Seems everyone loves Mermaids. While in Las Vegas you can swing by the Silverton Casino where there aquarium features a free live mermaid showing at specified times throughout the day. While swimming they interact with the children and audience making heart bubbles and other fun tricks. Also they have the Bass Pro Shop adjacent to the aquarium so it is a great way to keep the kids busy in Vegas on a budget.
SeaWorld Worth the Trip
Over the summer took my kids to SeaWorld in San Diego and it was a blast. So many interactive shows and exhibits, my kids really enjoyed feeding the batrays, seals, and flamingos. There is an additional cost to purchase the food. The shows were great as well including the Orca Encounters show and Dolphin Days show that will get you soaked if you are sitting in the soak zone.
Other shows include the Sealion and Otter comedy show which was funny and entertaining, but this past summer they had the Cirque Electrique show that was amazing. Only showing at night, these acts performed in the amphitheater that faced the bay and the performers had incredible circus stunts over the water.
Tips: We purchased the weekday ticket to save money and avoid the crowds. We also got the All You Can Eat dining pass, which allows you to get an entree, dessert, and drink once every hour.
Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark and Hotel
My experience at the Great Wolf Lodge started when my parents said that we had to go to Costco, as my brother and me are regular kids we just started to complain. We started to moan and ask why we had to go. It was the start of summer so it was super hot.Then my mom and dad said,”Hey what’s that building?” There was a big building with a picture of a wolf’s paw. “We should check it out.” my dad said. We both moaned, ”Uh, do really do we have to…”
When we entered the place it was a indoor water park! There was pools, slides, and water playgrounds. Then the surprise came, my Mom got us tickets to the waterpark and to stay overnight in the hotel! Mom fooled us for a big surprise!
There was a big pool which produces artificial waves! Second was a big water playground which had 3 small slides. Third was a small playground for small kids and babies. The Big slides could makes you go in a raft. The Yellow one make you go in a sideways whirlpool. The Blue one makes you go in a regular whirlpool. The Red one makes you go in circles outside.
That’s my Experience at the Great Wolf Lodge. I had a super fun time. I want to go there again!
Try Our New Game…GIF Wars!!!
Hey everybody, try our new game to play with your family or friends when sharing a computer. It is simple and features some of our pop culture scenes and called GIF Wars.
Ziplines and Hanging Bridges, Oh My!
At our port stop on the Carnival Cruise in Ensenada, Mexico, we went to the Las Canadas Canopy Tour that included ziplines and hanging bridges. There are 5 ziplines and 5 hanging bridges and take about a little over an hour depending on your pace. Some of the bridges are surprisingly difficult, especially the single boards which require quite a bit of balance. Also, what they may not tell you is that it requires a manual switch of your carabiners in the middle of the bridge, if done incorrectly you put yourself at a very high risk.
Overall, this was definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Mexico. Fun and challenging experience with an affordable price. We ended up paying $55/person which included the tour of La Bufadora, the zipline/hanging bridges at Las Canadas Campgrounds, and transportation to and from downtown Ensenada. Definitely worth the price and highly recommended.
Porto’s Opening in Buena Park
Orange County has it’s very own Porto’s now in the city of Buena Park located on Beach Blvd next door to Medieval Times attraction. This Southern California bakery has drawn crowds and fans flocking from all over for their Cuban food and bakery. Time after time they delivery with food quality but depending on the time of day, lines can get very long so plan accordingly.
Some of our favorite recommendations are the Fruit Tart cake, Seafood Potato Balls, and Guava Cheese Strudels. If you are looking for more of a meal, try their Grilled steak plate with rice and beans.
Aquarium of the Pacific Membership
If you live in Southern California, the Aquarium of the Pacific inn Long Beach has to be one of the best deals for your family. The annual membership pass gives you plenty of time to enjoy all that the Aquarium offers throughout the year. Their exhibits ranges from Sharks, Sealions, Otters, Penguins, Rays, and so much more. We have been members for numerous years and they often offer exclusive member events like Adult Prom which is a dress up evening event for Adults only.
Tip: Lorikeet birds cost an additional fee, but if you go at 10am when that part of the exhibit opens, you will be swarmed by flocks of hungry Lorikeet parakeets. Fun and a little bit scary…enjoy!
Vegas’ 500 Feet High Voodoo Zip Line at the Rio Hotel
General Info
- Open daily from 11AM to 11PM
- The Rio’s zipline is about 500 feet high and travels
- You have to be an adult to ride in the evenings
- Tickets are currently selling for $27.49
Personal Story-
We had a great offer, 1 extra ride for the each of us riding, from an official stand in the casino selling the Voodoo Zipline tickets and with no line. Once we got our tickets, my dad and I, went up the elevator, I was very surprised how high the elevator actually went. We then had to wait for the hotel to text us when it was our turn, during that time we enjoyed the view.
The zipline was very high and I also noticed that the zipline goes over the hotel’s pool. So in my opinion, the best time to go on the zipline is during Summer, when there is a lot of people below you. When it was our turn to go on the zipline, strapped in, and started to begin, we just went vamoosh.
I was scared in the beginning, during the middle not so much, but in the end I was scared the most. The zipline travels about 35 mile per hour and is long, but to me during the travel to the other side it speeds up which made me screamed. What worried me the most was that there was no one on the other side, just on the beginning side, so if we get stuck there we die. The zip line actually goes back backward, fast, so that worried me a little.
The truly scary part is that we used our extra ride pass on the same turn, so when we got back to the start of the zipline it blasted us down again. I did not know what was more scary, the first or second time. Even though it was the second ride, I was still terrified of the boost in the ending. This ride, however, is still worth it’s money and I recommend going here next time you go to Vegas.
Rating of ride on a scale of 1-10:
I would give it a 9 star!
La Jolla Cave Beach and Sea Lions
Waterfront Park on San Diego
We stayed at the Homewood Suites which is walking distance and perfect for families. These suites have separate area for a living room and where the kids can watch their TV shows separate from the parents. Kitchen with all the necessities is also provided if you wanted to save money and provide your own food. It is located just a block from Little Italy which gives you so many dining options.