Dine with Shamu

[DreamofDisney]

We will be at the park for our first visit on 10/31 and were looking at the Dine with Shamu package - has anyone tried it?

 

[PotNoodle]

Yes!

I did this three weeks ago and it was great.

The buffet is superb and you do get to see your own show for twenty minutes and the whales do get close.

Hopefully, you will get a table next to the poolside, although I don't think it over matters.

It will be amongst your holiday highlights believe me.

 

[tashasmum]

We have done this on two seperate occasions and i must admit that i would not do it again. The first time was many years ago and it had only just started up it was good. There were tables around the waters edge that sat 8 people and everybody had a good view. The second time was about two years later when we took my mum and dad for my dad's birthday, never again. In my opinion Seaworld have got too greedy, there are two many tables crammed in. Hardly any room to move around, you can't get close to the waters edge to see anything properly.

 

[DreamofDisney]

Thanks guys - we are definately going to give it a try!

 

[BabyMo]

Thanks for posting this question, DreamofDisney. We are going to be doing this on our November vacation. The menu posted on the SeaWorld site looks yummy, but naturally I am curious about personal experiences!

 

[NurseW2Kiddies]

We do this every time we go and we LOVE it. Buffett style. The food is OK. The expirence as a whole is GREAT!!!!!!

 

[Thistle]

We did it on our last trip and throughly enjoyed it. You learn so much about the whales and they come up so close it gives you goosebumps! It's also very peaceful, while you are eating the whales are just swimming around slowly. I think they call this a slowdown or relaxtion time for them. They explain how they train them, tell you their real names and how they got them. Then poof, one is sitting at your table! Literally. They have these swim up ledges near the tables and the whales go right up on them. Have your cameras ready all the time cause you never know when they are going to show up.

Get all your food early as they ran out of the cute Shamu cookies before we went up for dessert. Also when you go to line up to get your table they have already reserved one for you, so trying to push and shove to be first doesn't give you any better chance. We ran into a lot of this. A person will come out and start calling names and give you your card to enter. Then you wait a bit and they call your name. Very civilized, only most people don't know it.

Have a great time!

 

[MomPOM]

I didn't know they even had this until I read this thread. I'm definitely going to sign up for it. At first I wasn't looking forward to the extra expense but then I realized I have my admission tickets for free from American Express Rewards. Whoooo!

 

[DTop]

I've heard that they are soon to make changes to Dine with Shamu. I do know they are at least changing the name to Behind the Scenes at Believe. What other changes will happen, I don't know. If anyone goes soon, please post your experiences.

 

[Deweysgirl]

WooHoo! I second the AMEX points rewards. We also used points for 2 of our tickets so I am considering a splurge for the Dine with Shamu or the Luau. We have two kids 8 and 12 so I am thinking the Shamu dinner may be more appropriate. Thanks all for sharing your thoughts on this, and thanks to the OP for asking!

 

[DTop]

OK, I went there myself and found that it did change somewhat.

When you get there, you get a souvenir lanyard and kids are given activity sheets with information about Orcas.

The “Stage Manager” introduces the hour with information about the killer whales and the Believe show. Approximately 20 minutes into the thing, the trainers arrive to mingle at the guest tables and answer questions. The “Stage Manager” helps with a Q&A session. The last few minutes is when the trainers visit your tables and pose for photos and sign autographs.

The menu is pretty much the same as it was except there is now a Chef attended dessert station.

 

[SandraLee]

I didn't know they even had this until I read this thread. I'm definitely going to sign up for it. At first I wasn't looking forward to the extra expense but then I realized I have my admission tickets for free from American Express Rewards. Whoooo!

The search on AMEX is down right now. Can you tell me where you found the Reward redemption? how many points for the Dine w/ Shamu?

I'm thinking of doing this in a few weeks. Looks like there is still plenty of availability.

Thanks.

 

[Kath2003]

I've heard that they are soon to make changes to Dine with Shamu. I do know they are at least changing the name to Behind the Scenes at Believe. What other changes will happen, I don't know. If anyone goes soon, please post your experiences.

I hope they have made some changes because we went in August and it was a HUGE waste of time and money.

The food is mediocre at best. Doesn't even compare to somewhere like Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. I ate mostly cake.

The show was short, and didn't show us anything. We didn't learn anything new about the whales. They leave little notes everywhere asking for tips but we couldn't even get a refill on Pepsi.

For twice the price of Disney's Crystal Palace we recieved half the quality of food, service and entertainment. We will not be going back. I wrote to Sea World complaining about this - I didn't want my money back, I just wanted them to know that we were VERY disappointed in the whole thing.

 

[Deweysgirl]

The search on AMEX is down right now. Can you tell me where you found the Reward redemption? how many points for the Dine w/ Shamu?

I'm thinking of doing this in a few weeks. Looks like there is still plenty of availability.

Thanks.

The AMEX rewards points are for admission tickets to SeaWorld, not the dinner. They are 7500 points for an Adult ticket and 6500 for kids. Because we are getting in "free" we will splurge on the dinner with Shamu. I know some people didn't like it but the kids will probably enjoy it and it gives me a chance to sit and rest my feet! LOL!!

 

[SandraLee]

Thanks for the message. I will probably just purchase my admission tickets for the $49.99 for 7 days. Seems like a bargain. I am still not sure about the Dine W/ Shamu dinner.

 

[Patnl34]

We had so much fun at Dine with shamu.

Only thing was taima did not really feel like playing so they had to bring out tilikum to join her so she would atleast swim around a bit.

I have a few photos of the Dine with Shamu experience if you want to see them.

http://public.fotki.com/patkitten2/dine_with_shamu/

Greetings from Pat

 

[texasthree]

We just did Dine with Shamu on October 16th at the San Antonio location. My son and husband enjoyed it very much. Me, not so much. The atmospere was nice but we were crammed in like sardines. I had to move my chair to the aisle way in order to eat comfortably. The tables and chair were plastic lawn furniture so wobbly and very uncomfortable. Also our table was very far from the buffet so I ended up spending most of my time running back and forth getting my sons food, dessert, etc. For drinks there is only ice tea and water. For the price, I would think my son could get some milk or juice. We did get to see shamu up close and I am glad we did it. It just wasnt what I would expect for the price.

 

[masterslacker]

We just did Dine with Shamu on October 16th at the San Antonio location. My son and husband enjoyed it very much. Me, not so much. The atmospere was nice but we were crammed in like sardines. I had to move my chair to the aisle way in order to eat comfortably. The tables and chair were plastic lawn furniture so wobbly and very uncomfortable. Also our table was very far from the buffet so I ended up spending most of my time running back and forth getting my sons food, dessert, etc. For drinks there is only ice tea and water. For the price, I would think my son could get some milk or juice. We did get to see shamu up close and I am glad we did it. It just wasnt what I would expect for the price.

I'm trying to plan out the later half of our Seaworld day but can't find any "times" for the seating of Dining w/ Shamu. We're signed up for the first seating and I was wondering if we would be able to make the dinner in time and still go to one of the 4pm shows? Anyone know the information? Also when you enter the park did you confirm your reservation for dining then? Or later in day?

thanks.

 

[DreamofDisney]

Our seating was booked for the first session and was at 4 - we checked at the Guest relations desk on our way into the park but they said just arrive 15-20 minutes before 4 and you will be seated at your table. Your table is already allocated so there is no need to worry about getting there too early.

We had a fantastic time - I hope you really enjoy your experience.