Dinner with Shamu

[Grumpy McScrooge]

This has prob be asked before, sorry if it has:thumbsup2

We are going next October, and we all love Sea World:banana:

Is the dinner with Shamu a worth while experience(kids aged 5&2) How long does it last and do you get value for money?

Thanks in advance

[Soon2B4]

I just booked it myself for December. There is a thread about it on page 2. I figured I would try it once.

[truck1]

Unless they have changed it again, my fiance and I think its worth it.We prefer the old way, but it is still a nice experience. The food is still good, and you cant beat the close up encunters with the whales.

[Piglet'sPal]

When I made our reservations for this for December, the lady told me that there was no reserved seating....it was just first come, first serve. Is this correct? I thought that I had read on here that you should book early to get good seats?? :confused3

[Dolphina]

When I made our reservations for this for December, the lady told me that there was no reserved seating....it was just first come, first serve. Is this correct? I thought that I had read on here that you should book early to get good seats?? :confused3

that's what I thought, too! :confused3 Did they change that? So, you can pick up your seats and sit whereever you want? :confused3

I'll dine with Shamu in two weeks. :)

[flukefan]

When I made our reservations for this for December, the lady told me that there was no reserved seating....it was just first come, first serve. Is this correct? I thought that I had read on here that you should book early to get good seats?? :confused3

When they say to book early to get good seats, that's exactly what they mean. They fill up the tables that are pool-side first, then fill the outer tables last. So, the earlier you book, the more of a chance you get at sitting right next to the pool, as opposed to sitting a row or two away from the pool. It's still a good spot there, but it's different when you are right next to the pool :)

[Dolphina]

I booked my dinner on the day the dates for november were released, so I'm hoping to get good seats. so, we'll be seated on the day of the event, right?

and does anyone know about the seating when the dinner is included to a tour like the VIP tour? will those tours people get seats right to the pool?

[Piglet'sPal]

When they say to book early to get good seats, that's exactly what they mean. They fill up the tables that are pool-side first, then fill the outer tables last. So, the earlier you book, the more of a chance you get at sitting right next to the pool, as opposed to sitting a row or two away from the pool. It's still a good spot there, but it's different when you are right next to the pool :)

I'm still confused!! If they don't do reserved seating, then how do they fill up the tables when you make your reservation? She made it sound like it is first come, first serve. Yes, you have to have reservations to get a table, but the order in which they fill the tables in, is the people who arrive earliest get the best seats. Not what order the reservations were made in....Does that make sense? I'm not sure if I am explaining it correctly...

[Dolphina]

I'm still confused!! If they don't do reserved seating, then how do they fill up the tables when you make your reservation? She made it sound like it is first come, first serve. Yes, you have to have reservations to get a table, but the order in which they fill the tables in, is the people who arrive earliest get the best seats. Not what order the reservations were made in....Does that make sense? I'm not sure if I am explaining it correctly...


okay, that makes sense!

[Grumpy McScrooge]

How far in advance can you make the reservations?

[Piglet'sPal]

I believe it is around 60 days out that you can make reservations.

[Dolphina]

I booked my date 3 months ahead. Check the dates online!

[butsy]

Booked months in advance and was sat a couple of rows from the pool.
Though would have liked to have been poolside the seat were still great and the experience was wonderful.

[inkkognito]

I was told that tables are assigned at booking. Called early and had poolside seats.

[Piglet'sPal]

I called this past Saturday to change my ressies from lunch to dinner and I was told by a differnet agent that tables are assigned by the park staff and that it didn't matter when you made your reservations. I was told the same thing from the first agent whom I booked with. But, I have heard people say that they have been told that the tables are assinged when you make your ressie. I am so confused!! I guess I will just get what I get...I'm sure no matter where I sit it will still be a lot of fun!

[Dolphina]

I did DWS twice last week and had great seats in the middle and front row. But I still don't know on what it depends where you get seated. After the check in you get a plastic card with a number on it which you'll have to present at the dining location and then someone will escort you to your table... It was a nice experience to be that close to the killer whales!!

[mdurette]

I did DWS twice last week and had great seats in the middle and front row. But I still don't know on what it depends where you get seated. After the check in you get a plastic card with a number on it which you'll have to present at the dining location and then someone will escort you to your table... It was a nice experience to be that close to the killer whales!!

Did you purchase you tickets well ahead of time?

[Dolphina]

I booked my date for November in the beginning of August!

[kathy884]

I'm very curious about the seating too. We went in October, booking just an hour before dinner and were not pool side. That made total sense to me, as we were the last people who booked. We'll be going again in March, and my son wants to do this again and get right next to the pool so he can get good pictures. If they can't guantee this though, I don't think it will be worth it for us to go again so soon. I'll have to ask when I book. If it's first come first serve, we'll have to get to the underwater viewing area very early.

To answer the question, is this worth it. (Not really in my opinion.) It's a nice meal (not outstanding), but good. And other meals at Sea World could easily cost you $15 per person anyway for just a sandwich, chips, drink. This is a pretty extensive buffet. A trainer comes out and gives a little presentation for about a 1/2 hour, and one of the Orcas does a few things (pleasant and interesting), but not as good as behind the scenes experiences that they have at our local zoo). If though you have a kid who can't get enough of Shamu and loves this, their enthusiam is contagious and you might just be like me and book this again. Part of the reason I can budget this, though, is that for my mini March trip just three nights / two day, I asked my son what theme parks he wants to do. His answer was two days at Sea World. Since the second day here is free, and I'm not forking out admissions at Disney or Universal that gives me the funds in my budget for this again.

[Tillikumtrainer]

The earlier you book, the better the seating-

here is our Dine with Shamu FAQ Thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2338024

[flukefan]

Your table is determined by the date you book. The earlier, the better. You DO have assigned seating. If you have someone who booked that afternoon sitting poolside, and someone who booked months in advance, it wouldn't be fair.

[mdurette]

Your table is determined by the date you book. The earlier, the better. You DO have assigned seating. If you have someone who booked that afternoon sitting poolside, and someone who booked months in advance, it wouldn't be fair.


I can confirm this. I was there in December and asked an employee. They said seats are determined in advance and are based on first come first serve and party size.

My question - my dd wanted to eat with Shamu for her 4th birthday. Does anyone know if Seaworld does a small cake or something?

[Tillikumtrainer]

you can ask the person when you book the DWS Reservations, If i remember correctly its $15 for the cake.(lol this was last year i dont know if it's changed now)

[kathy884]

I just booked dine with Shamu for 5 on March 16th (keeping my fingers crossed that for my 14 year old photographer and marine mammal fan we'll get seats right by the water). (I also got a two year passport // gave me a 10% discount and will give me a 10% discount on other food and gifts purchased at Sea World, gives a discount for summer camps at Sea World which we do, and I'm pretty sure we'll visit next March as well as this March, making it worthwhile). Sea World is just too good a time.

20 Trips with # 21 coming up
March 1971 – KOA closest to Disney (camping)
March 1972 – Jellystone Park (camping)
March 1974 – Outdoor Resorts of America (camping)
Dec. 1974 – Outdoor Resorts of American (camping)
March 1975 – Outdoor Resorts of America (camping)
Dec. 1975 – Fort Wilderness (camping)
Dec. 1976 – Fort Wilderness (camping)
Dec. 1977 -- Outdoor Resorts of America (camping)
Dec. 1986 – Marriott Royal Palms (condo by Marriott World Center)
May 1993 – Disney Contemporary (Garden Wing) (hotel)
Dec. 1994 – Polynesian Isles (condo)
May 1999 – Disney Contemporary (Main Building with high floor and Magic Kingdom view) (hotel)
Dec. 2001 – Cypress Pointe (condo)
March 2003 – Sheraton Vistana – Cascades section (condo)
March 2004 – Sheraton Vistana – Cascades section (condo)
Dec. 2004 -- Cypress Pointe (condo)
June 2006 –Tampa relative’s condo
June 2007 – Cypress Point Grandvillas (condo). Disney -- Port Orleans Riverside (hotel), and Sheraton Vistana – Fountains section (condo) – stayed three different places on this trip.
Dec. 2008 – Sheraton Vistana Resort (remodeled Fountains section) (condo)
Oct. 2009 – Hilton Garden Inn Seaworld (hotel)
(Will be going again March 2010 – staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Seaworld again)

[SPUNKYSHADOE]

Can anyone tell me about this tour?How much of the tour is with dolphin interaction?I really appreciate any and all feedback!!