Worried about our trip. I have been reading a lot of reviews that the water is murky and hard to see fish. And you only really get two minutes with the dolphin. If it rains the park can close for hours without a rain check to come back. Anyone been recently that can lesson my worries about the $2,000 we spent that these reviews are wrong? We really want this to be a great experience for our children and us.
Bad reviews of Discovery Cove
- Thread starter catzle
- Start date
Jaime4004
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 15, 2010
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Really? I've been three times, never had a bad experience. Water seemed clear to me. IMO, the dolphin swim is way overpriced for what you get, but worth it to do once. I've never timed it, but it is definitely a little longer than 2 minutes. 20? 30? You do get a good amount of dolphin interaction in that time. One of the times I went, our dolphin was bored of us and took off a few times. The trainer laughed it off and said that the dolphins are not forced to interact with humans, so we just waited for him to come back. And he did. Still got the full experience, just took a little longer that time.
They make you all take shelter if there is lightning within so many miles, they don't close in the rain. This has happened a few of the times, but never for more than 1/2 hour for me. I have been when it was raining off and on, wasn't too bad since you're wet anyway.
Yubbie
Mouseketeer
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Water definitely is not murky. It's not as clear as some snorkeling spots around the world, but it's not even close to "murky".
You will get 20 - 30 minutes with the dolphin. You will be in a group of 6 people, so you will have to share the dolphin with others. You will not get a personal swim time with the dolphin, aside from a short 15 - 30 second tow. Most of the dolphin interaction takes place with the dolphin positioned in front of your group.
They will only make you leave the water if there is lightning in the area. If it's just raining, it will be a bit of a bummer, but you don't have to leave the water. Most rain/thunderstorms in Florida come and go quickly.
Don't worry, you will have a fantastic time. DC is an amazing place and you won't want to leave at the end of the day. Don't forget that everything is all inclusive that day (except for souvenirs), so hit up the snack bar as much as you want and have a great time!
Yubbie
You will get 20 - 30 minutes with the dolphin. You will be in a group of 6 people, so you will have to share the dolphin with others. You will not get a personal swim time with the dolphin, aside from a short 15 - 30 second tow. Most of the dolphin interaction takes place with the dolphin positioned in front of your group.
They will only make you leave the water if there is lightning in the area. If it's just raining, it will be a bit of a bummer, but you don't have to leave the water. Most rain/thunderstorms in Florida come and go quickly.
Don't worry, you will have a fantastic time. DC is an amazing place and you won't want to leave at the end of the day. Don't forget that everything is all inclusive that day (except for souvenirs), so hit up the snack bar as much as you want and have a great time!
Yubbie
Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina
Life is short. Live it well.
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I think you need to take the reviews with a grain of salt. There are some people who won't or can't be pleased no matter how great their experience, as the premium cost of a day at Discovery Cove can sometimes set expectations that can't be achieved.
DC is an amazing park. There's a reason its currently rated #1 on Tripadvisor. Of 3440 total reviews, 3270 are either excellent or very good. The negative reviews are a very, very small percentage.
I know many people think they will spend the day one-on-one with a dolphin. That's not the case. I also think many guests don't truly keep in mind that weather is a variable that can't be predicted or changed, and so are disappointed when Mother Nature is unkind (yet its always a risk for outdoor activities).
The activities and amenities at Discovery Cove are fabulous. We have been twice, once with the dolphin swim and once without. Both days were some of the most incredible, relaxing, amazing times we have had as a family in Orlando. I think you will love it, as long as you do your research as to what you are getting (ie a small group session with the dolphins that only takes about 30-45 minutes out of your entire day) and understand that you can't predict the weather.
DC is an amazing park. There's a reason its currently rated #1 on Tripadvisor. Of 3440 total reviews, 3270 are either excellent or very good. The negative reviews are a very, very small percentage.
I know many people think they will spend the day one-on-one with a dolphin. That's not the case. I also think many guests don't truly keep in mind that weather is a variable that can't be predicted or changed, and so are disappointed when Mother Nature is unkind (yet its always a risk for outdoor activities).
The activities and amenities at Discovery Cove are fabulous. We have been twice, once with the dolphin swim and once without. Both days were some of the most incredible, relaxing, amazing times we have had as a family in Orlando. I think you will love it, as long as you do your research as to what you are getting (ie a small group session with the dolphins that only takes about 30-45 minutes out of your entire day) and understand that you can't predict the weather.
tiggspring
DIS Veteran: When I stop talking you'll know I'm d
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All I can say is OMG hand down one of the BEST experiences of our lives. I would not hesitate to go back. My kids 7,10,13 LOVED it. Only complaint pictures were expensive.
Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina
Life is short. Live it well.
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Hmmm........let's see if I can help.
As far as alcohol? I have no idea
. We are not drinkers, so someone else will have to chip in there.For food.......here's what I can remember (though I am sure there's more that's just slipped my mind):
Breakfast had scrambled eggs, sausages, home fries, french toast sticks (my fave
) several different types of cereals, several different muffins, pastries, various breads, yogurt, assorted whole fruits, chocolate and white milks, coffee, tea, juice, and soda. Lunch offered chicken tenders, fries, hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, jambalaya, salads, sandwiches, fruit, chocolate cake, carrot cake, and cookies. I know I am missing more items.....I am almost 100% sure they had fish (but we're not seafood eaters, so its not something we tried) and I'm pretty certain they had Asian (or a similarly-styled) chicken dish too.
Snacks? They had soft pretzels, frozen lemonade, chips, peanuts, granola bars, and more. We pretty much stuck with the soft pretzels and the frozen lemonade as they are the favourites of my guys.
mjohnson96
DIS Veteran
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- May 20, 2009
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We love it, have been every year and this year I get to go without the kids so a different experience without a little one to chase.
Never had an issue there, the water is great and not murky at all. I have done the dolphin swim once and it was alot of fun but now I use my annual pass to get a little bit lower rate on just a day pass now.
Food is really nice, you get a real hot breakfast with eggs, bacon, juice and then lots of choices for lunch such as salmon, burgers, chicken, sides etc.
For alcohol, I usually stick to the beer but they do have wine and frozen drinks as well. They have tons of snacks, from chips to icecream too.
It is well worth the experience, last year it rained and we had to get out of the water for about 30 minutes but then all clear and back in again we went.
Never had an issue there, the water is great and not murky at all. I have done the dolphin swim once and it was alot of fun but now I use my annual pass to get a little bit lower rate on just a day pass now.
Food is really nice, you get a real hot breakfast with eggs, bacon, juice and then lots of choices for lunch such as salmon, burgers, chicken, sides etc.
For alcohol, I usually stick to the beer but they do have wine and frozen drinks as well. They have tons of snacks, from chips to icecream too.
It is well worth the experience, last year it rained and we had to get out of the water for about 30 minutes but then all clear and back in again we went.
NauroraJbelle
Earning My Ears
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- Aug 1, 2007
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We were there in early February. It was amazing. The Reef was amazing for snorkeling the water was not murky. The drink choices that I remember were a frozen mango drink (I liked this
maybe a frozen pina colada, a margarita type drink, beer, and wine. I don't remember if there was anything else. There were snacks and I thought the breakfast and lunch were great.
We can't wait to go back some time. I would probably skip the dolphin swim when we go again but I'm glad that we did it. Just a 1 time thing for me due to the expense.
Have a great time!!
maybe a frozen pina colada, a margarita type drink, beer, and wine. I don't remember if there was anything else. There were snacks and I thought the breakfast and lunch were great. We can't wait to go back some time. I would probably skip the dolphin swim when we go again but I'm glad that we did it. Just a 1 time thing for me due to the expense.
Have a great time!!
I haven't been since 2009, but back then the water was clear all around, a little murkier in the dolphin lagoons than in the snorkeling area, river and string ray area. But, still pretty clear.
And in regards to the dolphin swim being over priced. I didn't feel it was, but my reason for not feeling it was overpriced is because the ticket with the dolphin swim includes your admission to discovery cove for the day, your brief dolphin swim, your breakfast and lunch, plus beers and snacks throughout the day, and admission to Sea World(and Aquatica is now also included in the price). If you figure most dolphin swims are usually around $99-$200 on their own at other places, and then figure the cost of tickets to Sea World/Aquatica plus meals I think it's fairly priced.
And the day was well worth it in my opinion.
And in regards to the dolphin swim being over priced. I didn't feel it was, but my reason for not feeling it was overpriced is because the ticket with the dolphin swim includes your admission to discovery cove for the day, your brief dolphin swim, your breakfast and lunch, plus beers and snacks throughout the day, and admission to Sea World(and Aquatica is now also included in the price). If you figure most dolphin swims are usually around $99-$200 on their own at other places, and then figure the cost of tickets to Sea World/Aquatica plus meals I think it's fairly priced.
And the day was well worth it in my opinion.
mndisneylovinmom
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Bearybear
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