Blue Lagoon Beach/ Dolphin question

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Okay, for reasons much discussed but still unknown Disney charges 3 yo's to $88.50 to do the Dolphin Excursion, even though Dolphoin Encounters says 3yos are free for this program. Soo, I am trying to think of anyway I can possibly not pay the full $88 (I am more then willing to pay a transportation and other fees for him). I could book directly through Dolphin Encounters and save a substantial amount of money for myself, dh, and dd, and not pay anything for ds. However I've never been able to figure out a safe way to get the kids to the Paradise Island Ferry pickup without carseats to meet the dolphin encounters ferry.

So I thought of two other possibilites. I could book dh, dd, and myself for the dolphhin encounter and see if I can book ds for the Blue Lagoon Beach day (which is included for us in the encounter). That way I am paying for his transportation, lunch and use of beach, but not for the dolphin encounter, since he would get in free with us (according to the Dolphin Encounter Customer Service). Or the second option I thought of is I could book all of us with the Blue Lagoon Beach Day through Disney, and book the Dolphin Encounter separately directly through the company. I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that I can walk from the Blue Lagoon Beach area to the Dolphin program. The first solution I thought of would cost us $338, the second would cost $377. To book all 4 of us on the Dolphin Encounter program through Disney would be $404. To just book all 4 of us (ds being free) directly through Dolphin Encounters is just $255 plus transportation, but again no one has been able to tell me a safe way to transport the kids there without carseats, so that is not an option right now.

What would you do? Would you just suck up the cost and do it the easy way? Am I asking for trouble trying to do it another way? I feel wierd whining about this cost in comparison to the cost of this trip, but I would rather spend the money buying souvenirs or photos, then on something I'm not even sure ds will fully participate in (and I will be holding him, so I might not get to much either). Dh and DD are dead set on doing this excursion and there is no changing their mind. Believe me, I really wanted to go to Atlantis so I tried, but dh never asks for anything on vacations and happily goes along with wherever I want, and he asked to do this... soo it'll be his anniversary present (that day is actually our anniversary).

Thanks for any and all advice or personal experience!!!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Thought of one more option.. I'll book dh and dd directly through Disney for the dolphin encounter. I'll book ds and myself for the Blue Lagoon Beach day, and then book the two of us directly through dolphin encounters for the dolphin program. That is a total of $348 (saving $56 over booking all of us through disney for the dolhpin program). And Disney shouldn't have a problem with it because ds is not booked on a separte excursion from an adult (as he would be with my first option above). The problem with this plan is dh and dd would probably go in a different group then ds and I. Ugh this is way to frustrating...

 

[UGAFan0829]

I think you might be right about you having to go seperately if you book seperately. Another thing that I was thinking of when you mentioned booking the Beach Day for some and the Dolphin Encounter for the others is that the fact that the different excursions all meet as a group in different places, so that might make it hard to meet up with each other. I don't know for sure if you would be getting to the island via the same way.

As far as a safe means of transportation, I know that you can take water taxis, or ferrys instead of having to worry about a regular taxi. There is a place there that you walk through right after getting off of the ship, and they offer all kinds of transportation around the island. I know there are several ferrys that go to Paradise Island. So, really you should be able to find some kind of safe transportation for you and your kids. I understand you worrying. And I understand you not wanting to pay for your 3-year old thru DCL if he wouldn't be charged if going directly thru the company.

Good luck! I hope that you're able to work something out, as the Dolphin Encounter is something that the DH and I thoroughly enjoyed. I wouldn't want you to miss it!

 

[chasbos]

I also agree that you will likely have to go seperate if you do not book all of you with Disney. When we went in January the only people at the Dolphin Encounter were from the ship and then later on in the day more ferries brought other people directly to the Dolphin Encounter dock (we docked a little ways over and had to walk on the beach and around the Dolphin Encounter to get there).

I have also heard of people trying to book directly through the Dolphin Encounters and have been told that it is full.

It is a great day and it is really something that you should experience as a family. My kids still talk about the Dolphin spitting water in DH face and mine also!

I am also not sure why you are concerned about car seats? You have to take a ferry over to Blue Lagoon Island - it is the only way to get there.

I would think for the actual price difference you would be more comfortable booking through Disney. You walk off the ship in a large group (with an escort) and they walk you to the ferry that is going to the island. Then you have to choice to leave at 2 pm or 4 pm to return to the ship.

We have 4 kids (13-6) and we felt the most comfortable going with the Disney excursion. But that is just my 2 cents!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Thanks for the advice/opinions! I really appreciate it!!! We are first time cruisers so this is all new to us.

Chasbos, the reason I was concerned about carseats is if I booked directly through Dolphin Encounters I would have to get us all to the Paradise Island ferry and everyone I spoke with said taxi was the way to go. But I won't put my kids in a taxi without a carseat (also won't lug a carseat around all day just for that). But UGAFAN mentioned water taxis so I'll check into that.

I agree I would feel more comfortable just booking us all through Disney. It just rubs me the wrong way that Disney charges soo much for a 3 yo when Dolphin Encounters says they should be free (for good reason, since they often don't make it through the whole program, meaning the parent doesn't get too either). I know, I know... quit whining huh!! It would be worth it to me to just suck it up and book us all together, Wouldn't be much fun splitting up from dh on our 7th wedding anniversary, and I don't want to miss the look on dd's face either.

Thanks!!

 

[chasbos]

You are right - the way they drive in Nassau you do not want your kids without a carseat! It was crazy when we walked around the town for awhile - it was one way traffic on some streets and people would just park there cars in the middle of the road and everyone else would have to drive around!

Disney does have some very aggrevating rules to there exursions! But you will forget all about them when you get on board and get the Disney treatment - it is just magical! And you will never forget the looks on your childrens faces when they get to interact with the dolphins - that is priceless.

Have fun planning your vacation! It will all be worth it in the end!

 

[surfer_ed]

I am thinking about the Blue Lagoon Beach Day and am interested in info on this excursion. We love the breach so I figured with a 1 year old, it was the best choice.

I too am concerned about car seats (dd 1 yr) and am only going if we can safely get from Wonder to the ferry for Paradise Island.

We are first time cruisers so another question I have is if you do not make port due to weather etc. do you still have to pay for excursions if they are booked?

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[chasbos]

If you book through Disney and bad weather happens - you are not charged. If you book an excursion on your own - you will be out the money.

The Blue LAgoon Beach Day leaves with the same ferry as the Dolphin Encounter and it a short walk from the Wonder to the Ferry - so no cab ride needed if you book with Disney.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Thanks. I just called and booked all 4 of us for the Dolphin Encounter. Dh is so excited. Pretty cute. He enjoys Disney alot when we are there (meaning Disneyland, this is our first DCL and first WDW), but rarely shows excitment in the planning stage (more like rolling his eyes at his OCD wife). I did quickly mention to the Cast Member that I was unhappy about the policy for a 3 yo. But I tried to be VERY nice about it, since its not like shes the one who made the policy. And I did not ask for her to anything about it. She seemed genuinely surprised that there was such a discrepance. And after she was done booking asked me to hold a bit. She came back and said she had checked into it and I was right, so she asked her supervisor, who asked her supervisor and they were going to look into it. Don't know if she was shining me on or what, but the way she handled the whole thing did make me feel better. ANYWAYS... it's booked now and I'm sure in the end it'll be more then worth it. The families reaction to me having it booked has been almost worth it already! So whining done, countdown on... 79 days till we hit WDW, 90 days till we depart PC on the Wonder!!!

 

[surfer_ed]

Thanks you for all the information.

Sounds like, if possible, it is best to book thru Disney. Easier transportation and peace of mind if bad weather happens.

Any feedback on the beach day in general? Is it good value for the money?

 

[S&D MOM]

Will Disney Let A Child < 3 On The Dolphin Excursion? Is There A Charge?