Author: Heather
Category: Travel
Published Date: 03/07/2018
Comments: 67
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During our recent stay at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive, we were provided with tickets to I-Drive 360. As many times as we’d been to International Drive, I never knew that this little gem existed! It made me want to explore our great state more and provide a list of things to do in Florida. So let’s start our series with SEA LIFE Aquarium in Orlando, FL.
I-Drive 360, home of the iconic Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, is a one-of-a-kind, 18-acre dining and entertainment complex in the heart of Central Florida. The I-Drive 360 experience includes three attractions, a museum, full-service restaurants, two nightclubs, an arcade and nightly live entertainment. Basically, everything you want and need is right there and it’s within walking distance of the Wyndham!
Don’t Judge a Book By It’s Cover
SEA LIFE Aquarium offers a new wave of underwater adventures with diverse species from around the globe! There are more than 5,000 creatures including colorful fish, seahorses, jellyfish, turtles and sharks in an immersive 360-degree ocean tunnel.
From the outside, it looks like a little store. At first glance, I expected that we would be in and out within minutes, worried about what we would do to fill the day. We had no idea what we were in for when we walked in. Like any great Orlando attraction, they have a photographer waiting to greet you. He took a series of shots and then it was straight back to meet the fish. The girls didn’t waste any time. They were pointing out their favorites within minutes. It immediately exceeded our expectations.
One of the fun programs they offer is a passport that you stamp yourself at each attraction. If your kids are anything like mine, that challenge was accepted and they couldn’t wait to fill their passports! My girls were also eager to see the different species up-close. They all love animals, so getting to see them in this environment is something they get incredibly excited about. Many of the creatures at SEA LIFE are on the endangered list, have been rescued and cannot be released into the wild, or have been born and bred as part of their conservation projects. It was a treat to see them so closely.
In addition to the many exhibits, they host interactive dive shows where you can watch the divers, who happened to be wearing pink tutus, interact with their incredible animals, and answer questions! Watching the sharks swim by was amazing as the divers taught us all sorts of interesting facts.
My oldest was most fascinated with the turtles. We often see them in our neighborhood but don’t enjoy watching them swim around. They are really beautiful creatures.
We loved the tunnels. Imagine walking through an aquarium packed with interesting fish. It almost took our breath away as we walked through and imagined being a part of this underwater world.
SEA LIFE also offers a variety of programs, including Toddler Time, a new up-close, hands-on educational program designed for the youngest underwater enthusiasts and their parents. Toddler Time starts at 9:30 am every Tuesday and Saturday and includes age-appropriate activities that connect toddlers to the AMAZING world beneath our oceans.
And if the fish weren’t enough, they also had this small playground that the girls loved! If we had let them, they would have stayed there all day. It’s a great way to release energy and interact with other kids. They offer a small area for parents to relax while their kids enjoy climbing, sliding, and peeking out from a giant yellow pipe high above everyone.
We all know that Florida weather is super temperamental. While we refer to it as “The Sunshine State,” Florida is known to have rain showers regularly. As the Aquarium is indoors, your visit will not be affected by the weather, so it’s the perfect place to go on those gloomy Orlando days!
Did you know that stingrays are related to sharks? How about the fact that the aquarium holds over 350,000 gallons of water? That’s a lot! And there’s so much more. Children and adults alike can learn more about the fantastic creatures in our seas by watching them feed firsthand!
We had an incredible time at SEA LIFE and look forward to visiting again soon! Stay tuned for part 2 of our “things to do in Florida” series! Have you ever been to SEA LIFE? Comment below and share your experience!
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This would be so cool to see. We’ve always enjoyed going to aquariums. I’ll have to keep this in mind the next time we’re in Florida.
I love the Orlando area. I’ve never been to Sea life but do love aquariums so it’s a place I’d definitely look into checking out if there.
What a fun place to visit while in Florida. Your post has amazing pictures and made me feel like I was really there. I love how educational this is for the little ones.
Going to the sea life museum would be so much fun. We love to watch the different animals in and out of the water. Makes for a fun day.
What a fun and great experience you had.I have never been to SEA LIFE Aquarium but I always wanted to visit. Such a wonderful place.
I have never been to sea world when going to Florida! It looks like a great place to visit! I love learning about the underworld magic!
Sea Life Aquarium looks like a lot of fun for the family. We love going to aquariums. They’re so interesting, and ones like this that offer a really close up look are the best!