Editor’s note: This is the first post by our newest OI contributor, Lisa. We look forward to featuring her writing and Central Florida experience on OrlandoInformer.com. If you are interested in learning how you can contribute your own stories and insight to our blog, click here.
I know that the Band Brew and BBQ promotion at SeaWorld Orlando has been going on for some time, but I had never been before this year. We went to see the Doobie Brothers on February 25 and Scotty McCreery on March 4. I was pleasantly surprised at both events. The Bayside Stadium is really a nice place to have a concert. The stadium has individual seats with an upper and lower level. The sound quality was great and the backdrop for the performers was of the lake and the Manta ride. It was really stunning.
For the Doobie Brothers concert, the crowd was a little older and more laid back and drank more beer. They played for almost 2 hours. They have been around for a while and have a plethora of hit songs. For Scotty McCreery, if you didn’t get there early you were out of luck in getting a good seat. There were a lot of young girls with their parents. A lot of screaming and the concert lasted a little under an hour. No big surprise since he just became famous after winning American Idol and only has about 4 or 5 songs to his name.
After the concert, we hung around for dinner since both concerts started at 4:00 pm. The design encompasses a variety of vendor carts along the walkway leading up to the stadium. The vendors featured were local BBQ restaurants such as Wesley’s BBQ, Sonny’s BBQ and Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ. SeaWorld even had their own cart. They also had popcorn and other snacks besides BBQ. The set up reminded me a lot of a Fiesta in the Park type of event around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. The prices were reasonable such as $8 – $12 for a dinner (minus the drink).
The feature was the Beer Garden where you can sample a variety of beers. You pay for a lanyard where they will punch up to 12 tastings. You can have the sample size or the full size (see the image at the top of the page). This was interesting and allows for you to sample unknown label beers.
Before departing the park, we had to walk around SeaWorld and see the sharks and pet the dolphins. What is a trip to SeaWorld without seeing some type of animal?
Overall I was impressed by the experience and would recommend it. The only thing is the promotion is over and should be returning next February. I would certainly come back.
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