We were there last Sept., on the 9th and as happens alot in the afternoon a storm starting approaching the park.
Here's the storm coming at about 3:50 p.m.
We noticed the lifeguards moving around, looking like they were doing something. What was really funny to us were alot of the guests were saying to their party that we have to leave, there's a storm coming-I guess they were worried about getting wet?
They were running around like rats leaving a sinking ship! At this point the storm was still quite a distance away. So we took our time, got some snack, rinsed off etc. in the between the ray pool, coral reef, and the warm pool. Eventually the lifeguards started walking towards us and I asked if we had to leave, and they said yes, we needed to leave the beach area as a storm was coming. So by this time most of the guests had left the area and started to leave the park (after waiting in the really long line to get their free pix). We turned in our equipment, walked around a little bit trying to decide if we wanted to wait in line for our free pix. Then I overhead a guest asking a lifeguard about something she heard. She said she heard they were going to reopen the beach, he said he heard that too. She said she heard they were going to stay open later, he said he heard that too. Hmmm.... now what were we going to do? We discussed it and decided if they were going to reopen, we were going to stay until they kicked us out. Only problem was that we had turned in our equipment. We went back to get some more and the staff said they didn't have any new equipment in the shack but she would go get us some. She came back in about 5-10 mins. with gear for 3 of us. (My DSis decided not to get back in
).
This was the beach area entrance after they cleared it.
I think they reopened at about 5 p.m., or so. IT WAS WONDERFUL! I had an awesome time. For awhile, I had the Coral Reef all to myself!
Since the fish had been alone for awhile, they were really relaxed and I actually had to stop myself from running into them as they came right up to me. The huge rays were inches from my face! I was in paradise!
Very few people stayed. If I had to guess I would say we saw maybe 10-20 people.
Here's a pix of some of the large rays resting at the entrance of the coral reef. Again, if I had wanted to I could have touched them.
We had almost an hour in the mostly desserted park. It was so great, I can't even tell you!
We left DC just after 6. A few things I learned from that trip were:
1. If a storm is approaching, unless they instruct you to leave the park, wait around, it'll probably be re-opened. I figure they really want to finish all the Dolphin Swims they have scheduled or they have to give them a re-admission.
2. Don't turn in your gear. Hold onto until you leave.
3. Get your free pix during the day-don't wait until the end. Or, better yet, have your DSis get it for you while you are "swimming with the fishes"
Oh, and the storm never did hit the park, it veered off-no rain fell.
Here is DC Hurricane Policy (from their website)
"Peace of mind" Hurricane Policy(Top)
In the event a named tropical storm or hurricane approaches Orlando, Tampa, or a guest's hometown, the parks will reschedule or refund any vacation package and/or individual park tickets booked through SeaWorld Vacations, Busch Gardens Vacations, DiscoveryCove.com, SeaWorld.com, or BuschGardens.com. The parks will not apply any cancellation or change fees for this service. For additional Discovery Cove information call 1-877-4-DISCOVERY.
HTH.
Great Pics!!!
