Crown Reef Resort - Myrtle Beach, SC

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Crown Reef Beach Resort, opened its first tower in 1994. This affordable, family friendly, ocean front resort is located at 2913 South Ocean Boulevard along the south end of Myrtle Beach. It is just minutes from the Myrtle Beach airport and about a 1/2 hour away from a variety of attractions and entertainment, such as Alligator Adventure, Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and more. The Crown Reef offers the most oceanfront rooms (514) in Myrtle Beach, a large conference center, indoor and outdoor water amenities, on-site dining and more.

A moms review:
In today's economy family vacations can be difficult to arrange. They are often cost prohibitive, unaccommodating, and require excessive travelling.  But what if I told you there was an affordable, family friendly resort on the east coast that offers something for everyone in your family and is only hours away from major east coast cities? Yes such a place exists and it is called Crown Reef Beach Resort.

Myrtle Beach is just 6 hours from Atlanta and a super easy, relaxing drive. Believe it or not we have never stayed at a resort so we were very excited and didn't know what to expect. The Crown Reef Resort has undergone major renovations over the last year totaling 7.5 million dollars. Some of these renovations include 500 newly renovated rooms, 2 million dollar Oceanfront Watepark, Loco Gecko Beach Shak Restaurant, Grab n’ Go Grill and Coffee Bar, Swirl Ice Cream and Sweet Shop, and Game On! More renovations are in the works and will continue to be added over the next several months. 

Finding the hotel was really easy...it's kind of hard to miss three giant towers. We arrived at the resort around 5 pm. Because of our blogger status we had priority check in at Tower 2, but standard check in is located across the street. The very friendly guest services hostess gave us our room keys, parking tag, bracelets for waterpark admission, hotel map, VMB card offer sheet and resort activity schedule. The check in was super quick and easy.

After we got checked in we found a parking spot in the covered garage closer to our elevator and unloaded our luggage. There were ample luggage carts available by the elevators to make unloading and loading easy. There are plenty of elevators available so you don't need to worry about loitering around the elevators for too long.

Below is a breakdown of all the fabulous resort features.

Newly Remodeled Rooms and Private Balconies:
We were in complete awe when we entered our room. It was large, clean and smelled great. But I will admit that we didn't even pay much attention to the room details when we walked in, because we all made a mad dash for the private balcony to check out our view first. We took advantage of the balcony several times during our stay. Each morning my husband and I enjoyed a quiet breakfast on the balcony while the children ate theirs and watched cartoons. And each evening we would sit on the balcony in the moonlight and listen to the waves crashing on the beach.

After soaking in the beach front view, which all 514 rooms at the Crown Reef offer, we then preceded to check out our room and unpack. The updated decor is bright and modern, but still retains a beachy feel and look with light oak furniture and a blue and white color palette.  We stayed in an Oceanfront Queen Efficiency which sleeps 4 (2 double beds). The room has many amazing features and Crown Reef definitely tries to make you feel at home as much as possible. When you first enter the room you will be standing in the full kitchen area complete with a full size refrigerator, sink, granite counter tops, a microwave, stove, coffee maker, serving dishes and utensils as well as granite counter tops! Having the kitchen was amazing. About 10 miles away from the hotel we stopped at one of the many local grocery stores to pick up beverage, breakfast, lunch, and snack items. It was terrific not having to eat out for every single meal and it really saved us lots of money. Other features included a dining table for 2, 2 chairs, a nightstand, a dresser, ironing board and iron, closet with hangers, in room safe, flat screen TV and hair dryer. The beds were really comfortable and included ample pillows. There are also basic rooms, deluxe suites and jacuzzi suites available. We had the opportunity to meet our housekeeper a few times during our stay. She was very kind and provide us with everything we needed on a daily basis to make our stay as comfortable as possible. As we were leaving our room on the last day she was in the hallway. She thanked us for visiting, told us to visit again and wished us safe travels home. How often does that happen at a hotel or resort?

Oceanfront Waterpark and Water Fun Area:
 The Crown Reef Resort just opened a new 2 million dollar Oceanfront Waterpark. This amazing waterpark is free to use for all Crown Reef Resort guests. Remember I mentioned something for everyone. For family members who are not fond of the sand and ocean they will really enjoy this waterpark. We didn't hit up the waterpark on our first night, but we did take full advantage of it our second and third. The new waterpark towers 40 feet above the ground and features a 278-foot long two-person tube waterslide, a single-person 302-foot long waterslide and an 8-foot tall, 20-foot long slide for the little ones. The "TWISTER" Waterslide and the world's first hotel" EXPLOSION" Tube Waterslide are the two newest water amenities at the Crown Reef. The two-person “EXPLOSION” tube slide pumps more than 2,500 gallons of water per minute. The "EXPLOSION" is a two-person serpentine-style ride with many left-to-right turns in 54-inch enclosed flumes. There are tight radius, 360-degree turns where the fiberglass enlarges and explodes into a 72-inch diameter to provide a change of speed and direction and add an all-new experience to the ride. The “TWISTER” slide, is a one-person body slide that pumps 800 gallons of water per minute.

The waterpark also includes a water fun area for all ages with a silly sub and other fun water features, like a giant dumping water bucket. My children are apprehensive of large slides so they mostly hung out in the water fun area and rode the 8-foot slide over and over again. But don't let this little slide fool you, it is really fast!! The lines were always short which was perfect for impatient children. 

There is ample seating in this area so parents can relax while children play. And guess what? This attraction will be open year-round! Yup even in the winter you can enjoy the waterpark, because it will be enclosed. 

Pools and Hot Tubs:
Besides the awesome waterpark and water fun area there are several other water features including a tropical island pool, heated indoor pool, hot tubs and fountains. Our family loved the 125-foot ocean front pool, which was never crowded. For the younger children who are not quite ready for the big pools there are three kiddie pools. On days it is really hot or raining you will love the large winding pool by Tower 1 where you can be splashing around in the sun on one side and protected with a covered top on the other side. The children loved the bridge with the sprinkler in this pool. And parents there are 11 hot tubs where you can relax. Yes moms you get to relax too on this vacation! I spent some time in the hot tub relaxing (with an adult beverage) while the children enjoyed the lazy river, it was perfect!

The pool deck is always hopping but surprisingly it is never too crowded. We always found a lounge chair or table and there were plenty of areas that provided shade if you are not fond of baking in the sun. Here are some of the other things going on around the pool deck.

• Snow cone stand where you can purchase a cold treat
• Pool side bar where you can get yourself a refreshing beverage. I made friends with the amazing bar tender and bumped into him several times during our stay both on the resort and off. He even posed for a photo.
• Salty the Shark appearances. Salty visits the Crown Reef every day except Sunday in June and July.
• Chief Kamu's Fire and Hula show. Cheif Kamu is a native Hawaiian and shares stories about Hawaii and performs a captivating fire show. His authentic hula dancers also teach you how to Hula Dance if you are feeling brave. 
• Greg Holt Magic Show. Greg performs weekly magic shows right at the pool, or in the arcade if the weather is bad.
• Other activities may include trivia extravaganza, water aerobics, tie dye shirts ($10), family scavenger hunt, hula hoop and limbo contests, arts and crafts (fee varies), beach soccer, beach kickball, Hair wraps ($1 per inch), shark tooth search, pool games and more! When you check in you will be provided with a list of events for the week!
• Need some alone time? Then take advantage of the Kids Night out for $15.

*All activities are subject to weather and occupancy.

Lazy River:
Get super lazy on the Lazy River. This was were we spent the majority of our time. We floated round and round the 575-foot lazy river for hours each day. It is the longest oceanfront lazy river in Myrtle Beach. Tubes are provided and we could always find a tube when we needed one. I loved that I could relax in a hot tub or on a lounge chair and easily keep an eye on the children while they floated in the river.

Town Center Dining & Fun Zone
The Town Center opened this spring and offers visitors oceanfront dining and entertainment! There is a casual dining restaurant, coffee bar, ice cream and sweets shop, and video game arcade and redemption center. Below is a breakdown of these areas.

Game On!:
If you need something to keep your children busy for an hour or so you can head to Game On! This arcade center provides children a fun place indoors to relax and have fun! You can easily load a game card with credits for playing games, that way children can pick and choose which games they want to play without the hassle of coins or bills. Some of the games include Crank It, Sink It, Super Bikes 2, Typhoon, Ice Ball, air hockey, Doodle Jump and more. For even more added fun you can earn tickets/points by playing the games and then redeem them for small prizes at the Winner's Circle. Tickets/points are automatically added onto the card so there is no need to hassle with carrying paper tickets around.

Grab N’ Go Grill & Coffee Bar:
Whether you are looking for a light breakfast, quick lunch or dinner, refreshing beverage or a tasty snack the Grab N' Go Grill has something for every appetite. The thing I liked most about the Grab N' Go Grill was that everything was really affordable. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options too if you choose to stay rather than go! Breakfast buffet options include a continental style breakfast with biscuits & gravy, pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, pastries, and more. Tip: If you add the breakfast buffet to your reservation you can save money! Dinner, lunch and snack options include pizza, corn dog, salad, chicken wings, chicken fingers and more. There is a wide variety of cold and hot beverages to choose from including fresh-brewed coffee, smoothies and more. We definitely utilized the Grab N' Go during our stay. One evening we enjoyed a quick, quiet dinner there and the morning we left we stocked up on some bottle beverages and snacks for the road.

Swirl Ice Cream and Sweet Shop:
If you are looking for a way to cool down after spending all day at the beach or waterpark in the sun then check out Swirl Ice Cream and Sweet Shop. Swirl Ice Cream shop serves up creamy Breyer's ice cream. Flavor selections include mint chocolate chip, french vanilla, cookie dough, strawberry and more. At the Sweet Shop you can find all kinds of sweet goodness to add to the top of your ice cream, from gummy bears to M & Ms, there is something for every sweet tooth. I don't know about your children, but mine love ice cream and sweets so this place was totally irresistible and added even more fun to our vacation.

Loco Gecko Restaurant:
We are loco for the Gecko. We ate dinner at this brand new restaurant 2 nights during our 3 night stay. I loved that we didn't need to leave the resort to have a nice, relaxing sit down dinner. As long as there are not hurricane force winds the Gecko opens the garage doors on the restaurant to give you fabulous view of the Atlantic while you dine. The restaurant decor is everything you would expect from a beach shak resturant. There are fun beachy signs, and beach themed art pieces. The restaurant features casual beach dining and has variety of menu options including salads, pizzas, burgers and more. For children there are several tasty options on the children's menu. You can choose to sit inside or outside, but either way you will still get to experience the ocean breezes and beautiful view. We were able to feed our family of 4 for around $35 (including tip). The restaurant was never crowded and we often had our choice of seating. During each of our visits the waitresses were helpful and friendly. We had one minor issue during our 2nd dinner visit, but the attentive restaurant manager resolved the issue quickly and professionally. The children were thrilled that we were able to take our plastic Loco Gecko cups home as souvenirs!

The Beach
Don't worry I didn't forget about beach! After all the beach would be one of the main reasons you stay at an ocean front beach resort, right? We spent afternoons relaxing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, building sand castles and of course collecting shells. And each night after dinner we took a nice relaxing walk on the beach to collect more shells and do some beach combing. It is amazing what you can find laying on the beach after a busy day. We were even able to sneak in a beach geocache which we found several resorts north of the Crown Reef. And shh don't tell the children, but we also were able to sneak in some homeschool too! The beach is full of educational learning opportunities.

Accessing the beach is super quick and easy. Just walk through the pool area, over a gated bridge and your toes will be touching the sand. If you don't want to lug your umbrella and chairs out to the beach you can rent a set of comfy chairs and an umbrella for the day from the lifeguards. There are numerous wash stations to rinse off sandy bodies and gear before heading back to your room or next amenity. 

A few other amenities I'd like to mention include the fitness center (which will be getting an overhaul too) and  a 12,000 square foot space for meetings, banquets, weddings and events for groups of 25 to 1,200.

More Details
So are you ready to book your next vacation now? The Crown Reef  “all-in-one” resort offers something for family at an affordable price. You can stay at the resort the entire time and never run out of stuff to do or head to the many wonderful attractions located around Myrtle Beach. If you decide to take advantage of the local attractions be sure to check with the Crown Reef front desk to see how you can save and in many cases even purchase your tickets. We would definitely stay at the Crown Reef Beach Resort again!

Where:
Crown Reef Resort
2913 South Ocean Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
877-684-9998

When to visit:

All year long!

Cost:

For families looking for a great budget friendly option definitely check the Crown Reef Resort first. Rates start at just $39 a night on select dates.

SPECIALS:

Crown Reef Resort offers a variety of special throughout the year. Check their Specials Page for more details. 

Links to follow:

-Crown Reef Resort Website

-Crown Reef Facebook 

-Crown Reef YouTube

-Crown Reef Twitter

What do you think your favorite amenity would be?

We were given 4 days, 3 nights at the Crown Reef Resort plus a $100 food voucher in exchange for our review, all opinions are our own.

Wild Adventures, Valdosta GA - $10 Off Discount Code

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

My favorite theme park in Georgia is Wild Adventures in Valdosta. This place offers something for everyone. It is a Theme Park, Water Park and Animal Park - all in one. There are thrilling rides and roller coasters for all ages, hundreds of exotic animals, shows and all-star concerts each season. Take a break from your daily routine and give your family a much-needed affordable Georgia vacation at Wild Adventures.

We visited a couple years ago and had the best time, you can read that review here. But since our visit in 2012 the park has several new shows, animals and experiences like the Butterfly Garden which we cannot wait to check out!

Right now you can SAVE $10 Off Admission to Wild Adventures Theme Park with this Coupon.

Have A Wild Time At Wild Adventures In Valdosta GA

A moms review:
Wild Adventures is three family friendly theme parks in one. PLUS there are family friendly concert series too! The park offers something for everyone (even the grandparents would have fun so bring them along). There are amusement park rides, water rides, animals, shows, games, an arcade and tasty treats. This is hands down one of the family friendliest amusement parks I have ever been too. And they are very homeschool friendly. We not only had a fun family day but also got some hands on learning done too (yup I counted this as a homeschool day).

Here is a video with some highlights from our day:

Park entry was very quick and easy. There is ample parking and shuttles are available if you are in one of the back lots (which is still within walking distance). Being a family park they take safety very seriously so there was a bag and security check. They glanced inside any large bags and waved a metal detector wand in front and in back of each person. But this didn't slow down our park admission and it only took us about 10 minutes to get into the park. Once inside the park there are photographers who will offer to take your family's photo and keepers with some animal ambassadors that you can get up close and personal with.

The first place we headed per the kids request was Splash Island. But along the way we stopped to check out the tortoises. We also took a ride on the carousel and walked through Lorikeet Landing. Lorikeet Landing is an aviary that you can walk through to get an up close look at some very cool exotic birds. You are not allowed to touch the birds but you may get lucky and have one land on you (there was a guy standing next to us who had one land on his head). You can purchase nectar for a small fee to feed to the birds also. There were some really awesome birds that I have never seen before and both of the kids really enjoyed this attraction. This habitat as well as all the other animal habitats have plaques with lots of great facts and information about each of the animals.

On our way to Splash Island we stopped by the very clean restrooms to use the facilities and rent a locker. We opted for the per turn key locker which is $1.50 since we only needed to use it one time. There are also some very fun misters at the restrooms which are a great for a quick cool down on a hot day (there are several other misting stations throughout the park as well).

Then it was time to have a splashing good time. We crossed across the Splash Island bridge which goes over the lazy river. I love the little scenes they had set up for the lazy river. Our first stop was the GIANT splash playground called Polynesian Adventure. The splash playground features 6 fun water slides, a giant dumping water bucket and lots of fun water cannons. This was definitely one of my kids favorite parts in the entire park. We actually visited this area again before we left for the day. And I must say it was one of my favorite parts too. It is one of the safest splash playgrounds we have ever been too. My husband and I were able to position ourselves in one spot and keep an eye on the kids because of the way they have the attraction placed. The back and side portion of the splash playground are surrounded by a fence and wall so the only way in and out of the area is from the front. There are always 5-6 lifeguards surrounding the base of the splash playground, as well as one at the top of each of the larger slides. There is also a parent lost and found station right next to the splash playground. After the kids played for awhile we headed over to Hakini Rapids where the entire family took a ride on a raft down a twisty, turny water slide. In Splash Island there is also a wave pool, toddler splash pad, huge body slide and a few other water slides. There is TONS of shaded and non shaded seating throughout Splash Island. And there are also cabanas that you can rent for an additional fee.

After playing in the water we were hungry. Daddy opted for a pulled pork bbq sandwich was absolutely delicious. The kids and I had a large pizza. The pizza was really good as well.

After lunch we headed to the Tigers of India Show which was our second favorite attraction in the park. The show was absolutely wonderful and very educational for both children and adults. The show features the 4 colors of Bengal Tigers which come from the Marcan Tiger Preserve in Florida. I liked that the show highlights the Tigers natural behavior and is not a theatrical performance making them do things that are not instinctual and unnatural for them. Afterwards the handler and Lazarus, one of the Tigers, were available to answer questions and give you a closer look at these magnificent creatures. The show really made an impression on my daughter who now says she wants to be a veterinarian so she can work with animals. There are 3 wonderful shows each showing a couple times throughout the day. I am very bummed we were not able to see more.

Next we took a trip through Asia and Africa on the Safari Train. The ride was fun and educational but could definitely use a couple of improvements. Our wait to ride the train was about 20 minutes and the actual train ride only lasted only about 10 minutes. The train takes you on a journey through Asia and Africa giving you a look at several animals from these areas without an obstructed bar view. I think it would be an even better attraction if the train would stop during the trip for a few minutes to allow riders to look more closely at the animals. I liked that the animals were able to range freely in a more natural habitat it is not very often that you get to experience that.

Next it was time to hit the rides. There are family rides, kiddie rides and thrill rides. This was the first time the kids have ever ridden on amusement park rides so they were a little apprehensive at first but after a few rides they were having a blast and begging for more. There was plenty for them to ride on (they are 5 and 6 yrs old). The wait to get on the kiddie rides was always very short. The ride attendants were very nice and attentive. The majority of the little kid rides are all in one area located at the front of the park. I really liked this because the kids were able to go their separate ways and ride on different rides without mommy and daddy having to split up. We also enjoyed some good old fashioned family rides together like the bumper cars and century wheel. Well daddy skipped the century wheel and mommy freaked out the entire time telling the kids not to move AT ALL. I did manage to snap some great photos of the park though.

Of course we just had to visit the safari ranch petting zoo. My kids always enjoy petting farm animals. There were goats, a baby cow, chickens, bunnies, lambs and ducks. Gwyn had a great time playing king of the mountain with a goat...the goat won he butted her off the rock when she tried to hug him good bye.  So make sure you use care when in the petting zoo several of the goats do still have their horns and may not take kindly to lots of hugs and kisses.

The park flows in a circular layout around a lake. Both my husband and I agree that the circular layout makes the park really easy to navigate and helps with the parks traffic flow.  The water park entrance is located inside the main park and is accessed by a bridge. The many animals and park rides are intermingled surrounding the lake. The landscaping is very nice throughout the park and there are several GREAT photograph opportunities. One addition I hope they will consider adding in the future are some paddle boats in the lake.

As we were leaving the park I noticed a wooden board walk trail, right by the Junior Base Camp Kiddie Rides. DON'T forget about this little hidden area it will lead you through a nice quiet wooded area where you will see a black bear, bush baby, red tail hawk, some really big koi and a few other amazing creatures. Its a great educational learning spot.

Our kids were too tuckered out to attend the concert but I am sure it was just as amazing as the rest of the park. Family friendly concerts are offered throughout the year. Hopefully next time we will be able to catch the concert.

You will definitely need an entire day at the park and if you can two days. We were not able to see and do everything the park offers because we ran out of time and we were there from 10:30 am - 7:30 pm. I think Wild Adventures knows they offer too much to cover in one day. So GUESS what? Your general park admission (includes regular, junior or senior full price admission) is valid for two days. YUP you read that right, isn't that awesome! The second day MUST be used on the next, consecutive operating day ONLY. The holder of the original ticket must keep the ticket and present it on the next operating day to gain admission.  Next time we visit we will definitely be doing two days. There are lots of great inexpensive hotels in the area as well as other attractions.

I just saw on the Wild Adventures Facebook page that NEW attractions are being added for 2013! So make sure you follow their social media outlets and sign up for the email list (more information below).

More About Wild Adventures:
Wild Adventures is an amusement park the size of 155 football fields. Wild Adventures is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment which also owns and manages properties throughout the United States like: Dollywood, Dollywood Splash Country, Silver Dollar City, Newport Aquarium, Adventure Aquarium and Stone Mountain Park.  The company is based on Christian values and focuses on providing family friendly experiences to all guests. The park started out in 1996 as a small petting zoo but since then has become one of the Top 50 Theme Parks in North America.The park is home to eight roller coasters and numerous flat rides. The rides were added to the park in 1998 and Splash Island, the park's water park, opened in 2003 as the park's largest expansion which includes several water slides and attractions. The park features approximately 59 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, Splash Island water park and numerous concerts from country, pop, rock, Christian, to oldies superstars. All of the rides and attractions (except for Go-Karts, Mini Golf, Skycoaster, and Skill Games), general seating concerts, daily shows, special events and the water park are included with park admission.

The kids review:
Both Kids: "When are we going back? We really like that park!"
Gwyn: "My favorite things were the dragon twirly ride, big Ferris wheel and Tiger show. I really hope we go back because it was lots of fun. I really liked the cotton candy too! I also liked the water slide that was closed in. I also liked the bird thing we walked through."
Rowyn: "My favorite things were the tiger show, superman flying ride and bumper cars. Everything was my favorite."

Extra details:
-Make sure you download the NEW iPhone and Android App to help you get around the park.
-Parking is $10, cash and credit cards are accepted.
-Pizza is the best family deal if you plan to eat inside the park, a large is $19 and can roughly feed 4-6. No food is allowed to be brought in but you may go out to your car to eat or eat at the adjacent picnic area. (just get your hand stamped to return). One bottle water of water per person is allowed to be taken into the park. Food prices average $6-$10 per person (including your drink). You may also drive somewhere to eat, just show your parking receipt to avoid having to pay for parking again.
-Concession stands will provide you with FREE tap water upon request.
-Normal street attire is okay for the amusement park water rides (bathing suits must be covered). Proper bathing suits must be worn to enjoy Splash Island. Park attire must be family friendly.
-Lockers are available throughout the park for $1.50 per key turn. There are also lockers in Splash Island which are by the day at the rate of $10 for a small locker, $12 for a large locker and $14 for a family locker.
-Cash and credit cards are accepted throughout the park.
-The park is handicap and stroller accessible. Most of the rides are also handicap accessible offering ramps and opportunities to bypass lines (must obtain a pass at the guest service desk).
-Smoking is allowed in the park but only in designated areas.
-There are two first aid and lost parent stations one at the center of the park and one by the splash playground.
-A nursing mother station is available behind Swingin' Safari.
-Some items like mini golf, sky coaster, boxing robots and go karts require an additional fee for more details read here.
-If little ones need some down time from all the excitement there is a great shaded playground located at the front of the park.
-Reserved seating for concerts can be purchased but park admission is still required.

SPECIALS:
-Homeschool Day is offered twice a year in May and September. For $20 per person you can have a fun and very educational day. The waterpark is closed in September. And guess what else...Wild Adventures has even put together lesson plans for homeschoolers.
-Wild Adventures offers many SPECIALS check the website to view details on package specials, military discounts, end of summer savings and more.

Where:
3766 Old Clyattville Road
Valdosta, GA 31601
229-219-7080

When to visit:
Theme Park hours vary check the website for exact hours of operation.  The waterpark is open everyday in June and July and limited times during March, April, May, August and beginning of September. Wild Adventures is closed in January, February and November.

Cost:
Regular (Ages 10-54) - $45.99
Child (Ages 3 - 9) - $40.99
Senior (Ages 55+) - $40.99

Links to follow:
-Wild Adventures Website
-Wild Adventures Facebook
-Wild Adventures Twitter
-Wild Adventures Email Newsletter
-Don't forget to check in on FourSquare and share some tips and photos.


*Disclaimer - We received free admission to Wild Adventures in return for our  honest review. Please note that prices indicated in the post are subject to change. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are our own! Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.