THEME PARKS several penguin species up close, with no glass separating us. Afterward, we fueled up for the afternoon with lunch at the adjoining Expedition Café. Next up was Mako™—SeaWorld’s new hypercoaster and the centerpiece of Shark Wreck Reef, a recently opened 2-acre area inspired by a shipwreck and featuring the Shark Encounter®, a huge underwater acrylic viewing tunnel that puts guests face-to-face with real sharks. Mako is about 200 feet high and, clocking in at 73 mph, is Orlando's tallest, fastest and longest coaster. Imagine bursts of weightlessness along soaring hills. Since Mako’s height requirement is 54 inches, Ella and Evie couldn’t ride. Emily had no problem, though, and would have gladly ridden it over and over again. The One Ocean orca show was next. The girls insisted we sit in the “soak zone” and we got, well, thoroughly soaked. The majestic whales’ splashes were a bit much for Evie, so she WE STROKED THE DOLPHIN’S FINS, TAIL AND BODY AND WATCHED HER and I moved to higher ground. After that, it seemed only fitting to indulge the youngest member of our group with attractions perfectly suited to her age. We ambled over to Shamu’s Happy Harbor, home to eight small-scale rides, including a Shamu-shaped roller coaster, a teacup-like jellyfish ride and a carousel featuring sea creatures—these had Evie smiling ear to ear. We ended our day with dinner at the upscale Sharks Underwater Grill, where we literally dined right next to a huge aquarium filled with sharks of various kinds. It was easy to imagine ourselves as residents of their underwater world. Our day at SeaWorld was amazing—fun and educational! We all learned a lot about SeaWorld’s inspiring efforts to save animals in the wild. Next time we plan on coming for longer, and we’ll add a day at Discovery Cove® (SeaWorld’s sister park), where you can actually swim with dolphins. IT WAS AS THRILLING AS ANY COASTER. Twirl & Splash! ©SeaWorld Discovery Cove By Kara Chalmers SeaWorld Orlando’s sister park, Discovery Cove, is less a theme park than an all-inclusive luxury day resort offering one-of-a-kind animal interactions. Attendance is capped at 1,300 people per day, so the park feels intimate and uncrowded. Its 30-minute Dolphin Swim Experience (for ages six plus) is the iconic, DISCOVERING DOLPHINS AT ® signature experience and for most, it’s also the highlight of the day. Guests get in the water with trainers and feed, kiss, swim with and rub the tummies of these majestic marine animals. Afterward, meet an amazing variety of birds in the park’s Explorer’s Aviary and view otters and marmosets at the Freshwater Oasis. Snorkel among tropical fish and rays in the Grand Reef, and come nose-to-mask with sharks (behind a glass wall). Hang out at Serenity Bay or float along the Wind-Away River. For an extra cost, experience SeaVenture, which entails donning a special dive helmet to breathe and walk underwater. Dolphins at ©SeaWorld Discovery Cove® Admission includes wet suits, towels, masks, snorkels, food and drink (including beer, wine and tropical cocktails), plus unlimited admission for 14 consecutive days to SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™. ExperienceKissimmee.com 17
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