Bands, Brews and BBQ Crowds?

[drsg]

We have our plans all set and just found out that this will be going on the day we have planned for SW. For a second we were a little excited, then realized crowd levels might be terrible, even if we get there at "RD" as planned. We are seriously thinking of switching up our plans to do a waterpark that Saturday instead, which we also don't really want to do either. It will be March 2nd, if that matters and we were not planning on staying late. Any thoughts and/or previous experience anyone?

[greenclan67]

We will be there the same day. Crowds will be up but manageable.

[RabFlmom]

From about 2-6PM , people will start getting their seats(or standing in line however they decide to let you into the stadium for the concert) or be at the concerts and you will notice the difference in the park.

Its a great time to go to the park. Lots of added food stands etc.

[hydrotony]

What stage/arena/area are the concerts at? Where are the food and beer booths? I've only been to Busch Gardens BB&BBQ events. There, music is in a field behind Gwazi and food and beer on walkway areas near the field entrance.

[DOOM1001]

The concert is in Bayside stadium where they used to have the ski shows.The food booths are along the Bayside pathway which is the path by the intersection of the entrance area of the park and the Waterfront area which leads to Bayside stadium, all close to the entrance of the park.

[RabFlmom]

Originally Posted by DOOM1001

The concert is in Bayside stadium where they used to have the ski shows.The food booths are along the Bayside pathway which is the path by the intersection of the entrance area of the park and the Waterfront area which leads to Bayside stadium, all close to the entrance of the park.

In addition :
The 2nd stage will be where the food booths are. Local bands will play there throughout the day.

This year they are going to have new Harley cycles somewhere in there, too. Last year I think they just had one.

The one thing I hated last year was they served BBQ sandwiches at one of the stands in a waffle bun and it totally tasted horrible. LOL Can't remember which kind I bought.

[FLOIR]

Originally Posted by RabFlmom

In addition : they served BBQ sandwiches at one of the stands in a waffle bun

I don't recall that particular food choice (but if I had seen it probably would not have ordered, it sounds.......about as you describe it) but the vendors this year are slightly different than last year.

Besides SeaWorlds own Voyagers, there will be Tony Roma’s, Cecil’s Texas Style Bar B Q and Sonny’s Bar-B-Q,

[DOOM1001]

Originally Posted by FLOIR

I don't recall that particular food choice (but if I had seen it probably would not have ordered, it sounds.......about as you describe it) but the vendors this year are slightly different than last year.

Besides SeaWorlds own Voyagers, there will be Tony Roma’s, Cecil’s Texas Style Bar B Q and Sonny’s Bar-B-Q,

I still preferred the buffet they had about 4-5 years ago to the outside companies brought in now.They had an awesome set up in the pavillions area with a huge buffet line in the middle with anything and everything you would want in a BBQ meal along with unlimited soda and water bottles and even some desserts.Even though they offered this buffet they still had a couple of booths selling BBQ items if you didn't want the buffet,they just took out the buffet.

[RabFlmom]

Originally Posted by DOOM1001

I still preferred the buffet they had about 4-5 years ago to the outside companies brought in now.They had an awesome set up in the pavillions area with a huge buffet line in the middle with anything and everything you would want in a BBQ meal along with unlimited soda and water bottles and even some desserts.Even though they offered this buffet they still had a couple of booths selling BBQ items if you didn't want the buffet,they just took out the buffet.

We still went to Voyagers to eat yesterday because we prefer to have a table and chairs to sit at when we eat. Our son met us for lunch so we wanted to be able to sit and talk before he headed to work at Disney. There is never enough areas to sit and eat on the Pathway.

Yesterday the concert almost lasted 2 hours and there was an intermission while they set up for the 2nd show so it did not leave time to really eat after the concert like we usually do. It was a 7 PM closing yesterday which was early for the BBB concert days. Stadium was pretty full but didn't notice any people sitting on the berm around the lake.
Also over in the area of the booths and other stage they did not have the big screen to watch the concert from that area. There was just a 52 inch or less screen by the lake.
Have to say people in our area of the stadium were pleasantly distracted during the show. An Osprey decided to perch on the old dive tower and kept making amazing dives into the lake and then flying over the stage platform. Only in Florida.

We didn't do any of the regular SW shows except for trying Turtle Trek again.

Next week The Beachboys and Styx!

[angelmom27]

Originally Posted by RabFlmom

We still went to Voyagers to eat yesterday because we prefer to have a table and chairs to sit at when we eat. Our son met us for lunch so we wanted to be able to sit and talk before he headed to work at Disney. There is never enough areas to sit and eat on the Pathway.

Yesterday the concert almost lasted 2 hours and there was an intermission while they set up for the 2nd show so it did not leave time to really eat after the concert like we usually do. It was a 7 PM closing yesterday which was early for the BBB concert days. Stadium was pretty full but didn't notice any people sitting on the berm around the lake.
Also over in the area of the booths and other stage they did not have the big screen to watch the concert from that area. There was just a 52 inch or less screen by the lake.
Have to say people in our area of the stadium were pleasantly distracted during the show. An Osprey decided to perch on the old dive tower and kept making amazing dives into the lake and then flying over the stage platform. Only in Florida.

We didn't do any of the regular SW shows except for trying Turtle Trek again.

Next week The Beachboys and Styx!

Cool. Thanks for the info. I want to come for my birthday weekend for Big & Rich. Also going to see about going back for Darius Rucker and then rodney atkins and uncle kracker.

[Tickled Tink]

Can you please explain the seating situation? We bought the VIP package that includes reserved seating. Thanks.

[angelmom27]

Originally Posted by Tickled Tink

Can you please explain the seating situation? We bought the VIP package that includes reserved seating. Thanks.

Its at bayfront stadium and the reserved seating will be in the lower section. Usually in the middle sections. Its set up like a typical stadium seating. Its not benches like at the animal shows they use the plastic chairs with the foldable seat.

[bull2saintleo]

I was just there on 2/9/2013 and the crowds wernt bad at all, but it probably depends on who the artist is for that afternoon. I can see Darius Rucker, Big & Rich, and other major acts drawing bigger crowds.

[Ali]

is the reserved seating under shade? Could you tell if the sun was in the wrong spot, if you are looking into the sun while watching the show?

[RabFlmom]

Originally Posted by Ali

is the reserved seating under shade? Could you tell if the sun was in the wrong spot, if you are looking into the sun while watching the show?

The reserved seats are folding chairs right down by the stage and not under the stadium roof so on a sunny day, it will be in direct sun till the sun sets enough and the stadium blocks it.

Since you can get there just a few minutes before 4 to see the concert, the sun will be coming from behind the stadium and it wasn't too bad last Saturday.