End of Sea World Dolphin Programs - The DIS Discussion Forums

ukstitch · 08-21-2009, 04:07 PM

It looks to me as if Sea World is stopping their dolphin interaction program (and also the other dolphin session they normally do) for a while, as well as the dolphin shows.

It's all available until September 7th, but you can't book the interaction program after this date.

Apparently, the dolphin stadium is also due to be redeveloped after September 7th which means no dolphin shows either, so I'm assuming everything is related and that there just won't be any dolphin related activities for a while.

It's possible to book the Wild Arctic Interaction Program at least until the end of the year, so it's not just that Sea World won't do bookings further out yet...

sonnyjane · 08-23-2009, 03:59 PM

The dolphins are moving to Shamu stadium on the date you mentioned. They will still perform a dolphin show, but it will be located in Shamu stadium until the new dolphin show/stadium are ready, which should hopefully (coming from the SW staff) should be Spring 2010.

oilergirl · 08-24-2009, 02:06 AM

Will the dolphins still be available for viewing (and possible petting and feeding) at Rocky Point Preserve though?

sonnyjane · 08-24-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilergirl

Will the dolphins still be available for viewing (and possible petting and feeding) at Rocky Point Preserve though?

Yup, nobody is moving from Rocky Point, just from the Dolphin Stadium. They are also adding dolphins to the Dolphin show (will take them from the breeding pools) since the new show is a lot larger/more involved. They are putting the Blue Horizons show that is currently featured in Orlando into the SD park.

oilergirl · 08-24-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonnyjane

Yup, nobody is moving from Rocky Point, just from the Dolphin Stadium. They are also adding dolphins to the Dolphin show (will take them from the breeding pools) since the new show is a lot larger/more involved. They are putting the Blue Horizons show that is currently featured in Orlando into the SD park.

Good to hear! Thank you for the information!

disneyfan4ever54 · 08-26-2009, 04:51 PM

I called Sea World yesterday asking about the Dolphin encounter program for October. The person that I spoke to said that they do have an area set aside to do the dolphin programs, but they have to wait to see how the dolphins adjust to their new home after they are moved during early Sept. She said if all goes well, then they will continue with the programs in the new location, but that no schedules are up yet until they see how the dolphins are doing after they are moved. She said they should know during the 2nd week of September and that I can check for October's schedule after that time. I'm not sure how accurate the info. is, but I am still holding out hope that they will continue with the Dolphin encounter program when we will be there.

oilergirl · 08-26-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneyfan4ever54

I called Sea World yesterday asking about the Dolphin encounter program for October. The person that I spoke to said that they do have an area set aside to do the dolphin programs, but they have to wait to see how the dolphins adjust to their new home after they are moved during early Sept. She said if all goes well, then they will continue with the programs in the new location, but that no schedules are up yet until they see how the dolphins are doing after they are moved. She said they should know during the 2nd week of September and that I can check for October's schedule after that time. I'm not sure how accurate the info. is, but I am still holding out hope that they will continue with the Dolphin encounter program when we will be there.

Oh good to hear! Thanks for letting us know!

disneyfan4ever54 · 08-26-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilergirl

Oh good to hear! Thanks for letting us know!

You're welcome! I hope the info. that I got was accurate....I don't want to have false hope, but we can keep our fingers crossed together!

ukstitch · 08-30-2009, 12:35 PM

that's great to hear - I've prepared myself to do the Wild Arctic program instead, but I think I'd prefer the dolphin program if it's available

sonnyjane · 08-30-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukstitch

that's great to hear - I've prepared myself to do the Wild Arctic program instead, but I think I'd prefer the dolphin program if it's available

I have several friends that work at Sea World (we are all marine biologists/animal trainers) and they personally prefer the Wild Arctic program. What it boils down to is that you can swim with dolphins at dozens and dozens of facilities across the country, but the Wild Arctic program lets you go backstage at Wild Arctic to see the polar bear and walrus exhibits as well as allowing you to interact with beluga whales, which is far, far more rare, and the two experiences are the same price.

ukstitch · 08-31-2009, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonnyjane

I have several friends that work at Sea World (we are all marine biologists/animal trainers) and they personally prefer the Wild Arctic program. What it boils down to is that you can swim with dolphins at dozens and dozens of facilities across the country, but the Wild Arctic program lets you go backstage at Wild Arctic to see the polar bear and walrus exhibits as well as allowing you to interact with beluga whales, which is far, far more rare, and the two experiences are the same price.

Thanks - that's really interesting to know

Coming from the UK, I don't really get the luxury of either of these things over here so either would be nice

08-21-2009, 04:07 PM	#1
ukstitch I'm not sure I'm quite your average, typical male I think I need to eat some humble pie I've got a few hours of DIS chatting ahead of me tonight Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4,993	End of Sea World Dolphin Programs It looks to me as if Sea World is stopping their dolphin interaction program (and also the other dolphin session they normally do) for a while, as well as the dolphin shows. It's all available until September 7th, but you can't book the interaction program after this date. Apparently, the dolphin stadium is also due to be redeveloped after September 7th which means no dolphin shows either, so I'm assuming everything is related and that there just won't be any dolphin related activities for a while. It's possible to book the Wild Arctic Interaction Program at least until the end of the year, so it's not just that Sea World won't do bookings further out yet... __________________ Pictures from my adventures Ticker graveyard - 04-07 October 2008 : Disneyland California at last! 06-07 Dec 2008 : Birthday weekend in London! May 2009 : New York, Las Vegas and Grand Canyon! 11-20 Dec 2009: West Coast Theme Park Tour! New Year 2009/10 : New Year with Friends!

08-30-2009, 12:35 PM	#9
ukstitch I'm not sure I'm quite your average, typical male I think I need to eat some humble pie I've got a few hours of DIS chatting ahead of me tonight Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4,993	that's great to hear - I've prepared myself to do the Wild Arctic program instead, but I think I'd prefer the dolphin program if it's available __________________ Pictures from my adventures Ticker graveyard - 04-07 October 2008 : Disneyland California at last! 06-07 Dec 2008 : Birthday weekend in London! May 2009 : New York, Las Vegas and Grand Canyon! 11-20 Dec 2009: West Coast Theme Park Tour! New Year 2009/10 : New Year with Friends!

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08-23-2009, 03:59 PM	#2
sonnyjane DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 510	The dolphins are moving to Shamu stadium on the date you mentioned. They will still perform a dolphin show, but it will be located in Shamu stadium until the new dolphin show/stadium are ready, which should hopefully (coming from the SW staff) should be Spring 2010.

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08-24-2009, 02:06 AM	#3
oilergirl Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 65	Will the dolphins still be available for viewing (and possible petting and feeding) at Rocky Point Preserve though?

08-26-2009, 04:51 PM	#6
disneyfan4ever54 DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, Washington Posts: 1,212	I called Sea World yesterday asking about the Dolphin encounter program for October. The person that I spoke to said that they do have an area set aside to do the dolphin programs, but they have to wait to see how the dolphins adjust to their new home after they are moved during early Sept. She said if all goes well, then they will continue with the programs in the new location, but that no schedules are up yet until they see how the dolphins are doing after they are moved. She said they should know during the 2nd week of September and that I can check for October's schedule after that time. I'm not sure how accurate the info. is, but I am still holding out hope that they will continue with the Dolphin encounter program when we will be there.