Back again
..
DAVE AND ALISON`s HOLIDAY CONTINUES
WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2002 PART NINE.
Today we are visiting seaworld and have reservations for Dine with Shamu.
After a very good nights sleep after all yesterdays excitement woke at 6.40, tea and paper as usual. Up and ready to leave for 9.00, breakfast again at the Golden Corall. Must be going here to often, getting recognised
After a good run to Seaworld we arrived at about 10ish and headed off to guest services. Although we had the 7 day pass from DC we had decided to activate our 14day flex tickets, there were no queues at guest services and tickets exchanged no problems.. we had to show id and sign the back of the tickets here. Through bag check and into park in just a few mins. Now to see if the internet booking for Dine with Shamu has worked, up to the special reservations desk, handed over booking number and no problems, given very nice VIP neckpasses to wear and told where to go for the dinner at 4.00pm as seating time was 4.15, a bit earlier than we would have liked but it was going to be worth it. Strolled through the shops at the entrance and Dave purchased .a SWEAT shirt, blimey. We then followed the signs to the dolphin nursery and spent a good half hour watching several baby dolphins being really cute, got some really good video footage here. We took a leisurely stroll looking at the stalls heading towards Atlantis, his first ride for the day. I dont like these rides as I suffer badly with motion sickness. As the park was very quiet I managed to get him good and proper with the water cannon. Had a look at the shop whilst waiting for him to appear. We then strolled around to get our bearings and work out which shows we could do. We spent some time at the ray pool and quite a bit of time watching the very active turtles. Around this area are some neat little shops and we both purchased some nice leather money pouches. We then headed over to the Key west show, the stands were about half full. This show as ever is first class and enjoyed every moment of it. After the show had finished we had decided to head over to the clyde and Seymour show, but some how the map reading and which show we were heading to got in a muddle and we ended up at the Pets show instead,. This was even better than we remembered from our last visit, a very cleaverly organised show. Would recommend this to anyone to see. Unfortunatley we were not able to see the C and S show as there were no other shows available at the time we could be there.
As we had 45mins to wait for the Shamu show next on our list Dave said he was ready to try Kraken, we had already been over to see this ride before he did Atlantis but he wanted to wait and let his breakfast settle. Off he went, very brave man, and he was back at 10 mins later with a slight stagger, all excited as he wanted me to see the photograph taken on the ride. Well this was priceless, we have never brought a ride photograph as we think they are expensive for what they are, but this was a classic .He was hanging on for grim life and all you could see were the whites of his eyes and a very terrified expression on his face. I said I would treat him to this one and he was well pleased. (showed everyone and I mean everyone for weeks after we got home)..He said this had been one of the best roller coasters he had ever been on.
Quickly we set of for the Shamu stadium and walking across the bridge could see all the work going on for the new waterfront complex, looks good. On into the stadium and found some safe and dry seats. This show was top quality as ever and even after seeing it a lot of times still laugh ourselves silly at the people getting a soaking, especially the women versus men bit We left the show and looked around the gift shops and then headed over to the Wild Artic. David did the show but I wandered around the shops as both versions of this make feel very uncomfortable. The gift shop over here is worth a very good look around as they have some very nice gifts available. On the way back to the shamu stadium for our Dine reservation we were lucky enough to see the Bud heavy horses in their fully livery with the dog riding shotgun on their way home for the night. The drivers very kindly stopped and let us take some really got close up shots and chatted for a while before heading off.
We found the entrance for the Dine and walked up to the desk and checked in. We were shown to our table, which was dead centre and right next to the pool, couldnt have had a better table if we had tried. On the table was a large jug of iced tea and some iced water, which was very welcomed and very quenching. A waiter then appeared and asked what we would like to drink, when he brought them over he explained how to get what we wanted to eat and that we could visit the buffet as many times as we wanted. The food was plentiful, hot and fresh, usual finger buffet items with salads, chips etc. and plenty of deserts as well. All very well catered for both adults and children alike. No sooner had we eaten a fresh plate was offered, and then we were given a parcel of shamu cookies each. After most people had finished eating, the trainers of the whales who had been swimming around in the lagoon next to us the whole time appeared and gave a very informative and interesting talk on the whales showing us the various methods used to communicate with them and demonstrations of the hand signals used during the shows, then much to our surprise and totally unexpected we were give a half our show which was spectacular to say the least. After the show finished the whales were brought up to the special podiums facing the restaurant and where people were sitting and given ample photo time. No word of a lie the whale was inches from where we were sat and the pictures that close up came out stunning. You are not allowed to touch them but we were allowed to feed them some fish, be warned if you are sitting ring side you will get wet during the show. The trainers finished off the show with a small display and a wave goodbye from the whales. Show over. You are allowed to sit and take your time to have another drink etc, and the whole of the time the whales are left to their own devices in the lagoon next to you. We had another drink and then bid our farewells. This was an excellent one and half hours, and worth every penny. The service was top class, no rushing to get you out and the trainers were willing to talk and answer any questions as you left. Excellent time had by all. We left to walk back to the stadium for the Shamu rocks show, we have never seen this before. TIP sit in the right part of the stadium and you can get a really good picture of the whole of the Kraken ride in the distance.
The Shamu rocks show is totally different from the day time show, and we were lucky enough to see a very tiny baby whale being put through its paces, very upbeat and fast moving show, highly recommended for a visit. At the end of the show they showed on the big screen some bloopers the trainers had made during shows and these are hilarious. Left the stadium and done a bit of shopping in the gift shop outside and Dave got his Tshirt quota for the day.
Walked back through the park as it was now closing time and home to a hot bath and an early night, totally exhausted.
Thoughts.
The weather was a bit fresher at 70 today which made for a very comfortable day in the park, especially sitting in the stadiums I would highly recommend the Dine with Shamu experience and we thought it was worth every penny. Forgot to mention that we also spent a considerable amount of time over at the dolphin cove feeding the dolphins.
DAVE AND ALISON`s HOLIDAY CONTINUES
WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2002 PART NINE.
Today we are visiting seaworld and have reservations for Dine with Shamu.
After a very good nights sleep after all yesterdays excitement woke at 6.40, tea and paper as usual. Up and ready to leave for 9.00, breakfast again at the Golden Corall. Must be going here to often, getting recognised
After a good run to Seaworld we arrived at about 10ish and headed off to guest services. Although we had the 7 day pass from DC we had decided to activate our 14day flex tickets, there were no queues at guest services and tickets exchanged no problems.. we had to show id and sign the back of the tickets here. Through bag check and into park in just a few mins. Now to see if the internet booking for Dine with Shamu has worked, up to the special reservations desk, handed over booking number and no problems, given very nice VIP neckpasses to wear and told where to go for the dinner at 4.00pm as seating time was 4.15, a bit earlier than we would have liked but it was going to be worth it. Strolled through the shops at the entrance and Dave purchased .a SWEAT shirt, blimey. We then followed the signs to the dolphin nursery and spent a good half hour watching several baby dolphins being really cute, got some really good video footage here. We took a leisurely stroll looking at the stalls heading towards Atlantis, his first ride for the day. I dont like these rides as I suffer badly with motion sickness. As the park was very quiet I managed to get him good and proper with the water cannon. Had a look at the shop whilst waiting for him to appear. We then strolled around to get our bearings and work out which shows we could do. We spent some time at the ray pool and quite a bit of time watching the very active turtles. Around this area are some neat little shops and we both purchased some nice leather money pouches. We then headed over to the Key west show, the stands were about half full. This show as ever is first class and enjoyed every moment of it. After the show had finished we had decided to head over to the clyde and Seymour show, but some how the map reading and which show we were heading to got in a muddle and we ended up at the Pets show instead,. This was even better than we remembered from our last visit, a very cleaverly organised show. Would recommend this to anyone to see. Unfortunatley we were not able to see the C and S show as there were no other shows available at the time we could be there.
As we had 45mins to wait for the Shamu show next on our list Dave said he was ready to try Kraken, we had already been over to see this ride before he did Atlantis but he wanted to wait and let his breakfast settle. Off he went, very brave man, and he was back at 10 mins later with a slight stagger, all excited as he wanted me to see the photograph taken on the ride. Well this was priceless, we have never brought a ride photograph as we think they are expensive for what they are, but this was a classic .He was hanging on for grim life and all you could see were the whites of his eyes and a very terrified expression on his face. I said I would treat him to this one and he was well pleased. (showed everyone and I mean everyone for weeks after we got home)..He said this had been one of the best roller coasters he had ever been on.
Quickly we set of for the Shamu stadium and walking across the bridge could see all the work going on for the new waterfront complex, looks good. On into the stadium and found some safe and dry seats. This show was top quality as ever and even after seeing it a lot of times still laugh ourselves silly at the people getting a soaking, especially the women versus men bit We left the show and looked around the gift shops and then headed over to the Wild Artic. David did the show but I wandered around the shops as both versions of this make feel very uncomfortable. The gift shop over here is worth a very good look around as they have some very nice gifts available. On the way back to the shamu stadium for our Dine reservation we were lucky enough to see the Bud heavy horses in their fully livery with the dog riding shotgun on their way home for the night. The drivers very kindly stopped and let us take some really got close up shots and chatted for a while before heading off.
We found the entrance for the Dine and walked up to the desk and checked in. We were shown to our table, which was dead centre and right next to the pool, couldnt have had a better table if we had tried. On the table was a large jug of iced tea and some iced water, which was very welcomed and very quenching. A waiter then appeared and asked what we would like to drink, when he brought them over he explained how to get what we wanted to eat and that we could visit the buffet as many times as we wanted. The food was plentiful, hot and fresh, usual finger buffet items with salads, chips etc. and plenty of deserts as well. All very well catered for both adults and children alike. No sooner had we eaten a fresh plate was offered, and then we were given a parcel of shamu cookies each. After most people had finished eating, the trainers of the whales who had been swimming around in the lagoon next to us the whole time appeared and gave a very informative and interesting talk on the whales showing us the various methods used to communicate with them and demonstrations of the hand signals used during the shows, then much to our surprise and totally unexpected we were give a half our show which was spectacular to say the least. After the show finished the whales were brought up to the special podiums facing the restaurant and where people were sitting and given ample photo time. No word of a lie the whale was inches from where we were sat and the pictures that close up came out stunning. You are not allowed to touch them but we were allowed to feed them some fish, be warned if you are sitting ring side you will get wet during the show. The trainers finished off the show with a small display and a wave goodbye from the whales. Show over. You are allowed to sit and take your time to have another drink etc, and the whole of the time the whales are left to their own devices in the lagoon next to you. We had another drink and then bid our farewells. This was an excellent one and half hours, and worth every penny. The service was top class, no rushing to get you out and the trainers were willing to talk and answer any questions as you left. Excellent time had by all. We left to walk back to the stadium for the Shamu rocks show, we have never seen this before. TIP sit in the right part of the stadium and you can get a really good picture of the whole of the Kraken ride in the distance.
The Shamu rocks show is totally different from the day time show, and we were lucky enough to see a very tiny baby whale being put through its paces, very upbeat and fast moving show, highly recommended for a visit. At the end of the show they showed on the big screen some bloopers the trainers had made during shows and these are hilarious. Left the stadium and done a bit of shopping in the gift shop outside and Dave got his Tshirt quota for the day.
Walked back through the park as it was now closing time and home to a hot bath and an early night, totally exhausted.
Thoughts.
The weather was a bit fresher at 70 today which made for a very comfortable day in the park, especially sitting in the stadiums I would highly recommend the Dine with Shamu experience and we thought it was worth every penny. Forgot to mention that we also spent a considerable amount of time over at the dolphin cove feeding the dolphins.
