Review - Texas - San Antonio - Holiday in the Park Six Flags Fiesta Texas

The annual Holiday in the Park has started again at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and will continue through January 3rd.

You do need to make a start-time specific reservation on their website before arriving. Be sure to add parking to your purchase!

Six Flags is also offering a drive-through holiday lights experience. The cost is $14.99 per person if you purchase your tickets online or $20.00 per person at the gate, yet they still require a reservation to enter. Members get discounted tickets.

When you arrive, you will head toward the temperature-taking tent at the end of the parking lot and zig-zag through a long queue to get your temperature checked via a camera setup and then heading to the security station to have your tickets scanned and bags checked.

 

Holiday in the Park is basically Six Flags decorated with holiday themed props and lights as well as a few Christmasy shows. You can also find holiday-themed treats to purchase as well.

 

The crowds didn't show up until the sky started getting darker and the holiday lights were glowing, about 4pm (CST), just two hours before the holiday tree-lighting at 6pm (CST). There were decals placed on the ground around the tree for social distancing.

Six Flags has implemented many safety measures throughout the park in response to Covid. The restrooms, for example, all have "entry" and "exit" signs to create one-way flow in and out of the bathroom. Most people, however, don't really pay attention or follow it. One note if you have young children or babies is not every restroom has a changing table.

All the eating locations are set up with outdoor or open-door seating that is spaced out or with tables marked out. One note is we didn't see anyone cleaning the tables so be prepared to use napkins or wipes.

There were sanitizer stations throughout the park, however, the liquid smells TERRIBLE. Best to bring your own!

A few costumed characters from Looney Tunes do meet but in a socially distanced way. As you can see in this picture, Pepe Le Peu meets behind a bench area where you can sit for pictures.

 

Most of the rides were operating. The longest line seemed to be Wonder Woman. The employees were pretty diligent about spraying down the ride vehicles after every session (which adversely made lines feel longer).

Plenty of spaced out benches throughout the park to sit. Near the front is a mask-free zone where you can relax in cushioned chairs without your mask on. That was a nice area to rest for a bit with the younglings.

Overall, Six Flags Fiesta Texas is doing a good job with Covid safety measures and trying to offer a balance of fun and safety.

Review - Texas - San Antonio - Christmas Celebration at Sea World San Antonio

Sea World's annual Christmas Celebration has started and despite the new processes and many changes to the normal agenda, it was still an enjoyable visit for our family.

 

You must make a reservation to visit the park ahead of time (or same day) on their website. Be sure to add parking. No need to select a specific time slot like Six Flags. Bring your reservation barcodes with you in addition to your park entry tickets. Once you park, you will head past the Texas stonework photo-op to the white tent where they will take your temperature before you proceed to the security check and then ticket scanning.

Be sure to bring your masks!

They do have hand santizer stations throughout the park but personally I didn't like the strong aroma of their solution and was so glad that I had brought my own!

 

In the Bay of Play area for younger children, characters are meeting but in a socially distanced way (standing on a platform).

 

Also, the playground areas are closed off. Most of the other rides and activities throughout the park were operating even the splash pad.

 

Holiday decorations and photo-op statues are spread throughout the park.

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite part of the Christmas Celebration are the limited edition treats and dining opportunities. You can make reservations to eat with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus (tip - you can see Mrs. Claus wandering the park late in the day). There are refillable mugs for hot chocolate (prices vary by location). We always stock up on kettle corn as the sealed portions make great gifts.

 

 

 

As the sun starts setting, the lights come on and you will see why Sea World's Christmas Celebration is named one of the largest light displays in Texas. The lights are very bright. Be sure to check out the dancing light tunnel.

The day started out with light crowds but the people started trickling in steadily as the lights came on, but there are signs for social distancing throughout the decorated areas.

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - Holiday at the Arboretum

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...well, not quite yet. The Dallas Arboretum has just started to put up their annual Holidays at the Arboretum displays. The Christmas Market will open November 27th.

The Dallas Aboretum limits the amount of guests that can enter every day so you need to pre-order your tickets online: Dallas Arboretum.org. Be sure to add parking ($10). Members must order their passes/parking ahead of time as well. Look for the "Holiday at the Arboretum" ticket option.

The Children's Garden is now open again and tickets can be purchased in conjunction with your garden ticket order. All children over 5 years old must wear a mask to enter this area.

If you still want to purchase a pumpkin or gourd, there are still plenty available in many different sizes, shapes and colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to the Covid policies and the new walking trail around the entire park, the 12 Days of Christmas animated displays have been spread out a bit more this year. You can pick up a printed guide at the Customer Service window just inside the entrance.

When I visited on Sunday, they were just starting construction of the Christmas Market buildings in the wide open field. I plan to return when they are completed. They plan to have Santa available to visit with children during the night events and on weekends for limited hours.

Review - Texas - McKinney - Heard Muesum

Dinosaurs Live, the animatronics dinosaurs outdoor walking trail, has re-opened at the Heard Museum located in McKinney, Texas within short driving distance of Dallas. The exhibit will end February 15, 2021.

 

The Science Museum located on the main level (2nd floor) inside the visitor center is available year-round as is the children's Pioneer Village western-themed playground and the Animals of the World exhibits just past that area.

 

 

In front of the museum you can explore some natural plants and photo-op statues (be careful as some can get hot in full sun).

 

 

 

On the lower level you will find restrooms, party/conference rooms and a few animal exhibits, such as this turtle.

Normal hours are 9-5pm CST Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5pm CST Sundays; closed Mondays. You can purchase tickets in advanced online.

 

The trail has been expanded this year to allow for social-distancing. You can also find photo-op statues along the way. There's even one dinosaur that spits water (you will see the large puddle).

 

 

 

Occasionally you can find deer hiding in the trees.

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - The Art of the Pumpkin

The annual pumpkin display opened up at the Dallas Arboretum. This year the theme is "The Art of the Pumpkin" and they have a pumpkin patch area where you can actually purchase pumpkins.

The Dallas Aboretum limits the amount of guests that can enter every day so you need to pre-order your tickets online: Dallas Arboretum.org. Be sure to add parking ($10). Members must order their passes/parking ahead of time as well. Look for the "Art of the Pumpkin" ticket option.

Masks are required throughout your visit. By 10am on Sunday, it felt crowded despite the limited guest allowance. Get ready to wait a little bit in lines to take pictures in front of the pumpkin-decorated houses or inside the Cinderella Coach.

The sidewalk heading to the pumpkin displays was lined with pumpkins.

 

 

Some of the pumpkin displays:

 

 

 

Here is the hay maze:

More pumpkin displays. Be sure to bring your own water bottles since the water fountains are not available right now. Since the ground is pokey with wooden mulch bits, you might want to use a towel or blanket for young ones.