These are great seats!

Spring is in the air, and with it the promise of breaks and vacations. Also, the pending closeness of summer, which for everyone shopping in the kid section is synonymous with vacation. Doesn’t seem fair, really.

One of our favorite places to visit with (or without) the family is SeaWorld. And there is nobody bigger at SeaWorld than Shamu (I know, not really a fish). By bigger I mean both size and star power. Shamu is a double threat.

Personally, the Sea World park in San Diego is my favorite, but that doesn’t mean it has to be yours. There are also SeaWorld parks in Orlando and San Antonio, which makes a family trip all the easier.

Which SeaWorld do you go (or want to go) to? What’s your favorite part?

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

Photo by Stig Nygaard via Flickr.

SeaWorld San Diego senior veterinarian, Dr. Todd Schmitt, conducts a medical examination of a harbor seal rescued after it was abandoned by its mother. Once the pup is older and able to forage for fish, he will be returned back to the ocean.

Now through December 31, all SeaWorld parks (San Diego, Orlando, and San Antonio) offer $5 tickets to children ages 3-12 with the purchase of an adult ticket.  SeaWorld will donate the difference in price to the wildlife conservation effort of the ticket holder’s choice.  Tickets for this program are available online only at SeaWorld Cares.

“This offer makes it easy for families and friends to reconnect during a vacation, a getaway or even just a day trip to SeaWorld,” said SeaWorld San Diego President Andy Fichthorn.  “At SeaWorld, families experience amazing up-close animal connections that can’t be found any place else.  And we believe a greater respect for the world we share follows a visit to one of our parks.”

With so much coming up at SeaWorld, there’s never been a better time to visit: “Blue Horizons” — featuring energetic bottlenose dolphins, majestic pilot whales, a colorful array of exotic birds and amazing human performers — is scheduled to open May 29, 2010.  Also kicking off at the end of May is Summer Nights, featuring extended hours, special nighttime animal shows, fireworks and more.

[photo credit:  SeaWorld]

Nick Hotel images courtesy of Nickelodeon Family Suites

Nickelodeon Family Suites in Orlando is offering a great deal on a family vacation in Florida.  You can save money on your hotel and get free admission to (my favorite) Orlando theme parks.

Nickelodeon Family Suites is a themed hotel (in case the name didn’t give it away) that is pretty much an amusement park on it’s own.

The Orlando hotel has two water parks, mini golf, a massive arcade, 4-D movie theater, and a kid’s spa.  The place is crawling with Nickelodeon characters like Dora and SongeBob Squarepants and even offers character breakfasts.

As an added bonus, you can enjoy daily slimes during your Florida vacation.  Come on, you know that’s awesome.

Free Sliming on your Florida vacation!

Nickelodeon Family Suites is offering a Buy 3 Get 2 Free Nights vacation deal at the Nick Hotel.  You can stay between now and September 7, 2009 – but you must book by June 30, 2009.

But what really makes this a great vacation deal is the theme park admission!

Dolphin and Whale Show at SeaWorld

When you book a stay at the Nick Hotel with their Buy 3 Get 2 Free special, you’ll also receive free unlimited admission to SeaWorld and one other SeaWorld park.  Choose either SeaWorld and Aquatic or SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

my son at SeaWorld

To take advantage of this Florida vacation deal, call 877-NICK-KID.

Also, check out Tours4Fun for some great tour packages.