Well, Matt’s on his way back home after our weekend in Orlando. We made the relatively quick drive to go to Sea World and their new water park, Aquatica. Needless to say, we had a fantastic time. Aquatica was amazing, and was full of both adrenaline-pumping water slides — I highly recommend the Taumata Racer if you’re up for a thrill ride, where you careen head first down an incredibly steep eight lane slide — and more relaxing alternatives. From white sand beaches to lazy rivers to private cabanas, you can definitely chill out there, too.

Sunday we went to Sea World, where Matt got in for free thanks to Anheuser-Busch’s Here’s to the Heroes program. This program lets military members, along with three direct dependents, get into any Anheuser-Busch park for free. We tried to get me in for free as well, saying I was Matt’s wife (when I’m not yet LOL), but alas, our sneaky plan didn’t work. We didn’t mind, and didn’t really expect to get away with it either, but hey, it can’t hurt to try, right? In any case, we were still so appreciative of Sea World letting Matt in for free. And everywhere we went in the park where he had to show his ticket, he received a handshake and a thank you… a few times, there would be an OO-RAH! thrown in, too.

Let me just say that I appreciate Sea World a lot more now that I’m older than I did, say, seven years ago (the last time I went). I always thought Sea World was a little lame, because it basically had very few rides and not much to do. Either Sea World has changed, or my perception of it has. I think it’s somewhere in the middle. There are still only three roller coasters — Journey to Atlantis, Kraken, and Manta, all adrenaline pumpers — but tons to do. You can feed and interact with dolphins up close at Dolphin Cove, where they swim right up to you and you can pet and play with them. You can see a ridiculous amount of shows, from dolphin shows to sea lion and otter shows, to a Sesame Street show, to the famous Shamu show (where you will get absolutely drenched to the bone if you sit up front). Then there is the spectacular dining. We ate at Shark’s Underwater Grill, where you are surrounded, floor to ceiling, by shark tanks. Then there are the insane amount of exhibits to take in — from sharks to penguins to flamingos to manta rays. We spent the entire day at Sea World, and roller coasters took up very little of our time. We spent most of the day seeing shows and touring exhibits, and didn’t get bored once. The Shamu Show is especially spectacular. It was breathtaking, inspiring, and exhilerating, all at the same time. We sat right in the front, because it was a hot day, and although it said “soak zone”, we figured hey, a little splashing will feel nice and refreshing. Well, “a little splashing” is more like getting absolutely soaked to the bone. You get drenched if you sit up front. It’s a huge stadium, so you don’t have to sit in the soak zone, but if you do, you’re warned.

Anyway, aside from all of the shows and rides, there’s a specific reason for you to visit Sea World, in my humble opinion.

While there, first thing in the morning when the park opened, we were greeted by an unusual act. We were standing in line to get our tickets when, at 9am sharp as the park opened, an announcement was played. It basically asked everyone in the park to stop what they were doing and stand at attention as our national anthem was played. I was surprised at this. It may not seem like that big a deal, but it was. Growing up in Florida, I’ve been to my share of theme parks, and that’s probably a huge understatement. I’ve been to Disney World so many times (over 40), that I’ve got the Magic Kingdom memorized. I know every inch of it. I haven’t been to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure quite as often, but I’ve been there a lot, too. And that’s not something that Disney World or Universal does on a regular basis. And I don’t know, maybe Sea World was just doing it because yesterday was Flag Day. Who knows? And even though it seems like not really a big deal, I thought it was. Small gestures like that mean a lot. And considering how overtly patriotic the park seemed to be to me, I somehow think it wasn’t just a token gesture on a national holiday. On top of that, before the Shamu show, the host made an announcement as an inspirational military video was played. He wanted to honor all members of the military who are currently serving or have served, and asked them to please stand and be recognized. Matt, along with the other heroes in attendance, stood to thunderous applause. This recognition went on for a good few minutes — it was no quick superficial act.

So folks, when you’re thinking of something to do with the family, check out an Anheuser-Busch park. They’re all over the country and good for the whole family. On top of that, when you’re drinking a beer, get a Budweiser or some other Anheuser-Busch product. They’re so great about supporting our troops, I don’t think it’s too much to ask to support them in return — do you?