DC and SW one day?

[LoveToTravel2001]

We have a dolphin experience schedule for Feb 1st at DC. We plan to be there at 7:30 for check in and hope to get an early swim time. We would also like to get go to SW after since it's included. SW closes at 6:00 that day. I know it is generally not busy at this time of year but should I plan to get Quick Que passes to maximize what we can get done? DD 11 is a huge coaster fan. We will not need to feed the dolphins since we will have just come from swimming with them. We also do not need to everything at both parks obviously. OR is it crazy to even try to each park for half the day?
Also, for feed the rays and seals/sea lions, do they occur at certain times of day? When DH and I went to SW years ago and there were no set times then.
We are limited to how much time we can spend there as it is a short trip for DH 50th and our 20th. We will spend most of our time at US/IoA as we are staying on site.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

If it were me I would definitely NOT try to do both parks in one day. Discovery Cove is really an all day deal if you do the DOlphin swim.

We had such an amazing time there and ATE SO MUCH FOOD. All the food and snacks is included and we ate every chance we got.

But you can spend all day and not even realize the whole day is gone.

 

[Fuhnuh]

We have been to DC three times and once the weather turned and we left in the early afternoon and went to Sea World. We were satisfied with the amount we got done at both parks but it was summer and SW was open later than 6:00 P.M. The other two times we stayed until closing. The shows (e.g., Sea Lion, Pets Ahoy, Shamu) can eat up the time though. I don't have any experience the Quick Queue system. The ray feeding were in a little manmade pond that seemed to be always open during our last three visits.

If you do decide to go to both make sure that you get to DC before opening to get an early Dolphin swim time. It might not be a problem when you are going but last summer we got to DC right when they started letting people in and received an after 12 noon swim. If you swim early (brr?), you can see how you are enjoying the park and make a decision as you enjoy the DC surroundings.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

Thanks for the info. My thinking is it could be cold that day so we will only want to do some things at DC. I don't see DD keeping a wetsuit on all day to keep warm. She's very tactile defensive and it may be a struggle just for her to wear it for the swim. We definitely plan to get there first thing in the morning. They start registering guests at 7:30, we'll be there at 7:30. Could be a cold dolphin swim but if its that cold, I don't think it will make that much of a difference if its 9:00 am or 11:30.