5 Things You Should Know About SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival

in Events, Food, Music, SeaWorld, Theme Parks

SeaWorld Orlando‘s all-new Seven Seas Food Festival is in full swing.  The event is a foodie celebration of international coastal cuisine with offerings that emphasize Asian, Latin, European, Polynesian and Mediterranean flavors at 14 different booths throughout the park.

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Running every Saturday until May 13, Seven Seas Food Festival features over fifty-five craft brews and sixty food items. It also has a great line-up of performers that bring a mix of concerts, comedy acts, and fun presentations each weekend. For those of you interested in heading out for this inaugural event, we thought we’d give you a head start and a few tips to make the most of your time and money.

1. THE SAMPLING LANYARD IS A BARGAIN

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Sea World has created the “Sampling Lanyard” for guests, and it is the way to go to get a fuller experience of the festival and save money. There is the choice of two lanyards. The first allows you to choose 10 items from the food and beverage kiosks, and it costs $40. The second covers 15 items for $55. Both offer incredible savings.

In general, the food samples are in the $6-$8 range. That means in some cases, you are saving almost 50% by purchasing the lanyard. For that reason, I strongly recommend that you do. If wise choices are made at the booths, this can be a very cost effective way to feed a family throughout the day. Look for the information tables set up in the park to purchase your lanyards and make your time in the park more easy and affordable.

Seven Seas Food Festival

2. SOME BOOTHS ARE ONLY OPEN FOR A LIMITED TIME

Seven Seas Food Festival

The grand majority of food booths (or markets as they are called) are there throughout the full run of the event, but there are couple that are not. February 11-April 15 guests can enjoy the Crackling Pork Rinds (pork rinds), the Comfort Kitchen (bbq mac and cheese), and the Smokehouse Tavern (spare ribs, chicken, kielbasa, pulled pork). After April 15, those markets switch over to the Bacalaítos (salted codfish pancakes), the Frituras (empanadillas), and the Cocina Criollo (churrasco, roasted pork, skewered meats, fried plantains). So if you have a serious hankering for any of these particular items, you’ll need to pay attention to which weekend you attend. Otherwise you’ll be able to enjoy the following markets without concern for timing:

  • The Mexican Market
  • The Caribbean Market
  • The Florida Market
  • The Mediterranean Market
  • The North Atlantic Market
  • The Brazilian Market
  • The Pacific Coast Market
  • The Polynesian Island Market
  • The Gulf Coast Market
  • The Asian Market
  • The Korean Market

Full menus for all the food markets can be found HERE.

3. RESERVED SEATING FOR THE SHOWS IS AVAILABLE

Seven Seas Food Festival

Every Saturday night for 14 straight weeks, guests will be treated to live entertainment from a selection of popular performers. Most of the acts are from the world of music, including beloved artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Commodores and Oscar D’León, but comedian Bill Engvall and animal expert Jack Hanna will be rounding out the lineup and ensuring that there is something for everyone.

To avoid disappointment, you may want to consider paying a little extra for reserved seating (starting at $19). If you really want to make sure that you get the best view, you can opt for the front row (starting at $44), and get the full, up-close experience. Look for those tables that we mentioned above where you can purchase the Sample Lanyards. This will be the spot where you can purchase reserved seating for the evening’s live entertainment as well.

The Complete Lineup:

  • February 11, 2017 – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • February 18, 2017 – Lee Brice
  • February 25, 2017 – Bill Engvall
  • March 4, 2017 – Styx
  • March 11, 2017 – Justin Moore
  • March 18, 2017 – Phillip Phillips
  • March 25, 2017 – Jack Hanna
  • April 8, 2017 – Village People
  • April 15, 2017 – Commodores
  • April 22, 2017 – Oscar D’León
  • April 29, 2017 – Olga Tañón
  • May 6, 2017 – Grupo Manía S
  • May 13, 2017 – Announcing Soon

4. MERCHANDISE FOR THE EVENT AND PERFORMERS IS LOCATED NEAR BAYSIDE STADIUM

Seven Seas Food Festival

It may be common for entertainers to perform in theme parks these days. It is less common that their merchandise is made available within these same parks. However, small tables located near Bayside Stadium in the park offer a range of items not only for the Seven Seas event but also for the entertainer of the evening. If you are wanting to pick up a souvenir from the festival, this would be the place to do it, so keep a look out for this set-up.

Seven Seas Food Festival

5. CLASSIC CARS AND HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES ARE DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE PARK

Seven Seas Food Festival

I must confess that this one caught me a bit off-guard. I hadn’t anticipated Harley-Davidson or “muscle cars” being tied-in with an international seafood festival. Nevertheless, they are there. The vehicles are definite beauties, even catching the eyes of those of us who care nothing for automobiles. For motor heads, this is a big bonus.

Seven Seas Food Festival

This new event at SeaWorld is an enjoyable way to spend a leisurely afternoon with friends and family. And since the festival is included with your price of admission, there is no additional cost to attend. In fact, with the purchase of a couple Sample Lanyards, you may possibly save some money on what you would otherwise spend on meals.

If you’re heading out to the festival, be sure to come back and let us know what you think. We’d love for you to leave a comment below about your favorite food item from the event.

PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE FOOD:

Seven Seas Food Festival

Braised Chicken Adobo with Mole Sauce, Cheese and Mexican Rice (Mexican Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Marshmallow & Nutella Empanada (Mexican Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Caribbean Sunset non-alcoholic drink house made with lemonade, orange juice, grenadine and Sprite (Caribbean Market)

Photo Credit: Jenn Tracker

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Coconut Shrimp atop Swamp Cabbage Slaw with Mango Horseradish Sauce (Florida Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Sea Scallops Provencal served with Wild Mushroom Risotto (Mediterranean Market)

PC: Jenn Tracker

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Dark Chocolate Guinness Mousse Parfait topped with Baileys Infused Whipped Cream (Mediterranean Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

New England Lobster Roll served on a Buttered Roll (North Atlantic Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Brazilian Churrasco Skirt Steak with Chimichurri and Garbanzo Frito (Brazilian Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Braised Pork Cheeks with Savory Apple Polenta and a Red Wine Reduction (Pacific Coast Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Nitrogen Infused Kettle Corn with Chocolate Chips (Pacific Coast Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Ahi Tuna Tartar with Sesame Lavosh, Wakame Salad and Sweet Chili Sauce (Polynesian Island Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Slider with Caramelized Onions and Pepper Jam on a Sweet Bread Bun (Pacific Coast Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce (Asian Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Peking Duck Lo Mein with Crispy Duck, Oriental Vegetables and Teriyaki Sauce (Asian Market)

 

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Sushi-Gyoza Steamed Pork Dumpling with a Plum Citrus Sauce (Asian Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Toffee Banana with Vanilla Ice Cream (Asian Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Sparkling Pear Non-Alcoholic House Made with Pear Nectar, Ginger Ale, Simple Syrup and Lemon (Asian Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Korean Beef Tacos with Kimchi, Coleslaw and Sweet Pepper Sauce (Korean Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Roasted Sweet Potato Taco with Kimchi, Coleslaw and Sweet Pepper Sauce (Korean Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Korean BBQ Rib with Cauliflower Fried Rice and Apple Plum Sauce (Korean Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Bingsu Salted Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Caramel Popcorn (Korean Market)

 

Seven Seas Food Festival

Watermelon Slushy with Soju, Ginger Liquer, Simple Syrup and Lime Juice (Korean Market)

in Events, Food, Music, SeaWorld, Theme Parks

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