DISWolves
Dreams really can come true !!!!
- Joined
- May 26, 2007
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Day 7 - DISCOVERY COVE
Today's Video ***A DAY AT DISCOVERY COVE***
Early wake up yet again this morning, in preparation for our day at Discovery Cove. This was all because, Martin had invited us to join his family with some cheap tickets, courtesy of his annual Sea World pass. Since this was our fifth visit, me and Sue decided to give the dolphin encounter a miss, so Emma joined Martin, Abi and Craig to meet the dolphins. We left OKW at around 7:30am and made our way, in convoy via I4 to Discovery Cove. This is located, more or less opposite Sea World entrance on Central Florida Parkway. We arrived at the park around 7:50, where we all registered and were issued with our photo I/D passes. With that complete, we made our way towards the beach areas, stopping on the way for the complimentary family photo. This is available for your collection, before you exit the park.
With the formalities done, we all chose a sun lounger near to the lazy river.
After grabbing a locker, we then made our way to be kitted out with wet-suits and a snorkel bag. This is a mesh drawstring bag containing a snorkel (which you are allowed to keep) a swimming mask (which a lot of people also keep!) and a sachet of Panama Jack waterproof sunblock. The only way I can describe this, is a white ointment with sand added!. Not having much defense against the sun on my head, I applied it quite liberally – 10 minutes later, my head is so sore from trying to rub it in, It would have been less painful to get sun burnt.! Our group had been allocated a slot at 8:50 in the Starfish cabana, where the dolphin trainer greeted them. After a brief talk about dolphin behavior and communication, a short video was also shown, and then it was Dolphin time! ..... The groups interacting with the dolphins, usually consist of between 6 – 10 people and you are strategically positioned, with your backs to the shore. This makes is more difficult with a standard camera for personal photographs to being taken. (although using a camera with a decent zoom lens, you will get good pics from across the pool) It also encourages you to purchase the photos and video created by the park photographers.
The dolphin for our group was Cindy. The interaction takes place in shallow water and consists of feeding, stroking and kissing the dolphin, together with various hand gestures to make the dolphin react in various ways. The highlight of the session is when you move out to deeper water for a dorsal fin tow back by the dolphin. The actual dolphin tow is over in less than 20 seconds, which I reckon must leave first time visitors a little disappointed. The finale of the sessions is when the dolphins group together and perform a few high jumps, to the applause of the watching crowds.
With the dolphin encounter over, we all made our way back to our sun loungers, grabbing a few drinks on the way. All food and drink (including alcohol) is included in your admission price, which makes it handy as there are a few kiosks around the park, where you can grab a snack, crisps even cocktails!!!!.
Our first stop was over to Laguna Grill, where we all had breakfast. Apologies now for the very few pictures today, our time was completely occupied from the moment we checked in, up to the time we left, so today I shot mainly video. For breakfast I had a few croissant, with breakfast cereal and fresh orange juice. After our snacks we all donned our snorkel gear and made our way around ‘Wind Away River’.
This has a gentle current to help you around, although in places it is quite deep. Artifacts are randomly scattered along the pebble floor, including a cannon barrel and a few urns.
The tropical river also travels through the ‘Explorers Free Flight Aviary’, and a waterfall curtain at each end, prevents the residents from escaping. The scenery varies from tropical rain forest to sandy beaches and even an underwater cave. I lost count of how many circuits we made during the morning, but time just passed so quickly. We next had a wander across to the newly constructed Grand Reef. This is a huge improvement on its predecessor and houses a huge collection of marine fish and an ever-bigger collection of various Rays. The first thing to attract your attention is the water temperature F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G- !!!!!!!.
The occupants of the water make it so inviting that, you just have to bite the bullet and go for it.
I always tend to wear a wet suit as opposed to a life vest when at DC, and this is where you benefit. The artificial coral together with the range of fish, make this a worthwhile experience on its own.
I was in my element and quickly exhausted two batteries on my compact camera whilst shooting video of the various fish, rays and even sharks. Hunger started to kick in and so we made our way back to Laguna Grill for our lunch. A decent selection was available although I do not feel as if the quality matched up to our previous visits. I had two chicken curries and managed to force a large slice of cherry cheesecake down.
It’s a good job that these wet suits are made from elasticated material! After lunch we decided to have a wander through the tropical aviaries. Here you can hand feed many of the hundreds of colourful birds that are flying free. The staff inside of the aviary issues food and they are on hand to answer any questions.
We returned back to our sunbeds to top up the sunscreen and then went around the lazy river again. After swimming amongst the rays, the water in here felt like a Jacuzzi but being a glutton for punishment I put a fresh battery in my camera and went back to visit my newly found cold water friends.
I spent a good hour filming the fish before returning back to meet up with the rest of the party. Martin and Wendy decided to go and view the photographs taken of their dolphin encounter whilst the rest of us went back into the lazy river. Time was now pressing on and the end was approaching so a one last final lap of the river was calling.
Before we knew it we had reached our start point at Serenity Bay and it was time to get out. Just as we were leaving the beach area, we had a rainstorm, so we browsed around the gift shop on our way to the park exit.
The time was 17:45 and after a wonderful but exhausting day, we reluctantly made our way back to OKW. Back at base we all had showers and I soon fell asleep on top of the bed only to be awoken by a thunderstorm. I backed my camera up onto my netbook and put my camera batteries on charge, before calling an end to a fabulous day!.
Coming up next.......Hollywood Studios & Yachtsman Steakhouse
Return to INDEX
Today's Video ***A DAY AT DISCOVERY COVE***
Early wake up yet again this morning, in preparation for our day at Discovery Cove. This was all because, Martin had invited us to join his family with some cheap tickets, courtesy of his annual Sea World pass. Since this was our fifth visit, me and Sue decided to give the dolphin encounter a miss, so Emma joined Martin, Abi and Craig to meet the dolphins. We left OKW at around 7:30am and made our way, in convoy via I4 to Discovery Cove. This is located, more or less opposite Sea World entrance on Central Florida Parkway. We arrived at the park around 7:50, where we all registered and were issued with our photo I/D passes. With that complete, we made our way towards the beach areas, stopping on the way for the complimentary family photo. This is available for your collection, before you exit the park.
With the formalities done, we all chose a sun lounger near to the lazy river.
After grabbing a locker, we then made our way to be kitted out with wet-suits and a snorkel bag. This is a mesh drawstring bag containing a snorkel (which you are allowed to keep) a swimming mask (which a lot of people also keep!) and a sachet of Panama Jack waterproof sunblock. The only way I can describe this, is a white ointment with sand added!. Not having much defense against the sun on my head, I applied it quite liberally – 10 minutes later, my head is so sore from trying to rub it in, It would have been less painful to get sun burnt.! Our group had been allocated a slot at 8:50 in the Starfish cabana, where the dolphin trainer greeted them. After a brief talk about dolphin behavior and communication, a short video was also shown, and then it was Dolphin time! ..... The groups interacting with the dolphins, usually consist of between 6 – 10 people and you are strategically positioned, with your backs to the shore. This makes is more difficult with a standard camera for personal photographs to being taken. (although using a camera with a decent zoom lens, you will get good pics from across the pool) It also encourages you to purchase the photos and video created by the park photographers.
The dolphin for our group was Cindy. The interaction takes place in shallow water and consists of feeding, stroking and kissing the dolphin, together with various hand gestures to make the dolphin react in various ways. The highlight of the session is when you move out to deeper water for a dorsal fin tow back by the dolphin. The actual dolphin tow is over in less than 20 seconds, which I reckon must leave first time visitors a little disappointed. The finale of the sessions is when the dolphins group together and perform a few high jumps, to the applause of the watching crowds.
With the dolphin encounter over, we all made our way back to our sun loungers, grabbing a few drinks on the way. All food and drink (including alcohol) is included in your admission price, which makes it handy as there are a few kiosks around the park, where you can grab a snack, crisps even cocktails!!!!.
Our first stop was over to Laguna Grill, where we all had breakfast. Apologies now for the very few pictures today, our time was completely occupied from the moment we checked in, up to the time we left, so today I shot mainly video. For breakfast I had a few croissant, with breakfast cereal and fresh orange juice. After our snacks we all donned our snorkel gear and made our way around ‘Wind Away River’.
This has a gentle current to help you around, although in places it is quite deep. Artifacts are randomly scattered along the pebble floor, including a cannon barrel and a few urns.
The tropical river also travels through the ‘Explorers Free Flight Aviary’, and a waterfall curtain at each end, prevents the residents from escaping. The scenery varies from tropical rain forest to sandy beaches and even an underwater cave. I lost count of how many circuits we made during the morning, but time just passed so quickly. We next had a wander across to the newly constructed Grand Reef. This is a huge improvement on its predecessor and houses a huge collection of marine fish and an ever-bigger collection of various Rays. The first thing to attract your attention is the water temperature F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G- !!!!!!!.
The occupants of the water make it so inviting that, you just have to bite the bullet and go for it.
I always tend to wear a wet suit as opposed to a life vest when at DC, and this is where you benefit. The artificial coral together with the range of fish, make this a worthwhile experience on its own.
I was in my element and quickly exhausted two batteries on my compact camera whilst shooting video of the various fish, rays and even sharks. Hunger started to kick in and so we made our way back to Laguna Grill for our lunch. A decent selection was available although I do not feel as if the quality matched up to our previous visits. I had two chicken curries and managed to force a large slice of cherry cheesecake down.
It’s a good job that these wet suits are made from elasticated material! After lunch we decided to have a wander through the tropical aviaries. Here you can hand feed many of the hundreds of colourful birds that are flying free. The staff inside of the aviary issues food and they are on hand to answer any questions.
We returned back to our sunbeds to top up the sunscreen and then went around the lazy river again. After swimming amongst the rays, the water in here felt like a Jacuzzi but being a glutton for punishment I put a fresh battery in my camera and went back to visit my newly found cold water friends.
I spent a good hour filming the fish before returning back to meet up with the rest of the party. Martin and Wendy decided to go and view the photographs taken of their dolphin encounter whilst the rest of us went back into the lazy river. Time was now pressing on and the end was approaching so a one last final lap of the river was calling.
Before we knew it we had reached our start point at Serenity Bay and it was time to get out. Just as we were leaving the beach area, we had a rainstorm, so we browsed around the gift shop on our way to the park exit.
The time was 17:45 and after a wonderful but exhausting day, we reluctantly made our way back to OKW. Back at base we all had showers and I soon fell asleep on top of the bed only to be awoken by a thunderstorm. I backed my camera up onto my netbook and put my camera batteries on charge, before calling an end to a fabulous day!.
Coming up next.......Hollywood Studios & Yachtsman Steakhouse
Return to INDEX
. but there are lots of other things to do during the day. 
