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Last weekend my family was invited out for the blogger event showcasing SeaWorld’s newest attraction, Explorer’s Reef. Explorer’s Reef just opened 3/21/14! This new hands on exhibit is located as you first enter SeaWorld through the main gate and it is breathtaking. Visitors are now greeted with an attraction the second they enter and the kids are amazed. The plants and structures were created to look like you are in a coral reef. Plus the kids are busy touching all sorts of sea life while the parents figure out the plan for the day.
While we were visiting the new exhibit, I had a chance to talk with Executive Chef Axel about their allergy friendly dining options. Great care has gone into their system for handling food and keeping cross-contamination at a minimum.
Me with Chef Axel and Dave! Thanks Plugged In Family for snapping this picture for me!
These are my suggestion for an allergy friendly trip to SeaWorld:
- There is a small Starbucks at the front of the park which serves soy milk and has a small selection of gluten free goodies.
- Grab an allergy alert card when you enter the park or at one of the restaurants. Fill it out and ask to talk to the manager.
- Ask to see the allergy guide for the restaurant you wish to eat out. The manager will bring it to you and go through it with you. I wasn’t able to have to eat the bread that came with my ribs, so the manager gave me extra fries (since I’m okay with a little cross-contamination in the fryer).
My allergy friendly lunch at SeaWorld (and yes I shared this with my daughter)
- The manager of the restaurant will prepare your meal and bring it to you so there is less chance of contamination.
- If you want to experience Dining with Shamu then call the park or visit them online to let them know of your allergies ahead of time. The chef will come up with a meal option just for you while the rest of your party enjoys the dishes already prepared. This way you aren’t worried about cross-contamination or hidden ingredients in the buffet dishes.
We had so much fun and I had nothing to worry about when it was time to eat. Want more great tips for making the most of SeaWorld…check out my 15 Reasons to Love SeaWorld.
Explorer’s Reef really was the highlight of our trip to SeaWorld last week. The kids loved the cleaner fish. These little fish nibble all the dead skin and dirt off your hands. It kind of tickles when they nibble on you….I promise it doesn’t hurt!
cleaner fish, landscaping, and shark eggs at Explorer’s Reef
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Disclaimer: SeaWorld invited my family to the Explorer’s Reef blogger event. All opinions are my own.
Other than the allergy alert band, this article is useless for anyone with kids with food allergies. It doesn’t name any restaurants just basic information anyone with kids and food allergies already know or just plain common sense.
Our kids have peanut, tree nut, and soy allergies, we are at Sea World today (8/27/2022), and the first 3 restaurants either had the allergens or couldn’t provide any assurance regarding x-contamination and it was obvious as they pointed to the kitchen lines. Several had foods made on shared equipment or may contain the allergen or made offsite and just didn’t know.
Everyone was very nice, helpful and accommodating, but Sea World in general is not very thoughtful or accommodating regarding their menu for people with food allergies. It’s very simple to procure food from places without peanuts and tree nuts at equal or better quality — you just have to read the label. With all the kids out there popping up with these allergies and the extreme associated liability and life or death consequences, you’d thing they would be more thoughtful.
Manta Pizza passes the test for the above allergens with my kids.
Hi Steven, Thanks for sharing your experience and an update on what SeaWorld is doing. This post is 8 years old and I’m sure some things have changed since them. No matter what, it’s always best to ask questions before ordering to determine if your food can be safely prepared or plan to bring food from home. w-
Brilliant tips for allergy friendly dining options at Seaworld – hopefully others follow suit!
Just added you on Twitter so I can read more 🙂
I think that it is great they offer these services or should I say fun for those with allergies.
good to know, it’s been awhile since I’ve gone to seaworld, it was so much fun even back in the day.
Great to know that they have options for those with allergies. I know that can be challenging when out for a day at the park and you need to have specific food.
That is so good to know – I hope to get out there some day
It is so great that they have allergy friendly options. We always have the worst time finding gluten free foods for my daughter.