Dine with Shamu update from Seaworld

[jmcross]

I sent an e-mail to Seaworld and asked when this would be available for booking. I just received a reply stating that this is suspended through December of 2010 and that they really have no idea when/if it will be reinstated. I guess we won't be doing this for our trip in August.

I just wanted to let others know that may be waiting for this to start again.

Joanne

 

[MellieluvsDisney]

I'm glad that I did experience Dine with Shamu last September for the first time. And I must say it was one experience I will never forget. It is sad to know that the event might not even come back.

 

[tink too]

Thanks for the update. Here's hoping that DWS is reinstated at some point in the future.

 

[kathy884]

Thanks for posting. We went last October and will book for March 2011 if they open this back up. I won't hold my breath, though. Sounds like they may decide not to reopen this.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Still got fingers crossed for mid August, but deep down know have no chance We have the VIP tour which includes this, so have got to decide what to do - cancel in full, or take the price difference. Still not heard from sea world though

 

[tink too]

eeyorefan - I would either email or call SW to find out what your options are. If I was in your situation, I would like to know in advance if the DWS is going ahead for the VIP tours, rather than be disappointed on the day.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

eeyorefan - I would either email or call SW to find out what your options are. If I was in your situation, I would like to know in advance if the DWS is going ahead for the VIP tours, rather than be disappointed on the day.

Hello

I emailed them the other weeek and got a reply saying they were not sure if it was back on - they did not say they would contact me again, but I need to sort with the rest of the family (8 of us) whether we want to cancel in full, or at the moment it is $100pp so save $25 (we paid $125) and get the vip tour which includes a lunch, or just cancel in full - quite disappointed as this is a once in a life time holiday for us but hey ho got so much else to look forward to. We go in six weeks so will have to sort shortly. Noticed they have now put on an "at night" vip tour which includes the shark grill - since we are free ddp not really interested in this.

PS am going to email them to get official confirmation it is not on in august, then make a decision

 

[KBF]

Hello

I emailed them the other weeek and got a reply saying they were not sure if it was back on - they did not say they would contact me again, but I need to sort with the rest of the family (8 of us) whether we want to cancel in full, or at the moment it is $100pp so save $25 (we paid $125) and get the vip tour which includes a lunch, or just cancel in full - quite disappointed as this is a once in a life time holiday for us but hey ho got so much else to look forward to. We go in six weeks so will have to sort shortly. Noticed they have now put on an "at night" vip tour which includes the shark grill - since we are free ddp not really interested in this.

PS am going to email them to get official confirmation it is not on in august, then make a decision

I have heard from people in the past that they were offered another dining experience to replace Dine With Shamu. The Luau seems to be the most popular. Maybe this is included now with the tour?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I have heard from people in the past that they were offered another dining experience to replace Dine With Shamu. The Luau seems to be the most popular. Maybe this is included now with the tour?

Unfortunatley not, below is more or less the reply I received.

Dine with Shamu has been cancelled through June 30, 2010 and is postponed indefinitely. - sorry, but do not know when it will resume. Please check the website again closer to your arrival date. You will each be given a meal voucher for a meal at one of our cafe style restaurants in the Waterfront area.


Then at bottom of letter they suggest I pay to go and see the Makahiki Luau!!

It I keep the tour we will get $25 dollars back but still have lunch albeit in cafe style restaurant.

Think its either that, or cancel and maybe just do the dolphin tour.

 

[KBF]

Unfortunatley not, below is more or less the reply I received.

Dine with Shamu has been cancelled through June 30, 2010 and is postponed indefinitely. - sorry, but do not know when it will resume. Please check the website again closer to your arrival date. You will each be given a meal voucher for a meal at one of our cafe style restaurants in the Waterfront area.


Then at bottom of letter they suggest I pay to go and see the Makahiki Luau!!

It I keep the tour we will get $25 dollars back but still have lunch albeit in cafe style restaurant.

Think its either that, or cancel and maybe just do the dolphin tour.

If I were you, I would keep the tour. Mid August is still summer and tends to be crowded. The tour is a way to get around all the people. Its up to you, but im sure youll have a great time either way!

 

[ZoeD]

I spoke to SeaWorld on Tuesday as we have Dine with Shamu booked for November and was told to call back a month before we go as at the moment they're re-doing the pool area and have no idea when it will be running again. I had read previously that it was shut through until the end of the year but the guy on the phone couldn't tell me one way or the other. I have now cancelled as we did Dine with Shamu back in 2008 so at least we've experienced it and loved it.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Well I emailed Sea World again today re our VIP Tour for August and the reply was

"Dine with Shamu has been cancelled through December 31, 2010 and is postponed indefinitely until the investigation is completed".

The one thing I am not happy with is that they have reduced the cost of the VIP to $100 and not told me!!

Guess now I know def not on, a phone call will be in order to get my $25 per person back as we paid $125

 

[blueiis99]

thanks for the update, i was waiting to purchase the luau, because i didn't want a date conflict,,,now i know to just forget the shamu thingy all together!

very disapointed!

None of us have seen this show at all as a matter of fact I haven't been to sea world since 1993? oh well......I guess we'll have to make another trip

 

[eeyorefanuk]

thanks for the update, i was waiting to purchase the luau, because i didn't want a date conflict,,,now i know to just forget the shamu thingy all together!

very disapointed!

None of us have seen this show at all as a matter of fact I haven't been to sea world since 1993? oh well......I guess we'll have to make another trip

We are the same, were so looking forward to it - real shame

 

[Sophie2501]

Eeeyorefan..

We did the tour on June 4th. I wouldn't recommend booking the luau as we were given a voucher to get a really good discount on it for the night of our tour. Maybe if you ask, they will give you the luau at the vip tour guest rate? I can't remember exactly how much it was. We also got % off various shops in seaworld. A voucher for lunch - which was fine but really disappointed to miss Dine with Shamu. We also got our photos from dolphin cove for half price.

The front of the line is worth it but keep in mind can be purchased on its own for a very reasonable price in the park. $15 if i remember correct?

We did get priority seating for the shows but I was very disappointed as the tourguide took us to the stadiums at least 30 mins before show time and I paid for the tour so we would have great seats without having to spend half our day waiting for shows, and instead enjoying the park. I could have got there early and got great seats that without paying $100 for it! A tip if you did decide to cancel.. look for the stadium seats that are reserved and seat as close as you can to them.. they are the best in the house!

Maybe it was our guide didn't give us the experience I expected. She didn't really bother giving any info unless she was asked. While we were waiting for one show when another tour came she was telling them loads of really interesting things about the show. I learned more at that show than the whole day with our guide!

Overall, the park was great. The feedings were wonderful, I absolutely adored the dolphins! Having the tour paid for meant we didn't spend much at all in the park. We did the tour in busch as well so the day we went to disney were shocked by the amount of money we spent having had everything paid for in advance! The park was not very busy the day we were there so you probably get more value from it on a busy day. Maybe this info can help you decide if you want to keep it!

 

[Sophie2501]

You can also just pay to do the feedings on the day.. we got one tray each on the tour at three feedings.. $15 value.

 

[blueiis99]

wow sophie,,,
now you have me thinking....My DH hates lines, and to try and keep 4 peole on a schedule of rides and shows...very difficult!, at best. And I'm sure that if we miss a feeding the kids will be soooo upset.

Is it truly worth it, would you do it again?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Eeeyorefan..

We did the tour on June 4th. I wouldn't recommend booking the luau as we were given a voucher to get a really good discount on it for the night of our tour. Maybe if you ask, they will give you the luau at the vip tour guest rate? I can't remember exactly how much it was. We also got % off various shops in seaworld. A voucher for lunch - which was fine but really disappointed to miss Dine with Shamu. We also got our photos from dolphin cove for half price.

The front of the line is worth it but keep in mind can be purchased on its own for a very reasonable price in the park. $15 if i remember correct?

We did get priority seating for the shows but I was very disappointed as the tourguide took us to the stadiums at least 30 mins before show time and I paid for the tour so we would have great seats without having to spend half our day waiting for shows, and instead enjoying the park. I could have got there early and got great seats that without paying $100 for it! A tip if you did decide to cancel.. look for the stadium seats that are reserved and seat as close as you can to them.. they are the best in the house!

Maybe it was our guide didn't give us the experience I expected. She didn't really bother giving any info unless she was asked. While we were waiting for one show when another tour came she was telling them loads of really interesting things about the show. I learned more at that show than the whole day with our guide!

Overall, the park was great. The feedings were wonderful, I absolutely adored the dolphins! Having the tour paid for meant we didn't spend much at all in the park. We did the tour in busch as well so the day we went to disney were shocked by the amount of money we spent having had everything paid for in advance! The park was not very busy the day we were there so you probably get more value from it on a busy day. Maybe this info can help you decide if you want to keep it!

Hello thanks for that. Thanks for letting me know we might get a voucher discount for the evening show.

What sort of food were you allowed for lunch?

We are going in August so that is what is making we think of keeping it, but with 8 people it is alot of money if not worth it.

When you say the tour in Busch which one is that? We have booked to do the sunrise safari

Ah I just cannot decide what to do - I keep coming back to the fact that August is going to be sooooooooooo busy.

 

[blueiis99]

eeyorefan...looks like we will be there within 1 day of each other..

I too am getting confused about whether we should do the VIP or not..
I'm also considering the VIP After Dark....that includes dinner.....but there doesn't seem to be many postings at all on times, experiances, what exactly is included,,,etc

good luck to you!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

eeyorefan...looks like we will be there within 1 day of each other..

I too am getting confused about whether we should do the VIP or not..
I'm also considering the VIP After Dark....that includes dinner.....but there doesn't seem to be many postings at all on times, experiances, what exactly is included,,,etc

good luck to you!

The VIP after dark is new, it has only been for sale for around a month.

When we booked our VIP tour it included the dine with shamu, now on the website it is $25 dollar per person cheaper because the dine with shamu is not there. They have now added the VIP after dark which is the same as dine with shamu but with the meal at "shark" restaurant. They have also added a couple of more recent new tours of different sorts.

I cannot believe how the time has flown, we booked a year ago.

Wishing you a great holiday too, wouldnt it be funny if you booked the VIP tour the same day as us