Bud and BBQ weeks

[RabFlmom]

If you have never been during the weekends of Bud and BBQ, let me tell you it is worth going to. The food is great and the concerts are always good. Yesterday we saw Lori Morgan, who I really didn't ever listen to; but came away a Lori Morgan fan. They also had a stage set up for other bands near all the food and Bud stands on the path to Bayside Stadium. I think this was even better than last years.

To show you how well the Bud and BBQ is liked.....the young couple next to us in the stadium during the concert was from Germany. This is their 3rd year in a row to schedule their USA trip to come to Sea World during Bud and BBQ time.

 

[sammi]

Yep we spent the day there too and got to see Leeann Rhimes!

 

[RabFlmom]

We planned on going to LeeAnn's concert and also the Lonestar one but I ended up having to work 3 Saturdays this month. :-( We weren't real excited about the Lorrie Morgan concert but decided to go anyway. Boy am I glad we did. What a great day we had. We hit the dolphins first thing when we got there, but it was already crowded---ended up getting to pat one dolphin and then ernded up soaked first thing in the morning. Trainers had given them a big plastic ring and another toy to play with and they were really active. From there we went to Blue Horizons show. Then we ate and watched the local country bands/singers on the stage while we ate. From there we went to the almost 2 hour concert. We managed to see the Clyde and Semore show and decided to just go listen to the bands till our son got there after working at Blizzard Beach all day. We had planned on eating BBQ again but it started raining so opted for indoors at Voyagers. The orange chicken was wonderful!

 

[jcapizzi]

We love SeaWorld but have never been to this event - sure would love to though! Can you tell me a little more about it please. What are the beer/BBQ set-ups like and how many different ones are there. Any info will be appreciated!

 

[yaytezIOA]

Usually there is only one BBQ Buffet set up. Thats usually near the ski stadium. The past two years they had it all weekend, many more artisits playing. This year it was only saturday, and in Feb. Seems like they want to compete with Mardi Gras at UO. One year we got the buffet thing and sat down to eat. This big tall guy comes up and asks "y'all mind if I set here?" Of course we didnt. I dont listen or care much about country music...but I do about good food. My sister looks over and starts punching me in the arm frantically all but yelling "OMG ITS TRACE ADKINS!!!!" Asked him, he said yeah...started talking to him, having my son get up to get him some pie...that boy can eat. We got to sit there and watch him tune up and sound check, and a few CD's autographed. That was about two years ago. Lots of fun.

 

[RabFlmom]

Like the last poster said, they changed it this year. Last year it was only 2 weekends and this year it was 4 Saturdays. Last year they had 2 main concerts on each day of the weekend - one at 2 and one at 6 or 7. We did very little in the park last year because we waited to get good seats for an hour before each concert.

Last year they had the main BBQ dinner set up behind the stadium and it was a flat rate for the meal( I think all you could eat) Last year they had another big BBQ stand over by the Penguin building( I think that is where it was). They had a couple stages where local bands played most of the day.

This year they had all the Bud and BBQ stuff in one area. Everything was on the path to the Bayside Stadium. They had a whole bunch of stands selling all sorts of BBQ, sides, and drinks right along the path. it all seemed really reasonably priced, but not sure if it was cheaper or more expensive to eat the BBQ this year. There were little tables where you could stand to eat what you bought near some of them and tables and chairs near others. Near the lake they had a stage with about 50 chairs set up for people to listen to the local country band and singers. There was also a big screen showing other Busch parks . You could also sit there and watch the main concert on the Bigscreen. We had a blast this year and enjoyed it just as much as our times there last year.

 

[Armadillo4]

*bump for 2007*

Does anyone know which singers or bands are playing in the 2007 Bud & BBQ Saturdays? The SeaWorld site has a press release with the dates, but not the performers.

Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10 and 17

Any help is greatly appreciated. I've spotted some websites that say Sugarland has the Jan. 27 concert and Little Big Town is on Feb. 17, but these shows are not yet listed on either group's *official* sites. I'd definitely make a trip to SeaWorld to catch either one!

 

[RabFlmom]

From SW web site:

Saturday, Jan. 27
Sugarland

Saturday, Feb. 3
Sara Evans

Saturday, Feb. 10
Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx

Saturday, Feb. 17
Little Big Town
Concert line-ups and times are subject to change

It is early this year. Was it in Jan/Feb. last year or March? I will have to start asking for Saturdays off so I can see at least a couple concerts.

 

[Armadillo4]

Thanks for that information RabFlmom!!! I was thinking of a trip to Orlando over Presidents Week. I know that tends to be a bit crowded, but I haven't been to SW in years and think this is great incentive to go. I just love LBT!

Would anyone have any pictures from past concerts? It would be interesting to see how the stage is setup and if the sightlines are okay at the "ends" vs. the center. If I remember correctly, the stadium is quite wide, which is great for seating capacity and the ski shows, but maybe not as conducive for concert watching? This is pure speculation...I have no real idea, but hope to find out this coming year.

 

[stlsports4ever]

Too bad that dont do that in the summer!

 

[RabFlmom]

The stage is right in front of the center section just a little ways from the first rows. Usually they will have sections that come out for the star to walk down in front of the sections to the left and right of center, too. The times I have been we have always managed to get in the center section and their wasn't anyone on the outer edges of the stadium. I don't know how to post pics on here. I took quite a few at the concerts the last 2 years. It is kind of a friendly, laid back type concert usually.

 

[gogriz]

Hi all- we will be in Orlando and have planned for 1-2 days at SWO.

WHen do these shows start?

We are huge Sara Evans fans, and I would love to take my family to that.


are these BBQ/Concert events just packed? (i.e. making the rest of the aprk experience less fun because of so many people there for the concert, BBQ and beer?)

any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[njziggy]

How are the crowds with the BBQ days? I am a little concerned because we have had a big family vacation planned and our only SW day is 2/10. We were hoping to be done with the entire park early enough to go to DTD for dinner. But, with the added crowds- I'm not sure this is even possible.

 

[RabFlmom]

Actually the people for the concerts are pretty much therefor the eats and concerts in our experience. So rest of park was sort of normal size crowd for a Saturday. We didn't really do very much in the rest of the park. We got there to eat lunch, watched concerts on the small stage for a couple hours probably, maybe went to a couple shows( not even sure we ventured to any shows before concert) and then went to the main concert. You have to get to concert about an hour before time(at least) to get up front seats in the middle section. We sat over to side for one concert and higher up but were still good seats and views of the stage. They haven't really figured out the best method for letting people into seating area of stadium. I think last year they formed a huge line-year before you stood at top of stadium, one time they let you sit in perimeters and then move to center areas later. Have to wait and see what they do this year. I have pictures but pre-digital camera so not scanned in. I probably could find and e-mail some to give you an idea of the stage from last year. I don't think I can post here on the site. It says I can't post attachments-does that mean pictures? If not how do you add pictures?
Even though the stadium is huge it is a small concert atmosphere and you feel close to the stage and entertainers . Concerts are sort of more laid back and friendly. We have enjoyed every one of them-even though some groups I had never heard of in years past( not a huge country fan)

 

[Armadillo4]

The first concert is scheduled for tomorrow--or today, by the time most of you read this. Anyone going to see Sugarland? We'd love to hear about it when you get back.

We're all set to visit over Presidents Week for Little Big Town. Airline tickets: check. Rental car: check. Reservations at ASMo resort: check. Advance tickets to SW: check. Whoo-hoo!

 

[RabFlmom]

We are going to the Sugaland concert today. Last year we headed over after lunch but this year we are going to make sure we are there not too long after opening. They are doing lots of advertising and it just seems like the parks migh be really busy this year because the groups are a little more current stars than last years. Not sure if we can make the Sara Evans because its hard to get off work 2 Saturdays in a row, but I am thinking my husband just might go without me if I have to work. He's a huge Sara Evans fan-even watched her dance last year. LOL
The all you can eat BBQ is $15.95 this year. An ad said there would be samples you could buy if you didn't want the whole meal, so figuring there might be the stands along the sidewalk again this year, but also the main picnic area, too.

 

[Amity 3]

Jack Hanna is also there on Feb. 3rd and 4th. he always puts on a fun animal show and signs autographs afterwards.

 

[RabFlmom]

Next week Sara Evans and Jack Hannah are both at SW. Not sure if it will be possible to see both.
Figuring it has been busier at the park than past years, we got there earlier than we usually do when we know we will be staying till closing. The actual park was not busy. We only went to the Pets Ahoy Show and to see the polar bear.
The concert was really good. Not sure when people started lining up, but the line was already huge at 1 when we walked over to the area thinking we would just sit and listen to the band on the 2nd stage.
They started filling the stadium at 2:30 . We ended up about 20 rows up -off to the side of the stage. Wasn't long before the stadium was full. People were sitting on the grass, on the lower sidewalk that comes into the stadium, and even standing on the bridge in the middle of the lake to hear the concert. The do have a big screen at the 2nd stage and chairs for people who didn't get seats to watch .

Most people left right after the concert which ended by 5:45. Park closed at 8. We ate at Voyagers and then our sons rode Kracken 7 times in a row. There were no night shows except for Believe at 7:30.

 

[Armadillo4]

The concert was really good. Not sure when people started lining up, but the line was already huge at 1 when we walked over to the area thinking we would just sit and listen to the band on the 2nd stage.
They started filling the stadium at 2:30...

Rabflmom, thanks for the show report! I'm glad you were able to see the concert. I would LOVE to see a Sugarland show. I'm not surprised they filled up Bayside Stadium, but it was interesting to find out how early people were lining up to see the concert. I bet Sara Evans will have a pretty big audience next weekend too. We'll plan for large crowds on the 17th for the LBT concert. It won't help that it will be the first Saturday of Presidents Week too. Yikes.

 

[DTop]

Jack Hanna is also there on Feb. 3rd and 4th. he always puts on a fun animal show and signs autographs afterwards.

I've never seen an "animal person" seemingly so uncomfortable and even afraid around the animals as Jack Hanna. It's really weird to watch him appear so uneasy so often. Anyone else get that same impression about him? Did something traumatic happen to him somewhere along the line to make him so jumpy?