Where should we splurge?

[tfoster]

Animal interactions/tours at SeaWorld, Blue Man Group, or character dining meals at Universal?

The two older kids are already signed up for the Beluga Interaction at SW. I'm thinking about signing up to do it with them. Also thinking about signing up the whole family (all 6 of us) to do the Penguin Tour.

Blue Man Group looks fun and I've only heard/read great things about it, but is it THAT memorable of an experience (for over $300 for all of us to go)?

We always do multiple character dinings when we go to WDW. At WDW, we do them because I don't like waiting in lines, and I figure it's the easiest and most time-efficient way to see the characters. Does that same reasoning apply at Universal? I'd be considering the Grinch meal, Spider-Man, and/or Scooby Doo. Or can we easily enough see those characters in the park?

What do you think? (Kids are 5, 7, 10, and 15.)

 

[Varalith]

This isn't really helping you out, and I apologize for that, but I wanted to thank you for helping me out!

I had no clue they had a penguin tour at seaworld. This is now on our must do list while we're there.

Thank you!

 

[tfoster]

This isn't really helping you out, and I apologize for that, but I wanted to thank you for helping me out!

I had no clue they had a penguin tour at seaworld. This is now on our must do list while we're there.

Thank you!

Glad to have helped! Make sure you make the reservations (online or phone) in advance.

 

[tfoster]

Awww. . . Come on - no one wants to help me spend my money?!

 

[AlienNation]

I can't speak for the animal attractions at Sea World, but I can say that as far as the Blue Man Group goes, for myself and my fiance it is and was very memorable. And it can be even more memorable if someone in your family gets picked to participate in the show up on stage. Even if you aren't picked tho, there is plenty to see and take in and (not going to give it away for those who haven't been), the finale is fun for all if you allow yourself to get involved in it. Afterwards (I am assuming they still do it) the BMG comes out for pictures and their own version of a signature/autograph for anyone that wants 1.

As far as the characters go, when we went (Halloween Hell Week) they were all over the parks and with very little waits except for a few (Spiderman particularly). And yes even tho it was just me and my fiance, we were looking because she is a kid at heart and walked around with her autograph book/pen for signatures. We also ate a nice meal that wasn't too costly at Mama Della's and had Scooby/Woody walking around the restaurant.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Well I don't know how much help I'll be, but I love spending other people's money. Considering the ages of your children, Blue Man Group seems to be the best option for the family as a whole. Your 15 yr. old may not like the character meals as well. Although, you know him & know whether he would be into it or not. Some teens are, some aren't. My family isn't into animals of any kind, so I'm not a good person to ask about the penguin tour. We wouldn't want to do that, even if we were spending someone else's money.

On 2nd thought, while I'm spending your money , how about you take the younger ones to 1 character meal? That way they get a special activity like the older two do. Then you could take the whole family to BMG, since they'd all probably enjoy that.

 

[lachica]

If you do plan to go to BMG and are celebrating something or just want a shout out before the show. Just let the staff now when ordering the tickets.

I LOVE BMG and in the sharp aquos theatre there's not a bad seat in the house! If you've been to other BMG venues you'll see their trademark acts with some variation from several locations.

 

[donaldduck352]

I have too say BMG also!!

 

[tfoster]

Thanks guys! Seems like everyone thinks BMG would be a great choice. I have to admit I don't get all the hype about it, but I'm trusting I will after seeing it.

I'm wondering if it would be best for us to sit as close as possible to the stage or farther back. For one of the performances while we're there, front row seats are available. I'd probably love a more up-close experience, but I don't know if any of us would appreciate going on stage (and a couple of us would really hate being singled out - my oldest DH still hasn't forgiven me for 3 years ago arranging for Phillies staff to go to his seat during the game to sing Happy Birthday to him! ). I assume you're more likely to be singled out if you're right in the front??? Or do they walk up and down the aisles?

I always worry about whether or not the littler ones will be able to see if we sit back farther. At some venues, they need to find a hole between people's heads to peak through; at others, the seating is at a steeper incline so everyone (even the shorty-pants) can see fine.

I like the idea of just bringing the little guys to one of the character meals. That would work well especially since we're staying on-site.

Thanks again for helping me figure out how to spend my money!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Animal interactions/tours at SeaWorld, Blue Man Group, or character dining meals at Universal?

The two older kids are already signed up for the Beluga Interaction at SW. I'm thinking about signing up to do it with them. Also thinking about signing up the whole family (all 6 of us) to do the Penguin Tour.

Blue Man Group looks fun and I've only heard/read great things about it, but is it THAT memorable of an experience (for over $300 for all of us to go)?

We always do multiple character dinings when we go to WDW. At WDW, we do them because I don't like waiting in lines, and I figure it's the easiest and most time-efficient way to see the characters. Does that same reasoning apply at Universal? I'd be considering the Grinch meal, Spider-Man, and/or Scooby Doo. Or can we easily enough see those characters in the park?

What do you think? (Kids are 5, 7, 10, and 15.)

We have just come back and booked the beluga experience when we were there. One of the best days of my life. I wanted to book this before we went but had discovery cove booked. I saw the running DVD advertising it at the guest services, and decided that yes I would do it. In the end five of us did it (2 separate sections as only do four people at a time). My niece and nephew were beaming so much it was untrue.

We did the VIP tour as well, I enjoyed it, but do not think I would do this again.

We talked to a lady who was doing the beluga experience with us, she had done the penguin and loved it.

I think with the blue man show if you wait until you get there you can get discounted tickets, so if you are not 100% sure might be worth taking the chance?

Discovery cove was out of this world as well. To be honest the whole holiday was unforgettable but for me it was the dolphin swim and the beluga experience hands down - oh and also feeding the dolphins

 

[tfoster]

We have just come back and booked the beluga experience when we were there. One of the best days of my life. I wanted to book this before we went but had discovery cove booked. I saw the running DVD advertising it at the guest services, and decided that yes I would do it. In the end five of us did it (2 separate sections as only do four people at a time). My niece and nephew were beaming so much it was untrue.

We did the VIP tour as well, I enjoyed it, but do not think I would do this again.

We talked to a lady who was doing the beluga experience with us, she had done the penguin and loved it.

I think with the blue man show if you wait until you get there you can get discounted tickets, so if you are not 100% sure might be worth taking the chance?

Discovery cove was out of this world as well. To be honest the whole holiday was unforgettable but for me it was the dolphin swim and the beluga experience hands down - oh and also feeding the dolphins

Okay - you sold me! I just signed myself up for the Beluga experience. I signed up for the photo package option (now that I won't be able to take pictures of the two kids!), hoping they'll take pictures of all 3 of us together. I didn't know they only have 4 in each group, so I'm glad the other spots hadn't yet been taken.

I'm thinking that maybe we'll sign just DH and the two younger kids up for the Penguin Tour. My husband and DS7 absolutely adore penguins. I'm used to our doing things all together as a whole family, but it'll probably be fine for us to split up for these experiences at SeaWorld.

Haven't ordered BMG tickets but checked online again, and it seems there are a ton still available for our stay. I had chosen a show and seats and was on the final check-out screen when I bailed! I guess I'm not ready to make that financial commitment yet. I can get discounted tickets through work, but with those you don't get to pick your seats. Not sure what to do. I might try to talk to someone to get more info about it.

Super happy, though, that our plans are coming along. I'm looking forward to when SW announces their holiday events and when PBH announces theirs. Someone I talked to a while ago from the hotel told me that in the past they've had children's activities such as gingerbread house making.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Okay - you sold me! I just signed myself up for the Beluga experience. I signed up for the photo package option (now that I won't be able to take pictures of the two kids!), hoping they'll take pictures of all 3 of us together. I didn't know they only have 4 in each group, so I'm glad the other spots hadn't yet been taken.

I'm thinking that maybe we'll sign just DH and the two younger kids up for the Penguin Tour. My husband and DS7 absolutely adore penguins. I'm used to our doing things all together as a whole family, but it'll probably be fine for us to split up for these experiences at SeaWorld.

Haven't ordered BMG tickets but checked online again, and it seems there are a ton still available for our stay. I had chosen a show and seats and was on the final check-out screen when I bailed! I guess I'm not ready to make that financial commitment yet. I can get discounted tickets through work, but with those you don't get to pick your seats. Not sure what to do. I might try to talk to someone to get more info about it.

Super happy, though, that our plans are coming along. I'm looking forward to when SW announces their holiday events and when PBH announces theirs. Someone I talked to a while ago from the hotel told me that in the past they've had children's activities such as gingerbread house making.

Yes they only allow four people at a time.

The only downside to this with you being three people, is like us, the four of you gets split into groups of two. When we did it last week there were three belugas there, one was with group one, the second with group two, the third was being occupied by the trainer. They do swap the belugas around so you do interact with all three. My favourite was maple, only because she was the only female and the smallest. The encounter you are in, the public can watch - the good thing about this is DH managed to video the encounter which is something great to keep. I totally think it is a good idea to get the professional photos as ours came out dark, we did buy the photo package though, and they are put on a CD and they chose the best three and print out for you. When you get there, they normally do everyone individually but you can state for photos of all of you, though thinking about it we did not have any of the three of us, because of the two groups. Getting into the wet suit was a right laugh.

DH did the shark dive and he loved that - not my cup of tea though

Only from what I was told from the lady on our beluga experience your DH and children will like the penguin encounter. If we were ever lucky enough to go back I would do the penguin encounter and dolphin spotlight tour.

 

[bartola]

How do you get BMG discount tickets???

 

[AlienNation]

I'm wondering if it would be best for us to sit as close as possible to the stage or farther back. For one of the performances while we're there, front row seats are available. I'd probably love a more up-close experience, but I don't know if any of us would appreciate going on stage (and a couple of us would really hate being singled out - my oldest DH still hasn't forgiven me for 3 years ago arranging for Phillies staff to go to his seat during the game to sing Happy Birthday to him! ). I assume you're more likely to be singled out if you're right in the front??? Or do they walk up and down the aisles?

When they get people to join the stage, they roam all over and pick someone. Nobody in the front few rows were picked when we went, but that isn't saying that it doesn't happen with other shows. Also, the first few rows are the poncho section if you didn't know. They provided them but you don't necessarily have to wear them if you don't want, but your clothes might get a little messy.

 

[tfoster]

How do you get BMG discount tickets???

I get a discount through ticketsatwork.com, which my employer participates in. The discount for BMG isn't huge, but at least it's something. (I think we'd save $30-$40 total or something like that.) Like I mentioned, though, you don't get to pick (or even see your seats) so you have no idea where you're going to be. You just pick tier 1 or tier 2.

I've done searching looking for other BMG discounts and haven't been able to find any.

 

[tfoster]

When they get people to join the stage, they roam all over and pick someone. Nobody in the front few rows were picked when we went, but that isn't saying that it doesn't happen with other shows. Also, the first few rows are the poncho section if you didn't know. They provided them but you don't necessarily have to wear them if you don't want, but your clothes might get a little messy.

Thanks - that's very helpful info. I'm kind-of liking the center section row B seats on the aisle. They're behind the wheelchair seating area, so I think the littlest two might be able to see better since it looks like each wheelchair spot is the equivalent of ~2 regular seats (fewer heads to duck around).

 

[bartola]

Thanks for the info... I saw online that they offer a nice discount to college students with valid ID, does that apply to high school students as well???