pool – a depth of 40 feet. They are also required to be leap up to the top of the six foot glass that encloses the pool and also to lift themselves out of the water onto a wall that is two feet above the surface.
I listened intently to her answers as did my friend. Both of us were brimming with excitement. I realized in that moment that my dream could become reality and nothing would stand in my way.
Now, I get to share my dream with so many each day in our killer whale show at Shamu Theatre called “Believe. Dedication, hard work, and persistence have taken me through the journey of a lifetime and have enabled me to reach heights I never thought possible. So remember, anything is possible as long as you BELIEVE.
It’s been a great summer at Adventure Camp. Campers have enjoyed the animals and shows and the rides, but I think the one thing that has made it so good is the staff. I sat down with one of the resident camp counselors, Lise, to learn a little bit more about what a typical camp counselor is all about.
What made you apply to be a SeaWorld Camp Counselor?
I came to Career Camp while I was in high school and fell in love with it and knew the first day I was coming back for Advanced Careers Camp. During Advanced Camp, I talked with the camp supervisor about being a counselor. I knew it was something I wanted to pursue so I applied.
What’s your favorite part of being a Camp Counselor?
I love kids. I think kids are so fun and educating children is a highlight to me. Seeing how they react when they see a killer whale for the first time or touching a beluga whale or shoveling snow next to penguins is such a rewarding experience. It’s really awesome to be a part of inspiring them to want to have a career working with animals.
What do you do when camp is not going on?
I am a journalism major at the University of Idaho and spend a lot of time working, swimming and studying.
What’s the one thing camp has taught you about yourself?
That no matter what happens, you have to laugh and find a positive side and make sure that you’re still inspiring these kids and making sure they’re all having a fun time.
Do you plan on staying with SeaWorld after college?
I think pursuing a career at SeaWorld is a dream of mine. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent here and coming back to camp or working with animals would be nice.
What’s your favorite things to do at SeaWorld?
Playing with dolphins at Dolphin Cove, taking campers back to touch and feed the stingrays at our Zoological Support Area and taking campers to the Summer Nights shows and having fun with them.
Lise is a fourth year counselor from Idaho. She has worked with both Expedition Camp and Careers Camp, as well as being a lead counselor for Careers Camp. She is currently the lead counselor for our Camper In Transition (CIT) program.
Every summer we have an end-of-summer party and Aug. 12, 2009 was going to be it. Then mid-afternoon the unthinkable happened, rain clouds started moving in. Rain or shine the party had to go on. So, despite the rain our brave team members had a blast at Castaway Café. While it poured rain everyone munched on Arby’s sandwiches, chips and cookies.
Last year we started a tradition of tying in our United Way Campaign kick-off with the end-of-summer party by hosting a Duck Derby. This year was no different, all seven hundred and thirty-one ducks raced to win the coveted first place prize. Laura Caviness, from our Education Department, won first place winning two Southwest Airline Vouchers.
The Duck Derby wasn’t the only fun for the evening there was DJ Nerrad, face painting, caricatures, and a dunk booth. Steven Tiffany, Rides Supervisor, was quite the hit staying in the dunk booth for over an hour. His dunk booth sales were through the roof!
The party was a small token of appreciation to our team members for a fantastic job over the summer. Our team members are the backbone of our business and we could not do it without them. Now we gear up for our fall team member preview party of Howl-O-Scream!
Editor’s Note: ‘Pirates Plunder,’ SeaWorld San Antonio‘s pirate stunt show, runs through Sunday, Aug. 23, so be sure to come out and see the show if you haven’t already. SeaWorld is open daily this week with various operating hours. Click here for a complete schedule.
Our behind-the-scenes correspondent, Moni Villanueva, recently went backstage at ‘Pirates Plunder.’ Watch her experience on WAVE 360˚, where Moni witnessed first-hand what it takes to be a pirate at our park.
Watch for more swashbuckling videos in the future on WAVE 360˚.
The song has been playing over and over in my head since SpongeBob is visiting our park this week. His visit immediately reminded me of my niece, who happens to loves the show.
Well, I began to wonder what this sponge is all about and thought of a fun way to get my answer. I caught up with my eight-year-old niece and had a chat about the little guy. Below is the Q&A session I had with her, which was quite comical.
Q: Who is SpongeBob?
A: Well Aunt Suzy, SpongeBob is a sponge who lives under the sea in a pineapple and makes krabby patties and does stuff with his friends Patrick and Sandy.
Q: What is the show about?
A: It’s about SpongeBob and different things he does with his friends. He works at the Krusty Krab. I like his friend Sandy, she’s a squirrel.
Q: Why do you like the show?
A: I don’t know…I just like to watch it, it makes me laugh when SpongeBob does silly things.
That sounds like a good enough reason to me.
Be sure to come see SpongeBob before he leaves tomorrow. I know I will be at Sea Star Theater to watch the epsiode. Maybe I can even get a picture of SpongeBob for my niece too.
Have you already been to one of these? Each pass member gets a chance to spin the wheel and every colored panel on the wheel has a designated prize associated with it.
This time when an annual pass member spins the wheel, they just might win a $20 Lowe’s gift card. All you have to do is land on the yellow panel labeled Pass Member Advantages. The gift cards never expire, are accepted at ALL Lowe’s stores and Lowes.com and have no fees.
Hope to see you in the park on August 30th between 12 and 6. We will be located between Shamu Theater and Animal Connection Center.
This is a great opportunity for us to mingle with our pass members. One spin per pass member please!
Wave TV is SeaWorld’s bi-weekly video feature program created for team members. Wave TV debuted in 2005 and was originally conceived to showcase park events for team members as they rode the shuttle bus to their workstation. Last year, this award-winning communications program moved to the SeaWorld YouTube channel; now everyone can share the program. Check out what’s new behind the scenes at SeaWorld San Antonio.
