Countdown to "Blue Friday" 2015!

[seashell724]

We've had it on our past visits and really enjoyed it. We love that you can get cold bottles of water all day long as part of the plan entitlements. And we really enjoy being able to snack throughout the day (fresh fruits, salads, sweet treats, pizza slices) in addition to full entrees at mealtime.

My fellas are big eaters, though!

Thanks Gina,
I must not have read the fine print well enough. I thought it said only one meal/side OR dessert/drink every hour. I didn't realize you could get water throughout the day. I didn't see anything about snacks either but maybe you mean snacks at the restaurants? The deals says it is NOT valid at snack carts.
Did you have bfast there too?

 

[justmeinflorida]

I got this one for Seaworld today:
http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/book-online/rpc/112015b/not-started/

and this one for Busch Gardens:
http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/book-online/rpc/20151120/not-started/

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks Gina,
I must not have read the fine print well enough. I thought it said only one meal/side OR dessert/drink every hour. I didn't realize you could get water throughout the day. I didn't see anything about snacks either but maybe you mean snacks at the restaurants? The deals says it is NOT valid at snack carts.
Did you have bfast there too?

Unless the plan has changed, its one entree, one side, and one beverage (or any combination thereof) each time through the line. When we were last there in August 2014, they did not monitor how often you went through the line.

Snacks at the restaurant, yes. Many had small cups of various fruits (watermelon, orange slices, grapes, strawberries). They had cookies, cakes, puddings, and other sweet items. Or you could choose fries, salads, pickles, etc. We found we didn't need anything from the snack carts with such a nice selection of items available from the restaurants.

They have changed the plan since we were there just over a year ago. Breakfast is no longer a hot meal, just continental offerings at SeaFire Inn.

 

[FLOIR]

Unless the plan has changed, its one entree, one side, and one beverage (or any combination thereof) each time through the line. .

Unfortunately this has recently changed. It is now once through the line per hour. I can't speak to how well policed this is, probably like most things of this nature there are strict enforcers and then there are those who would rather be anywhere than at work and just don't care.

The official blurb is -
each time through the line as often as once every hour until the published restaurant closing time located on your park map.

 

[jehender]

Can someone post the details for the Busch Gardens Tampa offers? I am signed up for the emails but I still never get them.

Also, does anyone know if they ever do anything for Aquatica?

I am strongly considered the dining deal, but that once per hour has me concerned. Do they scan your wristband or do you just flash it as you go through the checkout?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Unfortunately this has recently changed. It is now once through the line per hour. I can't speak to how well policed this is, probably like most things of this nature there are strict enforcers and then there are those who would rather be anywhere than at work and just don't care.

The official blurb is -
each time through the line as often as once every hour until the published restaurant closing time located on your park map.

Good grief. Another change and not for the better (not that we would or could eat food any more than once per hour, but I am sure we could go through a couple of bottles of water in less than an hour when its 100 degrees in the shade on a scortching, sunny summer day).

The BOGO discount will not amount to much of a savings for our family of 3. Two will still be full price, so we will only save half on the third meal plan. I think we may go with the meal deal that includes the reserved seating for the Christmas shows + the Christmas Village Dining Package, both with the passmember discount. We would then get our two meals in the park PLUS the reserved seating for the shows PLUS the souvenir hot chocolate mug with free refills. We were not planning on eating breakfast at the SW anyway....we will have Breakfast with Santa at our resort before hitting the park.....so the all day dining is holding less and less appeal.

Can someone post the details for the Busch Gardens Tampa offers? I am signed up for the emails but I still never get them.

Also, does anyone know if they ever do anything for Aquatica?

I am strongly considered the dining deal, but that once per hour has me concerned. Do they scan your wristband or do you just flash it as you go through the checkout?

The email I received from BG today did not list any specific offers like the SW email did. Just a reminder that the sale was coming this Friday.

Aquatica has had some offers on the BF sale in the past. I am almost certain we got Banana Beach Buffet passes on a BF sale a few years ago. Tickets to Aquatica (with a use-by date of Feb. 29th) are currently being offered on the website right now for $28.50 pp. It does not get much better than that for waterpark admission.

 

[tscrapper]

Just got an email on the upcoming Blue Friday Sale.

It lists.....

BOGO single day tickets

BOGO select tours

BOGO quick queue

Buy one, get one 50% off all day dining

25% off at the Shamu Shop

Special rates at Discovery Cove

http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/book-online/rpc/112015d/not-started/

No mention in this advance promo email about the BOGO annual passes.....

Hi Gina,
Do I have to sign up for the e-mail in order to take advantage of these deals? Thanks we are going in Feb/March.

Tammy

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi Gina,
Do I have to sign up for the e-mail in order to take advantage of these deals? Thanks we are going in Feb/March.

Tammy

Not if its the same as in past years. The offers will be available for purchase on the website to the general public . Those signed up for the emails just get advance notice of what will be on sale.

 

[seashell724]

Unfortunately this has recently changed. It is now once through the line per hour. I can't speak to how well policed this is, probably like most things of this nature there are strict enforcers and then there are those who would rather be anywhere than at work and just don't care.

The official blurb is -
each time through the line as often as once every hour until the published restaurant closing time located on your park map.

Thanks for the info!

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

I got the email today as well, and I'm really excited about it! Hopefully the Discovery Cove rates will work for our date (May 23rd), and I think I'll be getting the dining deal. I'll definitely be getting the Quick Queue deal, as long as it works for our May trip--one day's worth of that would be perfect.

I only have to work a half day at the bank on Friday because we're working half-staff. Since I don't go in until 12:45 pm, I'll be able to snatch up any deals bright and early!

 

[Jedimom]

I don't know.....I get the feeling this year they're going to run this promo differently. If you look at the offers that people posted were emailed out today, they are slightly different from each other. The coding in the web address is different -- one reads "112015b" and lists 5 offers and another reads "112015d" and lists 6 offers. I didn't get an email today and I *did* sign up what.....a few days ago? So I went to the SW site and signed up again. THIS time the site made me plug in my city & state info and then showed me what my Blue Friday offers were (I got 112015d - 6 offers). I wonder if the offers will be targeted or restricted based on geography? (Or were they always and I just never noticed?)

Plus, I clicked on the Busch Gardens link to their Blue Friday sale that justmeinflorida posted, and it clearly states "Come back Friday...through Monday....to see YOUR offers."

I am puzzled as to why no BOGO AP offers listed thus far....seeing as how the email several of us received last week implied it would be offered.

 

[seashell724]

Gina-There is still unlimited water.
It said when you click on one of the tabs in the "all day dining" section that normally you would have to pay $6 but it is included in the plan. At least that's what I understood. Maybe someone can correct me.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I don't know.....I get the feeling this year they're going to run this promo differently. If you look at the offers that people posted were emailed out today, they are slightly different from each other. The coding in the web address is different -- one reads "112015b" and lists 5 offers and another reads "112015d" and lists 6 offers. I didn't get an email today and I *did* sign up what.....a few days ago? So I went to the SW site and signed up again. THIS time the site made me plug in my city & state info and then showed me what my Blue Friday offers were (I got 112015d - 6 offers). I wonder if the offers will be targeted or restricted based on geography? (Or were they always and I just never noticed?)

Plus, I clicked on the Busch Gardens link to their Blue Friday sale that justmeinflorida posted, and it clearly states "Come back Friday...through Monday....to see YOUR offers."

I am puzzled as to why no BOGO AP offers listed thus far....seeing as how the email several of us received last week implied it would be offered.

Here is what was posted tonight on the Orlando Informer site:

SeaWorld Orlando released details today on the return of its highly anticipated “Blue Friday” deals providing shoppers with special pricing on exclusive park experiences and admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark.

Blue Friday deals provide the best value to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and allow the fun to continue throughout 2016, including all of SeaWorld’s special festivals and concerts.

Deals include the following buy one, get one free (BOGO) offers and are available online-only:

Admission Offers:

• BOGO SeaWorld Orlando One-Year Annual Pass (savings of $156)
• BOGO SeaWorld Orlando/Aquatica One-Year Annual Pass (savings of $192)
• BOGO Any-Day SeaWorld Orlando ticket (savings of $99)

In-Park Offers:

• BOGO SeaWorld Orlando Quick Queue Unlimited (savings of $19)
• BOGO Dolphins Up-Close Tour (savings up to $59)
• BOGO Wild Arctic Up-Close Tour (savings up to $59)

BONUS Offers:

• Buy one, get one 50% off All-Day Dining voucher for SeaWorld Orlando (savings of $17.50 for two)
• 25% off online merchandise at ShamuShop.com
• BOGO select in-park holiday ornaments, snow globes and plush at Wild Arctic and Emporium gift shops

To participate in this year’s Blue Friday and view the incredible deals, fans MUST register online to receive SeaWorld Orlando’s e-mail updates or already be subscribed. They can do so by visitingSeaWorldOrlando.com. Blue Friday deals will be e-mailed to subscribers today, Nov. 23, along with official details about these limited-time offers. Fans can subscribe at any moment between now and November 30 to participate.

These can’t-miss deals are only available online from 12:01 a.m. (EST) Friday, November 27, until 11:59 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2015.

I am not sure the mods will allow me to post a link to that site, but the above in blue is copied and pasted directly from there.

I am a bit encouraged to see the BOGO APs listed.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina-There is still unlimited water.
It said when you click on one of the tabs in the "all day dining" section that normally you would have to pay $6 but it is included in the plan. At least that's what I understood. Maybe someone can correct me.

Oh, I know....but unlimited every hour on the hour versus each time through the line.

Sigh....I guess I just dont like change.

 

[JaxDad]

Hi Gina! I guess now I need to figure out what I'm going to do! I'm thinking that even if we only visit SW/AQ twice, the AP is the way to go (plus I would probably add the tours and the QQ). I know you have said the AP has other benefits that really make it worth it too (parking, discounts, etc). Like you, I also have the 3-person family "issue" on the BOGOs--it's still a good deal, but I feel like I'm leaving money on the table!

 

[PinkMagnolia]

Arg! I was really hoping there would be a Seaworld/Aquatica combo ticket deal (not annual pass). I'm a little disappointed.

 

[FLOIR]

Gina-There is still unlimited water.
It said when you click on one of the tabs in the "all day dining" section that normally you would have to pay $6 but it is included in the plan. At least that's what I understood. Maybe someone can correct me.

I would have to disagree with how you understand this. When you get the ADD you also have the option of purchasing, for an extra $6, the Drink All Day Bottle, which gives you free refills all day.
The reason I believe this is a separate and distinct offer - this bottle allows you to get refills at carts and markets and also allows for ICEE product. This has never been part of the ADD (that I am aware of) and I can't see them adding it while also reducing the plan in other ways.
But maybe I am reading it wrong myself, here is what it says -

All Day Dining Special Offers Included With Purchase:

• Add a Drink All-Day Bottle for only $6.00
  • FREE Refills All Day!

*Drink All-Day Bottle valid only same day of purchase. Includes Carts and Markets that offer Fountain Beverages and ICEE®.

 

[jehender]

Does anyone know how the return policy works? We are spending a week in Orlando and doing the discovery cove package. We are not sure how many days we will spend at sea world, Busch gardens or Aquatica. It depends on the weather and how much downtime we take. If I buy dining passes and don't use them could I get my money back. Has anyone done that?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would have to disagree with how you understand this. When you get the ADD you also have the option of purchasing, for an extra $6, the Drink All Day Bottle, which gives you free refills all day.
The reason I believe this is a separate and distinct offer - this bottle allows you to get refills at carts and markets and also allows for ICEE product. This has never been part of the ADD (that I am aware of) and I can't see them adding it while also reducing the plan in other ways.
But maybe I am reading it wrong myself, here is what it says -

All Day Dining Special Offers Included With Purchase:

• Add a Drink All-Day Bottle for only $6.00
  • FREE Refills All Day!

*Drink All-Day Bottle valid only same day of purchase. Includes Carts and Markets that offer Fountain Beverages and ICEE®.

Right....I was referring to the bottles of Aquafina at the restaurants. The all-day bottle would be an extra charge.

FLOIR.....what are your thoughts on the passmember lounge? Am I correct that we can enjoy complimentary beverages there from the Coke Freestyle machine?

 

[FLOIR]

FLOIR.....what are your thoughts on the passmember lounge? Am I correct that we can enjoy complimentary beverages there from the Coke Freestyle machine?

I believe this is correct - I was there during the preview a few weeks ago and do recall seeing a freestyle machine in the main part of the lounge. There is also a fountain type soda machine in the other part of the lounge, back where the pizza used to be when it was the pizza buffet. That is not a Freestyle but I saw it last weekend and it was in use, they had small cups available.
The lounge itself is nice. Once you go through the door (accessible by swiping your pass) you can turn right into the main lounge. There are tables there that also provide table service food, some items that are not on the normal menu. They also have an outside seating area. This outside area is where they will frequently have small animals throughout the day. The other part of the lounge is to the left as you go in the door. I am not sure if this part will always be open or only when it is busier. The entire area (this is where the buffet food used to be) is filled with chairs and sofas for relaxing. The ones I tried were comfortable.