$279 for a 1-day theme park ticket?

[clh2]

While I would love to swim with the dolphins, I find the whole event pricey to book reservations.

But - to me - the $279 is not THAT much higher than $259. That is less than an 8% increase. Even with the example from the OP that now a family of four will cost over $1200 to get in, that means before the increase it would have been at least $1120. If you can find the $1120 to do this, I can't imagine the extra $80 would be that difficult to come up with.

 

[aprincessmom]

Although let's all be honest. It's nice that they include a 7 day ticket, but who would spend a whole week there?

DD (9) and I went this past summer. I will grant you we only did 4 days at Seaworld and 1 at Discovery Cove and didn't opt for the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens option because we really didn't want to go to Tampa. But it was still cheaper, per person, than our tickets to WDW for that same trip (we ended up going only to Epcot and Typhoon Lagoon because of the crowds, the rude staff and guests, and the unusually dirty facilities) and we really, really enjoyed it. We are WDW veterans (I've been over 15 times in the last 16 years and she's been 5 times in the last 7 years) and typically don't spend much time at other parks. We planned to do more at WDW but DD asked that we go back to SeaWorld instead. She has even told me that when we go back to Orlando she'd rather go to SeaWorld than WDW. Which surprised me but I think the crowd size was far more manageable (even though it was crowded -- we were there during the week leading into and up to July 4th), the park employees were really friendly and fun (we didn't have that experience at WDW at either area we visited), the crowds weren't as rabid and rude, it was super clean and everything was in working order (couldn't say the same for WDW on either count this time) and, as a result, she and I had a better time there.

From my perspective, the ticket price was worth every penny even just for the Discovery Cove day (and we did do the dolphin swim which was really great fun). It was like having a beautiful lagoon and river to yourself...very relaxing and stress-free. If it hadn't been for the lightning and thunderstorms that drove us out, we would have stayed there much longer than the 6 hours we did stay. We snorkeled, did the lazy river multiple times, did the dolphin swim, had a nice lunch, looked at all the beautiful birds, played with the rays...it was terrific and we can't wait to go back.

I guess value is in the eye of the beholder For me, this time around, SeaWorld/Discovery Cove was the better value and experience the WDW.

 

[NCRedding]

we did the Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove in June of 2004. I think we went to SeaWorld for 2 more days. It was SOOO worth the money, although, for us, it is a once in a lifetime thing.

 

[bigbabyblues]

That would just about cover our several-day package at a value resort. Of course, my kids are little, and one is free at WDW, but still.....

I'd love to go to Sea World though, just once.

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

I agree with others...you're not paying $279 to get into the Sea World Theme park...you're paying that much for the unique experience to interact with dolphins in a safe, supervised environment. If you just want to get into the Sea World theme park, it costs around $60...just like all the other orlando-area parks.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

It'd be cheaper to buy your own dolphin.

Aw, come on. Even on clearance, I've never seen one for under $1,500.

 

[drakethib]

Sea World's Discovery Cove has raised their adult ticket price from $259 to $279 + tax. As if it wasn't already over priced. So a family of four with tax and parking would pay just under $1,200 to get into the gate.

This is outrageous.

Never heard of the place.

 

[Puffy2]

You don't spend the entire day with the dolphin - each person is in the water for about a total of 15 minutes and during that time you get to touch the dophin maybe 3 times and then for about 25 glorous seconds, the dophin will drag you to shore as you hold its fin.

It's not worth the price increase. (although, it is a nice day in the park) - really sad to hear about the increase.

 

[Cinderella2004]

We were just there in October. ITA, it is worth every penny. It was a great day. We all still talk about it and watch our video. In fact, I was just looking at our pictures tonight.

We will definitely be doing this again in a few years.

 

[Sandy22]

We were also there in October and I have to agree it was worth every penny. Prior to going I had said this was a once in a lifetime thing but now I plan on going back when the kids are older.

 

[buckylarue]

Our Minnesota Zoo is offering a 3-hour Dolphin Encounter program for $125 per person. Group size is limited to 5 per session, and you get a commemmorative picture of your encounter. I'd rather do this, skip Sea World and spend the extra cash at WDW!

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm not paying that to be around fish unless they're in a white wine sauce.

 

[Cinderella2004]

We were also there in October and I have to agree it was worth every penny. Prior to going I had said this was a once in a lifetime thing but now I plan on going back when the kids are older.

Hahaha!! That's what I said too!!! What day in October were you there? We went on the 7th.

 

[Sandy22]

Hahaha!! That's what I said too!!! What day in October were you there? We went on the 7th.

I was there on the 8th! I picked a Saturday because I wanted to avoid the theme parks that day. We had an amazing time - got there at 8:00 am and spent the whole day in the park. I only wish the pictures weren't so expensive because they turned out really well and I wanted them ALL! I spent around $120 for pictures.

 

[jekajekalynn]

No thanks....

For that price the dolphin's better give me a pedicure, clean my house, and snow plow our driveway....

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Another vote for worth every penny. Did it in 2001 and hope to do it again in 2006 or 2007.

 

[Planogirl]

Everyone that I know of that's done this always says it's worth the money. I've never seen anyone say it was a waste, even on this thread.

I could see myself doing it and spending several days in Sea World. I think that Sea World is nice and it would be great to do it one time without rushing around to see everything. I can't afford it though (at least not yet! ) so it's a no brainer for me.

 

[Pooh93]

It was worth every penny I saved for it. DC was probably the highlight of our trip and we loved SW too. We will do it again someday when the kids are older.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm plannig to do this during our trip next Easter.