A colorful display of fun and excitement featuring all of your favorite Sesame Street characters and others.

As part of the Halloween fun during Sea World’s transformation during the months of September through October, a parade of several floats are displayed on a predetermined path similar to parades at other theme parks throughout Southern California. This particular parade had everyone singing the cheerful Halloween themed song long after the floats had passed.

Initially, our small group was a bit dissatisfied with Sea World’s limited park hours during these summer months as we scrambled to see all of the important sea-life shows and exhibits. Our day barely allowed us time to wait in the rather long lines to enjoy, only one water ride or, any other attractions that makes Sea World one of Southern California’s destination places to visit. We did however, get to NOT enjoy some food at Pineapple Pete’s Island Eats (not good 🍆). Over priced, Pete’s served moderately warmed food, had lackluster service and a smoked BBQ sauce that was absolutely foul; although we enjoyed several beer selections throughout the park while strolling about on this hot day.

Upon arrival to the park, our small family group noticed the entrance to the park, that served for much of the backdrop of the brightly colored floats and characters of the parade, were a bit dated and in need of a new motif, some fresh paint and plaster. The entrance reminded me of my younger years living near to and visiting another Southern California ocean themed park, Marineland of the Pacific, that has since closed in 1987 soon after it was purchased by Sea World, and all of the animals relocated to the Sea World’s San Diego facility.

As we made our way through the park, we noticed many of the park’s accouterments, like umbrellas, awnings, signage and displays were weather faded and somewhat littered with bird droppings and other evidence of deterioration and lack of care. We also commented to ourselves, and overheard other’s conversations, of the show’s seemingly reduced short lengths from our visits in years past. I likened the similarity to how a McDonalds Big Mac doesn’t seem so big now that we are no longer kids.

The Halloween-themed Sea Lion and Otter show was nothing like the quality show we have seen during the regular season . . . but the Sea Lions tried, and the otters were mostly kept in the back. Sea World did an nice job renovating the killer whale show venue with a multi-multi-flat-screen tv video display that served as a backdrop to the beautifully redesigned show facility.

I did again take note that Sea World’s use of the giant water conveyance system when designing the Shipwreck Rapids water ride is a unique and interesting feature that is sure to captivate the most discerning engineers and challenge other engineering concepts imagined.

Still one of Southern California’s theme park treats.

Dicks