Post #643222 by tigertail777 on Sun, Jul 8, 2012 12:42 PM

Now I understand. I went there as a kid in the 70's and have some really distinct memories of how great it was. I have been wondering if all these years my memory was betraying me because the current incarnation is crap compared to what I remember, and now I know why. I have always really dug the Hawaiian/Polynesian motif because I was born in Honolulu but was very young when we moved so I don't remember much about it. As a result as a kid I glommed onto anything that could hold that same feeling I felt in Hawaii. We moved to California right after (dad was in the Navy so we moved a lot) and would go to Disneyland, Knotts etc every month or so (especially on free armed forces nights, and I of course adored The Enchanted Tiki Room). We only went to Sea World a few times since it was farther away, but I have lasting impressions of the entrance, the water show, and the massive nautical/pirate themed playground with the swinging bridges and pirate ship (still can't find good photos of any of this online) and of course of Hawaiian punch and Shamu.

I absolutely am loving all the pics people are sharing it has brought a rush of memories back I had forgotten and I understand my love for the place now. I just wish the beginning several pages of this thread was not a broken picture wasteland I am dying to see the things people previously shared and talked about, so if anyone saved them please take the time to put them back up. :)