Dine With Shamu F.A.Q. Thread

[LeaversOnTour]

Does anyone one know if they do anything special on xmas day? We are doing this, this xmas - Very excited

 

[Lcar6709]

Am I right in thinking that Dining with Shamu has just re opened after a refurb of the venue and pool area?
We did this meal 6 years ago and it was amazing but looking at the latest pics it seems that the pool area is now "glassed off" and that the areas where the whales could come right out onto the poolside is no longer there and that they just seem to stay further away in the pool only. I does anyone know if this is the case as it just wouldn't be the same intimate experience as before.

 

[Paisley]

Yes, there is a half wall of glass separating you from the Shamu pool. At either end of the pool there is a little flat area where a whale will come up and lay there for a few seconds.
We did the lunch time one and we had to check in at 1:15 by the underwater viewing area, they give you a number then you walk up, get your picture taken (it's included in the price of the meal, ours turned out really nice) and then you line up again until they open the doors.
Then a waiter escorts you to your table, then you order drinks and you hit the buffet.
At 2pm, a trainer comes out and tells you all about the whales and then they bring a few out to do some jumps and tricks and stuff, it was really cool because they were so close! One whale even splashed a whole table a few tables behind us! They didn't get too wet, just where the glass wall had a gap between the panels.
Then the trainer walks around and answers any questions from each table.
We had the best time, the kids loved it! The only crappy part was that there were these 3 annoying kids (all under 5 years old) who kept hanging on the glass and smashing each other's faces into the glass, basically doing wrestle mania with more kicking and punching right behind my ds. We had a front table and they were a table behind ours, but they kept coming between my son and the glass.
The waitstaff tells you before you sit to NOT touch the glass, and they even had to tell the kids numerous times to stop hanging/touching the glass. Don't worry, their parents were enjoying a leisurely lunch while their kids were beating the snot out of each other right next to us.
I hate confrontation, but after they hit my son, it was on. I told the kid to stop hitting and he gave me the death stare. Eventually, the mom got up (after I gave HER the death stare) and says, "oh are they bothering you?"
Another family says, "They are bothering everyone!" She got all red and pissed, but sat back down. After another 10 minutes of fight club, a staff member must have said something because they all of sudden just up and left!
But, other than that, it was an awesome experience!

 

[Lcar6709]

Thanks for the reply, only just read it sorry. it was really helpful. I'm still a bit hesitant about booking, but I'm sure we will end up giving it a go in the end, just hope we don't have a similar experience as you with the family from hell!
Some people just switch off and expect other people to parent their kids for them! Nice for them that they enjoyed their meal though!!!

 

[mickeys_chick]

Hi I would like to make a dine with shamu reservation for lunch when we go in November but only dinner is showing up on any dates.... Does anyone know if they only do dinner now? Thanks in advance x

 

[Vee89]

I'm going in Nov too. I'm considering doing this! I'm hoping it's worth it....
Are the above pictures pretty much what you see? I don't want to spend all that, get a table in the back, and not be able to see anything.

 

[LeaversOnTour]

We did it last year, and it was fantastic.

SeaWorld on Christmas day was really good - so much so we are doing it this year too.

Dine with Shamu is really good value for us, as we have 2 infants who eat for free and both eat "real food".

Plus where else can the kids eat turkey and hot dogs for xmas dinner

 

[mickeys_chick]

Seems like there only doing dinner reservations for this now. Can't find any lunch - I emailed them direct but no reply.

 

[Aussieprincess]

Has anyone been to Dine with Shamu lately? We have booked for Sept '15. Being from Australia I have waited so long for this, our last 3 trips this has been closed. :-/ I'm very excited! Do they still include a photo? Should we get there early to get close up seats?

 

[FLOIR]

There are some dates with lunch times now, there are some in April that I looked at that give you the option of selecting lunch or dinner.

 

[FLOIR]

Has anyone been to Dine with Shamu lately? We have booked for Sept '15. Being from Australia I have waited so long for this, our last 3 trips this has been closed. :-/ I'm very excited! Do they still include a photo? Should we get there early to get close up seats?

The last time I was there was during Christmas but I don't think much has changed. You do still get a picture. When you check in at the podium they have set up near the underwater viewing they already have your table number listed, so it doesn't matter really when you check in. I believe they might assign tables based on when you made the reservation, but getting there early and standing in line for an hour generally will not give you a better table.

That said, the way the show is, it happens all around the pool, so I am not sure there really is a bad table.

 

[mshanson3121]

I keep seeing "the show". Do you get to eat and watch the One Ocean show? Or is this something different?

 

[FLOIR]

It is not One Ocean but there is a show, although demonstration might be a better word for it. They will have someone on a microphone walking around the edge of the pool explaining what is happening while other trainers are in various positions asking the whales to perform certain behaviors. They will have the whales do these behaviors in certain areas of the pool, at both ends and also in the middle, which is why I say there really is not a bad seat. The behaviors include such things as splashes and back flips, but also how they ask them to get into position to perform certain medical exams.

I don't recall the exact timing but you will generally have a chance to start eating and maybe even go back for seconds and thirds before the demonstration starts, and you can continue to eat during it. The pictures they took outside will be brought around at the end, but if you leave early you can also pick them up at Adventure Photo at the front of the park.

 

[mshanson3121]

It is not One Ocean but there is a show, although demonstration might be a better word for it. They will have someone on a microphone walking around the edge of the pool explaining what is happening while other trainers are in various positions asking the whales to perform certain behaviors. They will have the whales do these behaviors in certain areas of the pool, at both ends and also in the middle, which is why I say there really is not a bad seat. The behaviors include such things as splashes and back flips, but also how they ask them to get into position to perform certain medical exams.

I don't recall the exact timing but you will generally have a chance to start eating and maybe even go back for seconds and thirds before the demonstration starts, and you can continue to eat during it. The pictures they took outside will be brought around at the end, but if you leave early you can also pick them up at Adventure Photo at the front of the park.

Thank you How long does it last? We only have a limited amount of time at SW (about 6 hours) so, not sure if this might take up too much time or not?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you How long does it last? We only have a limited amount of time at SW (about 6 hours) so, not sure if this might take up too much time or not?

Its going to take at least a hour or more. While well worth it if you have a full day at your disposal, when you have limited time available to you on your visit date, I would skip Dine with Shamu and try to take in more attractions and exhibits in the park. Grab something at Voyageurs, SeaFire Inn or Spice Mill and then keep on touring.

 

[GCS2000]

Looking to add this last minute to our trip. I know the times for dinner are between 4-6pm is there any way to get an early time in this? I only ask because the day we are planning to do this we are going to an MLS Orlando City game which starts at 7pm so we kind of need to be out of the park by 6.

 

[kj2mom]

I have this booked for our trip in July and the ticket says the reservation times are based on the daily show schedule and will be assigned the day of your visit. Dinner start time can be between 4:30-6:30 and we are to check in by 3:00pm to receive the dining time. That said, it is my understanding that there is just one time for everyone, the time can just vary to make it work best for the staff/animals. My ticket does mention a lunch with the hours of 12-2, maybe that might work better for your group?

Just looked at the website and the times seem different than my ticket, 4-6 and 11:30-1:30 but either way maybe lunch would work better if that is available?

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

Has anybody been able to book lunch recently? It seems like dinner is the only option.

 

[FLOIR]

Through the summer I would expect there to only be the dinner show. There may be a few days when a lunch show has to be added, but I don't think I would plan on it if you are trying to plan your day.

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

Through the summer I would expect there to only be the dinner show. There may be a few days when a lunch show has to be added, but I don't think I would plan on it if you are trying to plan your day.

I figured as much! Thanks!