Showing posts with label Schlitterbahn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schlitterbahn. Show all posts

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Our trip to the Schlitterbahn. The good, bad, ugly.

I took the kids, mother, niece, nephew, and great niece to Galveston on Saturday. Mother drove. I had free tickets courtesy of US Family Guide Bloggers program. USFG provided 4 free tickets to the Schlitterbahn for participation in the campaign. The babies ( Kalen and the great niece) was free and my mother paid for my nephew a ticket.

We left the house around 10ish. Made a few stops along the way and got to the Schlitterbahn about 2ish. Note: I bought me and the kids, flip flops to walk around the park with and to get on rides with. Keep this in mind later. The park had a 50% off on all items in the stores with exceptions. I got a bag and a money holder  for $12ish. We then went to Wasserfest to the kiddie area. The water was 1 ft deep.  Kalen, Riah, and Brad had fun splashing. The niece and nephew got in Torrent river and left us until it was time to leave. Torrent River is a faster-paced lazy river.

My mother and I wanted a change of scenery, so we went to SurfenBurg, another area of the water park. My mother and great niece got a double raft (yellow with a kids seat) and went down the slower lazy river, named Kristal River. Kristal River goes around most of the park. I, like a dummy, decided to try to get Brad to go in the river. Kristal river is connected to a lot of the attractions in SurfenBurg and Blastenhoff, another area of the park. We entered the river, near the big wave pool, i think it was a wave pool, near the entrance.

Brad did not want to go in the water, but a few inches at a time. I should have listened to him. I thought he can handle the river since it was slower than torrent. I should have looked at the map. There was a conveyor system in the river, which required people to be seated in the raft. I was wrong. I got a double raft. Kalen and I on one side. Brad, on the other side. Everything was going good in the beginning, but then Brad started jumping and trying to do with the other "normal" crazy people was doing. He wanted to sit in the raft. He wanted to lay across the raft. So, I moved towards the edge of the pool to hold the edge, if Brad was doing too much. I also forgot Brad wears depends. This would have been a good situation to try out another product, I got for review, but I left it at home. Brad was trying to take off his depends on the water. Never drink the water at a water park, in a water ride or lazy river.




We did get out so we can throw away his depends. Should have stayed out. but Brad got back in the water on his own, with the raft, without my help. We moved around the river again. Until I saw that sign for the conveyor. Then something changed, Brad took complete control. The river was 3 ft deep. I am 5'2. Brad is 5'2. My feet was not touching the ground. Remember, I said, I was staying close to the edge to control the raft more, since I was carrying two special needs packages with me. I, somehow moved to the middle of the river. I had no grip. My flip flops failed me. My mind went panicky. I was praying. I was screaming. I was crying. The current was stronger and Brad was pulling me. I could not get control of him. I was scared for me and my baby. I had to get the life guards to pull all three of us out of the water. Not letting my son drown us all. Kalen was already half sleep. I can't swim. I love lazy rivers, but next time, no kids. They got Kalen first. They got me next. Took two guards to get Brad out. He was like a wriggly fish. Hurried up and climbed the nearest steps and into the restaurant above the lazy river. They sold alcohol but I did not buy any. I got the kids something to eat and calmed my nerves down. We did not get on anything else after that.

I got Brad some wings and I got me a salad. Kalen ate from both of us. Then, we stopped for ice cream. Brad got a bowl of chocolate. Kalen and I had a loaded funnel cake. Funnel cake, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and strawberry cheese cake ice cream.

Oh yeah, Back to the flip flops. Brad's flip flops went down lazy river, after they got us out. Brad also brought his backpack into the river. He did not want to give up the bag into the locker, so everything got soaked. Had to throw away about 6 depends, because they gained some weight lol. By this time, my mother found us. She had been looking for us for an hour. I did not know that lazy river ordeal took that long. I was ready to go home , but we had to find the niece and nephew first. The kids and I, went and got a icee. If you bought the collectible cup, you get free icees all day. Then, we went to the tables in Surfenberg, by the entrance. The same place, where I had the great idea to take Brad and Kalen down a slower paced lazy river. We eventually found the missing relatives and we got in the car and left.

We went to find a hotel for the night. It was around 6pm. I told my mother to take  us home, but nooooooo she had to listen to my niece and nephew. They wanted to stay at some hotel (they didn't know the name of) from the last time they went. I was googling prices of hotels. One hotel wanted 245 dollars for one night. We ended up at the Victorian Condo and hotel (not sure if the last part is right). It was a nice room. One bedroom suite, with twin bed in the hallway, and a pull-out couch. My niece slept in the pull-out. Nephew slept on a chair with a footrest or the twin in the hallway.  Mother slept on the pull-out. I slept in the bedroom. I was trying to sleep on the twin with just Kalen, but Brad was not having that. So, I swapped with my mother for the bedroom.

Kalen fell out the bed, while I was sleep. He is ok, but he was crying for a long time. Took a while to calm him down. Brad kept kicking me. Definitely see why I finally got him another bed.

Sometime between checking in and going to sleep, We ended up at Denny's. Kids eat free between some time and 10pm. 4 kids ate for free. yay. The staff was friendly and helpful. Back to hotel for sleeping and drying wet clothes on the balcony. Got up Sunday Morning. Did some sightseeing. Got on the ferry. Golden Corral. Saw my favorite attraction. The port with the Carnival Magic in site. Dropped nephew off with his mother. Headed home. Made a few more stops. Finally home. Lots of rain today.

























Will I take my kids to a waterpark again? Not right now. If I do, kiddie area only. I also heard about splash pads in one of my special needs groups. I have more pics coming, but today's pics have not uploaded to Google yet. They are on facebook though.

Friday, July 19, 2013

WaterPark Tips for Frugal Moms (US Family Bloggers Schlitterbahn Campaign)

This post is called Waterpark tips for frugal moms. This is part of a campaign sponsored by US Family Guide Bloggers Program. The Schlitterbahn logo and discounts was provided by USFG. 

I am cheap. I am frugal at times. I like saving a buck or two or three. I chose this topic from the suggested topics because it appealed to me. 

WaterPark Tips for Frugal moms (from the email from USFG):
  • The Schlitterbahn offers free parking, free life jackets, and families can bring in food and drinks. 
Tips I can think of:
  • Find some coupons or discounts online. When I was growing up, theme and water parks had people bring in empty coke cans for a discount. No longer do you have to save the empty cans, except for recycling or crafts (or whatever you decide to do with them. Coke can earrings anyone?)
  • Go to the theme or water park website. Look up the Maps. Plan out your vacation, even where everyone is going to eat at. 
  • Instead of buying the majority of your food in the park, bring it in with you, if possible. 
  • Bring trash bags or clear grocery bags with you for wet clothing. Don't have to worry about the kids getting their wet clothes on the seats and other things. I try to carry a bag for the kid's soiled clothes when we go out in public. Accidents happen, but you don't want those accidents messing up everything else either. 
  • Get gas the night before, so you don't have to make multiple stops for gas on the way. My mother is trying to take the family to the Schlitterbahn next week. Even though she has a fancy car, which tells her how many miles to go before the gas runs out, she still waits until the last minute. For example, a few days ago, the power in this area of Houston went out. My mother was at church. She called me saying was the lights out at home, which they was not (at the time). She also said she needed gas, but all the lights at every gas station she passed by, was out. She did not want to stop in the dark to get gas in the dark. She thought she would have enough gas to get from here to her church (over an hour), to the gas station, to back home (another hour or so). Maybe check your tires and fluids as well. Bring that first aid kit and the jumper cables. 
  • Carry cash. Also, make check the debit card balance. Maybe budget for the trip. We are spending no more than X (whatever X is) at the park. See if the park has a clearance section. When the kids and I went to Morgan's Wonderland in December, I saw a lot of things I wanted to  buy, but did not have enough money. I ended up with a draw-string bag because the shirts was not in my spending range. On the way out, I noticed another store with t-shirts for $ 5 dollars. I will trade that bag in for shirts any day. 

What are your tips for saving money on theme and water parks?
  
Special Savings URL: http://www.schlitterbahn.com/bloggers

The promo code for the 2 day $7 Off discount is 299000334

The promo code for the $5 off discount is 299000335
Valid at ALL Texas Schlitterbahn Parks!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Water Park Survival Tips and two tickets to the Schlitterbahn Giveaway

I am writing this post for US Family Bloggers in response to their SchlitterBahn campaign. I was provided with free tickets, in exchange for engagement and participation. Some information was provided by US Family Bloggers, other websites for survival tips, and myself.


I have not been to a waterpark in years. The last time I went, I was married with a young child. The family had to switch off watching Brad jr. so everyone, including myself, can have fun. We went to SplashTown in Spring, Texas. My family used to go every year since I was a kid, but we don't go anymore. I have never been to the Schlitterbahn in Texas. The locations include Galveston, New Braunfels, and South Padre Island. The park is also located in Kansas City, Kansas. When I go, I will attend the Galveston location.




So on to WaterPark Survival Tips:
  • Wear Sunscreen or Sunblock. I have plenty of bottles of sunscreen, in addition to foundation, which has SPF protection built in. I been wearing sunscreen since I was a kid. It was uncool for African-American's to wear sunblock. I remember getting picked on for applying sunblock on a field trip to the YMCA pool. I love my shade of brown, but I do not like the effects of the sun. 
  • Drink water. The Schlitterbahn allows people to bring in ice chests, which means you can bring in bottles of water (and food) or purchase some in the park. My old ROTC teacher told us during an event, to drink lots of water. It is much easier to go to the bathroom than to pass out from heat, exhaustion, and dehydration. 
  • Wear Swim shoes or flop flops. In the Schlitterbahn, there will be hot spots without shade or carpet. Wear a water worthy shoe to keep the feet cool. 
  • Choose the right outfit. It is hot in Texas. Wearing all black or dark colors anywhere is hot. Wear light colors. Also, choose the right bikini/swim suit. No one wants to see all that LOL. 
  • Leave all non-essentials at home. You do not want to lug everything around. 
  • Wear a hat and sunglasses. Hit up the dollar tree, if you cheap like me. Protect your eyes and head. 
Here are some tips from Blue Bayou Water Park
  • Watch the weather. Plan your trip before you leave the house. You don't want to end up in rain or a thunder storm. 
  • Get to the park early for good parking spots and setting up camp. You can get the shady spots in the parking lot and picnic areas, especially if the picnic area is covered. 
  • Look for discounts. I listed a discount in this post for the Schlitterbahn. Save a few bucks. For example, my youngest son is free. I can bring along two extra guests, if they give me a ride to the park. 
  • Pack a lunch. You don't have to purchase food in the park, if you are watching your finances. A few pb & js and chips is also a good lunch. 
  • Apply sunscreen regularly. 
  • Change your clothes for the second half of the day. You can get sweaty and drenched and will need a change of clothes. 
  • Find out how tall your kids are BEFORE you go. Can your kids ride the rides? Are older kids allowed in small kids play areas. 
  • Research the park's busy days. Call to see if there are any camps or field trips on the day you are visiting. Maybe go during non-peak hours, especially if you have special needs kids (Stacie's tip). 
  • Pack a cooler of drinks and snacks for the ride home. 
  • Put kids in bright-colored swim suits
  • Arrive when the park opens
  • Pack a bag with sun block and towels. 
  • Put on sunblock before leaving home and while waiting in line
  • Get one of those waterproof money holder necklaces 
  • Carry cash for locker rentals, food, and other incidentals. 
  • Bring a book, music, and other reading material for when kids are playing in the wave pools and other kiddie areas
  • Sanitize everyone as soon as you get home. 

  • Bring Swimmers for the babies. My mother had an incident weeks ago where she took my niece and great niece to the pool. My great niece is one years old. She could not get in the pool for two reasons. She did not have an approved life jacket and she wore regular diapers. Do not be like Stacie's mother. 
  • Bring waterproof goggles to protect the eyes, especially if you are going underwater. 

Perfect Chaos Reader tips:
  • Don't drink the water +Omavi Ndoto . Self explanatory 
  • If you can take in your own beverages, take water so you can stay hydrated. Sheila S.
  • Take your patience with you. Sheila S. 
  • I always give my son a gentle reminder that other people might be rude or say bad words where he can hear and that just because others do it, does not make it okay for him to do it... I put sunscreen on BEFORE we leave the house so it has time to soak in and we don't forget once we're there. I reapply while he's out of the water for a snack or lunch. We take plenty of water and juices to stay hydrated, an extra towel in case one is lost or gets something spilled on it, Absorbine Jr for insect bites...I never forget my camera to take pics of the fun... something I never do is take/use things that might distract me if I choose to take a break from being in the water. No book, iPod or electronics of any kind. Even if I'm not in the water I keep my eyes on the kids. Lisa W. 

I am also doing a giveaway for two Schlitterbahn Tickets

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Discounts:

Special Savings URL: http://www.schlitterbahn.com/bloggers
Use promo code 299000334 for the 2 day $7 Off discount
Use promo code 299000335 for the $5 off discount
Valid at ALL Texas Schlitterbahn Parks!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Schlitterbahn (toddlers and tweens in two from a special needs perspective). US Family bloggers



I am participating in a campaign by US Family Bloggers. I received free tickets, in exchange for posting about the Schlitterbahn. This week's topic is Toddlers and Tweens in Tow.

  • The promo code for the 2 day $7 Off discount is 299000334 
  • The promo code for the $5 off discount is 299000335
  • Valid at ALL Texas Schlitterbahn Parks!

I got the tickets in the mail today. I told my mother, simply because we need a ride there, with the extra ticket for her. Her response: She wants to take my niece, great niece, nephew, and herself instead, of Stacie and her boys, not knowing the babies (my youngest and great niece) are free. Her main reason was it was a water park and I will not let my kids go near the water, which is correct. Last week, they went to someplace called Kemah. Kemah's water area is too close to a real ocean (which is a safety issue, if Brad decides to jump off the edge during a meltdown). The folks asked me to go (at the last minute) hoping I would say no. I like to find places to keep my kids included so they can have fun too. So, my mission is to find something for special needs kids to do at the Schlitterbahn. So, first I went to the water park website for Galveston, Texas. 

THINGS I LIKED:
  • You can bring in your own food
  • Free parking
  • Free life jackets and inner tubes, based on availability. Can bring in your own personal life jacket.
  • Super Splash Cash--wrist watch which is loaded with money you need to spend in the park, without carrying your wallet or purse. 

ATTRACTIONS I LIKED:
  • Wasserfest Kids area: The attraction offers low speed and shallow water. I also liked how the website said the area is more for supervised youngsters, the disabled, and partially health limited guests 
  • Tiki Tikes features kiddie slides in a shallow water. The area also has water sprays. 






Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Schlitterbahn Waterparks (Sponsored Post by US Family).

This post was sponsored by US Family Bloggers Program. All content is provided by US Family.

Facebook

Special Savings URL: http://www.schlitterbahn.com/bloggers

  • The promo code for the 2 day $7 Off discount is 299000334 
  • The promo code for the $5 off discount is 299000335
  • Valid at ALL Texas Schlitterbahn Parks!
Facts about the Schlitterbahn

1) Schlitterbahn is America’s #1 waterpark for 15 years and has won awards for the best indoor waterpark, best waterpark ride, and best new ride.

2) Schlitterbahn has been the birthplace of nearly every waterpark ride innovation including the world’s first uphill water coaster and the inland surfing ride, the Boogie Bahn.

3) Every park has a claim to fame:

  • New Braunfels: World’s longest tube ride; America’s Favorite Waterpark
  • South Padre: World’s first Transportainment system where interconnected rivers are queue lines for rides.
  • Galveston: World’s favorite indoor park
  • Kansas City: Midwest’s longest tubing adventure
Green Facts about the SchlitterBahn

Loblolly Pines: In 2011 a major wildfire raged through Bastrop County, Texas in September. Three separate fires started during Labor Day weekend and by the time it was controlled, it destroyed 1,691 homes and burned over 34,000 acres of land including the vast majority of Bastrop State Park’s 5,900 acres of Loblolly pines. The Lost Pines Forest, thought to have originated in or before the Pleistocene era, was also heavily impacted.

For safety, the burned pines had to be removed. These scorched trees were destined for the grinder who would have turned them into mulch. Jeff Henry with Schlitterbahn offered to take the felled trees, then had them milled, beginning the process of transforming the pines from scorched wood to the most dramatic feature throughout the Schlitterbahn Beach Resort at South Padre.

Here’s where you’ll find the Bastrop Pines in the resort:

  • Rooms: In most rooms the cabinets, coffee tables, nightstands, and headboards are made from the Bastrop Loblolly pines.
  • Dining areas: Large tables are made from the Loblolly pines.
  • Lobby: The large tree stump tables by the doors leading to the heated pool are from the fire, as is the siding along many of the interior walls
  • External: The siding on the outside walls of the resort are made from Loblolly pine. 
  • Ropes: Over three miles of 3-inch mooring ropes of dozens of former ships have been painstakingly wrapped around giant concrete structural poles in our Sea 4ever 10,000 square foot patio.
  • Green House: The retractable roof over our indoor waterpark was built from a large greenhouse – an old Schultz nursery.
  • Lobby Check in Counter: Built from salvaged walnut trees which were pulled from a road project in Kansas.
  • Parapet Walls: The hatch covers came off a famous US Troop carrier the John E. Pope and are used on parapet walls and also to make tables. Over 500 are on site.
  • Chandeliers: The beautiful chandeliers hanging in the Sea 4ever event patio were salvaged from an ageing Vegas hotel. Our team glued shells to them and hung in the ceiling.
  • Waterslides: Yes, even some of the water slides were recycled. The water slides came from a park in Cleveland Ohio, were salvaged, refurbished, and re-installed.
  • Handrails: An old Dutchman Downs Stadium was the source for all the handrails.