Sea Lion Encounter Questions

[Takia]

Hoping that someone who has participated could tell me a little about this excursion. In particular, does anyone know at about what temprature the water is? Also, the website for Blur Lagoon states "no cameras" but the DCL site does not. Can you take your own camera (waterproof Olympus) with you?

 

[erionm]

Blue Lagoon does not allow cameras. You will have to leave all items in a locker provided by them. They have their own photographer and will try and sell you their photo package.

We did the excursion back in May 2009, the water was temp was cool (but not cold), but it was also rainy that day.

 

[emtmom]

We did this in 2011, they did not allow cameras and wanted you to purchase their cameras and videos. We were there with another couple and purchased the cd of photos and split the cost and printed our own...it was worth every penny. I would do this encounter again in a heartbeat, I enjoyed it FAR more than any dolphin encounters I've done.

 

[erionm]

We really enjoyed the Sea Lion Encounter also. It's unique and you don't see them many places. Dolphin Encounters on the other hand, seem to be everywhere.

 

[emtmom]

Forgot to add that we opted to stay at the Lagoon afterward for some lazy beach time...it was wonderful. Such a beautiful location!!

 

[Disneyof3]

I read about the no cameras and decided to do the dolphin encounter instead. It has something to do with the sealions thinking they are toys and they will grab them out of your hand and then endanger themselves

 

[wiigirl]

I read about the no cameras and decided to do the dolphin encounter instead. It has something to do with the sealions thinking they are toys and they will grab them out of your hand and then endanger themselves

I think thats right....still worth it to see the sealions though..

 

[sweetlovin']

I just did this encounter this past Nov. It was amazing and we worth the cost of the professional pictures. I took a go pro and found out I wasn't allowed to use it. However, one of the guys there held my go pro the whole time and took the video. I still bought the pictures because it was my first time using a go pro and I hadn't figured it all out yet. If you are lucky enough to have someone offer to take the video, I would take it with you. Otherwise, it sits right on a chair in a private back pool area. No one was going to take it.

I happen to meet a family from Minnesota that had done the dolphin excursion and was now doing the sea lions. At the end, they were telling me that with kids that are 8-9 the sea lion excursion was far more interactive and interesting. My 8yo loved the experience. The water was cold (even with the wetsuits), but we get cold easily.

 

[mom4fun]

I know it is exspensive but how does Atlantis sealion encounter compare?

 

[Zim]

For those who have done this encounter - I'm considering doing it for my DD15, but just being an observer myself... In that case, will I be able to take pictures from the 30 foot distance they say the observers have from the interaction area? Or are cameras simply not allowed anywhere in the area so you'll buy their photos. This will be the determining factor in whether I do the experience WITH her or as an observer. THANKS!

 

[MagicMe]

We did this encounter at Blue Lagoon in Oct2011. AMAZING!! I previously had done a dolphin encounter at Cozumel. It was fun but the actual interaction of the dolphin was somewhat limited and they were very careful that you didn't overtouch the dolphin.

The sea lion has much more interaction. We started with a picture on the dock with the sealion on a perch. You stood next to it and he/she put her arm/fin around your shoulder and they took a picture. We then got into the water where we had a lot of interaction. Our sea lion went in and out among us, gave us a kiss (so funny since the trainer signals the sea lion to react in various ways when he kisses people) and got a big hug.

I would do this again in a heartbeat!!

And as stated above, cameras were not allowed as the sea lions think they are toys and may knock them from your hands, etc. They do not want to be responsible for a sea lion knocking your expensive camera in the water. Additionally, they don't need the hassle of retrieving said cameras from the bottom of the water areas.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

For those who have done this encounter - I'm considering doing it for my DD15, but just being an observer myself... In that case, will I be able to take pictures from the 30 foot distance they say the observers have from the interaction area? Or are cameras simply not allowed anywhere in the area so you'll buy their photos. This will be the determining factor in whether I do the experience WITH her or as an observer. THANKS!

You can get great shots from the observation deck. We also bought the DVD and all the pro photos. They were all great in their own way. For instance, we heard the trainer tell one youngster, "Come get your sea lion hug again, we are going to retake it since your photo was blinking." Not sure how the photographer silently indicated this to her, but he got an extra hug and I was impressed that they were looking to ensure that all the photos turned out great and not just sell us junk. They are great too, some of the best we have seen. You don't have to buy them, but as it was a family affair, we were happy too.

I'll give you examples of each so you can decide (although if its in the budget, it makes great family experience to do together!) Us 3 daughters did the encounter and Mom & Dad came back for the educational part and observation. They could take as many photos from there as they wanted, and he took probably 100 and they are all good! (Of course, he had a good lens too.)

as for the water, we went in April. Older sis brought her wetsuit: VERY SMART! It was chilly but worth it. Also they do offer you wetsuits there, but we were too 'just fine' for that! It will be warmer at least a little than when we went.

These were from their own professional photographers:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/24663_110171915851734_1170261972_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401272_110171799185079_1268000090_n.jpg

These were taken from the observation deck, and are nice because they show the 'candid' moments!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/923021_110171672518425_1992459332_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/601828_110171579185101_1915609687_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/601877_110171732518419_137065311_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/923029_110172249185034_522862991_n.jpg

We enjoyed our entire day. We liked the island food like the conch fritters and fish. The snorkeling is hard to get to because you have to climb over rocks, but the reef side beach is much less deserted and very very relaxing so I recommend that beach for relaxing and the lagoon for swimming as a family.

We had a great, great family memory and think you will too! We will be back to do the dolphins next time I think. The Sea Lions were so unusual and it was great. The dolphin you can see in a lot of places, although this looked like a really good one! You can observe the animals as long as you want. It was so nice not to be rushed all the time.

We took the very last ferry of the day and still got back to port with enough time to go shopping and still have about 20-30 min before all aboard to check back in.

A very magical day indeed for us! Hopefully for you too!

 

[Zim]

I will probably just get an observer ticket for myself. It looks like I'll get decent photographs from that distance. All of your photos are wonderful! If I go the observer route ($40) I can use the difference to get the pro photos or DVD if they really are different. I'd love to be in the water with her, but I don't think I'd get nearly the thrill she will - and I'll want all the photos I can get of her. She loves the animal interactions. It will be hard to top the penguin encounter at Sea World... the penguin wouldn't leave her alone, it was really amazing. But I think this one could top it!

Thanks for the helpful information!

 

[Smith70592]

You can get great shots from the observation deck. We also bought the DVD and all the pro photos. They were all great in their own way. For instance, we heard the trainer tell one youngster, "Come get your sea lion hug again, we are going to retake it since your photo was blinking." Not sure how the photographer silently indicated this to her, but he got an extra hug and I was impressed that they were looking to ensure that all the photos turned out great and not just sell us junk. They are great too, some of the best we have seen. You don't have to buy them, but as it was a family affair, we were happy too.

I'll give you examples of each so you can decide (although if its in the budget, it makes great family experience to do together!) Us 3 daughters did the encounter and Mom & Dad came back for the educational part and observation. They could take as many photos from there as they wanted, and he took probably 100 and they are all good! (Of course, he had a good lens too.)

as for the water, we went in April. Older sis brought her wetsuit: VERY SMART! It was chilly but worth it. Also they do offer you wetsuits there, but we were too 'just fine' for that! It will be warmer at least a little than when we went.

These were from their own professional photographers:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/24663_110171915851734_1170261972_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401272_110171799185079_1268000090_n.jpg

These were taken from the observation deck, and are nice because they show the 'candid' moments!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/923021_110171672518425_1992459332_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/601828_110171579185101_1915609687_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/601877_110171732518419_137065311_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/923029_110172249185034_522862991_n.jpg

We enjoyed our entire day. We liked the island food like the conch fritters and fish. The snorkeling is hard to get to because you have to climb over rocks, but the reef side beach is much less deserted and very very relaxing so I recommend that beach for relaxing and the lagoon for swimming as a family.

We had a great, great family memory and think you will too! We will be back to do the dolphins next time I think. The Sea Lions were so unusual and it was great. The dolphin you can see in a lot of places, although this looked like a really good one! You can observe the animals as long as you want. It was so nice not to be rushed all the time.

We took the very last ferry of the day and still got back to port with enough time to go shopping and still have about 20-30 min before all aboard to check back in.

A very magical day indeed for us! Hopefully for you too!

K maybe you can clean something up for me??? I'm lil confused!!! Are you able to use a personal camera to take your own pitcures of your family with the Sea Lions from the observation deck as an observer myself... The no camera policy has to due with actually being in the water as a participate in the Encounter correct??

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We brought video cameras and cameras to the observation deck. No cameras can come INTO the water where the sea lion encounter is (which you can see in my photos, there isn't really a way to bring them). Trust me, its so nice not to worry about taking photos of your splashing friend. Enjoy all the nuances, she had SOOO much personality and I would have missed so much trying to take photos. Let someone on the observation deck take them, and buy a few of the sweet ones the photographers take.

So yes, I think you have that right.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Zim, how is your observer ticket $40? Are you getting your Sea Lion encounter thru DCL?

 

[Smith70592]

Let someone on the observation deck take them, and buy a few of the sweet ones the photographers take.

Thanks, that is exactly what I was thinking...;
One more question.. did you book thru DCL or on your own??

 

[RGLakatos]

Does anyone know what the pictures cost from the people who take them at the encounter?

Does anyone know what the DVD of the experience costs?

I would be curious to know what the costs are.....then I could make a more informed decision on what to get and what not to get!

 

[Zim]

Zim, how is your observer ticket $40? Are you getting your Sea Lion encounter thru DCL?

Yes, that's the price listed on their website for the observer ticket. I'm sure it's cheaper booking directly through them... but I just watched a bunch of videos of people missing their cruise ships on YouTube, now I'm terrified to book outside of Disney - even though yes I know you're experiencing the mouse shakedown effect.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Dolphin Encounter will ask if you are coming on a ship and which one. They would not sell ME an encounter. They said "You have to book through Disney." I desperately tried to go through several different tours and they all come back with the same thing "We don't have availability when the Disney ship is in." You can try, seeing as I had only 2 weeks up to my cruise, but I really rather think they are under contract with Disney not to sell to disney cruisers. I even had one tour company take my credit card and try to get us the encounters. She could NOT secure 3 sea lion encounters that day. I think Disney buys them up for the most part. In the end, I was happy because at least Disney made sure we had 3 spots available AT ALL, because no one else did! Its like they make sure they are available to sell to their guests.

If you can get through someone else, more power to you, but I sure tried and couldn't. I was jumping for joy when my Disney reservation came back ok because I didn't know WHAT I would do if the Sea Lions were sold out! It was really something us 3 sisters wanted to do together that trip.

So that's my advice. If your reservations are out far enough, you might be ok?. For us, DCL was literally THE only option. Given that, I was happy! There was a bit of a mark up but at least we were able to do it. And the encounter was very extensive and quite lengthy, I thought! Like she keeps coming for more pets and kisses and does all these tricks for you. Even if we paid $115 pp, we still thought that the encounter, the island, being able to watch the dolphins and sea lions as long as we wanted, the hammocks, the nice boat rides, we thought it all was well worth the $115. Also, Disney got us on the first Ferry I think, and we were literally the first encounter of the day. Maggie and Bonnie were all smiles, hugs and kisses when we got to them!

If you guys do go, say hello to Maggie & Bonnie for me and ask about how the twin babies are coming! They should be due soon!