Aquatic Fun Awaits at Gulf World Marine Park

Where better than the beach to get close to aquatic life?  At Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Florida families can explore life under the seas with entertaining show, intriguing exhibits and hands-on interactive with animals.  Located on Front Beach Road, just across the street from the ocean, Gulf World is an easy way to add hours of fun to your Panama City Beach vacation.

During my visit, I found the shows to be the real standout of the Gulf World Panama City Beach.  Daily shows feature dolphins, sea lions, reptiles, tropical birds and other furry animals.  Best of all, you can pay one price and see them all.  You can check the schedule for show times, but in my opinion the two can’t miss shows star sea lions and dolphins.  I recommend going early in the day to watch the sea lion show first.  It is held in a smaller stadium, where you get up-close with these charming sea creatures.  Watch as two of lovable sea lions compete to in a series of ever-increasing challenges, then see if you’re picked from the audience to interact with them.  You may even score a sea lion kiss!  Moreover, the show has an educational tone about water safety, habitats and the importance of keeping our waters clean.  Stick around after the show and you can get your photo with a sea lion for a fantastic souvenir.  I had to get a sea lion kiss before I left and thought the $10 price for the photo was well worth it.

The dolphin show is held in a much larger stadium and aquatic tank, allowing enough space for these incredible creatures to agilely glide, flip and spin through the water.  The show speaks of the skills of the park’s trainers and their work with these bottle nosed dolphins.  An open-air environment makes the clear blue skies of Panama City Beach the perfect backdrop for viewing dolphin behaviors.  Plus, a few lucky audience members get to meet, greet and touch a dolphin during the show. Eagerly volunteer and you might get picked like I did!   If you would like to upgrade your ticket, you can even swim with the dolphins.  The experience, which lasts 90 minutes, consists of two parts.  The first of which is an educational session regarding dolphin conservation and behavior, while the second puts participants in waist-deep water where they can enjoy a dolphin kiss or handshake and a dorsal fin pull around the pool.  If the trainer side of operations appeals to you then try out the Trainer for a Day Programs (additional fee).  The all-day program lets you work behind the scenes with trainers, caring and interacting with the park’s animals. Talk about a memory in the making!

Other animal shows feature tropical birds and reptiles.  The parrot show shines the spotlight on birds accomplishing amazing tricks, while the reptile show gives guests the opportunity to view snakes, alligators, lizards, toads and tarantulas.  Let’s just say little boys love this show which discusses misconceptions regarding these animals, as well as showing how these slimy and slippery creatures can be fun too.  The only non-animal show hosted at Gulf World is the X-Treme High Dive Team.  Audiences watch as a group of divers with acrobatic skills perform an afternoon magic show and variety show at night. 

Of course, there is much more to see and do at Gulf World.  Encounter a live shark and turtle feeding experience, then visit the sting ray petting pool.  Be sure to explore exhibits showcasing penguins, flamingos, sea turtles and much more, all while immersing yourself in the botanical splendor of the indoor and outdoor tropical gardens. 

Save your receipt or simply get your hand stamped and you can come and go to the park throughout the day.  It’s a great way to see all the animal show and experience available on your schedule. 

Dollywood Theme Park a Pigeon Forge Highlight

Vacationing in Pigeon Forge and visiting Dollywood go hand in hand.  The family friendly theme park is an inviting, 150 acres of adventure tucked into the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.  From entertaining shows to thrilling rides, talented craftsmen and engaging festivals, the Dollywood Theme Park’s award-winning tradition of hospitality, innovation and value are always on full display when I visit.

Depending on when I visit, my experience at Dollywood varies in the things to do, a lot of which is inspired by the shows and festivals being hosted at the time.  What never changes, however, is the southern charm of the park’s employees – which is why the park has won the title of “Friendliest Park” again and again.  That most likely has a lot to do with Dolly Parton.  She has infused this park with her own childhood dreams, ideas and love of the Smoky Mountains.  Along with this, the park has invested over and over again in attractions and shows for visitors to experience.  In recent years, they’ve debuted thrill seeker rides like Wild Eagle while also keeping family and togetherness at the heart of Dollywood.    

Much of the park’s entertainment and attractions are directly influenced by Dolly Parton’s childhood in the Smokies.  Whether it be the rides that invoke the old fashioned fun her family would create or the productions which showcase classic sing-a-longs, heritage and country spirit.  Much of the entertainment shifts regarding the current festival.  That said, Heartsong, performed throughout the year, is a staple show I recommend to all visitors. It’s a story taken straight from the pages of Dolly Parton’s life, during which memories are shared and made.  Be sure to catch show from Zambia Vocal Group and dances from the La Danza de Columbia during Worldfest, while over 250 free bluegrass concerts hosted at the Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival are a highlight of my spring visits.  Of course, I can’t forget Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas shows.  The holiday splendor of the season is celebrated at productions like A Christmas Carol and O Holy Night.

Walking through the beautifully landscaped park, which is also relatively flat and easy to navigate, I always enjoy watching the local craftsmen work.  I have to say, the glass blowers are my favorite.  Normally, I pick up a unique item and have it saved at the front entrance parcel pickup.  This way, I’m free to hop on my favorite rides and not have any shopping bags to worry about.  Speaking of rides, I’m a bit of adrenaline junkie so I seek out Thunderhead, Tennessee Tornado and Barnstormer.  To slow my racing heart, I like to take a ride aboard the Smoky Mountain Railroad.  Of course, the delicious aromas wafting through Market Square.  The home-style Big Skillet dishes are loaded with sausage, potatoes, peppers and other ingredients cooked up just like Momma used to make!  Wash it down with a sweet lemonade for a scrumptious lunch.  Save room for snacking later, though – Dollywood’s funnel cakes and berries ‘n cream are too tasty to pass up!

Visit and see for yourself why Dollywood Pigeon Forge is a wonderful addition to any Pigeon Forge vacation.  With so many things to do, the entire family will find the park the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

Discover Why Polynesian Cultural Center is Oahu's Top Attraction

Hawaii is an eclectic mix of cultures, combining traditions and ways of life from throughout Polynesia.  At the Polynesian Cultural Center you can explore eight island villages and exhibits representing the Islands of Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Samoa, Marquesas, Rapa Nui, Tonga and Tahiti.  Collectively, they create the way of life and unique experience that is Hawaii. 

During my visit, I opted for the package that included an ambassador, the Ali’I Luau and HA Show.  The personal touch of a visit to Polynesian Cultural Center Hawaii is enhanced when you opt for the Ambassador led tour.  With this ticket type, you’re given a friendly, knowledgeable guide who leads your small group from village to village.  If you have the time and money, this is the way to go!  Not only do you get access to more firsthand knowledge, but you also get more one on one time at each village.  Still, it can be difficult to visit all of the cultural center’s villages in one day so be sure to plan ahead and have an agenda before you enter the park.  This way you can make the most of your day at one of Oahu’s finest attractions.

Rainbow Canoe Pageant

Immersive, engaging and educationally entertaining, a day at the Oahu Polynesian Cultural Center is an excellent introduction to the history and traditions of Hawaii.  To fully explore all the attraction has to offer I recommend spending a full day at the park.  Give yourself enough time to visit the different sections of the park, each of which is dedicated to a different Polynesian Island.  Learn firsthand from the native people of each island with interactive demonstrations.  At the Tahitian village I shook my hips as I learned native dances and tried my hand a spear throwing.  Over at the Samoan village learned the skill of fire making and how to crack a coconut using a small pebble, while at the Islands of Aotearoa I got a Maori tattoo (don’t worry they wash off!) and tried the art of twirling poi balls.  Of course, at the Hawaiian village I brushed up on my hula skills and find out why the hula plays an important part in Hawaiian heritage.  These are just a few of the things to do at Polynesian Cultural Center.  As you can see, whether it be through costume, food, music, or ritual, each aspect of Polynesian culture is presented. 

One of the highlights of a visit is the Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant.  Held around noon each day, the pageant showcases the songs and dances of each island culture on boats that float through the Center’s winding lagoon.  Be sure to head to the lagoon a bit before the show starts so you can get a prime viewing spot of the Polynesian spectacular. 

My ambassador and I

At the end of an activity filled day, I headed to the Ali’I Luau.  Luaus are of course a staple of Hawaii attractions, but I must say this luau was well done with the food being some of the best I’ve had at Hawaiian luaus.  Plus, the entertainment showcased not only the history of luaus and importance of the royal ceremony but added some adorable kids who are already pros at the art of dance and showmanship.  A short break before HA! started allowed me to shop at the open market.  Art work, coconut candles, handmade jewelry and many other Hawaiian handicrafts are available for purchase.  Gather up some souvenirs as soon enough HA: Breath of Life begins.  Ignited by fire, song and dance, this symbolic story is a tale of birth, death, love and family.  Be prepared for not only an emotional, Broadway style saga but a stunning show unlike any other you’ll see on the islands.

I was very pleased with my package purchase as the day of discovering Polynesian culture was only aided by my ambassador, the entertaining and delicious Ali’I Luau and simply stunning HA night show.  Make a day of it and explore all this enthralling Oahu attraction has to offer.  It’s worth every penny and I’ll certainly return to learn more about the Polynesian heritage of the islands.