Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
296
Tips
Dining with the Wildlife
SeaWorld is diving deeper into the restaurant game with
Dine with Shamu
(
&
800/327-2420
or 407/351-3600 for information and reservations; www.sea
worldorlando.com), a reservations-only poolside dining experience with
Shamu as a special guest. While eating, guests can mingle and question Sea-
World trainers. The menu includes seafood Creole; sliced turkey; pasta primav-
era; beef stew; pasta shrimp Alfredo; and an array of sides, salads, rolls, and
desserts (kids can choose from their own buffet of kid-friendly favorites). The
cost is $42 for adults and $22 for kids 3 to 9, in addition to park admission.
Reserving a spot 2 to 3 weeks in advance is usually more than enough unless
you're coming in one of the crunch periods (summer, holidays). In addition, the
park features a character breakfast (
Breakfast with Elmo & Friends;
$17
adults, $15 kids ages 3-9), and a new ask-the-expert dining experience that
includes reserved seating at Jungle Jack's first show of the day (
Breakfast with
Jack Hanna;
$18 adults, $16 children 3 to 9).
At
Sharks Underwater Grill
(
&
407/351-3600
for reservations), diners can
dig into pretty sophisticated Floridian and Caribbean treats while watching
denizens of the deep swim by in the Shark Encounter exhibit. It's not unlike the
Coral Reef restaurant at Disney (p. 134), though here you view fish that would
just as easily turn
you
into lunch. Menu prices run $22 to $28 for adults and $6
to $12 for kids 3 to 9 (pasta, hot dogs, chicken breast, chicken tenders, and
popcorn shrimp), and theme-park admission is required. Special dining needs
(vegetarian, kosher, and so on) can be accommodated with advance notice.
7
for adults, $40 for children 3-9, plus park admission). Call
&
407/363-2380
for infor-
mation or
&
800/406-2244
for reservations.
Budget Your Time
SeaWorld has a leisurely pace, in part because its biggest attractions are up-close encoun-
ters with the animals. Don't be in a rush (you won't have to hurry everywhere for a
change). This park can easily be enjoyed in a day. Its layout, lush landscaping, and many
outdoor exhibits give it an open feel. Because of the large capacity and walk-through
nature of many of the attractions, crowds generally aren't a concern except at Journey to
Atlantis, Kraken, and Manta. You also need to be in Shamu Stadium in plenty of time
for the show. Wild Arctic, at times, can draw a sizable crowd, but the lines here don't
come close to reaching Disney's proportions, so relax. Isn't that what a vacation is sup-
posed to be about?
SERVICES & FACILITIES AT SEAWORLD
AT M S
An ATM is located at the front of the park. It accepts Cirrus-, Honor-, and
PLUS-affiliated cards.
BABY CARE
Changing tables are in or near most women's restrooms, and in the men's
restroom at the front entrance near Shamu's Emporium. You can buy diapers in machines
