These kind of places are much more our style and are kid favorites (especially Whitney). Whitney is such an animal lover that it kind of feels like she's been called home. We had barely arrived when Whitney spotted all the wild animal stuffed animals in the store window. She's a stuffed-animal lover anyway, and tends to favor leopards, tigers and such so to have all the choices be like this she was in heaven. We asked her which were her favorites and she ended up pointing to all of them.
The carousel was full of jungle animals to ride, so another dream came true for Whitney as she got to sit on a black panther. Landon chose a gorilla and was too far back to get a decent photo ($%#@). The music played was African music instead of the regular carousel song, kind of cool.
We saw the elephant show, which was amusing but as Whitney said "not much of a show." Then hiked to get to the tigers. I'm not sure the hike was worth it because the one tiger was saw was far away and sleeping.
The highlight of the day was taking the tour on the shuttle. It involved sitting, a nice breeze, seeing lots of animals and covered tons of ground. They charge separately for this, but fortunately it was included in our tickets.
After the tour we were feeling good and continued to hike the rest of the park. I was grateful I've been going to the gym and walking in the morning.
The gorillas were the coolest thing of all. They're so human! I couldn't believe my eyes. Seeing so many of them at once, interacting and walking around was surreal. I have seen many humans (men) that look just like this!
We saved the petting area for the end of the day. Landon really took to this and ended up petting almost all the animals in there. Surprisingly, Whitney was more reserved and only pet one that was sitting down. Apparently she's a bit skittish for being such an animal lover.
This is our self-portrait in front of the Cheetah's (which we're blocking). As you can see, the kids had been enjoying some purple cotton candy and decided to incorporate that into our photo. They looked like Goth kids or the Munster family (with black lips) the rest of the day.
In the end, Whitney decided to spend some of her birthday money on 2 stuffed animals (which were surprisingly priced well). She bought a cheetah cub and a black panther, which she ended up naming Ryan and Dewey. Very funny and rather cute. Even though I don't like the square footage her stuffed animals occupy at home, I understand the allure.
It was an excellent day, with perfect weather (overcast with a slight breeze) and a very successful vacation idea! Up next...Sea World.
**Do you like places like this?
Do you know any human gorillas?
How do you feel about stuffed animals?**
26 comments:
what a fun adventure you are on!
my ellie loves stuffed animals. I mean loves them. we call her the zoo keeper. watch out if she sees an animal that she doesn't have represented in her kingdom (queendom) thus far. for example the meerkat she spotted at the girl scout resource store (!?!? not sure of the connection there)
at any rate, have fun!
So fun. My girls love animals too, but have never taken them to the San Diego Zoo...I hear it is a huge place with lots and lots of walking! Glad you had a good day!
I left you a little treat at Claudia's house this morning (on the porch). I could hear the kids inside, so figured you were home but didn't want to answer Claudia's door (I wouldn't have either!) HOpe you found them and enjoy!!
I'm loving reading your posts about your trip. We are heading to So Cal on Friday and have tickets to Disneyland, Sea world, Universal Studios and a choice between the Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo. I can't decide which one the kids would like better. My girls are animal lovers too and are more excited about the zoo than they are about Disneyland. Let me know which one your kids liked better--zoo vs. wild animal park.
I have to say I hate stuffed animals. They are so cute in the store but after I buy them... it's just not the same.
I am so glad you are having so much fun & the weather is good. It looks exhaustingly fun!
I love places like this, but my true love is aquariums.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
I love thinking about Whitney being called home to all the animals, stuffed and living. She must have just been in heaven. I'm glad the weather is pleasant and you don't have to worry about the heat making you pissy.
As for stuffed animals, I love them and so does Eva. I have to restrain myself from getting new ones all the time, because they seem to just get cuter and softer all the time... (for instance, I came THIS close to getting a green elephant at Old Navy just today!).
The gorillas are the coolest aren't they??
I like stuffed animals, but my kids have like a zillion of them, so I am not so happy with that amount!
Whitney sounds just like Kathryn. Sometimes I swear she should have been born among the animals. Love the coming home analogy, too funny. Kat would take anything for a pet. Sadly, I'll take nothing. Her animals are cute, Kat loves those things to death!
So glad the weather was nice. That can make all the difference. Love the SP, black lips and all!
My grandpa (who I love dearly) looked like a gorilla, he died a few years ago. I always think of him when I see a gorilla.
I am loving the ticket pictures. Cute way to document & start a post. You are so creative.
Someday I'll have to go back to the Wild Animal Park when it's not blistering hot outside, and when Alex can last the entire tram ride without crying ;) I'm glad you had fun though! Whitney and Kaitlin should get together and compare collections. I swear we can'g go anywhere without having to buy (or listen to incessant begging, I should say) a stuffed animal.
What a nifty wildlife center! It seems much more interactive than a traditional zoo. Glad y'all enjoyed it!
A. likes stuffed animals, especially those from a special event or occasion.
Love hearing about your trip!
jill you look great in your family spt.
what fun times you are having.
i am not a big SA fan but loved how you appreciate a kids love for them.
i am not too fun at zoo's and don't really get too excited about the animals, kind of a party pooper that way.
I am glad you liked it there. I though you would.
I love the San Diego Zoo, but have not been with my kids. But I love just about everything in/about San Diego. Now Sea World is absolutely the BEST in my opinion. When we lived in San Antonio, we had season passes and I took Luci and (baby) Griffin once a week to that Sea World.
Jill--I just adore that area of San Diego. So glad you had a good experience there. I'm with you--I'd pick a museum or zoo anyday over an amusement park. I hope tomorrow brings more fun! Sea World is GREAT!
What a fun filled day. I do love days like that. It's fun to enjoy and soak in the enthusiasm that only kids can bring.
I love animals and zoos too! I think it may come from my birthday being at the end of the school year and we would always go to the zoo for my birthday. Now my kids enjoy the zoo just as much as I do!
Stuffed animals- I have a love for them myself. I used to get a new stuffed animal each year for Christmas. My daughter is just like me and cant get enough of them. She could get one a day and be thrilled. Sounds like you have the same.
Enjoy the rest of your trip! Love the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, so yes I would definately be at those places too.
This sounds like such a fun vacation! My girls would love to go there. We're all big animal lovers. And they are big stuffed animal lovers, too. I don't mind them, especially the ones that have real meaning to them, but Keith can't stand them, and has been known to roam the basement with a bag and then haul it off to DI before anyone is the wiser. I understand the need to remove some of the toy clutter, but a couple of times he got rid of ones that were special to me, so I am not a fan of this practice.
We're definitely a zoo/animal park family as well. Such fun. It looks like you guys are having a fantastic time!
We've never visited there, but it sounds like it's worth a visit!
Jemma loves stuffed animals more than any other kind of toy. I don't mind her having them since they're the items that get the most attention and love.
sounds like you had a lot of fun! i'm not the biggest fan of the zoo but try to take my kids every so often. glad you had fun!
I haven't ever been to the Wild Animal Park. I don't love zoos.
I hate stuffed animals (I get that they are cute and you want them but then what?) They take up too much space! It is cute that Whitney is so drawn to the animals.
I once dated a guy that I was afraid would end up aging into a monkey. Super cute at 18 doesn't equal super cute at 38. (I am not on such an uphill road myself so I shouldn't talk.) Maybe it had something to do with seeing his dad?
How nice to feel that your workouts are paying off!
Yes, I LOVE places like that, but the stuffed animals I can do without. Slightly overcast with a little breeze is the best kind of weather. Your trip sounds like paradise!
I was just saying to Ken last night that I totally notice that by working out all the regular walking around is that much easier. Funny that we have to train in order to enjoy a vacation!
Isn't the wild animal park fantastic?? We did Sea World last year and will do the Park next time. I don't love Stuffed Animals, simply because we have too many of them. But, I do like the kind Whitney picked, or Evie has a darling giraffe that Lara got her, and I don't mind those so much.
Posting while on vacation is awesome- you don't lose anything by recapping.
I don't love places like that, but figure my kids will so I will take them. Zoos just make me sad.
Not a fan of stuffed animals now, but I loved them all through high school- at least kept them. I had a hard time getting rid of a few of them because of the nostalgia they were.
Bella keeps tell me how much Whitney loves wild cats so I can imagine how whitney felt like she was called home. Nice the stuffed animals were priced well, that never happens.
This is something I would love to do with my kids since I've never in my life been to a real zoo.
I think Gorillas are pretty cool too. It always freaks me out to watch them and see human characteristics.
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