Best place to swim with dolphins?

[Laneyg]

I've heard about Discovery Cove and came across a groupon for somewhere near Coco Beach - Paradise something... But it had bad reviews on Trip Advisor.

Where is the best place? We will have three 8 year olds and they'd love to swim with dolphins!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I highly recommend a visit to Discovery Cove. While the dolphin interaction is only about a half hour, the entire park makes for an amazing day and an incredible experience for kids and adults alike.

The cost of DC initially might seem prohibitive, but if you use the inclusions to their fullest (14 days admission to SeaWorld and 14 days admission to Aquatica...can be used either before or after your DC day, or both) plus consider that your breakfast, lunch, all snacks, all beverages (including alcohol), parking, a 6 x 8 family photo (one per reservation group), sunscreen, and snorkel are all included.......it really is quite decently priced.

The Dol-Fun Paradise Tours does get horrific reviews....I believe there may have even been some posted on this board some time back.

You may want to hop on over to the SeaWorld/Discovery Cove forum on these boards. We have lots of discussion over there about Discovery Cove and the dolphin swims . You can go there directly by clicking here:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

 

[aussieGeorge68]

While I am really loved the Dolphin Swim, Discovery cove offers much more than the dolphin swim. Our epic Holiday in 2012 included universal Studios, all the disney parks and a disney cruise and I can easily rate discovery cove as the best of this trip.

Free food, limited numbers and exceeding clean. Its a truely relaxed luxury experience.

 

[marcray]

Discovery Cove is pricey. My daughter loved the dolphin swim but it is pretty fast.
If your kids love birds, then you will have a great experience. You can stay with the birds, feeding them as long as you want.

 

[happymommy]

I agree that Discovery Cove is amazing! I'm actually thinking about going again this spring with DH and DD (DS won't be along on this trip) but skipping the dolphin swim (kids did it last time; I watched and took photos and DH wasn't along that trip).

It is an amazing day! We got there about 8:00am and didn't leave till they were closing (seriously, we were among the very last to leave!). Had a great breakfast, explored the place, then the kids did their dolphin encounter, then spent so much time feeding the birds and learning about them in the aviary, doing the lazy river, snorkeling, eating, enjoying the included beer and lots of snacks... It was a full day and felt like a private island resort.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Discovery Cove is pricey.

Crunching the numbers......

A 10 day, one-park-per-day, non-hopping and non-waterpark ticket to Disney = $339 plus tax. This includes no food or parking.

My one day admission to Discovery Cove is $249 plus tax (and that includes the dolphin swim.....if that is eliminated, admission would only be $179). This same ticket also allows me 14 days unlimited admission (including hopping between parks in the same day) to both SeaWorld and Aquatica. For an additional $22, I can also add unlimited admission to Busch Gardens. For $30, I can add on an unlimited parking pass to SW & Aquatica (for $40, you can include BG....or you can use their free shuttle and be transported back and forth to that park at no charge). Then factor in that your day at DC also provides unlimited breakfast, lunch, snacks, beverages (including alcohol), free parking, and a complimentary family photo.

My date is mid-range for DC as far as pricing goes. Other seasons (we are going in late August) are cheaper, so your savings could be even greater.

I find DC to be far less expensive than Disney.

 

[MinnieForMe]

You'll have to check their site but I believe you can swim with a dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium (where Winter lives). However, Discovery Cove was the highlight of our trip. I would give up a week in Disney for another day there!