Hey everyone,


my g/f and i are heading down to SD from sun-wed. I was looking online at the different dining options offered in the park and could not decide on which I wanted to do. So, do you guys have any recommendations as to whats worth it or not? Theres the breakfast with shamu, dinner with shamu, cirque de la mer dinner, and the picnic basket thing for adventures with shamu. We're both 19, if that helps any.

Also, any other recs as to where to eat around SD and special things to see/do. Tips about sea world, wild animal park, and the zoo are appreciated! THANKS!

Sea World dining is rather good for theme parks.

Most dining locations are cafeteria-oriented.

Typically -

Shipwreck Reef Cafe -

Half Rack Ribs - $11, Full Rack $14,
Several sizeable sandwiches in the $8 range.
Hamburgers, etc - a bit pricey but of decent quality.

Mango Joes -

Fajitas, Fajita Sandwiches, Fajita Salads in Beef and Chicken
typically in the $8 range.

Calypso Bay offers more BBQ stuff; and Mamma Stellas is Italian food.

The sit-down dining opportunities, such as Breakfast and Dinner with Shamu, etc, tend to be a bit overpriced for the food offered. At some point during the meal the trainers will bring the Killer Whales up on the deck for a closer look. Not sure you need to pay for that, but if its the only time you're at the park, it may be worth it.

I saw part of the Mystique Dinner Show. Yawn.

Better to watch ExotiSea and/or Ocean FantaSea in the evening. Keep your available evening time for Sea Lions Tonite (comedy) and/or Shamu's House of Douse (dance party). There is also a pretty decent fireworks show just before Ocean FantaSea - the launch location is a barge located generally behind the Penguin House in direction.

Tickets are around $49. There is a Fun Ticket for $51 allowing you repeat visits until the end of the year, excepting a couple key holidays. If you really like the place, the Silver pass gives you 365 more days; and the Platinum gives a whole bunch of discounts, freebies, and privileges that makes Disney look like a slum lord with their AP's - and you can pay it in equal monthly installments.

Journey To Atlantis, Shipwreck Rapids, and Wild Artic Simulator (a big, mild version of Star Tours) are free. The Sky Tower and Sky Ride (buckets) cost $3 each, or $5 together. If you show AAA, its half price.

If you got some quiet time, spend time in the below water level viewing areas near Shamu Stadium, Wild Artic, Commerson's Dolphins. You can spend hours there - and some places like Shamu's area, the Killer Whales are very curious.

Most important - check the map and showtimes when you enter - plan your day accordingly. The park tends to be very empty and great for dining when lots of shows are ongoing. Between shows, the place can get a bit crowded.

-- Karl