Anyone else have a not-so-great experience feeding dolphins at SW?

[nessz79]

I was really looking forward to this, despite hearing that things have changed. Boy, had they! I felt it was really anxiety-producing with handlers telling you how to hold things, etc. all the time. We had accidentally dropped a fish on the ground, and before a handler could give us a new one my 4-year-old had thrown it to the dolphins. A mistake. The handlers were so upset that they only looked at me angrily, one shaking his head. I tried to apologize and they just walked away. I felt so terrible (and embarrassed)!

Did anyone else have any similar feelings or did I just visit on a bad day maybe? It was pretty crowded.

 

[Amity 3]

I had a similar experience at the seals a couple of years ago. I dropped a fish fighting off bird. a trainer was on me when I picked it telling me I wasn't going to feed it to her animals. I told her I was going to return it to the window for a replacement.

then I went to Guest Services and received coupons for free meals, and were mailed more within the week.

 

[nessz79]

Glad I wasn't the only one! Seriously, seems like they shouldn't even allow feedings if it's going to be that big of a problem (feeding something that was dropped, etc.). I think of my own kids and how they often pick something off the floor to eat before I can stop them and they always survive- LOL.

 

[robvia]

One time I was waiting for everyone to leave. I had one fish left. This was before they roped off the area so it was crowded and I wanted to be on the wall with some space. A trainer comes up to me and says I need to use that fish now.

 

[Delphis]

I think you should have done what Amity 3 did, and went to Guest Services and let them know about the person either in Education or Animal Care's attitude. Maybe if they recieved enough complaints there would be some serious re-training on how to deal with the public. I've seen them over the years be way out of line in the way they interact with the guests, so much so I don't bother to go to the side where people can feed and touch the dolphins anymore. I'd rather observe the dolphins from the path between Blue Horizons and the pool itself, or the underwater viewing area. I understand they're trying to look out for the animals, but you can do that with out being nasty or snippy with the guests.

 

[tikkipoo]

DH and I went during our honeymoon. DH went to get the fish while I went and staked out a place to feed the dolphins. Well, he missed the whole "how to feed the dolphins" part. When he got back, he took one of the fish and held it up, like the way to do a dog when you are trying to get them to sit up, and one of those awful birds swooped down and took that fish. It cut DH's finger and he was bleeding everywhere. Later on, that same bird (Yeah, I know it was following us) was stalking us as we were trying to eat lunch!

 

[nessz79]

I think you should have done what Amity 3 did, and went to Guest Services and let them know about the person either in Education or Animal Care's attitude. Maybe if they recieved enough complaints there would be some serious re-training on how to deal with the public. I've seen them over the years be way out of line in the way they interact with the guests, so much so I don't bother to go to the side where people can feed and touch the dolphins anymore. I'd rather observe the dolphins from the path between Blue Horizons and the pool itself, or the underwater viewing area. I understand they're trying to look out for the animals, but you can do that with out being nasty or snippy with the guests.

Yup- I totally agree. I probably will not be feeding the dolphins again...not out of spite, just because I don't want a stressful experience with something that should be wonderful!

I did send in a complaint through their web site. I have been told they are forwarding it to the appropriate management and will hear from them within a couple weeks.

 

[the_princess]

Ups, a bird tried to steel one of my fish so I dropped it on the floor, I just picked it up and gave it to a dolphin... I didn't know that you can't do that Ups... but no one said anything...

 

[sbplayer2410]

yes, if you drop a fish you shouldnt feed it to any animals because all of the animals are on strict diets so they dont get sick, there is so much bacteria on the ground because people constantly drop things and birds poop and stuff that it is really unsanitary, they dont want the animals to get sick, and dolphins dont have the same immune sytem little kids or you or I have.

 

[nessz79]

I don't dispute that the germs are probably bad for them. I just think that if it's that serious, they shouldn't offer public feeding because regular people make mistakes. And if people make mistakes, apologies should be accepted. Know what I mean?

I really need to let this go! LOL

 

[sbplayer2410]

yea i know, i completely understand, a lot of people dont know not to feed fish that went on the floor, because people give their pets food thats been on the floor, i just think that there should be a sign or something around where u stand or where u buy the fish saying the rules and how to do it, if there is really that much conflict. Its supposed to be a wonderful experience and the trainers shouldnt get mad about it, instead they should just teach people in a nice way.

 

[the_princess]

yeah I think at least a sign that says that... How would anyone know that it's wrong... If it's really that bad, they shouldn't do feeding at all...

 

[Judy from Boise]

sorry, but there are no more germs on the ground than on the hands of the avarage child!So, I don't buy that arguement.

 

[bapvoeller]

It is too crowded and stressful for us to feed the dolphins in SW Orlando. The amount of room you have to view and feed the dolphins at this park is too small. We go to the underwater viewing area and watch the dolphins. My DD6 real thinks this is cool. We do feed the stingrays and seals, and have always enjoyed doing this.

I have been to SW San Antonio and have feed the dolphins their numerous times. Their dolphin area is just a large oval pool. It isn't as pretty as the dolphin area at Orlando, but it is much easier to get next to the wall at San Antonio. I spent a lot of money feeding the dolphins in SA, but none at Orlando.