Clearwater aquarium? Anyone.....

[cavesrus]

Didn't see anything on Clearwater area so went to general. W r going n nov start trip at CW then to wiki for a part day. Anyone been to see winter the dolphin at Clearwater aquarium if so how long was u there the building looks very small. Any info would be great. After there sea world 2 days then disney blt here we come for a week!

 

[cavesrus]

To the top anyone?

 

[siskaren]

You're asking about a non-Disney attraction in the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies board. You'll probably have better luck asking in the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[mikkithemouse]

I've been to see winter, I can't remember how long we were there but I really enjoyed it. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

 

[mguedes]

I was there last year and really liked it. I spent around 4 hours there.
I took the paid tour and attended the talk on winter.

How long you are doing to spend there depends if you are taking the tour, eating there and how long you will be just watching Winter.

 

[POB14]

We went about a year and a half ago. Took us about a half day, but we didn't do the bus ride over to where they keep the movie props. We did see most, if not all, of the interpretative programs; they are very good.

It's well worth the trip. Winter is a real showoff, and there are a good many other animals too (turtles, otters, a couple of sharks). They're primarily a rescue facility, so sometimes it depends on which animals are fit for public display.

mguedes refers to eating there - I don't remember any food on site; I recall us driving to a nearby McDonald's after our visit.

 

[cavesrus]

Thanks for moving post! Ty for info we r going n nov. trying to decide if worth chopping day off sea world stay extra day at Clearwater or if we can squeeze n winter then drive to wiki be there by 130 or just 3 o'clock show.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I went a couple of years ago and we managed to meet Winter while she wasn't wearing her prosthetic, and we even got our picture taken with the actual prosthetic. There are other animals to look at, including other dolphins, turtles, and stingrays (which you get to "pet").

We also went on one of their boat rides, which teaches you about what Clearwater Marine Aquarium does, informs you about the marine wildlife in the area, offers you a chance to see dolphins in "the wild" (it's not really the wild when you can see Hulk Hogan's house on the beach), and has a stop on a tiny island to collect a few shells.

It was very informative and fun! Good for all ages.

Things have definitely changed since I went. I had gone two weeks before the movie aired in theatres, and you could tell they hadn't been prepared for such an influx of new tourists. Things are probably much better, and you probably won't have to park on the grass, like we did.

I should also mention, this isn't like Seaworld at all. Clearwater Marine Aquarium takes animals from the wild in order to bring them back to health and release them. Winter can never be released, because she would be unable to survive on her own. But I'm just saying, don't expect amazing shows like Seaworld does. This place promotes protecting the wilderness rather than keeping marine animals in captivity.

 

[JohnstonMandy]

We went in September. We started at the movie-themed part in downtown CW and took the boat over to the aquarium, which was great fun for DD4 because dolphins swam alongside the boat! The aquarium is in the middle of a large expansion and they seem to have gotten a handle on the new influx of tourists. A ton of great programs and my daughter was able to get a pic holding Winter's tail. The show was great but sometimes the dolphins aren't very cooperative - they don't push them to perform, but if they do, great!!

It was a great way to spend a day and we look forward to going back!!