Celebrate the Lunar New Year at SeaWorld
This past weekend my family and I were invited to SeaWorld San Diego to kick off their Lunar New Year Celebration! My Dad and his family came to the United States from Hong Kong, and as a child I can remember celebrating the Lunar New Year at my Grandmother’s house. I was excited to see how Sea World would celebrate and they did not disappoint. All of the decorations, food and entertainment reminded me of my Dad’s family and the time we spent together.
Here are some of the events happening around the park:
Chinese Acrobats of Hebei: Masters of agility and grace, the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei combine Chinese traditions, incredible acrobatics, stunning costumes, Chinese props and a beautiful soundtrack. During 25-minute shows held four times a day at SeaWorld’s Mission Bay Theater, several acts will be performed including lion dancing, plate spinning, hoop diving, hat juggling, contortion, and chair stacking.
Community stage: At SeaWorld’s Lunar New Year Festival area (located just east of the Explorer’s Reef™ arrival experience), the community stage* will be brimming with cultural entertainment including taiko drummers, lion dancers and fan dancers. There will be games for kids, and at the Wish Tree, guests can write a conservation wish on a red ribbon they purchase for $1 and place on the tree. The proceeds will benefit the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports environmental, research and conservation projects all around the globe. *The community stage is sponsored by Coca-Cola, the official refreshment beverage of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Asian-inspired culinary offerings: SeaWorld’s Lunar New Year Festival area will be brimming with Asian-inspired food choices! Soup Bowl Hut: duck lumpia, vegetable spring rolls, miso ramen soup and potstickers; Tea Hut: shaved snow, sweet dorayaki griddle cakes and green tea; Stir Fry Cart: stir fry noodles and chow mein; Grill & Bao Cart: turkey legs with hoisin sauce and bao sandwiches (five-spice pork belly bun with pickled kimchee).
Animal visits: Trainers will bring some of SeaWorld’s ambassador animals to the Lunar New Year Festival area for up-close encounters with guests. Animals guests may see include Asian small-clawed river otters, an Asian water monitor and a Eurasian eagle owl.
Red envelopes with surprises: In keeping with the tradition of wishing prosperity and good fortune to family and friends, each guest who comes through the turnstiles during Lunar New Year will receive a red envelope with a surprise gift inside. Gifts will vary from guest to guest and will include free or discounted culinary samplings and premium seating at Mission Bay Theater for live performances of the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei.
The Chinese Acrobats of Hebei were my favorite! I wish that I would have been able to get pictures, it was truly amazing! All of the food in the Lunar New Year Village was delicious. Be sure to try the ramen noodles and the sesame seed macaroons. I could have eaten those all day long!
Lunar New Year at SeaWorld dates are Feb. 13–16, 21–22 and Feb. 28–March 1. All of SeaWorld’s seasonal events are included with park admission, but the best way to enjoy all the fun is to purchase a 2015 SeaWorld Fun Card, which allows guests to come back again and again, all for the price of a single-day admission!
If you have kids ages 3-5 you can purchase a PreSchool Pass for them from now until March 15th and they can enjoy the park all year long for free! You can get all of the detail here: SeaWorld PreSchool Pass.
