DC hours and day plan

[mth1993]

I understand that DC is open from 9 am - 5 pm with registration starting at 8.

What is the advantage to getting there for the early registration?
How late can you get there and still get an appt with the dolphins?
How early do you need to get there to get the first appt with the dolphins?
Can I wait in registration line while family rests near by?

 

[chiamarie]

I understand that DC is open from 9 am - 5 pm with registration starting at 8.

What is the advantage to getting there for the early registration?
How late can you get there and still get an appt with the dolphins?
How early do you need to get there to get the first appt with the dolphins?
Can I wait in registration line while family rests near by?

1) The main advantage (IMO) to early registration is getting an early dolphin swim. That way you can get in, get changed, go swim with the dolphins, and then relax and enjoy the rest of your day. Rather than having to check your watch and making sure you don't get lost/miss your dolphin time....or at least stress yourself out about missing your dolphin swim.

2)I'm not sure how long they do registration ; I'd assume up until 4 or so. But I'm assuming you're not arriving that late, when they close at 5. As long as you already have your dolphin swim reserved; you will get a swim time. If you haven't booked ahead of time, you HAVE to have reservations in order to go to Discovery Cove. They only allow a very small amount of guests in for the day; and only have a certain number of dolphin reservations available a day.

3) I would say you would want to get there at 8am if you want the first (or at least one of the first) dolphin swims of the day.

4) There typically isn't much of a line for registration. You will all have to be present for registration. They take everyone's picture and print you out a pass for the day to wear around your neck; this is also your ticket into whatever park you opt to get the free 14 days at.

 

[SmallWorld71]

1) The main advantage (IMO) to early registration is getting an early dolphin swim. That way you can get in, get changed, go swim with the dolphins, and then relax and enjoy the rest of your day. Rather than having to check your watch and making sure you don't get lost/miss your dolphin time....or at least stress yourself out about missing your dolphin swim.

2)I'm not sure how long they do registration ; I'd assume up until 4 or so. But I'm assuming you're not arriving that late, when they close at 5. As long as you already have your dolphin swim reserved; you will get a swim time. If you haven't booked ahead of time, you HAVE to have reservations in order to go to Discovery Cove. They only allow a very small amount of guests in for the day; and only have a certain number of dolphin reservations available a day.

3) I would say you would want to get there at 8am if you want the first (or at least one of the first) dolphin swims of the day.

4) There typically isn't much of a line for registration. You will all have to be present for registration. They take everyone's picture and print you out a pass for the day to wear around your neck; this is also your ticket into whatever park you opt to get the free 14 days at.

Also wanted to add that if you are going in the summer and want an early swim time, then you need to get there early. We went mid-August and got to DC at 7:50 and there was a fair amount of people there already. Our swim time was 9:25 which gave us enough time to get our vests, lockers, eat breakfast and apply the special sunblock that they give you (without rushing) before our swim time.

 

[KittenLittle]

We got there at 7:45,and several people were already there. My DD got the 8:40 dolphin swim time. We had plenty of time to eat breakfast and stow our stuff in our locker before she had to go to orientation. It was great to have it early so we could just relax the rest of the day!

 

[mth1993]

Great thank you. We are staying in Staragoga Springs and traveling to DC via taxi. So I now know to leave around 7:15.

I was thinking of sneaking a quick 8 am early entry to AK for a first thing safari ride then taxi to DC. Now I am leaning towards just taxi to DC.