Panda has been interested in turtles from a very young age and we all think that they are amazing animals. We were thrilled to find out that Seaworld San Antonio was building a new exhibit called Turtle Reef. We waited a few months in anticipation and finally the announcement came about the grand opening.
It was a pass member event and we were sad to find out that it was going to be held on a Friday. Spud had classes that day so we wouldn’t be able to make it.
The honu (turtle) gods were watching out for us! Weather reports were bad for that week, so the opening was pushed back by one day. We had already planned on going to San Antonio to attend an anime convention, so it worked out perfectly to leave a few hours earlier and drop by Seaworld to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony first.
We got into the park early, collected our free goodies, including a Krispy Kreme donut! We not only got to attend the ribbon cutting but were also some of the very first people to see the turtles swimming in the new exhibit. It is a beautiful tank with a natural filtration system. We found out all the help Seaworld gives in conservation and the rescuing of these turtles on the Texas coast and elsewhere.
On the same day, Seaworld opened two brand new rides, Riptide Rescue and Sea Swinger. My kids don’t really do thrill rides but Spud has been willing to try one now and then. He picked the Riptide Rescue and I think you will laugh at his reaction in the video.
We had to head out to the anime convention but I guarantee that we’ll be back to visit our turtle friends many times in the coming months. Oh and those 99 cent refill drink cups are going to come in handy this summer too!