Theme Park Foodie

(Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment)

Some exciting news from SeaWorld Orlando today! The park’s premiere dining experience, Dine with Shamu, has reopened. We were unable to make reservations online or by calling the park’s reservation line, but apparently guests inside the park have been able to make reservations for this evening’s event.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Shamu dining experience closed in February 2010, after the tragic death of orca trainer Dawn Brancheau during a Dine with Shamu show. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has spent the last two years implementing new safety measures for its trainers. The pool where Dine with Shamu is held only recently reopened after a multi-million dollar installment of a rising floor that can lift all trainers and whales out of the water in the case of another emergency.

So what can guests of Dine with Shamu expect? While a lot of details are still unconfirmed, there are a few things that we can say for certain. The dining area has been completely redone to match the theming and spirit of the new Shamu show, One Ocean.

Guests who partake in the experience will be treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring some of SeaWorld’s finest dishes. UPDATE: The full summer menu is available below.

Finally, guests can expect to be treated as Shamu’s VIP guests throughout the duration of the meal. SeaWorld’s whale trainers and members of the Shamu family will entertain and educate throughout the course of the meal. The Dine with Shamu experience is more relaxed than a performance show, with trainers and whales demonstrating different behaviors that may not necessarily be seen during One Ocean. Guests will see the whales at play, interacting with trainers and one another.

The cost of the dining experience has been confirmed as $49 for adults, $24 for children. The menu includes sustainable items on a seasonal basis. Grain-fed Black Angus strip loin, free-range chicken, pork loin, and sustainable cod are available during the summer season. Also included in the buffet are baked goods, rice, seasonal vegetables and a dessert array.

UPDATE - Full menu (courtesy of SeaWorld):

• Seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables
• Certified Sustainable Seafood
• All natural grain fed Beef Sirloin
• Open flame grilled free range chicken
• 100% natural pork loin with no preservatives or additives
• Seasonal accompaniments  
• Fresh breads baked daily by our skilled Sea World bakers
• Signature desserts

Kid’s Buffet featuring all kids’ favorites:

• Hot dogs
• Sea shell pasta with vine ripe tomato marinara and meatballs
• Mac and cheese 
• Seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables

UPDATE: Further details are now SeaWorld Orlando’s website.

UPDATE: Advance reservations are now being accepted. If you hope to make a reservation for the dining experience, SeaWorld’s reservation line is 1-888-800-5447.

Team TPF will be attending the July 10th Dine with Shamu experience! Follow us on social media for more details, live tweets, photos and a complete review coming soon.

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