It seemed clear as day to us, and it made sense. Since most people flock to Disney for Fourth of July Fireworks, why not celebrate early in the weekend to collect on parking fees and in-park purchases. SeaWorld even offered Pass Members a special 20% dining discount that included free dessert. (See what we thought about our meal from SeaWorld's Smokehouse.)
Just a few nights earlier, we went to the Reflections Fireworks Show. We had a great time and looked forward to an even better show for the Fourth of July celebration. The July 2 date fit perfectly with our plans to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks on July 3 and Epcot on July 4.
Imagine our disappointment, as the pre-show host announced to guests (just minutes before the fireworks were about to start) "be sure to come back on July 4 for our special Fourth of July Celebration". What?... we couldn't believe our ears. Did we mess up on the date?
Being the techno-geeks that we are, we started up our iPhone and re-checked the Pass Member E-Mail. Nope, we didn't mess up. SeaWorld tricked us. They tricked us into coming to the park on a holiday weekend to spend more money and to see a show we already saw. Not cool, SeaWorld. Not cool...
Coincidentally, our SeaWorld annual passes are set to expire next month in August. We are very unlikely to renew and instead will probably give our money to Universal Studios. Between our experiences of hit and miss food at SeaWorld, the change in the Shamu show, the discontinuation of the beer samples, and this recent "miscommunication", it seems best that we parts ways with SeaWorld... at least for a while.
For a period of time last year, SeaWorld had improved its food so much that we began to forgive some of its other shortcomings. Hopefully, they'll come around again - and soon.
If nothing else, we'll go back just to watch the mime from the Clyde and Seamore show. That performance alone can be worth the price of admission. Seriously... get to the SeaLion & Otter Stadium early to watch the mime pre-show. Even better - see the mime in SeaLions Tonite show. My favorite for a good laugh.