The Independence Day firework display will begin at 9:30 p.m. and the best viewing area is from the park’s Bayside Stadium. Reserved seating packages for Electric Ocean and the 4th of July firework display are available for purchase at the park and online in advance. Pricing starts at $49 per person ages 3 and up.

You can also experience the rest of what SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean has to offer. The popular evening event brings longer park hours and allows you to voyage into an exotic underwater world filled with dazzling lights, electrifying dance music and a brilliant evening energy that sparks as the sun sets. Electric Ocean also features exciting nighttime shows, returning summer classics and a plethora of new food and drink options throughout the park.

Best Way to Play at SeaWorld Orlando

The best way to experience all of the summer fun at SeaWorld Orlando, along with the incredible lineup of events throughout the year is with a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass, available for less than $15 per month with EZpay for Florida residents.

Now through July 4, U.S. veterans and up to three guests may enjoy free admission to SeaWorld Orlando. This special new offer joins the ongoing Waves of Honor program that offers complimentary admission to any U.S. active duty military, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman once per year, for the military personnel and as many as three direct dependents. Veterans must redeem their complimentary single-day ticket(s) online in advance at www.WavesofHonor.com

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Events and times are subject to change. Follow SeaWorld Orlando on Facebook and Instagram for the latest park updates and information.

The post Celebrate the 4th of July at SeaWorld Orlando appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Patriotic Recipes-Cakes and Cookies

• Cake mix cookies are so easy to make, and the kids love to help! Food Fun Family has these Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies.
• I love these Patriotic Cookie Sandwiches from ModernMami. Another great recipe for the kids to help with!
• Jman and Millerbug shares these easy and delicious Patriotic Cupcakes.
• My only patriotic recipe is my Patriotic Fruit Tunnel Cake. This is so easy to make!
• This American Flag Cheesecake from Grub Geek is so cute!
• Mommy Blog Expert offers up more fun with kids in the kitchen with this Patriotic Whoopie Pie recipe.
• Plum Crazy About Coupons shares these adorable Patriotic Cookie Hearts.
• This Patriotic Raspberry Coconut Cake from A Crafty Spoonful is sure to be the hit of your patriotic party.

Patriotic Recipes-Pies and Puddings

• These Patriotic Pudding Cups from Food Fun Family are so adorable and a nice cool treat on a warm summer day.
• This Red White and Blue Cheesecake Pudding Pie from Jman and Millerbug sounds delicious!
• Patriotic Pudding Pops  from The Neighborhood Moms are a fun way to cool off this summer.
• I’m in love with these cute Patriotic Pies in a Jar from Foodie Fun!
• Try this Easy Red White and Blue Patriotic Pie from A Moms Take.

Patriotic Recipes-Beverages

• This Patriotic Layered Smoothie from A Mom’s Take is a healthy red white and blue treat.
• Momdot shares this fruity Patriotic Tea Punch.
• This 4th of July Sprite with Kool Aid Ice Cubes from Food Family Finds is a fun way to cool off!

Patriotic Recipes-Other Treats

• How fun are these Patriotic Popcorn Balls from Thrifty Jinxy? These would be great to bring with you to the fireworks!
• Yum! I love trifles! This Berry Easy Patriotic Brownie Trifle from That Rebel Chick sounds divine!
• How cute are these Patriotic Pretzels from Simply Being Mommy?
• Patriotic Fruit Cones are a fun and healthy treat from Moments with Mandi.
• Cool off with these Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches from The Suburban Mom.
• Everyone loves rice krispie treats. Our Kids Mom brings us some Patriotic Rice Krispie Treat Pops!
• Snack mix is a great addition to any party. That Bald Chick shares her Patriotic Snack Mix.
• Sno Cones are the epitome of summertime fun! Thrifty Jinxy shares her DIY Patriotic Sno Cones.
• I love these easy Patriotic Chocolate Dipped Oreos from Saving Dollars and Sense.

I hope you were able to find some inspiration for your table as you celebrate the upcoming summer patriotic holidays!

The post 25 Patriotic Recipes to Add Some Red White and Blue to your Summer Celebrations appeared first on The Mom Maven.

On this Independence Day I thought I’d share with you the official video of “The Flag”. {If you are reading this in your email please click through to the blog to watch the video.}

The post I Pledge Allegiance to The Flag… appeared first on The Mom Maven.

At Busch Gardens, fireworks light up the sky over the Tampa theme park on July 3 and 4. That’s in addition to the nightly rock spectacular, Kinetix, each night at 9 p.m. in Busch Gardens’ Gwazi Park. Kinetix brings together live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world for an original, non-stop 30-minute contemporary rock experience that delivers awesome lighting effects, modern music and high-energy performances.

Park hours are extended until 10 p.m. July 3 and until 9 p.m. July 4. Stay to ride coasters in the dark and enjoy spectacular shows, including Jeff Civillico, with his masterful juggling performances.

Fireworks are part of the finale every night during SeaWorld AfterDark, the summer nighttime event that showcases the park in a whole new light. On Independence Day, guests can also enjoy the 13th Army Band, Florida National Guard when it performs at Bayside Stadium prior to the fireworks finale. This 40-piece band, known as the Governor’s Own Band, will entertain the audience with classic and current tunes, gearing them up for the special Fourth of July Reflections show featuring additional fireworks timed to patriotic music.

AfterDark is a nighttime rock n’ roll extravaganza with live DJs, special evening shows – including a high-energy “Shamu Rocks” and a hilarious “Sea Lions Tonite” – plus the fabulous fireworks finale. Experience all that’s awesome day and night at SeaWorld this summer, including Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows.

Busch Gardens Summer Nights and SeaWorld AfterDark are included with a day’s paid admission or any annual pass. For more information, visit BuschGardens.com, SeaWorldOrlando.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

I have been to Busch Gardens Summer Nights and I really enjoyed it! I hope to be able to take my family to experience SeaWorld AfterDark sometime this summer. Have you been to either Busch Gardens Summer Nights or SeaWorld AfterDark? Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought about the event.

The post Fourth of July Rocks at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld appeared first on The Mom Maven.

While many of us focus on fireworks safety each Fourth of July, we also need to keep our roads safe for the drive home after the festivities.

Whether at a family picnic or viewing the local fireworks display, many of us will be on the road this Independence Day. It’s time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

We need your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this July Fourth by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

There are four steps you should take to protect your loved ones on the Fourth of July.

1.) Designate a sober driver before you leave for your Fourth of July events.

2.) Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi.

3.) Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

4.) Call 9-1-1 if you see an impaired driver on the road.

Even if you will not be drinking alcoholic beverages this Fourth of July, keep in mind that over the course of 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. And there were a total of 491 motor vehicle traffic fatalities during the Fourth of July Holiday period (Thursday, July 3rd, 6 pm to Monday, July 7th, 5:59 am). And for those who say they don’t plan on over-indulging . . . a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

The post Be Safe July 4th Weekend appeared first on The Mom Maven.

• Magic Kingdom – “Celebrate America Fireworks” will fill the sky at 9 p.m.  After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight.  Park hours are 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at 9:50 p.m., providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement “Fantasmic!” (which will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.).  Park hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Epcot – “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale.  The performance begins at 10 p.m.  Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage.  In addition, Betsy Ross will be engaging guests inside The American Adventure with storytelling, while Ben Franklin will be making appearances on the promenade near the attraction.  Park hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

The post 4th of July Sparkles at the Walt Disney World Resort appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The post Win Some July 4th Fun appeared first on The Mom Maven.