Cozumel - Dolphin Discovery - Pull, Push and Swim

[Texas Disney Fan]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the Royal Swim and the "Pull, Push and Swim" that is now offer as an excursion on DCL site for Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel? I know if we want the Royal Swim we would have to book directly. I am wondering about the difference in the programs between the two. We have done the encounter a couple of years ago and loved it. Now we want to do a swim. Thanks for your help.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You don't get the foot push, where the dolphins push you in the water with their noses, with the "Pull, Push, Swim." It is a new encounter offered through DCL where you get pushed around on a boogie board instead. Both encounters give you a dorsel pull and swim time.

 

[SILLYANDI]

Actually, the pull push and swim is the same as Dolphin Discovery's "Dolphin Swim Adventure" where you interact with 1 dolphin, ride a boogie board and get "pushed" by the dolphin and do a belly ride on the dolphin. On the Royal Swim you do a dorsal swim (holding onto 2 dolphins dorsal fins-different than riding on one dolphin's belly) and a foot push (one dolphin on each foot pushing you making you "ski" across the water hard to explain...) plus you get more free time to interact.

We did the Swim Adventure, booked it through DD directly and save hugh amounts of money. I thought my kids were going to be too scared or I would have booked the royal swim instead.

Here's a link to the comparative table from DD...
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-comparative-dolphins-swim.asp

 

[loveysbydesign]

Actually, the pull push and swim is the same as Dolphin Discovery's "Dolphin Swim Adventure" where you interact with 1 dolphin, ride a boogie board and get "pushed" by the dolphin and do a belly ride on the dolphin. On the Royal Swim you do a dorsal swim (holding onto 2 dolphins dorsal fins-different than riding on one dolphin's belly) and a foot push (one dolphin on each foot pushing you making you "ski" across the water hard to explain...) plus you get more free time to interact.

We did the Swim Adventure, booked it through DD directly and save hugh amounts of money. I thought my kids were going to be too scared or I would have booked the royal swim instead.

Here's a link to the comparative table from DD...
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-comparative-dolphins-swim.asp

I see on their website that there is one free child permitted for each adult if they're between the ages of 1-7 for the Dolphin Encounter. Has anyone done that before? I'm thinking this would be a great excursion for our family of 5 as we'd only have to pay for 3...me, dh and 10 yo ds...our 7 y.o. dd and 2 y.o. ds would be free. How far ahead do you book and what happens if you can't get to Cozumel due to weather???? Do you lose your money or would it be covered under trip insurance?

 

[loveysbydesign]

I see they're alos open in Grand Cayman...I think i'd be less likely to book there in case we couldn't tender. Also what transportation did you use to get to DD at Cozumel?

 

[SILLYANDI]

I see on their website that there is one free child permitted for each adult if they're between the ages of 1-7 for the Dolphin Encounter. Has anyone done that before? I'm thinking this would be a great excursion for our family of 5 as we'd only have to pay for 3...me, dh and 10 yo ds...our 7 y.o. dd and 2 y.o. ds would be free. How far ahead do you book and what happens if you can't get to Cozumel due to weather???? Do you lose your money or would it be covered under trip insurance?

We did the swim with DD 8 & 10 and the encounter with DD3 & DS7. We paid $93 total for the encounter( for 4 of us). The kids were free. They made us sign up an adult for each child, hence we did both the swim & encounter. I'm not sure how they would do it with 2 adults & 3 kids (although, my older 3 could have done it without me I was just there for the ride...)The trainer on the encounter was SUPERIOR and made it the best spent money from our whole trip (her name was Amy & she's from Massachusetts...).

I booked 4 months out. What I would suggest is signing up for their mailing list than waiting for them to send a discount code. I would also call in my reservation-the people are INCREDIBLY helpful.
I didn't see the Cayman facility but Chankaknaab is an incredible report type place that you can spend the whole day at. My DH thought it was Disney owned because the people were so great, the place was ridiculously clean but the prices were cheap (couldn't possibly be Disney with reasonable food prices!!)

 

[MagicMe]

You can get to the park by taxi. It's really quite easy and I believe it's about $10 one way (we didn't pay since it was included when you book 4 adults). Also, I believe in the contract it states that you will be refunded if your ship is unable to dock at Cozumel. I think you need to supply them with something from the ship noting that you were unable to dock.

 

[sandiegosusie]

We did the swim with DD 8 & 10 and the encounter with DD3 & DS7. We paid $93 total for the encounter( for 4 of us). The kids were free. They made us sign up an adult for each child, hence we did both the swim & encounter. I'm not sure how they would do it with 2 adults & 3 kids (although, my older 3 could have done it without me I was just there for the ride...)The trainer on the encounter was SUPERIOR and made it the best spent money from our whole trip (her name was Amy & she's from Massachusetts...).

I booked 4 months out. What I would suggest is signing up for their mailing list than waiting for them to send a discount code. I would also call in my reservation-the people are INCREDIBLY helpful.
I didn't see the Cayman facility but Chankaknaab is an incredible report type place that you can spend the whole day at. My DH thought it was Disney owned because the people were so great, the place was ridiculously clean but the prices were cheap (couldn't possibly be Disney with reasonable food prices!!)

Thanks so much for the info! Super helpful...I did want to ask if you leave your credit card number to reserve it. If you have to cancel for (fearful kids) can you get your money back? I did think that Chankaknaab looked like a great place to hang for the day.

 

[MagicMe]

Thanks so much for the info! Super helpful...I did want to ask if you leave your credit card number to reserve it. If you have to cancel for (fearful kids) can you get your money back? I did think that Chankaknaab looked like a great place to hang for the day.

We actually had to purchase everything up front. I went on line and booked for four and they sent me that receipt and contract via email.

 

[Texas Disney Fan]

Thanks for the info. We are still trying to decide.

 

[sandiegosusie]

I have a couple more questions: Did you get a discount code online from them? I just signed up deals, so hopefully something will come through before November. We have a DD8 and a DD5 at time of sailing. I was thinking the Encounter would be good. Do they have a gift shop? Sounds silly but I think the girls would love a stuffed dolphin afterward. I want them to have a new found love and respect for these creatures...ya know?

What did you bring in your day bag for this excursion? Towels?

 

[SILLYANDI]

I have a couple more questions: Did you get a discount code online from them? I just signed up deals, so hopefully something will come through before November. We have a DD8 and a DD5 at time of sailing. I was thinking the Encounter would be good. Do they have a gift shop? Sounds silly but I think the girls would love a stuffed dolphin afterward. I want them to have a new found love and respect for these creatures...ya know?

What did you bring in your day bag for this excursion? Towels?

The code came via e-mail after I signed up for "deals" like you did. They do have a shop with LOTS of different stuffed dolphins and T shirts with each fo the dolphins' pictures too! They say something like "I swam with Amaya". My kids begged for the T shirts but after buying the pics & stuffed dolphins I had to draw the line!

 

[SILLYANDI]

Thanks so much for the info! Super helpful...I did want to ask if you leave your credit card number to reserve it. If you have to cancel for (fearful kids) can you get your money back? I did think that Chankaknaab looked like a great place to hang for the day.

They do take your credit card # and charge it immediately. The cancellation policy is on the website-I don't think they will refund $$ if the kids chicken out. My DD8 has severe anxiety disorder & she cried and wouldn't get into the water but within 5 minutes was on a dolphin's belly! No exaggeration. It is absolutely magical and the trainers and everyone were very encouraging. They were the ones who coaxed her off the stairs and into the water, I wasn't going to miss the chance to swim with a dolphin so I left her there and told her "you're the one who is going to miss out".

They will pay for your taxi ride there and give you a voucher to come back, you just have to ask the person who greets you at the drop off point (I would also ask the person on the phone and make sure it is written on the paperwork you get as confirmation, just in case).

 

[sandiegosusie]

They do take your credit card # and charge it immediately. The cancellation policy is on the website-I don't think they will refund $$ if the kids chicken out. My DD8 has severe anxiety disorder & she cried and wouldn't get into the water but within 5 minutes was on a dolphin's belly! No exaggeration. It is absolutely magical and the trainers and everyone were very encouraging. They were the ones who coaxed her off the stairs and into the water, I wasn't going to miss the chance to swim with a dolphin so I left her there and told her "you're the one who is going to miss out".

They will pay for your taxi ride there and give you a voucher to come back, you just have to ask the person who greets you at the drop off point (I would also ask the person on the phone and make sure it is written on the paperwork you get as confirmation, just in case).

Did you bring you own towel or are they provided? The beach is right there to right? Do you think the Ecounter is too babyish for my dd8? What do mean by the taxi info? I am a little confused, sorry for so many questions but you are a wealth of info!

 

[travelgirl06]

Where do you sign up for the deals? Also, are there any current promo codes? I am looking to book a tour in late March (sounds like I need to book it soon), so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[sandiegosusie]

Where do you sign up for the deals? Also, are there any current promo codes? I am looking to book a tour in late March (sounds like I need to book it soon), so any help is greatly appreciated.

I just signed up on their email list (RSS). It will send you an email confirmation link that you click on and that's it. Hopefully they will send you something soon...also, click on "deals" and you will see the latest.

 

[sandiegosusie]

What time is a good time to book for the excursions that allows for travel time etc...?

 

[slygirl]

I just went on the Dolphin Discovery website and it says that the Dolphin Swim Adventure has a belly ride but not a push, but you recall that you did get a push when you did it? I ask cause their price is $103 and DCL's price for the Push, Pull and Swim is $149, so that could be the difference. Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

[sandiegosusie]

What are the best discounts that anyone has gotten there? I have signed up on their email but was wondering how deep the discounts have been in the past...considering booking with a large group which only saves 10%.

 

[msminniemouse]

I just went on the Dolphin Discovery website and it says that the Dolphin Swim Adventure has a belly ride but not a push, but you recall that you did get a push when you did it? I ask cause their price is $103 and DCL's price for the Push, Pull and Swim is $149, so that could be the difference. Any info would be great. Thanks.

When we did the Push, Pull and Swim from DCL, you did get pushed by the Dolphin while laying on a Boogie Board. You just don't get the foot push as you do in the Royal Swim. You also get the dorsal pull.