Since I last wrote in the guide about Seaworld, there have two new significant additions!
Firstly and the most important – a new baby killer whale (think it’s an orca but not sure). It is the 11th baby born in Seaworld since it opened some 29 years ago. Katina gave birth to the 7ft calf in the Shamu Stadium! Mom and kids were in Florida but missed it! This is what Seaworld is all about; the protection and ultimate creation of all sealife.
The second addition is the “Sharks Underwater Grill” – the following is written by my mother as she visited in August 2002 with the grandchildren:
“Enjoy this casual under-the-sea atmosphere whilst you take a break for a meal anytime between 11am and park closing. If you do not wish to dine, there is a small viewing gallery to see all the sharks and fish.
This is a spacious, well air-conditioned restaurant which makes a pleasant change from the “all you can eat buffets” that we all tend to go to whilst in Orlando. All the tables are situated alongside or close to a floor or ceiling where you can watch 7 different types of shark as well as many other varieties of fish, swimming past you while you dine! No table is further than 5 yards away from the sharks!!
The adult menu is good and portions plentiful. Any additional items such as mash or fries can be added, although this was not obvious from the menu. The food is very well presented and of good quality.
The kid’s menu is standard US fare – chicken strippers etc. The great fun is that part of the kids meal is served in a shark’s head! Plastic of course and this can be kept by the children at the end of the meal – we used our as can holders!
As with the Bimini Café in Seaworld it is nice to sit down in a waitress served restaurant and enjoy a leisurely meal rather than just grabbing a burger from a counter service area.
If you want to book in advance, you can telephone 407 351 3600 to book for a specific time. If you just want to go on-spec, the wait can be anything from 5mins to 2hrs depending on how busy the park is and time of day. You are given the “TGIs” style alarm which allows you to go over the hospitality centre to have a drink whilst you wait for a table and enjoy the first lager free! Alternatively stay at the Bar near the restaurant. We went on a dull afternoon late August at 5pm and only had to wait 5 mins – hardly time to enjoy my free drink!
Highly recommend and my 8yr old grand-daughter loved watching all the sharks and getting her shark’s head to take home to England and show Mom!
Meal for 2 adults, 2 kids was $67 that included a few drinks! We then got our 10% discount as we have annual passes (not sure if restaurant gives discount for AAA cards as with other attractions at Seaworld).