Any swim w/ Dolphin experience from WDW?

[QJ411]

Hi, DH and I has invited his family to join us in Oct. for MNSSHP.
DMIL wants to suprise DSIL w/ a "swim w/ dolphin experience". I checked out the site for Discovery Cove, is there any other one?

Does WDW have something similar? THANKS a bunch!!!

 

[barb45]

My son and I did the Dolphins in Depth program at Epcot 2 years ago because they had a DVC discount of "buy one get one half-price". It was wonderful. You spend some "class time" learning about dolphins and see all the behind the scenes stuff at the living seas. You put on wet suits and spend about 30 minutes in the water with the dolphins (but you don't actually swim with them). You stand on a platform in about waist deep water and the dolphins come to you. You pet them, get them to do a few tricks and they take a picture of you hugging them. We were thrilled with the program but the Discovery Cove one looks like it might be better for interaction with the dolphins (it is also more expensive I believe). If anyone can post both current prices that would be great.

 

[alloyd1170]

If you want more interaction than what the previous poster experienced, then head to Discovery Cove. You do need rsvps as they only allow a certain # into the park each day (I think it was around 1000). Upon check in you will be given a time slot for your swim (they will tell you when to come when you rsvp, but you still might have to wait a while once you get there). There are locker/shower rooms, food areas, shops, and other things to do and see while you wait. We made a day out of it. There are several "pools" where you can snorkel with rays, fish, sharks, etc. The dolphin swim is excellent. As with all programs, you are required to watch a video about them (the purpose of the swim is to learn about them, so you have to watch a video or sit through a lecture which are informing). You go in a small group (maybe 6 people) and there will be several groups in the water at once each with their own dolphin. Each person takes turns and gets 2 chances to interact with the dolphin (we first told it to do a trick, then at the end of the program we got a ride back to the shore). In between, the trainer will demostrate some of the things it does in the wild. The water is cold, and they will give you a top half wetsuit which will help keep you warm (somewhat) and afloat. There will be someone there to take photos as well, and you can purchase these later. You cant bring your own camera into the water since the noise from it can distract the dolphins. Also, if anyone is pregnant, they will not be allowed into the water since the dolphins will hone in on the moms belly (ignoring everyone else) and could possible do harm with hitting or using echo location. The dolphins are rotated out with others so they dont get overworked, etc. In my opinion, its the best swim/experience that Ive ever done, and Ive done many. You can really see the different personalities of each dolphin if you take the time to watch other groups interact with them. I cant say that about other programs. The water is clear, like a pool, not murky like some programs. The facilities were clean as well. Its is expensive, but well worth it. As soon as my son is old enough, I plan on taking him.

alison

 

[barb45]

Allison - what did you do during the 2 chances to interact? Was it just giving a hand signal to do a trick and then your ride back to shore? Or was it more? At Disney we spent a lot of time petting and massaging the dolphins because that is what they use for rewards after the dolphins do things. They have 2 resident dolphins so you could definitely see the difference in temperaments plus you break into 2 groups of 3 and then swith dolphins. They won't make a dolphin do anything they don't want to do so if the dolphin doesn't cooperate (and when we were there one only half participated) you more than make up for it with the other dolphin or just loves the attention. The class time sound like it might have been more interesting at Disney. Have you done the Disney one? I would like a comparison of the 2 as I would like to try the Discovery Cove one also.

 

[Viki]

Discovery Cove is awesome! We've done it twice. Truly a neve forget experience.

Peace,
Viki