We’re so used to our 75 degree weather around here and we’ve been having one hot summer (sorry for everyone experiencing heat over 100, 85 is scorching for us in San Diego). Luckily, as soon as it gets hot, we head straight to the water. You’d think living so close to the ocean that we would go ALL the time right? It’s actually a ton of work with two kids and we probably only make it out 5 or 6 times over the summer. The pool and splash pads are usually our go-to.
The water park was on our summer bucket list and we finally made it out this weekend. We recently moved back to my childhood neighborhood and we live minutes away from SeaWorld’s waterpark, Aquatica. It was the first time we took the girls and we had a total blast. I remember going as a kid and having the best time so it was fun reliving some childhood memories with the girls.
We had the perfect excuse to wear our matching Kortni Jeane swimsuits and it was the best idea we had. Ari had been asking for twinning swimsuits and I love all the fun mix and match colors and prints that Kortni Jeane offers. Since I love a good staple– I went with black bottoms for Ari and I and a black top for Nati, then I mixed in a fun blue tile print for all of us. The best part of matching with black– I can pick any other color/pattern to go with it and we can have a totally different look (totally eyeing that tomato red to pair with the black)! Plus I sized the girls up.
Ari is in a 4/5 and Nati is in a 2/3 with plenty of room to grow so the swimsuits will carry us over into next year! I also love how comfortable I felt in the bathing suit– nothing like swimwear that makes mamas feels empowered and confident while chasing kids around. I always had a fear of not being able to wear a bikini after having kids (sounds dumb, I know) but now I really look for swimwear that keeps me covered up while still looking stylish. Oh, how things change after kids, am I right?
Shop mix and match for mini ladies here
Shop mix and match for women here
Aquatica did not disappoint and we all had a total blast. We showed up at Aquatica right at 10 a.m. when the park opened and we decided to pay the $30 for the VIP parking which allowed us to skip the entrance line. The line was already pretty long at 10 in the morning and with the VIP, we were able to head right into the park to find a spot for the day. If I were to have planned ahead of time, I would have definitely reserved some loungers, or even a cabana for the day, but since we were one of the first ones in the park, we found a shaded spot and it worked out just fine.
Tips for planning your trip to Aquatica:
- Purchase your ticket online in advance
- Plan ahead– reserve loungers or a cabana so you can get to the park at ease
- Purchase VIP parking if you want to bypass security and the entrance line (you are seriously treated like a VIP)
- Stop at will call to pick up a cashless wristband– it connects to your credit card so you don’t need to pull it out when you need a snack
- Leave the floaties at home– Aquatica has life jackets available for free in all different sizes
- Take water shoes for the family because the floor gets hot!
- Check out the new flamingo exhibit– you can really get up close and personal!
- If your kids are under 42 inches, find a spot near the lazy river or “slippity dippity” slides since you’ll be spending a lot of time there
- Bring a couple of buckets and shovels so your kids can play in the sand while you enjoy a drink
If you’re ever wondering who’s the most “feisty” of the two girls, you can just look at the picture below and decide for yourself. This pretty much describes their relationship perfectly. Ari kept trying to baby Nati so she wouldn’t’ fall in the water but Nati had plans of her own, she’s just too independent for that kind of hand holding these days.
Thank you Aquatica San Diego for treating our family to a day of fun and big thank you to Kortni Jeanne for keeping my girls and I looking stylish at the water park!
