A different perspective on Dine with Shamu - or I don't eat grass!!!

[Mouse Skywalker]

So, hmmmm, I guess Pete and the gang didn't like the Dine with Shamu experience at SeaWorld. I guess I had a different perspective on it. That's OK, I did say that if I was solely judging the cost of the meal based on the food, I would think it is overpriced ($39 for lunch is pretty steep). I think I was more enamored with the overall experience than they were. I was lucky that I had a host from SeaWorld dining with me, and explaining all about the park. I also had a private audience/interview with one of the trainers that was at Dine with Shamu too. So I ended up being there for almost 2 hours talking.

Thinking back on it, I really didn't eat that much because I was talking the whole time with my host. Or was it because I was afraid of being washed away by a Shamu splash because I only weigh 11 pounds and graze on grass...

I did really want more of that dessert, but all I was able to get was the cookie and some strawberries.

One other thing, I might think differently about the experience if I was paying $160 for a family of four versus just the $40 I paid for myself. I still say I thought the food was better at "Dine with Shamu" than in other parts of the park.

You can read about my experience below, but it's just another opinion to add to the conversation.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/06/04/celebrity-dining-seaworld-style/

http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/06/12/profile-of-an-animal-trainer-seaworlds-jennifer-fuhs/

 

[TXYankee]

Dave,

I liked your review! Like Kevin says, a review is the experence you have. I can go the same restaurant amd eat the same thing on two different days and have very different "reviews".

I have a cat that weighs 11 pounds and likes to graze on grass and he seems to be very happy!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Dave,
I liked your review! Like Kevin says, a review is the experence you have. I can go the same restaurant amd eat the same thing on two different days and have very different "reviews".

No I like hearing multiple reviews too, and it sounds like you had a very different type of experience Dave- that is cool that you got to sit and talk with a park host and you got to meet a trainer, how fun!

And what TXYankee said is sooo true. We recently went to The Cheesecake Factory (a chain restaurant) and we ordered our favorite dish there to share and it was so gross, it tasted like the cooks dropped our plate in a bucket of butter and then fished it back out and served it to us... And we have had this dish many times there and loved it . We both laughed and said after we left that if that had been our first time dining there we would have been disgusted and would never have gone back ...and I never would have discovered the yummy vanilla bean cheesecake.

 

[ADP]

Dave...I'm sure having a host dine with you made the experience much different. Everyone has a different perspecitve and that's ok; different circumstances, different perspective.

I know the Orlando Dine with Shamu experience I attended late in 2007 was different than what Pete described. We were allowed to the buffet for 30 minutes before any trainer or Shamu came out. After 30 minutes, Shamu made an appearance for pictures, did tricks, etc. Then the trainers came out and spoke to the audience in the restaurant. The final piece was when the trainers came around individually and stopped at each table for Q&A and pictures. We were allowed up to the buffet for the length of the experience. I thought it was very well done and not rushed at all. In fact, the whole experience took 90 minutes. For some reason Pete's experience was rushed. Who knows why.

I've always said you never really know what you are going to get with theme park dining. It's inconsistant in my opinion. Some days are really good and other days are not so good at the same dining location. some of it has to do with expectations as well. If you had a good first experience, you may expect other experiences to be the same.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks everyone, but don't get me wrong. I'm not being defensive here. I don't mind different opinions. Heck, I'm an academic. I can come up with an alternative explanation for anything. I can argue with myself even. I just thought it'd be fun to keep the discussion going here.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I have an OT nosey question for you Dave- I love reading all of the stuff you do for the Blog and the podcast- how do you get a chance to get down to Florida so much? Do you just love it and make time for it, or does your job give you excuses to go down there? I always assumed you were a local, but when I saw you were in NY I was very impressed that you get down there so much- I am jealous!

 

[TXYankee]

Do you really eat grass?

I like alot of greens, I enjoy dandelion & chives!

I do, however, think 11 lbs is a bit thin for an adult male.

Perhaps adding chicken wings to your diet may be nice.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I also had a positive experience when I took my daughter, Kelly, & nephews to Dine with Shamu in San Diego. We had plenty of time to eat our meal, and then saw the show with Shamu, and the trainer answered questions, etc. I bet if Pete & the gang had been at dinner with us they would have reported a different experience. It's a shame that SeaWorld couldn't be consistent with their show.

People are paying quite a bit of money, and so these themeparks should pay care to always give great service.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I have an OT nosey question for you Dave- I love reading all of the stuff you do for the Blog and the podcast- how do you get a chance to get down to Florida so much? Do you just love it and make time for it, or does your job give you excuses to go down there? I always assumed you were a local, but when I saw you were in NY I was very impressed that you get down there so much- I am jealous!

Thanks for your kind words. As far as how I get down to Florida, it kind of varies. I have an academic/administrative position at a college here in western NY. I have to go to a lot of meetings and conferences. Last year I had two conferences in Orlando - one in May at Gaylord Palms (Flower and Garden Festival whoo hooo! ) and one in September at the Contemporary (Food and Wine Festival ). We had also decided to take our vacation at Walt Disney World in July. So there were three trips right there. Other times I'll just decide to go down for a weekend - like for Mousefest in December or the Marathon in January. I can get really cheap flights on AirTran (and I've been able to get a lot of miles/credits). I've found that I can squeeze in a lot in just a weekend trip, and that gives me material for blogs and segments for the podcast. I'm really glad you like my stuff. Please share your comments on the blog. I'm always looking to keep the conversation going there.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Thanks for your kind words. As far as how I get down to Florida, it kind of varies. I have an academic/administrative position at a college here in western NY. I have to go to a lot of meetings and conferences. Last year I had two conferences in Orlando - one in May at Gaylord Palms (Flower and Garden Festival whoo hooo! ) and one in September at the Contemporary (Food and Wine Festival ). We had also decided to take our vacation at Walt Disney World in July. So there were three trips right there. Other times I'll just decide to go down for a weekend - like for Mousefest in December or the Marathon in January. I can get really cheap flights on AirTran (and I've been able to get a lot of miles/credits). I've found that I can squeeze in a lot in just a weekend trip, and that gives me material for blogs and segments for the podcast. I'm really glad you like my stuff. Please share your comments on the blog. I'm always looking to keep the conversation going there.

Very cool! I have been meaning to find a job that has meetings or conferences in Anaheim or Orlando- should I put that in the "Objective" line on my resume? My husband and I splurged one year and had annual passes to DL and it was the best! Keep up the great work!

 

[maroo]

Dave...

I thought of you as I was listening to the podcast...even before they mentioned your review.

I really, really enjoyed our "Backstage at Believe" experience.

We went in October of 2008 (Orlando Sea World) and loved the food and opportunity to learn more about the whales. It looked like a different set up than the buffet you reviewed, but it was basically the same experience.

I thought the food was really good and remember that banana's foster dessert! Yum! They even went to another restaurant to get someone in our party a cappuchino.

We loved it!

Second to Boma, it was one of our best meals on our trip.

They also refunded our tickets for Lauren and her Mom, since they were sick, which was very kind!

I love hearing all of the different opinions regarding Dining! Especially when you pull in the boards and podcasts. It can be very interesting to hear each experience!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I have to admit, John made me laugh when he said "Dave liked Cinderella's Royal Table."

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone: I forwarded the show on to my contact at SeaWorld San Diego so they could hear Pete's response, and here's her reply. I asked if she minded if I share it, and she did not. So here you go.

Wow, he sure did have a different opinion. His assessment of the food is purely subjective (some people like it, and I guess some people don't). But what I'm confused about is the rushed part. When people are getting their food at the buffet, the trainer is on the mic merely giving some background information. They don't start the presentation for quite a while, after everyone is seated and eating. (he made the comment that you're in the buffet line while Shamu is posing and jumping out of the water). I wonder if he got a late start or something. And if he left after 40 minutes, that was his choice. You can stay in the area for an hour (and some people do, even after the trainers are done with the presentation; they like to just stay and watch the whales swim around).

He also mentions that your money would be better spent on a behind-the-scenes tour at Shamu Stadium. We actually don't even offer that here at this time, so he might be confusing that with our Florida park.