Gold Coast theme parks with a toddler – Review
Sealion show at Seaworld
I usually jump at the chance of going away for the weekend and while my impending weekend to the Gold Coast was no exception, it did require a little bit more organisation than normal. That’s because I agreed to go away with a close friend of mine and her two and a half year old daughter, Phoebe.
My first ever weekend away with a tiny tot. Six week before our departure, my girlfriend and I were searching for ‘suitable’ accommodation. We scrolled through a number of websites advertising high rise apartment buildings with ocean views. After a short deliberation, we agreed on a holiday park, mainly for the safety factor (no dangerous balconies here) and family atmosphere.
Closer to our departure, we made further checks. Our accommodation didn’t take note of our request for a portable cot but a child’s car seat was definitely included with our rental car. We also pre paid for our theme park tickets, hoping to avoid long queues once we got there.
D day finally arrived. Everything was going smoothly until the dreaded announcement over the loud speaker confirmed our fears. Our plane was delayed. Oh no! How do you occupy a restless toddler? We played with the entire contents of Phoebe’s Dora the Explorer backpack. We read books. Phoebe even got new colouring books from nearby newsagency. We finally got the call to board and everything was ok again.
Dorothy the Dinosaur at Dreamworld
First stop Dreamworld! Phoebe was in great spirits and fearlessly went on all the rides suitable for her age. Wiggles World was a particular favourite. The Sumatra tigers were fascinating but not for long. And while Dorothy the Dinosaur is much-loved, the life size version was just too much to take in as Phoebe’s eyes filled with tears.
The tears didn’t last long though. We then spent a lazy Sunday checking our holiday park’s many facilities: there was a dip in the pool, a bounce on the giant pillow and lunch in the bistro. We also had time to visit a local beach, made some sand castles and watched local pooches splash about in the ocean.
Sesame Street show Seaworld
Our last day on the Gold Coast was spent visiting Sea World. We followed herds of parents and their prams from show to show: we saw seal detectives, Sesame Street characters dancing on a tropical island and leaping dolphins. Phoebe loved the colourful and dynamic Sesame Street show but kept losing interest in the others, no matter how much we liked them. She was grumpy and tired. It was an action packed weekend for a toddler.
Penguin Point Sea World
We arrived home tired but exhilarated. It was definitely a different weekend away to what I’m used to. Would I do it again? We’re already talking about the next one!
The above post is courtesy of Magda Biniaszewski, a freelance writer based in Sydney. She enjoys weekends away, with or without toddlers in tow.
Please visit the Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell a terrific Travel Wallet and some other high quality products for traveling with your children.
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