Theme Park Foodie

Photo by Joe Burbank of the Orlando Sentinel

SeaWorld’s new realm Antarctica officially opens on May 24th, and the expansion (the largest in the theme park’s history) features a new dining location. Expedition Cafe is a quick-service dining location that is designed to resemble a research outpost in Antarctica. The menu was crafted to reflect the types of food that would be served at research locations depending upon the nationalities of researchers located there. Pretty cool touch, huh? Italian, American and Asian fare are available at Expedition Cafe. The menu’s set up and pricing leads us to believe that this dining location will be included on the All Day Dining Deal, but it may not be initially included due to high interest in the Antarctica expansion. The full menu is below!

Ristorante Italiano

Entrees
Emperor’s Spaghetti & Meatball Platter: $11.99
Italian Rope Sausage Sandwich: $8.99
Garden Lasagna: $9.99

Cafe Side Selections
Breadsticks (3): $3.99
Parmesan French Fries: $2.99

Shamu Kid’s Meal (9 and under): $5.99
Choose One Entree: Spaghetti & Meatball or Garden Lasagna
Choose One Side: Breadstick or Parmesan Cheese Fries
Choose One Beverage: Milk (White, Chocolate or Strawberry), 100% Apple Juice or Kid Size Soft Drink

Grab & Go
Sub Zero Italian  Hero: $8.99
Chicken Caesar Salad: $8.99

Stateside Chicken

Entree
South of the Equator Fried/Baked Chicken Platter: $9.99 - $11.49
Deep Southern Fried or Savory Baked Chicken served with your choice of Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Macaroni and Cheese or French Fries and a Homemade Biscuit. Extra charge for all white meat.
2 pc. $9.99 / 3 pc. $11.49

Cafe Side Selections
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: $2.99
Macaroni and Cheese: $2.99
French Fries: $2.99
Corn on the Cob: $3.29
Homemade Biscuit: $.99

Shamu Kid’s Meal (9 and under): $5.99
Choose One Entree: Home Dog / Fried or Baked Chicken Wing or Leg
Choose One Side: Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Macaroni and Cheese, French Fries or a Biscuit
Choose One Beverage: Milk (White, Chocolate or Strawberry), 100% Apple Juice or Kid Size Soft Drink

Grab & Go
Iceburg Wedge Chef Salad: $8.79
Turkey Club Croissant: $8.99

Asian Grill

Entrees
South Pole Pepper Steak: $10.99
Teriyaki Chicken: $9.99
Orange Chicken: $9.99
Shrimp Lo Mein: $8.99

Cafe Side Selections
Fried Rice: $3.99
Lo Mein: $3.99
Egg Roll: $2.49

Shamu Kid’s Meal (9 and under): $5.99
Choose One Entree: Orange Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken or Pepper Steak
Choose One Side: Jasmine Rice, Fried Rice or Lo Mein
Choose One Beverage: Milk (White, Chocolate or Strawberry), 100% Apple Juice or Kid Size Soft Drink

Grab & Go
Asian Freshie Salad: $3.69

Excited about the menu offerings at Expedition Cafe? Disappointed? Send us a tweet at @themeparkfoodie to share you thoughts!

SeaWorld Orlando announced today that it will be selling penguin-shaped cups at its newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, set to open on May 24th. These customizable souvenirs may appear cute and cuddly (or, in our opinion, fun and festive) they are designed to encourage guests to help the planet “one refill at a time.”

The Cup That Cares program is a new reusable cup program that uses technology to create an interactive and innovative experience for SeaWorld guests. The cups were designed to connect with Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispensers available at the new Antarctica attraction. Guests are personally engaged through the use of a RFID chip embedded in each cup that interacts with software in the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines to calculate how guests are being environmentally responsible when reusing the cup. The technology embedded in the new souvenir cups calculate the amount of CO2 guests save from entering the atmosphere when they choose to refill their souvenir cup. Each guest’s conservation history will be logged by software developed by SeaWorld and Coca-Cola, and guests will be thanked for saving their personal amount of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. SeaWorld notes that every refill of reusable cups prevents the emission of 27 grams of CO2. The cups are also cost effective; each refill costs only $.99.

There are two versions of the Cups That Care. One, available at beverage stations at the Antarctica attraction, features photos of Puck (the attraction’s signature hero) and his penguin family. More creative guests and children will likely opt for the Create A Cup That Cares option, which invites guests to create a personalized penguin character cup by choosing from more than 40 accessory options including eyes, hair, glasses, hats, bow ties, necklaces, SeaWorld shopping bags and miniature Shamu ice cream bars.

“Just as penguins do within their colonies, humans also can band together to make a big difference through small actions,” said Dan Brown, Chief Operating Officer of SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica Parks. “We see great potential with this new program because it encourages guests to be more aware of their actions – and reduce their carbon footprint — in an easy, fun and innovative way. Each step may be small, but it all adds up when we work together.”

SeaWorld also announced today that it will be serving an exclusive and custom vanilla-flavored beverage through the Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers at Antarctica called “South Pole Chill.” We imagine that such a sweet concoction will soon become a favorite of young guests.

As you may remember, we recently wrote about this possibility in our column for Orlando Attractions Magazine. You can read more about Coca-Cola Freestyle and how it has the potential to change Orlando’s theme parks here.

For more information on Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, like SeaWorld on Facebook or visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

SeaWorld Orlando is preparing to open it’s newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin on May 24. The area will feature the “coldest theme park ride in the world,” a new penguin exhibit and a new dining location.

As the attractions’ grand opening date approaches, we’re getting more and more excited about the new dining options offered in the area. As we prepare to do a write up on all of the food or specialties that we would love to see (and those we actually expect to see) at Antarctica, we have to ask:

What dining options would YOU like to see offered at SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin?

Bands, Brew & BBQ returns to SeaWorld Orlando on February 9th and runs through March 17th. The event, included with park admission, features mouth-watering barbeque from SeaWorld and local restaurants. Guests can also enjoy a number of Craft Brews, available on the park’s Bayside Pathway.

2013 Bands, Brew & BBQ concert lineup:

·         Saturday, February 9            Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann

·         Sunday, February 10             Merle Haggard

·         Saturday, February 16           The Beach Boys

·         Sunday, February 17             Styx

·         Saturday, February 23           Big & Rich

·         Sunday, February 24             Third Eye Blind

·         Saturday, March 2                  Daryl Hall and John Oates

·         Sunday, March 3                    Darius Rucker

·         Saturday, March 9                  Michael McDonald

·         Sunday, March 10                  Josh Turner

·         Saturday, March 16               Rodney Atkins with Uncle Kracker

·         Sunday, March 17                  Sheryl Crow

Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld Public Relations

SeaWorld Orlando is kicking off 2013 with the Just For Kids Festival, a special event designed just for little ones that features popular children’s entertainers. Children can dance, sing and play the day away while enjoying performances by Choo-Choo Soul, the Imagination movers and more! Other festival highlights include Elmo Rocks!, a Sesame Street show featuring Elmo and friends in their very own rock concert, and the introduction of the Franklin meet and greet character from Franklin and Friends.

Our favorite part of Just For Kids is, of course, the food! There are two special dining experiences available during the festival that kids will love for the characters and parents will love for the food. Guests who pre-purchase one of the below character breakfasts receive reserved seats to that day’s featured concert. Reservations for these experiences can be made at SeaWorld.com or by calling 1-888-800-5447.

Elmo’s VIP Character Breakfast at Sharks Underwater Grill
Have breakfast with Elmo and one of his special Sesame Street friends at the Elmo VIP Character Breakfast. Families will enjoy a full-service breakfast experience at Sharks Underwater Grill.  Following breakfast, little ones, (and parents, too), will visit with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends for photo memories that will last a lifetime. Each family will receive one complimentary photo. Those attending the 9 a.m. VIP breakfast will receive VIP seating for the 11 a.m. Just For Kids concert.

Shamu & Friends Character Breakfast Buffet at Terrace Garden
Enjoy time with Shamu & Friends during a special character breakfast at the Terrace Garden Buffet restaurant. Join SeaWorld characters for meet-and-greets and photos. Each family will receive one complimentary family photo. Guests dining at the 9 a.m. breakfast receive guaranteed admission for the 2 p.m. Just for Kids concert and those eating at 11 a.m. receive guaranteed admission for the 4 p.m. concert.

This just in! SeaWorld has released its first mobile game for the iPhone, SeaWorld Presents Turtle Trek! The game, designed for ages 4-9,joins a sea turtle on an adventure similar to the one experienced by guests at SeaWorld Orlando.

Guide a sea turtle through a beautiful and perilous ocean world full of danger, friends and treasure. Get help from ocean friends you meet along the way, learn about various ocean life, complete your virtual sticker book and see how far you can swim!

SeaWorld Presents Turtle Trek is available for free download from the Apple App Store. 

Today, SeaWorld Orlando announced the performers for its 2013 Bands, Brew & BBQ event. One of the park’s many special events, Bands, Brew & BBQ celebrates good music and great food!

Saturday, February 9          Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann
Sunday, February 10           Merle Haggard
Saturday, February 16         The Beach Boys
Sunday, February 17           Styx
Saturday, February 23         Big & Rich
Sunday, February 24           Third Eye Blind
Saturday, March 2                Daryl Hall and John Oates
Sunday, March 3                  TBA
Saturday, March 9                TBA
Sunday, March 10                Josh Turner
Saturday, March 16              TBA
Sunday, March 17                TBA

These are some great performers, and we can’t wait to attend the festival for some delicious food, drink, and great music!

That being said, there are four acts that are still “to be announced.” Who would you like to see perform at SeaWorld Orlando’s BB&BBQ event?