Dine with Shamu?

[mikeandkarla]

What can we expect from this dinner? Is there personal interaction with the killer whale? Any info will help.

 

[herbiesmomma]

I did the dine with Shamu last year. Basically you get there they place you at a table which has been assigned prior to your arrival. You order drinks and start buffet. Shamu swims around while the trainer talks about him. He swims close to each table and does a few tricks. Then the trainer comes to each table to answer questions. It really fun, my nephew enjoyed it. The food was OK.

 

[dfarner]

We surprised my mother with Dine w/ Shamu about 2 years ago. We got some good pictures, but we were fortunate to be seated in a great spot. I would recommend it, and agree with PP that the food was okay.

 

[murcor]

Can you make adr's? how much does is cost?

Are there any real bad seats?

 

[disneystacy]

The food was ok. We had a ok seats. Basically Shamu swims around while you dine. The trainer comes to your table to answer questions and sign autographs . Could have skipped it. I think my kids would have liked to eat with the sharks.

 

[huge mickey fan]

I am really excited to try this in Oct. I saw the price on the SeaWorld website was 29 for adults and I think 19 for kids. But I am wondering how far in advance to make a reservation? Say could I call in April for Oct or do I need to wait until closer?

 

[cathy_s]

You sit on a patio (covered) that is beside one of the tanks behind the main Shamu tank.

Depending upon the size of your party, you may have the only table and be right up against the edge of the rope line. Apparently the earlier you make the reservation the better the table. The tables seat 4 and are two deep (two chairs against the rope line) unless you have a large party and they have pushed the tables together (still only the two chairs against the rope line).

I reserved over the phone and was told to check in at the dining reservation area just inside the main gate when we got to the park. We were told to be outside the entrance at 4:00 for the 4:15 seating. That's the time. IMO a bit too early for dinner but if that's all they offer, what can you do?

We sat toward the end of the patio (farthest from the entrance). There were about 7 or 8 tables beyond ours and our table was #26. We did have the table that was closer to the tank.

It was a buffet and I'll try to remember the best I can....

tortilla soup, tossed salad, rice, mac/cheese, hot dogs, a beef stew thing that looked greasy, baked chicken on the bone, chicken dijon, a seafood dish-don't remember the name, turkey breast, mashed potato, gravy, potato salad, celery/carrots/dip, 3 pasta dishes and then a table full of desserts. The food was not the reason we booked this. There is no way I'd pay that price for just the food.

I think it was all the beer you wanted with dinner. We didn't drink b/c we had a long drive home.

When we arrived the tank was empty but soon 4 whales were in it. Two were "babies" and two were older. The whales aren't supposed to splash but one really soaked the family at the very last table. We learned that they were by the underwater viewing area and the "babies" get really excited and may splash once in a while.

The trainers do a bit of a show but it's not any personal interaction with the animals and the park visitors. DH got some great pictures. The whales are really close. You probably get within 20 feet or less of the whales but you can get that at the regular show if you get there early enough.

After about 45 min or so they remind you to go and get dessert and then the trainers will come and answer any questions. They did come around and spent a great deal of time talking and answering any question that came up.

Would we do it again? Probably not. Am I glad we did it? Absolutely!