Recently took a trip to the Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall, better known as Sea Life. Frankly it was awesome. It went above and beyond the expectations. Going to a mall to see an aquarium exhibit doesn’t seem to fit the bill. Not to mention we are big fans of the Zoo’s in the valley so they had alot to live up to. Arizona Mills mall is probably our favorite mall to attend. Don’t get me wrong, the Chandler and Scottsdale fashion squares are nice, but there is something humble and inviting about Arizona Mills.
We bought our tickets online via there online ticketing system. We got the family 4-pack, a little online discount and we were on our way. Upon entrance they had very nice signage leading us straight to the exhibit. We walked up with our pre-printed tickets and we were entering in a matter of minutes. Bathrooms conveniently located before the entrance for that last minute situation. No restrooms inside so utilize them before you go in. Nothing like an accident to ruin the aquarium viewing pleasure for yourself and many around you.
Before you enter a nice video plays and a narrator talks to you about sea life. It is actually pretty entertaining and hypes the atmosphere. My kids had no idea what was going on as they were trying to name some of the sea life painted on the wall. Every creature seemed to be named nemo on this trip, ahhh the vocabulary of a 3 year old.
When the narrator finishes the doors swing open automatically and you are in. Inside is designed and painted perfectly for all ages. Everything looked like a reef and all the windows for viewing were the proper height for all ages. They even had a touch tank. Yep, a tank where the kids, or parents, can put there hands in and pickup a star fish or little crab. Sorta creepy at first yet very cool that this exhibit, in the mall, is offering this cool feature.
All throughout the place they have “orbs” that are inside the tank. However, they are designed so anyone can get down low and climb in. Its a little crawl on the knees for most adults. It kind of looks like a little cave but once in you can stand up and your head is inside the actual aquarium. Face to face with the fishies. The kids absolutely loved it.
They also had a decent variety of sea life as well. Sting Rays, Sharks, Star Fish, and a pretty good selection of Sea Horses. Those are the craziest darned things. They just float around and they are so fragile looking. Truly amazing, and since I have never seen one up close I was somewhat mesmerized along with our three year old.
The exhibit ends with a 12 foot walking bridge/tunnel where the entire aquarium is around your. Before you leave there is a cool video projecting onto the floor that looks like splashing water and the kids can run around on it. With popping bubbles on the floor and water from the projector it was an exciting end.
There is also a small jungle gym and play area on the way out to get the kids to unwind a little before heading into the public spectrum. Overall the Sea Life Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall did not disappoint. So good in fact that I will be taking my kids back again.
Sea Life offers a wide variety of tickets types and costs. From family 4-packs to flexi and twilight tickets. The family pack is $50 ($12.50 per person) for 4, and a few small perks. Sea Life at Arizona Mills is getting the thumbs up here and we will be going back.
Aquarium Orb
Aquarium Tunnel
Image Projected on floor
Cool inside view
Another Cool Inside View
Another Orb Picture
