Help with San Antonio and Sea World

[kellij]

We're thinking about taking our will be 4-year-old, 5-year-old and new baby to Sea World next month for our almost 4 yr old's bday. We live in Norman, OK, so it's a quite a drive. I think about 8 hours. So I would love some help! Please!! :)

#1 Is this doable, or silly with such a small baby (he'll be about 2.5 months).

#2 What other kid-friendly things are there to do in San Antonio?

#3 Does anyone know of coupons for Sea World?

#4 Have any ideas for alternate fun trips for kids that age?

Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks,
Kelli

[fivi2]

We have been to Sea World SA a couple of times with our (then) 3.5 yos. The park is big and spread out without much shade. You will need strollers! My girls love the shows, but some little ones don't like to sit for them. There are some exhibits (penguins, sharks). You can feed dolphins and look at the clydesdales. The shows are timed so that you either miss the next one or have to run across the park. Go on a weekday if you can (check schedule because it isn't open every day). I personally think the food is horrible! There is a water park inside of it (inside the park, but opens separately, not always open, again check schedule) The water park was very very crowded the one time we went to it. There is a separate (not in the water park) sprinkler/splash area for littles that my girls liked. I am not sure if they always run it. There are big roller coasters (I imagine your dc will be too small) and a couple little rides - we have never been on. DO NOT do the net/ropes course!

The San Antonio Zoo (in Brackenridge park) is a lot of fun. Some of the exhibits have been updated, some have not, but they have a great area for little kids called the Tot Spot. It keeps going and going. There is a meadow area, an inside play area, a little campsite area, and a riverbank area (they will get wet). There are prairie dogs, tortoises, fish, bugs, and a little farm area (all in the tot spot) plan to spend a lot of time in the tot spot. There is a little train in the same park (separate price, not inside the zoo). eta: the zoo itself is fine, but not incredible. the Tot Spot, imo is fantastic and well worth a trip to the zoo, if that makes sense.

There is a Six flags in SA - I've never been and prob wouldn't go with littles.

The riverwalk might be fun if your dc won't try to jump in - you can ride a tourist boat down it. I would skip the Alamo.

I have never been to the SA children's museum, but they have one.

New Braunfels is about 20-30 minutes north of SA. It has a nice children's museum (http://www.mckennakids.org/), a big park (Landa Park http://www.nbtexas.org/index.aspx?NID=156) that I have heard good things about. Schlitterbahn water park is there (or near there). I don't do water parks, but it gets great reviews. Not sure when it opens. There are caverns in the area and a wildlife park (Natural Bridge - I have never been, not really sure what it is - I think you drive through and feed zebras and such out the car window? http://www.wildliferanchtexas.com/).

I have heard there is a nice playground downtown (Hemisfair?) but I have never been to it.
http://www.texasexplorer.com/HemisFairPark.htm

I will try to think of other things. SA is a nice town to visit, but it does get warm.

[hillview]

I took my newly 4 year old to Sea World last year and while he enjoyed it, it wouldn't be worth a 8 hr trip at that age IMO.
/hillary

[kristenk]

How about going to Fossil Rim (http://www.fossilrim.org/), Dinosaur Valley State Park (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/dinosaur_valley/) and Dinosaur World (http://www.dinoworld.net/) instead? It's all in or close to Glen Rose, Texas, which is about 250 miles from Norman.

We haven't been to Dinosaur World, but we went to Fossil Rim and Dinosaur Valley a few years ago and had a great time. It's definitely NOT Sea World, but if there's flexibility in your plan and you can't stomach the 450 mile drive, it might be worth looking into.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

dh's family is from SA, and yeah like others said kid friendly stuff is the zoo, riverwalk etc. don't think a 2.5 month old would be too young for the trip, actually we are planning to take 3-month-old DS over there (it's a 5hr drive for us) in a couple weeks. and i agree that SA can get really hot, so i would plan outfits accordingly

[vonfirmath]

We're thinking about taking our will be 4-year-old, 5-year-old and new baby to Sea World next month for our almost 4 yr old's bday. We live in Norman, OK, so it's a quite a drive. I think about 8 hours. So I would love some help! Please!! :)

#1 Is this doable, or silly with such a small baby (he'll be about 2.5 months).

#2 What other kid-friendly things are there to do in San Antonio?

Close by is the New Braunfels Children's Musem -- the ABSOLUTE best in the area.
http://www.mckennakids.org/

[MMEand1]

I live in SA and we frequent SW quite often. The PP pretty much covered quite a bit, so no need to rehash that. Please let me know if you need a stroller while here. I have a double one that you are more than welcome to use. PM me if you have any questions!!

I would LOVE to meet anyone coming into SA this Summer!!