Day Five: A Magical Day at Discovery Cove followed by lots of Dinners
Our cast of characters includes: Me (Jen) 31, planner of all things Disney; Bill (DH) 32, the yin to my yang; BJ (DS) almost 14, the reason for this trip his graduation from middle school; Nico (DF) 14 BJs compadre; Bob (35) DB, Gina (35) DSIL, Steven (DN) 8, Brianna (DN) 2-1/2.
We woke up nice and early this morning. I wanted to be at Discovery Cove around 8:30, as they opened at 9:00. Bobby would be playing SuperDad, staying at the hotel with Brianna, as she was too young for this. We did see small ones there but this route allowed everyone to get the most out of their day. Bobby played at the pool with Brianna and took her to the Boardwalk. He even got a baseball fix by taking her to lunch at the ESPN Club.
Meanwhile, in Paradise
We got registered and in the door by 9:15. Let me start this by saying how well DC is run. Yes, $199 seems pricey, but lets look deeper.
They dont charge for parking or lockers or sunscreen or wet suits or snorkel gear or towels, or lunch. They do not nickel and dime you and did I mention the seven day pass to Sea World? If you add all of that up, it is nearly a bargain. It was my most relaxing day of the week.
It is at this point (check in) you schedule your dolphin swim. We wanted an early time in case the thunderstorms came a calling. Fate was with us that Tuesday though it was the ONLY day we saw NO rain!
They get everyone their badges that allow them to get lunch and gives charge privileges if desired so your wallet can stay in your locker. This way you can just walk around in your wet suit and enjoy. If you see something you want, you pull your lanyard out from under your suit, and your picture is on it so no one else can charge things to you
it was wonderful!
We got our free morning coffee and juice and took our guided tour. They took our complimentary group picture and showed us to the gear tent. We were greeted by a friendly staff that had perfect wet suits for us at first glimpse. No giving of sizes or guessing they looked at you, smiled, and gave us each a suit that fit perfectly. We headed out to pick a spot to call our own.
We parked ourselves between the freshwater snorkeling area and the ray pool. This place is amazing even without the dolphins. It is immaculately clean, there is room for everyone, and the vegetation is astounding. We took a quick lap around the freshwater course and by then it was time to head out to meet our trainers for our dolphin swim.
First we saw a quick film and were given the basic rules. We then met our trainer and went to the dolphin pool. Note: It is COLD! Some didnt see a need for wet suits in the beginning, but regretted it in the Dolphin pool. It seemed to be about 70 degrees if that.
I do not know if I can do our encounter justice. Our dolphin was Rose and she was wonderful. There was a videographer and a photographer with us at all times. This is where DC makes their money. Pictures are about $15 each for 5X7s, and the video is $60 (an hour long-40 minutes on DC and what it has, and about 20 minutes of your dolphin swim-very well done!). There are photos on my picture site (the link is at the bottom of this post)
We each got to interact with her, even taking rides. It was a blast and over before we knew it. That put us back at our cabana viewing pictures. We bought a few and headed to lunch.
Wow they said it was cafeteria style, so I expected burgers and chicken fingers. These items were available but so were grilled salmon, chicken stir fry (which was excellent!) and about eight other entrees that were presented nicer then in most restaurants. You also got a non-alcoholic drink, a salad and a dessert for free. Other alcoholic beverages were available, and there were snack stands throughout if you had the munchies during the day. You can eat anytime between 11 and 4.
As an example of snacks soft pretzels with filling $1.29 large iced tea $1.89. This place was quite reasonable.
After lunch we headed to the ray pool to feed them and play with the schools of fish. There is also a shark/barracuda tank you can see while snorkeling but not get to. This was great!
Then we headed back to the freshwater, which is a sort of snorkeling lazy river. It also leads to the aviary where you can feed birds from your hands. This entire day was great!
My only warning: the park closes at 5:30. You need to pick up your pictures, videos early! I thought I was being smart by going at 4:00 there were LOTS of other smart people like me. If you have an early swim time go get pics and video right after lunch to avoid the delays. It gets crazy at photography at the end of the day.
We stayed right until 5:30 and headed out. We went back to our Dolphin to get changed for the evening all of us in awe at how great DC was. If you have any doubts GO! Any other specific questions, feel free to ask.
We headed to DisneyQuest at about 7:00. Nico and BJ were meeting us at 10:00 so we could grab late night sushi at Kimonos at the Swan.
Bobby and Steven went to DC with BJ and Nico, while Gina, Brianna, Bill and I walked around DD. One suggestion to Disney: How about a stroller rental here? We were at a loss-taking turns carrying a two year old!
Even though we agreed to a late dinner, we were at a loss with what to do without a stroller with Gina and Bri, so we headed to Portabello Yacht Club. Gina and Bri would have dinner, and Bill and I would get appetizers. Wow this place was great! We had their Portabello Mushroom Antipasto-YUM!
Gina had steak that she loved, and Bri, Bill and I had varying small appetizer sized pizzas. They were all really good, or as Bill said, "Really GOOD!" It was one of his favorite meals...other then V & A...and reasonably priced. The waitstaff was great with Brianna too.
Afterwards, we headed to Ghiardellis so Gina could have a chocolate fix, and we shopped at World of Disney.
Meanwhile at DQ, Steven and Bobby built, rode, and videotaped their own coaster and BJ and Nico further melted their brains. We met up at about 10 at the large Virgin Megastore. Their prices are quite good for a chain.
We decided we were too tired for Karaoke, so Bill dropped Nico and I off at the Swan to get takeout and Bill and BJ would meet us at the room. We got plenty of sushi at a reasonable price, signed it to the room, and headed back.
We ended the night with more Mad Libs over sushi and we caught The Wire on HBO before turning in. It was a fantastic day!
Any questions just ask away!
Link to Photo Website
http://members2.photofun.com/Jen80370/Florida2002
Link to Day Four
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230111
Link to Day Three:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230024
Link to Day Two:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229468
Link to Day One:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=228858
Link to Preamble
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227144
Link to V & A Review
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229459
Our cast of characters includes: Me (Jen) 31, planner of all things Disney; Bill (DH) 32, the yin to my yang; BJ (DS) almost 14, the reason for this trip his graduation from middle school; Nico (DF) 14 BJs compadre; Bob (35) DB, Gina (35) DSIL, Steven (DN) 8, Brianna (DN) 2-1/2.
We woke up nice and early this morning. I wanted to be at Discovery Cove around 8:30, as they opened at 9:00. Bobby would be playing SuperDad, staying at the hotel with Brianna, as she was too young for this. We did see small ones there but this route allowed everyone to get the most out of their day. Bobby played at the pool with Brianna and took her to the Boardwalk. He even got a baseball fix by taking her to lunch at the ESPN Club.
Meanwhile, in Paradise
We got registered and in the door by 9:15. Let me start this by saying how well DC is run. Yes, $199 seems pricey, but lets look deeper.
They dont charge for parking or lockers or sunscreen or wet suits or snorkel gear or towels, or lunch. They do not nickel and dime you and did I mention the seven day pass to Sea World? If you add all of that up, it is nearly a bargain. It was my most relaxing day of the week.
It is at this point (check in) you schedule your dolphin swim. We wanted an early time in case the thunderstorms came a calling. Fate was with us that Tuesday though it was the ONLY day we saw NO rain!
They get everyone their badges that allow them to get lunch and gives charge privileges if desired so your wallet can stay in your locker. This way you can just walk around in your wet suit and enjoy. If you see something you want, you pull your lanyard out from under your suit, and your picture is on it so no one else can charge things to you
it was wonderful!We got our free morning coffee and juice and took our guided tour. They took our complimentary group picture and showed us to the gear tent. We were greeted by a friendly staff that had perfect wet suits for us at first glimpse. No giving of sizes or guessing they looked at you, smiled, and gave us each a suit that fit perfectly. We headed out to pick a spot to call our own.
We parked ourselves between the freshwater snorkeling area and the ray pool. This place is amazing even without the dolphins. It is immaculately clean, there is room for everyone, and the vegetation is astounding. We took a quick lap around the freshwater course and by then it was time to head out to meet our trainers for our dolphin swim.
First we saw a quick film and were given the basic rules. We then met our trainer and went to the dolphin pool. Note: It is COLD! Some didnt see a need for wet suits in the beginning, but regretted it in the Dolphin pool. It seemed to be about 70 degrees if that.
I do not know if I can do our encounter justice. Our dolphin was Rose and she was wonderful. There was a videographer and a photographer with us at all times. This is where DC makes their money. Pictures are about $15 each for 5X7s, and the video is $60 (an hour long-40 minutes on DC and what it has, and about 20 minutes of your dolphin swim-very well done!). There are photos on my picture site (the link is at the bottom of this post)
We each got to interact with her, even taking rides. It was a blast and over before we knew it. That put us back at our cabana viewing pictures. We bought a few and headed to lunch.
Wow they said it was cafeteria style, so I expected burgers and chicken fingers. These items were available but so were grilled salmon, chicken stir fry (which was excellent!) and about eight other entrees that were presented nicer then in most restaurants. You also got a non-alcoholic drink, a salad and a dessert for free. Other alcoholic beverages were available, and there were snack stands throughout if you had the munchies during the day. You can eat anytime between 11 and 4.
As an example of snacks soft pretzels with filling $1.29 large iced tea $1.89. This place was quite reasonable.
After lunch we headed to the ray pool to feed them and play with the schools of fish. There is also a shark/barracuda tank you can see while snorkeling but not get to. This was great!
Then we headed back to the freshwater, which is a sort of snorkeling lazy river. It also leads to the aviary where you can feed birds from your hands. This entire day was great!
My only warning: the park closes at 5:30. You need to pick up your pictures, videos early! I thought I was being smart by going at 4:00 there were LOTS of other smart people like me. If you have an early swim time go get pics and video right after lunch to avoid the delays. It gets crazy at photography at the end of the day.
We stayed right until 5:30 and headed out. We went back to our Dolphin to get changed for the evening all of us in awe at how great DC was. If you have any doubts GO! Any other specific questions, feel free to ask.
We headed to DisneyQuest at about 7:00. Nico and BJ were meeting us at 10:00 so we could grab late night sushi at Kimonos at the Swan.
Bobby and Steven went to DC with BJ and Nico, while Gina, Brianna, Bill and I walked around DD. One suggestion to Disney: How about a stroller rental here? We were at a loss-taking turns carrying a two year old!
Even though we agreed to a late dinner, we were at a loss with what to do without a stroller with Gina and Bri, so we headed to Portabello Yacht Club. Gina and Bri would have dinner, and Bill and I would get appetizers. Wow this place was great! We had their Portabello Mushroom Antipasto-YUM!
Gina had steak that she loved, and Bri, Bill and I had varying small appetizer sized pizzas. They were all really good, or as Bill said, "Really GOOD!" It was one of his favorite meals...other then V & A...and reasonably priced. The waitstaff was great with Brianna too.
Afterwards, we headed to Ghiardellis so Gina could have a chocolate fix, and we shopped at World of Disney.
Meanwhile at DQ, Steven and Bobby built, rode, and videotaped their own coaster and BJ and Nico further melted their brains. We met up at about 10 at the large Virgin Megastore. Their prices are quite good for a chain.
We decided we were too tired for Karaoke, so Bill dropped Nico and I off at the Swan to get takeout and Bill and BJ would meet us at the room. We got plenty of sushi at a reasonable price, signed it to the room, and headed back.
We ended the night with more Mad Libs over sushi and we caught The Wire on HBO before turning in. It was a fantastic day!
Any questions just ask away!
Link to Photo Website
http://members2.photofun.com/Jen80370/Florida2002
Link to Day Four
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230111
Link to Day Three:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230024
Link to Day Two:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229468
Link to Day One:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=228858
Link to Preamble
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227144
Link to V & A Review
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229459
! It sounds like a great place. I know that they only allow a certain number of guests in for the day but , other than the photo place at the end of the day, did it feel crowded? One other question. You said you noticed a lot of little ones there. My ds will be 5 on our next trip. I believe you have to be 6 to do the dolphin swim but do you think it would still be worth paying for him to go? Do you think the other activities would provide enough for him to do all day? It does seem reasonably priced for what you get. I was figuring on one day at Discovery Cove and then two days at Seaworld which I think would really make that admission price worthwhile. Thanks for any help you can provide 
!! I'd really like to see your pics.....
