DC dolphin swim pictures question

[debbs0723]

Hello. We are considering taking our two girls 10,7 to DC in a couple of weeks. I was thinking all 4 of us would do the dolphin swim but now I'm not so sure. I have done this before in the past before I was married, but my husband and girls have not. I'm not horribly opposed to the extra expense of the dolphin swim for me but I'm wondering if I will be able to get better pictures and still watch them. I've heard you can do this from the shore but I wasn't sure if I would miss it all. I can't say that after spending that much for 4 of us to go to the park that I'm also going to want to drop $150-$200 for a couple of pictures and a DVD.

Thoughts?


Thanks,
Debbie

 

[Lynne G]

The additional cost was worth it to me. I was there with my 2 kids (my DH is military and couldn't come with us). So, I had no way of photographing the kids and I in the water with the dolphin.

I did see many family members/friends taking pictures from the shore and the rocks along the shore. I don't know how good their pictures were.

The photographer is in the water with you and takes alot of shots. You get all the shots of you and your family that he takes with the photo packages. Also, there is a photographer in the bird place, and she took pictures of my kids and the birds that we also got on our CD.

I think I picked the mid priced package. It was 6 paper mounted 5x7s, four wallets, and 2 key chain frames, as well as the CD, and our free initial family picture in a paper frame, and a ceramic sea motif picture frame (5x7 size). For me, it was a great memory reminder of our very fun experience with the dolphin. Dash was a very friendly dolphin.

 

[petals]

They've changed the picture packages since I was there last time and I thought the prices were more reasonable this year and you can get all your photos on disc as well if you want

 

[Brownsfan317]

Below are a few of the pics that they took. It was only my DS and I so we did not have anyone on the beach taking pictures. I think where we were at in the water would have made it difficult to get good pictures. As you can see in the shot of us together, our backs are to the beach. Most of the spots I think would have been ok. A camera with a great zoom would be a big help because a lot of the groups end up a little ways off the beach.

The good thing is you view the pics before you decide to purchase the pictures/cd/dvd.

 

[GypsyOBRN]

It was worth the price of the photos from discovery cove. We gave it much debate & thought prior to going but like others said, where you have to stand to take the picture does not make for the best location, even with a great camera & lens. One discussion we kept coming back to was, we spent the money to have this experience, we want the pictures as memories. Even if you go back to DC, your kids will never be the same age again.

We had Grandparents taking the pictures on land while we were in the water with the kids & still bought the package, even though we got some great photos from our camera too. Here's the thread with our pictures: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2838240

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I was thinking all 4 of us would do the dolphin swim but now I'm not so sure. I have done this before in the past before I was married, but my husband and girls have not.

I can't say that after spending that much for 4 of us to go to the park that I'm also going to want to drop $150-$200 for a couple of pictures and a DVD.

We were just there on Sunday (New Years Day). I cannot say enough about how wonderful and beautiful a place this was.

My personal thoughts are that some places are best enjoyed as a family. I know my son would not have wanted mom to be watching from the shore (even to take pics) while he and his dad enjoyed the dolphin swim. They both would have felt as if their were leaving me out, which would have defeated some of their enjoyment of the activity.

It was wonderful for us all to take part in a really special experience and know that the capturing of the memories were left for the DC photographers to worry about. For me, it was hugely valuable for all of us to be able to do something together. If it were my kids, I would want to be there and see their faces (up close) and listen to their giggles as they touched and kissed a dolphin for the first time. That would be worth every penny of the additional cost of that 4th dolphin swim.

We purchased the $125 package from the dolphin swim, and thought it was a very reasonable value. We received the CD of all photos (44 pictures in total for 3 people) which features each picture in both high resolution (for printing) and low resolution (for emailing). It also included a selection of 6 x 8 photos (five or six, I think....maybe more though, because it seemed like a lot in the bag) in beautiful cardboard display frames, some smaller pictures (just a few, left over from the keychain prints), two photo keychains, and a gorgeous ceramic frame (to fit any of the 6 x 8 pics). We did not get the DVD. A larger package was also available for $219 but honestly we knew we didn't want or need some of the extras it came with (poster, etc.) so the smaller package was perfect for us.

The people at the photo viewing place were great. No pressure, very friendly. You can also choose to just purchase single pictures if you prefer not to break the bank, and they are only $20 each.....so maybe that would be a good option as well (one of the family, or one each of the girls).

Have a great time, whatever you decide about the photos and the dolphin swim.

 

[Violet Crayon]

It depends what your standards are for photos, but like others have said, the places you will be able to stand do not offer the greatest shot. Most of the time their backs will be to you, or an extreme side angle in which other guests (taller or bigger) will probably block them from your view. If you have a really nice zoom then you can stand on the other side of the pool for a frontal view of some locations. The DC photographers and videographers are also going to move locations during the interaction to get their best shot, which also might end up in your shot from the beach. There is also a set time for everything during the interaction, so if you miss the kiss shot or the trainer blocked one of your children from view it is asking a lot of the dolphins to reset the shot until you get one (I have witnessed pushy parents from the rocks yelling at the trainers to set things up). While it is an added cost, the photographers are the best and most sure way to get clear shots of the key moments, and also allow you to enjoy everything with your family.