Run Forrest Run!
This was our 3rd time dining at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
The first time, during our 2011 trip, the meal literally saved our night. We had gotten drenched at Sea World, we were wet and hungry. We all started turning on each other when we couldn’t decide where or what to eat. We were in line at the Panda Express, but Mark didn’t want to eat there. I checked out Margaritaville and was told the wait would be about an hour. Then we were able to be seated at Bubba’s right away and we enjoyed a fantastic meal.
We would be back on our next trip in 2013. The meals were good, but not spectacular. We ordered way too much and ended up leaving the restaurant with that uncomfortable too-full feeling.
The boys still wanted to eat here during the February trip. I purchased the Landry’s dining rewards card a few days before our trip for $25, and would receive a $25 dining credit on our first meal. Plus I would earn points toward meals at other Landry’s restaurants.
Unfortunately, there are not any Landry’s places near where we live. But it can be used to earn points at Bubba’s all over, TRex which is our must do at DTD/Disney Springs and Rainforest Café. Since we would not be “out” any money by purchasing the card it seemed like a no-brainer.
The table set up at Bubba’s is kind of cool. They have this sign that says Run, Forrest, Run and you can flip it over to get a sign that says Stop, Forrest, Stop if you need something at the table to call over someone who works at the restaurant will check on you.
Oh, yeah, the restaurant staff asks diners to answer trivia questions about the movie, but after the 3rd visit, even though I have only seen the movie once, years ago, I know all of the answers.
Hmmm. My Bubba’s receipt is not in with my other Universal dining receipts from the trip. I’ll have to look for that.
Mama Gump’s Garlic Bread Basket
Mojito ETA: Mango Mojito
Some other boat drink ETA: Secret Mango Sparkler (non-alcoholic)
Some sort of shrimp combo: grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers, scampi
ETA: Shrimp Triple Play
Shrimper’s Heaven: Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Shrimp, Crisp Golden Shrimp, and Tempura Shrimp, with Fries. Homemade dipping sauces: Cajun Marmalade, Zesty Cocktail, Tangy Asian
Shrimp New Orleans: An authentic spicy recipe from our staff in the French Quarter. Lots of tender shrimp broiled with butter, garlic, spices and served with Jasmine Rice.
3 entrees. We must have split everything.
ETA: According to the receipt, Nate got the top sirloin steak. That makes sense.
Did we not get dessert??? Seems unlikely with my boys. Was I able to convince them that we could get something in the lounge on the way to our room?
ETA: Nope! Key lime pie on the receipt.
Must find that receipt!
ETA: Found it!
So when it came time to pay, I told them that I had signed up for the rewards card within the past week. They tried to look me up by state (Massachusetts) and couldn’t find me. Then I gave them my name, but they said that didn’t really help.
UGH!
I had a copy of the email confirmation, but it didn’t have any kind of an account number on it.
Took two waitstaff and a couple of managers to finally grant us our $25 credit and the points for our meal.
ETA: Now that I am looking at the receipt, it does not appear that they included the credit. The bill total came to $107.65, which I double-checked by adding it up. The receipt does show a welcome reward of $25, but the credit card slip presented to us was for the full $107.65. According to my credit card statement, I paid 132.68, the non-discounted price plus a $25 tip.
When we arrived home after the trip, the actual card arrived in the mail, and I saw that they had my address as Michigan instead of Massachusets.
We decided not to dine at Bubba’s on our August trip, so, so much for the points we had earned!!!
Next up: Last Day
Then she told me to pack shorts haha (She's in Jacksonville 
