Comments - Good or Bad - Regarding Anguilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter

[Scratch42]

My DD has decided she would love to try the Anguilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter.

My question to all of you, is it any good!

Would like the Good, Bad or Ugly regarding this excursion!

TIA for all your assistance.

Scratch

 

[PeachyK]

I did that excursion with my DD (10), DS (7), and DH. We really enjoyed it. I did a detailed trip report about this which I have tried to link here. It is way back in the trip reports because we went in May 2003.

Suffice it to say, we loved it and felt it was a great experience. If you have any more questions let me know.


http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=383992


PeachyK

 

[Scratch42]

The only part I don't like that there is no time for shopping! Oh well, maybe I can get somebody to pick up that GuavaBerry stuff for me!

Thanks again!

BTW, which colour band did you have and can you pick which group goes first?

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[TheGlensideGregorys]

Great info on your report! I've been wondering about this excursion myself! DW will have her BDay while we are on our cruise. She's a huge dolphin fan, so I have been wondering about this as a gift...

 

[AnnMorin]

we are booked on it and I can't wait! We did do the stingray city last year so I am not as excited about the rays but can't wait to be with the dolphins!!

 

[AnnMorin]

and there IS a petting zoo with giraffes and it is not far from you! In Menden MA. there is a zoo called Southwick zoo. I have a picture from a few years ago of the giraffe area and the ramp you can walk up. My son was about six at the time and got to hand feed an adult giraffe and pet them. Go to southwick's and you can pet your favorite animal!

 

[Belle&TheBeasts]

Is this just for the 7 day cruise? Or can this be done on the 4 day as well?
Sounds wonderful, and your trip report is also great!
My daughter is 12 and she also loves dolphins!!


THanks for the info!!

 

[Scratch42]

This one is for the 7 day Eastern.

But as previously stated, these ones are cheaper than going to DC!

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[PeachyK]

I don't specifically remember what color band we had I think yellow, but it seemed to be very random. They just came around and gave you one, the two groups just needed to be even.

As far as what group went first in the encounter vs. on the beach again it was just random, the guy running in looked at the people standing closest to him and said, "OK we'll start with the yellow group" and so the orange group was sent to the beach for the morning.

I really liked going first, but I don't think it really would have altered the experience much, I just liked relaxing on the beach afterwards. It was spectacular.

Hopefully you will have time to shop, I think because it was so new the timing and switch off schedule wasn't really in place yet. Also the fact that Disney doesn't really run this, Dolphin Fantaseas does.

Enjoy, it was great!

 

[Scratch42]

PeachyK - my DD would like to know if they are slimey!?!



Kids ask the darnest things!

Scratch

 

[PeachyK]

An excellent question!!!

I was quite suprised to find that they feel incredibly smooth and quite rubbery! (is that a word?)

It's hard to describe, but definitely not slimey.

 

[Scratch42]

She's a Happy Camper now!

She will forgive the fish in the Ocean and the fact that the water is salty but noooooooo waaaaaaaay will she put up with slimey!LOL

I guess that's one excursion decided!



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[bassoongirl]

After reading PeachyK's wonderful trip report, I decided that this excursion sounds perfect for my family. My children are 12 and 9, and were very jealous when my husband and I did the Dolphin Encounter in Freeport and the Snorkeling with Stingrays Excursion on Blue Lagoon Island on a Carnival Cruise a couple years ago. It is a little expensive, though.

My question is - Do most people do this excursion on their own or through Disney? I went to the Dolphin Fantaseas website. The cost there is $140 per person versus $180 for Disney. That's quite a cost savings! If you do the excursion on your own, are you free to leave any time you want? I don't want to be late for the ship's departure and would like a little time to check out St. Maarten. Thanks for your help.

Gayl

 

[AnnMorin]

They limit the day to only DCL people that day and that to only 60! If you add it what it would cost to get to Anguilla, cab fare to the site, lunch etc, it really is not much more money at all. PLUS and this is a BIG PLUS the ship will not leave without you!! I find that very comforting when we do excursions that need transportation. When we did the five star to St. John two years ago we did not get back to the ship until FIVE MINS. before it's scheduled departure, I was not too worried as I knew being a DCL excursion they would not leave without me.