Discovery Cove newbie with some questions

[disneylaura55]

Hi everyone. We R going to Disney for 8 days in early nov. I have wanted to do the dolphin experience at DC for years! I think thisis the trip I will do it. We have 3 boys ages 9,5 and 1. I think I'm going to bring just my oldest one day to DC. So I have a few questions....the only "free" day we have is Sunday...we still would only have from 8 to 4 to enjoy the park..is this enough time? Also do u get to pick your dolphin swim time? Because we need to b back at AKL by 430 for dinner? Also is thi worth it for the almost 500 dollars it cost to enjoy with my son for just 1/2 a day? Ty everyone!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi everyone. We R going to Disney for 8 days in early nov. I have wanted to do the dolphin experience at DC for years! I think thisis the trip I will do it. We have 3 boys ages 9,5 and 1. I think I'm going to bring just my oldest one day to DC. So I have a few questions....the only "free" day we have is Sunday...we still would only have from 8 to 4 to enjoy the park..is this enough time? Also do u get to pick your dolphin swim time? Because we need to b back at AKL by 430 for dinner? Also is thi worth it for the almost 500 dollars it cost to enjoy with my son for just 1/2 a day? Ty everyone!

My own personal feeling is that DC is a park where you should have the day to enjoy it without being rushed. So if time is a concern, then I'd skip it and schedule it in for a next trip. The whole idea of Discovery Cove is that its supposed to be a relaxing, peaceful and fun day. And while it is relaxing and peaceful, you would be surprised at how quickly the day goes as you enjoy all the things the park has to offer.

You do not get to pick your dolphin swim time. You are assigned a time when you check in. They would put you and your son in a group with another family to make a small group of approx. 8 people. Generally speaking, the earlier you arrive, the earlier your swim time will be. Remember, though, that your actual time in the water with the dolphins is only about 30 minutes. DC is about much more than a dolphin swim, and you will probably feel the admission fee is not justified if the dolphin swim is your only reason for going.

I know you said you would probably only take one of your chidlren, however I think your five year old would enjoy DC very much, even though they would be too young to do the dolphin swim. Again, its just my own personal opinion, but I would rather put DC on the agenda on a trip where the whole family could go and enjoy the park together.

Those folks that end up feeling like the cost was to high (and therefore the "value" not there) seem to customarily be those who are in similar situations to yours (they only had a certain amount of time to enjoy the park due to other commitments, they left other members of the family doing other activities in another location, etc.). DC is well worth the cost of admission, IMHO, if you allow the day to be all it can be. Its my favourite Orlando park. That said, I would give it a pass until the whole family can go and enjoy your day there without any time constraints. THEN you could appreciate DC for the amazing place it is!!

Good luck deciding!!

 

[disneylaura55]

Ty for your response....u have given me slot to think about. I would love to bring the whole family...but with a 1 year old....me and hubby can't just sit on beach and relax...lol. Plus the cost for all for of us is almost 1000!! But u did give me slot to think about so Ty.

I did think of another question for u DC experts. I read there is photographer to take pics of the dolphin experience. Does anyone know how many pics they take? Is it just one of each person? And also how much are the pictures to purchase. Because if just me and my son go we won't have anyone with us to take pictures. . And for this once in a lifetime experience I want some pictures...Ty.

 

[disneylaura55]

oh my ... i already have more questions...LOL! ok so we are going first part of nov...when should i book? i read somewhere that the earlier u book...the earlier your dolphin swim is? is that true? also should i book now...or hope for a discount to come out? because right now no discounts available...if a discount would become available...is it usually pretty close to the date? THANKS!!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I did think of another question for u DC experts. I read there is photographer to take pics of the dolphin experience. Does anyone know how many pics they take? Is it just one of each person? And also how much are the pictures to purchase. Because if just me and my son go we won't have anyone with us to take pictures. . And for this once in a lifetime experience I want some pictures...Ty.

You get one complimentary photo per family...not per person.....which is taken upon your arrival. You are not in the water for this one...the picture is taken by DC staff just after you check-in with the lush greenery as the background. The photo size is 6 x 8.

For the dolphin swim, each person in your group will have their photo taken alone with the dolphin "smiling" (ie mouth wide open), kissing the dolpin, and several taken of the dolphin swim (with you holding onto their fin and being dragged through the water). Then they will also get several additional photos of your choosing, so if you wanted a few of yourself and your son together with the dolphin, they will get those as well (for us, they did a family photo, one of just DH and I together, just DS alone, etc.). The photographers are great and in our case anyway took multiple pics of each shot (so we had 2 or three of each person and pose to pick from).

In addition to the photos taken during the dolphin interaction, there are photographers scattered throughout the park (in the avairy, in the lazy river, etc.) that will capture as many pictures as you wish to pose for in those places as well. We got some particularly nice family photos by the waterfall in the lazy river.

Overall, I think we had about 40-50 photos on the CD at the end of the day.

This thread should help you with the pricing information you are seeking:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2769409

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

oh my ... i already have more questions...LOL! ok so we are going first part of nov...when should i book? i read somewhere that the earlier u book...the earlier your dolphin swim is? is that true? also should i book now...or hope for a discount to come out? because right now no discounts available...if a discount would become available...is it usually pretty close to the date? THANKS!!!

As a general rule, prices will increase as they have fewer spots remaining. So booking early is normally best.

Your dolphin swim time is not based on the date you book your tickets. It is determined when you check in upon arrival (generally the earlier you arrive, the earlier your dolphin swim). So if you want an early dolphin swim then be there before the official park opening of 8:30 a.m.. We arrived on January 1st at 8:15 a.m. and had our dolphin swim just before 10 a.m. There were many families who arrived ahead of us, and they were assigned times earlier than ours.

We purchased our tickets at a non-discounted rate. Then I received an email advertising a limited time sale for our dates. A quick call to their customer service center resulted in a cancellation (at no charge) of the original booking and a rebooking at the lower rate. Easy-peasy and they were very friendly about doing so. Saved me about $30 plus taxes per ticket from the original price. So you can book now at the current rate and keep an eye out for discounts.

 

[disneylaura55]

Thanks sooo much for the Awesome info!!