Animal Feeding & Beluga Interaction Questions

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Hello!

I have a reservation for the Beluga Interaction Program on 10/15. I was just wondering if anyone has previously done this? How long are we with the animals? I know I can purchase pictures (and plan to) but how much is that and are they usually good ones? Just very excited and curious!

I would love to hear your experiences!


Also a side question, I read that you can participate in dolphin/sea lion feeding if you buy a tray of fish. Does anyone have more information on the times/details of this? I would love to do it as well!

Last one, is their photo package similar to Disney's photopass, or how does that all go? If I purchase the photos from the Beluga Interaction will I also be able to get photos from the feedings (if available) ?

Thank You!

 

[nyygirl44]

I can't help with the beluga whale interaction because I haven't done that before but the others we have. The dolphin feeding I think they did every 15 minutes or so and I believe it was about $5 for the fish. It was a lot of fun and they have photographers across the way takin pictures and give you the card afterwards. I know those you could put on the CD with any other photos from around the park. Most important thing with the dolphins is do not pick up the plate with the fish on it or you will be bitten. As for the sea lions I'm not sure how much they were but you just walk and buy the plate. We bought a package deal for I think $10 that included feeding the sea lions, sting rays, little sharks and I thought there was something else but I can't remember. I didn't see anybody taking pictures in those areas when I went.
I don't remember how much the CD was but I do remember we got a fair amount of photos on it and it also includes stock photos of the sea critters. At the end of the day there is a photo counter near the exits and they combine all the cards you collected throughout the day. I think it took about 5-10 minutes to get the CD made up. Hope that helps!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

That is VERY helpful! Thank you so much! I'm happy it looks like we will have plenty of opportunities to do the feedings then

 

[foxxxy83]

Yes, I found that really helpful too! I hadn't realised you could feed any of the animals unless you were on a specific tour/experience. I'm taking my son to Florida for two weeks on my own so would be nice to get pics with both of us on not just loads of him doing stuff. This is a hol for both of us after all!

 

[frankieeyre]

I did the marine mammal keeper experience around 4 years ago which included the beluga interaction (i'm not sure if they are exactly the same though). We spent about 10 minutes in the water with them, then about 30 mins behind the scenes. The pictures taken by the sea world photographers were really good! Here is my favourite one!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I did the marine mammal keeper experience around 4 years ago which included the beluga interaction (i'm not sure if they are exactly the same though). We spent about 10 minutes in the water with them, then about 30 mins behind the scenes. The pictures taken by the sea world photographers were really good! Here is my favourite one!

Wow! That is an amazing photo, I hope I get one as awesome and close up!

 

[foxxxy83]

OMG!! That is SO CUTE!! My son isn't old enough yet to take part in the experience so am taking him doing all the Disney stuff and swimming with dolphins at DC this yr then taking him back in a few yrs when he old enough to do the animal interactions that are for adults and older children. Hope they still have the Beluga Whale one when he a bit older though coz they SO CUTE!!

 

[alikennedy]

Feeding the dolphins was $7 for each tray of fish. Each person entering must buy a tray of fish. If not everyone with you wants to feed them, have someone take the cameras across the water and they will be able to take great pictures of you. The photographers will approach you with little paper slips if the 'captured a special moment'.

The fish for the seals was $5 but beware of the very aggressive birds!! There were no photographers here.

The Beluga Interaction is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. My 10 years old daughter and I did it together. After we met at the meeting spot, we went and put on our wet suits. You leave your belongings here in a locked locker. Make sure your hair is tied back and you have no jewelry. They will give you a cord for your glasses so they can't fall into the water. We chatted with our guide for a few minutes and then walked to the building with the Belugas. Here we had our picture taken (so they could match our photos later) and met with the trainers that would be taking us in with the Belugas. There are only 4 people for each interaction, I was paired with my daughter, and the other two ladies we were with were paired together. We spent 10-15 minutes with each whale. First we were stnding on a ledge out of the water and then we switched spots with the other pair and were sitting on a ledge in the (cold) water. . We touched, hugged, fed, had kisses from, and were splashed by the whales. When we were finished we went back to the building where we had left our belongings. There are showers to rinse off and towels provided.

The photos we have from the interaction are great! Lots of fabulous shots. There are a couple of times during the interaction where you pose for the photographers. The cd was $50 and contained the photos of myself, my daughter, and some general animal pictures. I was able to add the photos of our dolphin feeding, and photos from photographers from around the park for an additional $25.

Have fun!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Feeding the dolphins was $7 for each tray of fish. Each person entering must buy a tray of fish. If not everyone with you wants to feed them, have someone take the cameras across the water and they will be able to take great pictures of you. The photographers will approach you with little paper slips if the 'captured a special moment'.

The fish for the seals was $5 but beware of the very aggressive birds!! There were no photographers here.

The Beluga Interaction is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. My 10 years old daughter and I did it together. After we met at the meeting spot, we went and put on our wet suits. You leave your belongings here in a locked locker. Make sure your hair is tied back and you have no jewelry. They will give you a cord for your glasses so they can't fall into the water. We chatted with our guide for a few minutes and then walked to the building with the Belugas. Here we had our picture taken (so they could match our photos later) and met with the trainers that would be taking us in with the Belugas. There are only 4 people for each interaction, I was paired with my daughter, and the other two ladies we were with were paired together. We spent 10-15 minutes with each whale. First we were stnding on a ledge out of the water and then we switched spots with the other pair and were sitting on a ledge in the (cold) water. . We touched, hugged, fed, had kisses from, and were splashed by the whales. When we were finished we went back to the building where we had left our belongings. There are showers to rinse off and towels provided.

The photos we have from the interaction are great! Lots of fabulous shots. There are a couple of times during the interaction where you pose for the photographers. The cd was $50 and contained the photos of myself, my daughter, and some general animal pictures. I was able to add the photos of our dolphin feeding, and photos from photographers from around the park for an additional $25.

Have fun!

Thank you so much! That helps a lot, especially with the pricing! I think we may do a pass on the seals unless we have extra time, doesn't seem as up close and awesome as the dolphins. I'm glad you enjoyed the Beluga Interaction I hope we get as good of a go!

 

[bjakmom]

We just did the Beluga Interaction experience at the end of Aug on DGrDs 10th b'day. It was amazing! Things went the same for us as the pp described. We were interacting with the whales for a full 15 mins - which was plenty of time when you are dangling your legs in that frigid water - and we got lots of wonderful pics on the $50 CD as well - they take a ton of them from across the water.

I was told when I booked that the 3 of us could do the experience together, but once we got there we were joined by a fourth person - a lovely young woman from Canada that I agreed to do the experience with so DD and DGrD could experience it together - they did need us to be in groups of 2. Because we did that, they gave us a little extra time for the 3 of us so we could have a few pics of all 3 of us together with one of the whales - the trainers were awesome and very accommodating.
The whales, of course, are so beautiful and sweet - the trainers said they can see us with their eyes the same as we see them.

When they made the CD they were willing to put the pics from both groups together on the CD for me at no extra cost so I could have my pics and my girls' pics and the ones of all 3 of us. Truly an experience I know my girls will never forget - just what I was hoping for and more!! Enjoy!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

We just did the Beluga Interaction experience at the end of Aug on DGrDs 10th b'day. It was amazing! Things went the same for us as the pp described. We were interacting with the whales for a full 15 mins - which was plenty of time when you are dangling your legs in that frigid water - and we got lots of wonderful pics on the $50 CD as well - they take a ton of them from across the water.

I was told when I booked that the 3 of us could do the experience together, but once we got there we were joined by a fourth person - a lovely young woman from Canada that I agreed to do the experience with so DD and DGrD could experience it together - they did need us to be in groups of 2. Because we did that, they gave us a little extra time for the 3 of us so we could have a few pics of all 3 of us together with one of the whales - the trainers were awesome and very accommodating.
The whales, of course, are so beautiful and sweet - the trainers said they can see us with their eyes the same as we see them.

When they made the CD they were willing to put the pics from both groups together on the CD for me at no extra cost so I could have my pics and my girls' pics and the ones of all 3 of us. Truly an experience I know my girls will never forget - just what I was hoping for and more!! Enjoy!

I'm glad everyone had such good experiences with it! Seems like it will be a day to remember, exactly what we want!