Woke up at 6.30... Again. Wide awake... I struggle to get out of bed before 8am in the UK. Something weird is going on...
Today was SeaWorld day. A leisurely start, including a bad buffet brrakfast at the hotel. Everything was luke warm (cold fruit and hot breakfasts all 'tepid') Waiter was also inattentive. Charged to room, but I think it was in the region of $30 inc tip
Purchased tickets at hotel reception and crossed the road to SeaWorld. The hotel is the closest to SeaWorld and yes it is across the street - but there is also a monster carpark in the way!
We hiked up to the maingate, where security take a much more serious approach here than at Disney. The inspectors are equipped with sticks to prod your towel and water bottle with!
On entering the park we immediately went to the upgrade counter to exchange our tickets for 'second day free' passes. We spent that long in the queue that the second day was in danger of becoming our first.
We wandered around, viewed a few exhibits. Watched the Clyde and Seymour show - okay... Hurried over to Shamu. Again, okay. Experienced the shark encounter and headed for lunch at the woodfired food place.
This wound me up. Queue was 15 people long, winding past the food displays. It moved so slowly. 25 minutes in a hot queue. Food was very, very poor, and to top it all they gouged me for $36. I 'expect' to pay extra in the parks, but the staff here were atrocious. Ignorant, surly, serving poor quality food.
Whilst I am having a rant - do some nationalities have problems with pictorial signs? Like the no smoking ones? I particularly like the way they feign ignorance of English yet somehow understand 'thanks, ignore me you gormless *bleeping* peasant'. Knowing the more effective security here would have spotted any concealed weapons, I felt I could risk being more assertive/vocal!
Continued our exploration of the park including the Penguins/Puffins, Wild Artic (in which we somehow joined the wrong queue and missed the simulator bit) and the Dolphin Show. The Dolphin show was my favourite I think they are wonderful creatures and the performance with the family from Canada was entertaining. Skipped Kraken (GF is not a big coaster fan) although she felt brave enough to do Atlantis Now that is a long drop
Finished by 4.30 and returned to hotel. Took a while to leave the park as I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find my ice-cream and cookie combo (I failed).
Seaworld no longer excites me. Appears to have been dumbed down - look at a few animals and move on to the next shopping opportunity. My memories of SeaWorld may be very rose tinted (and expectations too high?), but the magic just wasnt there. I was dissappointed...
Tony Romas on I-Drive for dinner. Salads, ultimate combo (ribs, chicken, sausage, corn) pretty ropey. $30 ex tip. Server short changed me, but failed to get away with it. Somehow I still managed to tip him! Crossed road to Pirates Cove minigolf - very busy. Didnt have the courage to re-cross the road again the crossing point is designed to give you just enough time to get half way across before being squished by a car.
Walked up to the Mercado instead managed to bang head on hard rock vault window drawing a few puzzled looks from those inside. What has happened to this place? The Mercado used to be buzzing with eateries and various shops. Now it would appear to be heading the way of Church Street Station.
Made a mad dash across the road and collected car. Returned to hotel, drank mudslide cocktails and watched tv Tomorrow is yet another transfer day
Today was SeaWorld day. A leisurely start, including a bad buffet brrakfast at the hotel. Everything was luke warm (cold fruit and hot breakfasts all 'tepid') Waiter was also inattentive. Charged to room, but I think it was in the region of $30 inc tip
Purchased tickets at hotel reception and crossed the road to SeaWorld. The hotel is the closest to SeaWorld and yes it is across the street - but there is also a monster carpark in the way!
We hiked up to the maingate, where security take a much more serious approach here than at Disney. The inspectors are equipped with sticks to prod your towel and water bottle with!
On entering the park we immediately went to the upgrade counter to exchange our tickets for 'second day free' passes. We spent that long in the queue that the second day was in danger of becoming our first.
We wandered around, viewed a few exhibits. Watched the Clyde and Seymour show - okay... Hurried over to Shamu. Again, okay. Experienced the shark encounter and headed for lunch at the woodfired food place.
This wound me up. Queue was 15 people long, winding past the food displays. It moved so slowly. 25 minutes in a hot queue. Food was very, very poor, and to top it all they gouged me for $36. I 'expect' to pay extra in the parks, but the staff here were atrocious. Ignorant, surly, serving poor quality food.
Whilst I am having a rant - do some nationalities have problems with pictorial signs? Like the no smoking ones? I particularly like the way they feign ignorance of English yet somehow understand 'thanks, ignore me you gormless *bleeping* peasant'. Knowing the more effective security here would have spotted any concealed weapons, I felt I could risk being more assertive/vocal!
Continued our exploration of the park including the Penguins/Puffins, Wild Artic (in which we somehow joined the wrong queue and missed the simulator bit) and the Dolphin Show. The Dolphin show was my favourite I think they are wonderful creatures and the performance with the family from Canada was entertaining. Skipped Kraken (GF is not a big coaster fan) although she felt brave enough to do Atlantis Now that is a long drop
Finished by 4.30 and returned to hotel. Took a while to leave the park as I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find my ice-cream and cookie combo (I failed).
Seaworld no longer excites me. Appears to have been dumbed down - look at a few animals and move on to the next shopping opportunity. My memories of SeaWorld may be very rose tinted (and expectations too high?), but the magic just wasnt there. I was dissappointed...
Tony Romas on I-Drive for dinner. Salads, ultimate combo (ribs, chicken, sausage, corn) pretty ropey. $30 ex tip. Server short changed me, but failed to get away with it. Somehow I still managed to tip him! Crossed road to Pirates Cove minigolf - very busy. Didnt have the courage to re-cross the road again the crossing point is designed to give you just enough time to get half way across before being squished by a car.
Walked up to the Mercado instead managed to bang head on hard rock vault window drawing a few puzzled looks from those inside. What has happened to this place? The Mercado used to be buzzing with eateries and various shops. Now it would appear to be heading the way of Church Street Station.
Made a mad dash across the road and collected car. Returned to hotel, drank mudslide cocktails and watched tv Tomorrow is yet another transfer day
