Review ~ VIP Adventure Express Tour with *pics*

[Cass]

Hi everyone, August 4th we did the VIP Adventure Express tour. Noel and I had done this tour before a few years ago but disaster struck in the way of torrential downpours and lightning so the rides and shows stopped and we left the park early.

We decided to try it again! This time it was myself, (Cass 42) my DD13 (Noel) and my Sister (Fay 52)

We met our tour guide at 9:55am and were given cold waters and lanyards with a VIP tag. Our guide was a fun lady, her nametag said 'Stephanie from Brazil' but she was really Caroline from Orlando she had forgotten her nametag in the car so was wearing this one. There was only 10 people in our group and we set off for Wild arctic where we went on the Helicoptor ride thing and then saw the polar bears & walrus.

We went back stage and saw the dive room and some seals and met some trainers.

We also saw the fish/feed room & the animal enrichment apparatus (big toys for the animals to bat around) After we explored the whole Artic area we went over to Shamu Stadium to catch the first Believe show. We had reserved seating front & centre - starting at the last row of the 'splash zone'

Here are some pics from our seats - we had a great view

After Believe we met one of the trainers (here is Noel & Fay)

Our next stop was lunch, it was right in Shamu Stadium at where the Dine with Shamu dinner is held.

It was a very limited lunch buffet of white & whole wheat bread, turkey, ham, cheese, garden salad, potato salad, sliced fruit, cookies, rice krispie treats, potato chips and carrot cake, soft drinks were also included.

Simple lunch - but it tasted fine

There were washrooms available and one of the whales even swam by us

After lunch we went underneath to see the underwater viewing

 

[Cass]

Then we headed into the backstage area to visit with the penguins.

After our penguin encounter we stayed back stage and went to the shark building where we touched a shark in a tank.

Next we passed the clydesdale hamlet and as we were ahead of schedule we went in for a quick look at the horses.

Next it was over to the seals and sea lions and they gave us fish to feed them with.

After the seals and sea lions we went over to the stingray pool and were given food to feed them. Also we were given ice cold bottles of water to drink, much appreciated on this hot, hot day.

After the rays it was time to feed the dolphins

Yummy

Say Cheese!

Feeding the dolphins was so much fun and we had them all to ourselves as there was only our group there.

 

[Cass]

After the dolphins we headed over to Journey to Atlantis and Kraken, we were taken straight to the boarding area and put on the first available ride- so it was really quick and REALLY fun!

After the rides it was time for Blue Horizons, the dolphin/bird show. I didn't get very many pics of this because the dolphins were so fast - all I got were blurry splashes

After Blue Horizon, the tour was officially over. We decided to stay and do some shopping and catch Shamu Rocks at 9:30pm which was a great show!

We passed the Flamingos and saw a beautiful Florida sunset from the bridge on the lake.

Sea World is very pretty at night (I've never stayed that late before!)

VIP Tour Plusses - back doored into things, no waiting for rides, best seats for the shows, nice lunch in a non crowded setting.

VIP Tour Negatives - missing things you would like to see (ie) Pets Ahoy show , the sea lion show, if you want to shop you can't stop, sometimes you get a slowpoke on your tour or someone who cannot keep up due to their health. This can be hard on the whole group. We actually had a couple and their granddaughter leave half way through because they couldn't keep up in the heat.

Any questions - just let me know, thanks for reading.

 

[Kirsteen]

Hi thanks for your review - I wonder if we should do this in December as it will be our first time at Sea World. Can you tell me how much is cost and how you booked it? Did you book before you went or when you got there? Many thanks, Kirsteen xxx

 

[Cass]

Hi there, the cost is 95.00 per adult, you can book online or by calling.

Here is the website with more info

 

[Namsupak]

Wow that looks like so much fun! What time was your tour over? Were you able to pet the penguins on your own or just the one the girl was holding in her lap?

 

[Cass]

HI there, the tour was 6 hours... so it was over by about 4pm. You could only touch the penguin on the handler's lap.

 

[the_princess]

another nice rewiew and amazing pics... thanks a lot... it's sounds really cool, was it worth the money?

 

[Cass]

Worth the money, I don't know really - that's a tough one. You could have a great day and see lots of things on your own. But you wouldn't get the best seats and a walk straight on the rides, or go backstage to pet a penguin, or shark - you would have to pay for the feeding trays, and you wouldn't get private time with the dolphins. I would say don't blow your budget to do it, but it'a nice treat.

 

[the_princess]

Thanks a lot. I have another question as well: Is it possible to do the tour and dine with shamu on the same day?

 

[Cass]

Yes, we did just that... we left the tour early - when they were going into Blue Horizons show. That was the last thing on the tour - so we left and had dinner with Shamu, then we went to see Blue Horizons at the next show. They had reserved seating for us there to make up for missing the earlier one with the group.

 

[the_princess]

That's cool... We only have one day there and we don't want to miss the dinner... Thanks for answering so fast

 

[Minniespal]

Really enjoyed rading your review Cass. We have booked the tour for October. Thanks to your positive reviews I am now really looking forward to it.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Hi Cass. After the tour was over, did they mention whether you could use your VIP pass to gain express access to Kraken? I think sometimes Universal does this, just wondering about SW. Thanks!

 

[Cass]

Hi there, no I don't believe the VIP gets you anything unless you are with the group.

Thanks for your comments, everyone

 

[Minnie]

A couple questions if you doin't mind

1 - Were park tickets required or was it included in the fee for the tour?

2 - Did any of our party choose not to to the rides? We aren't roller coaster people so we'd prefer to pass on that.

My son is an animal nut and I'd love to do something extra for him on our trip in Dec. I have considered Discovery Cove but with the weather in Dec that could be tricky. And since he will only be 14 on our trip he is to young for the tours at the AK.

Thanks!

 

[Cass]

You have to have admission on top of your tour price.

Yes, people (like my sister) didn't want to ride the rides - they shop in the gift shops while we rode and we meet up again right after.

I loved Discovery Cove when we did it a few years ago, my DD wants to do it again someday. We went in August and it poured rain but was still fun. December can be cold.

If your son likes Dolphins, I recommend Dolphins in Depth at EPCOT, you do not require park admission for that, you have to be 13 years of age. We did that last December and it was great.

 

[jockey]

Thanks for your report it was great, loved the pics too. I am considering this tour for our trip in November do you think it will be suitable for someone who is 5 months pregnant? Also did anyone have kids woth them as we will be brinking DS who will be 2.

 

[Cass]

We had a 7 month pregnant lady with us, she was fine. We had a grandnmother & Grandfather with their little granddaughter in a stroller, we lost them 1/2 way through - by lost, I mean they just couldn't keep up the pace in the brutal heat. They decided to quit the tour.

 

[dpuck1998]

Thanks for the pics and review. We are doing this in December and we are really looking forward to it. We will have an 8, 7 and almost 3 y/o with us. We have another day scheduled at SeaWorld. After the tour we won't be bored on the 2nd day will we? Do you see all the shows as part of the tour?

Any hints/tips to add? Do you think we'll keep up ok with 3 kids? Was your tour full? Do you think a "full" tour would make it any less enjoyable?