Disappointed on last visit to SW

[Manymice]

We went to SW last week for the first time in about a year, I guess. I know they were bought out but it was still disappointing to see the horses gone, the ski show gone, the Sea Fire Inn piano players gone, many of the food choices gone, etc. It's still a nice park to visit, but there has definitely been a downgrade in quality - In my opinion.

Has anyone else noticed this? What do you think? Did you find anything that is better that maybe I missed?

 

[KBF]

We went to SW last week for the first time in about a year, I guess. I know they were bought out but it was still disappointing to see the horses gone, the ski show gone, the Sea Fire Inn piano players gone, many of the food choices gone, etc. It's still a nice park to visit, but there has definitely been a downgrade in quality - In my opinion.

Has anyone else noticed this? What do you think? Did you find anything that is better that maybe I missed?

Unfortunately things have to change and yes your right, its probably because of the new owners. The Clydesdales were property of Anheiser Busch so with the sale, the horses were moved to AB facilities. I was told the ski show was taken out due to a lack of interest and poor ratings. The Piano players have been gone for quite some time atleast a few years, that show was replaced by an animal show, but that was taken out because guests complained that they didnt want to eat around animals. And as far as the food choices, I agree with you but I guess tough economic times call for a change in menus. Im sure Seaworld would appreciate your feedback if you contacted them. I hope you still enjoyed your trip and consider another visit in the future. It is a fun park to visit.

 

[RabFlmom]

Unfortunately things have to change and yes your right, its probably because of the new owners. The Clydesdales were property of Anheiser Busch so with the sale, the horses were moved to AB facilities. I was told the ski show was taken out due to a lack of interest and poor ratings. The Piano players have been gone for quite some time atleast a few years, that show was replaced by an animal show, but that was taken out because guests complained that they didnt want to eat around animals. And as far as the food choices, I agree with you but I guess tough economic times call for a change in menus. Im sure Seaworld would appreciate your feedback if you contacted them. I hope you still enjoyed your trip and consider another visit in the future. It is a fun park to visit.

There has not been a ski show for years and years. They had a show called Fusion before they used the stadium for the Sesame Street Show about 3 years ago, but that was really a lame show-mostly boats with flags and wave runners. I also seem to remember the stadium being used for a show with Olympic gymnasts in there after the ski shows stopped, too. Ski show has been gone so long I can't even tell you what theme the last shows were. The best ski show was back in the 80s when they used the Super Heroes as their skiers.

As for food....I don't see much of a change from when Busch ran the parks. They still have the great BBQ, the great deli sandwiches, the fajitas to die for, and the 2 sit down places to eat. They have lots of good sides and desserts, too. They just changed where you go to get some of the meals.

The biggest change and what I sort of expected the original poster to mention is the lack of people in the water for the Shamu show. I sure hope they get to return because the show is so much more awesome with them in the water.

 

[KBF]

There has not been a ski show for years and years. They had a show called Fusion before they used the stadium for the Sesame Street Show about 3 years ago, but that was really a lame show-mostly boats with flags and wave runners. I also seem to remember the stadium being used for a show with Olympic gymnasts in there after the ski shows stopped, too. Ski show has been gone so long I can't even tell you what theme the last shows were. The best ski show was back in the 80s when they used the Super Heroes as their skiers.

As for food....I don't see much of a change from when Busch ran the parks. They still have the great BBQ, the great deli sandwiches, the fajitas to die for, and the 2 sit down places to eat. They have lots of good sides and desserts, too. They just changed where you go to get some of the meals.

The biggest change and what I sort of expected the original poster to mention is the lack of people in the water for the Shamu show. I sure hope they get to return because the show is so much more awesome with them in the water.

There was actually a ski show summer 2008. So its been about two years since the last one. However that ski show was only at night and only for the summer.

I agree, I hope the trainers to get back in the water soon. But they cant until the investigation into the accident has finished.

 

[dustysky]

I was there this past weekend with my daughter and I agree it just does not seem like the same park I loved so much.
I had no idea they were sold and no longer part of AB.

We did not eat in the park so I cant speak for that part.
I will say that the Shamu rocks show was a true disappointment. The lack of interaction with the whales makes it very "lackluster".

I was told by a trainer that it is a catch 22 now. Yes they want to get back in there (when they are ok'd to do so) but there is also a concern now about the whales becoming possessive after being "left" for so long.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but in the mean time the park lacks that special touch that always made Sea World a park I loved to be at.

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

thats interesting because im sure they do still get into the water, but not during shows Humm....Must have been a new trainer or something because - to say things like that can get them fired for making assumptions and telling guests that.

They have to do what they can to keep the orcas happy as for them eing possesive apparently only one had the issue not all of them.As for Shamu Rocks its still a beautiful but without the Big guy and the actual interactions it does feel like something is missing. THey plan to make a final judgement on the water works situation by the 2nd to last week of August. I hope all can done and everything is back to normal in the orca shows.

I also noticed that even in the interaction program you need to put your hair up.. i guess after the accident they made it a rule for all marine mammal trainers and guests that interact with the animals to keep their hair back. I Just try to grin and bare it hopefuly soon everything should be back to normal.

 

[mrzrich]

As someone who visits WDW several times a year, but only gets to SW every few years, I was shocked at the lack of employees around the park.


I have a child with special needs and we use a GAC. I couldn't find an employee to direct me on where to go. Had lots of trouble finding the alternate entrances. Really no one to direct traffic.

 

[dustysky]

As someone who visits WDW several times a year, but only gets to SW every few years, I was shocked at the lack of employees around the park.


I have a child with special needs and we use a GAC. I couldn't find an employee to direct me on where to go. Had lots of trouble finding the alternate entrances. Really no one to direct traffic.

This was also the case for us. We had the sea world version of the GAC and there were no employees at the handicap or speed line or what ever they call it.
Most times for my "issue" I didnt need to even bother going to a different line but when I did, the employees would just point and you had to figure it out.

I was SHOCKED at the line for Journey to Atlantis. Once you got to the front, NO ONE was there telling people to step up to the numbers on the ground. I mean simply no employees in the loading area. There was one young man helping people get in the seats. Then you had the people running the ride it self but no one keeping the line itself moving. There were so many rows just empty because some people had no idea you were to move up and stand on a number.
Can anyone tell me if this is normal??

 

[dustysky]

thats interesting because im sure they do still get into the water, but not during shows Humm....Must have been a new trainer or something because - to say things like that can get them fired for making assumptions and telling guests that.

They have to do what they can to keep the orcas happy as for them eing possesive apparently only one had the issue not all of them.As for Shamu Rocks its still a beautiful but without the Big guy and the actual interactions it does feel like something is missing. THey plan to make a final judgement on the water works situation by the 2nd to last week of August. I hope all can done and everything is back to normal in the orca shows.

I also noticed that even in the interaction program you need to put your hair up.. i guess after the accident they made it a rule for all marine mammal trainers and guests that interact with the animals to keep their hair back. I Just try to grin and bare it hopefuly soon everything should be back to normal.

This is nice to hear that there is still interaction. I always take 1/2 of what I hear with a grain of salt so thanks for clearing that up.

 

[chiamarie]

Quite honestly, I'd be surprised if the trainers ever get in the water again with the killer whales. Think about it, in the last few years, there have been three major incidents that have happened, at all three SW's. There comes a point that OSHA will step in and say it's not a safe work environment to get inthe water with a 3 ton animal that is considered the top predator of the ocean.

Not saying I wouldn't like to see them in the water again, I just seriously doubt that they are getting in the water now, or will they be again.