Dine with Shamu?

[Daynab]

Is the Dine with Shamu buffet worth 34$ per adult 18$ per child? My kids love Shamu and cannot wait to go the Sea World. I just don't want to book it if we will not see Shamu? Do they have a Shamu character at the dinner?

Thanks, Dayna

 

[webray]

Our son and his fiance did this..they were not that impressed.

 

[crjack]

We did it back in April 2003 and our whole family really enjoyed it. The dinner is buffet and you are seated in a small area behind the Shamu stadium. Several trainers will talk to you about the whales and the animals will be very close to you. Our table was as close as you could get and for us, seeing these amazing animals that close was well worth the $$$. The dinner was ok - not bad by any means but not the best food we've had. For us the whole experience was about the interaction and personal setting. The trainers were great and answered all of the children's questions. We're very glad we did it at least once.

 

[pozey]

We did this last week. My DW would say it was well worth the money and then some....

I thought it was very good, but it was the very HIGHLIGHT of her trip. She loves whales and she loved the dinner.

It absolutely POURED just prior to our dinner. I mean thunder, lightning, heavy rain..... It soaked the tables, chairs, everything. But that did not dampen (pun intended) the experience.

Like crjack said, the food is decent - not great, not bad. It's the whole EXPERIENCE that makes it worth it.

 

[isla bonita]

My mom took my 2 and my neice. They loved it and talked about it for days. Not sure about these things until you try them for yoursef. My guys and neice love animals and love shamu. It was icing on the cake for them. My mom said the food was good and there was something there for all.

 

[onlyoneforme]

My MIL, FIL, husband, 5 year old daughter, and I did this in February and LOVED it! To us, the experience and the up close encounter we got to have was just fantastic! We asked the trainer loads of questions and got amazing video and photos that we would never have gotten otherwise!

The buffet was good, we enjoyed it. They had lots of choices and there was one really cute desert...a shamu shaped chocolate covered cookie that was wonderful! Oh and if you are interested the cost also included Anheuser-Busch products!

You can find the complete menu at SeaWorld's homepage. And on the SeaWorld forum here on the DISboards there have been many threads about this dining program.

 

[Daynab]

Thanks everyone for your input. i think we may book this very soon. Just need to check with the rest of my party. My DH and my BIL will be very happy about the Anhauser-Bush products!!!

Kids will be thilled with the whales!! I think I will keep it a surprise

thanks again
Dayna

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree with those that gave it a thumb's up. Food was just ok. It was the "experience" that made it.
But just so you know, there was seating that was not directly tank side. We had a table right next to the tank, but there are tables in the second row as well. I read somewhere that they assign tables according to who made the ressies first. So I'd think if you can make this reservation as far in advance as possible, you'd have a better crack at getting the tank-side view. We made ressies about 3-4 months in advance and went to SW during a somewhat slow time (last week in Sept). Be prepared to get a little wet !

 

[gw_lit]

We loved it too. The food was very good for "buffet food". And seeing Shamu was the highlight of our whole Florida trip for DS5 & DS 2. Dine with Shamu was the thing they still talk about the most a year later.

When we go back, we'll definitely be doing it again!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're doing this in July. We made our reservations in May. I hope we get a good table since we're having a cake to celebrate ds's birthday.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I hope we get a good table since we're having a cake to celebrate ds's birthday.

Are they providing the cake ? I'm assuming you told them about the celebration ? If so, I'm thinking you will get one of the tank-side tables. Enjoy and happy (soon-to-be) b-day to your ds !