faeriewench

Yeah the under water viewing at the Orlando park (and same for the San Diego park. San Antonio actually doesnt have any due to the state of Texas' own laws) is at the Dine with Shamu pool. Tillikum is a usual sight there when he isn't performing.

Dunno what you meant by "walkthrough" tanks but Tillikum is allowed in all tanks and is in all of them at one point just about each day. Where he is, sometimes depends on where everyone else is due to Katina (the pod matriarch) not liking him, or what the trainers got going on and Tilly himself doesn't like too much exposure to the other orcas (he actually prefers to be alone at times). Trua is the primary orca that is kept with Tillikum as of late so if you see Tilly he'll either be alone or will have Trua with him. Trua is still a growing male going into his adolescences so telling them apart is easy as he is not full grown. And when the show pool is open, he is typically found in the DWS (Dine with Shamu) pool, the shaded pool behind the stadium or the stadium pool. They don't hide him anymore like they did immediately following the incident when he wasn't physically used in shows. I've heard stories from other park goers of Tillikum's daughter and granddaughter being with him as well, but I yet to see any photo or video proof (my friends that work at the park say they yet to see that too) so until then that is just a rumor in my mind especially since both girls are nearing breeding age now. Trua and his sister look similar so my guess one got mistaken for the other.

http://bit.ly/1ePAG5F

I am glad you decided that you want to see a SeaWorld park. Do you know which location you'd prefer? Just curious I am getting a pass through the San Antonio park and was talking to one of my SoCal friends for when I am out there in October and well....SeaWorld San Diego is a go this year too. lol Was going to try Six Flags Magic Mountain then but I changed my mind.

Confirmed trips: (getting a SeaWorld pass so...) Mirage Dolphin Habitat/Adventuredome - May SeaWorld San Antonio/Six Flags Fiesta Texas - June Knott's Berry Farm/Disney - August Knott's Berry Farm/Sea World San Diego - October Possibilities: Kentucky Kingdom Cedar Point I don't see much of a need to even mention KI since well....I work close by.

Some years I seen it packed, other years I seen it quiet. If the weather is nice, I'd say it'll be packed.

Ok...May has been decided for Vegas. Up until yesterday, my mother couldn't figure out whether to go in March or May (I was already leaning towards May because Spring Break is March-April...), and one of my SoCal friends told her what the temperature is typically like in March and she didn't like it, lol. El Loco should be opening soon I am assuming?

Adventuredome can be added to my list. Everyone knows I'll spend most of the leisure time in Vegas at the Mirage, though I want to try that new coaster once (if its open) and I do love Canyon Blaster anyway. I still have yet to go up the Stratosphere...

Manta....in other words, B&M.

For KI it was Banshee's announcement (despite my original Canon Powershot being stolen during the unveiling...still PO'ed but at least it wasn't the Rebel). Followed by KIC day (one with the Firehawk tour) Non KI special moments: 1.) Seeing the baby orca at SeaWorld (later named Makani). Last time I seen an orca calf that young was back in the 90s. 2.) my interactions with Bella and Lightning at the Mirage. Bella being attracted by the Banshee cup was really funny. 3.) Going to Knott's with my friends. Park was so much fun in 2013, look forward to the next time of going 4.) Halloween Haunt (Knott's and KI) 5.) Knott's Merry Farm. I can't stand Christmas but I still had fun going to the Merry Farm. The overall atmosphere of the park was sooooo cool. Browsing the shops, the stands, looking at all the decorations and seeing the shows. It was great ending the year riding Ghostrider, Silver Bullet and Jaguar for once. Here's to 2014!

Easy: Any wildlife in the park (Canadian geese swimming in the fountains) IMG_3839 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr Hard: WindSeeker mid cycle lit up at night _1017822 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr You mean "selfie"? I don't do those, lol. Easy: Picture of Snoopy costumed character Hard: picture of Woodstock Expert: picture of Yogi Bear

Easy Dodgem Cars: IMG_4391 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr Medium: Adventure Express IMG_1852 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr Easy: The Snoopys in the Royal Fountain Medium: Annoying Canadian Geese swimming in the Royal Fountain Hard: Star Trek Enterprise model in Paramount Story (it was last in that spot in either 06 or 07 if I remember right)

Huh? I can't make heads or tails out of this comment. EDIT: Or is "boy" an autocorrect fail that's supposed to be "not"? It's driving me nuts too.

While I do agree it is a PR nightmare, (some of the stories I been told about the protestors been really bad) SeaWorld actually hasn't completely ignored it with their statement and that alone had its errors with how it was presented. That was their chance to highlight the good they have done but they didn't, there were some things said where I had to sort of side-eye. Some of the statements, they didn't clarify enough making them look more questionable than before. Blackfish sure has its flaws, it is entirely sensationalist, it used various editing techniques to make things more dramatic, and they used footage that wasn't even showing the event they were talking about among many other things. Even the way the interviews were ordered didn't help matters. Though they did point out some flaws I wish SeaWorld would fix. But that message is so lost, it's a jumbled mess, everyone is just left with "shut down SeaWorld" as the only conclusion they can come to which will not help the animals at all. Their response, I will admit, was really a lot of reading. Me and my friend had a massive brain fart reading the statement about only 2 wild caught killer whales are in the parks, but we totally missed the collected BY SeaWorld part (Kasatka and Katina in the fall of 1978). We forgot for a brief moment Ulises, Tillikum and Corky were originally captured for somebody else entirely and not SeaWorld.

Thank you Terpy!

It is still so far out but found myself considering SeaWorld Orlando for next Christmas season. That is a wait and see what happens though, since I'm not really a Florida gal, lol. (but I do miss that park) I'm just looking forward to San Antonio right now, the lodging details are all set! I think it has been answered but I just want it clear, what is Six Flags equivalent of a Platinum pass? Another Six Flags park may happen some point this year (not disclosing which park atm just yet but I'm thinking one of the Cali ones) It may be something I'll consider when I am at Fiesta Texas.

*gasp* orcas perform while.....naked!!! http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-documentary-reveals-seaworld-forced-orca-whale,34449/ Oh, it is just The Onion....

heh...for Christmas I got all the movies with the original Star Trek cast (already got the Next Generation movies). Gonna treat myself to a Star Trek movie marathon when things die down after New Years and I'll have time off. Other than that....my Christmas present was going back to Cali to spend time with my friends, extended family and hanging out at Knott's, which was a new experience. One of my friends out there is a tattoo artist and we discussed one for myself when I am out there next (a drawing I did awhile back). A very belated Bday gift for me xp

The chairs fill up really, really fast most summer days. If early entry is still on the perks list....yes, take advantage. I echo all who said about bringing any personal items to the park (keys, wallets, and even cellphones) best bet is lockers and even better than lockers is your car, imo. Me personally....I'd just leave the stuff at home, I am someone who don't need the coasters in order to have a good time at the park so it usually just my camera I have and its usually around my shoulders/neck.

It opens to the general public at 11am. Pass holders (just gold/platinum if I am not mistaken) get early entry.

Yes Soak City does have its own entrance from the parking lot, and it is a large water park (though a lot of it is to due with the fact the attractions are spread out).

Easy: ET lit up at night 2013-06-24 22.35.31 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr Hard: A pic on White Water Canyon I'm assuming she meant "of" and not "on" whitewatercanyon by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr Easy: Any of the park coasters at night Hard: A creeper at Haunt in action (sliding on the ground: and also if it goes unanswered can I respond? lol cause I have plenty action shots) Expert: the waterfall in the area formerly known as Paramount Story actually working

Yes, they do rake one another in the wild too as it is how they sort their hierarchies out. All animals that live in groups be it pods, prides and packs...do it in some form or another. Why animal rights extremist try to paint this picture that living in the wild is rainbows and unicorns is beyond me. Captivity is not, but neither is the wild. Wild bottlenose dolphins get extremely BRUTAL among each other in the wild even, I've personally seen that.

Orcas and bottlenose dolphins are like giant toddlers. Curious about anything and everything...and always must touch. Which is kind of a reason why you don't see SW put kelp and other things in the pools to simulate a natural ocean environment. Sand has back washed into the pools at San Diego before on accident, and they had a curious orca that ingested huge quantities of said sand which tore up his stomach. Since they don't have hands or paws to explore their environment with they gotta use their mouth. Other aquariums use kelp and have had issues with dolphins eating them, some have gotten pretty sick. San Diego used huge rocks too big for them to eat, but had to be removed for the new safety measures being implemented. Orcas have a habit of eating anything in sight, compared to bottlenose dolphins that is, even necropsies on dead orcas that washed ashore in the wild show they eat a lot of rocks. Very curious animals Meant to type this last night but it was so late when I got home from work couldn't stay up. XP

It is positive reinforcement in orcas (kissing and/or rubbing the tongues). As well as hugs and rub downs (orcas are very itchy animals so they love good rub downs).