DC-Where to plunk bags first thing? And get best seats.

[seashell724]

I am doing the dolphin encounter. My husband is not. We are planning on getting there early so where should we rush to get the best seats for the day? Hopefully my husband can video tape me while I'm doing the experience from across the pool area.
Please help!

 

[airhead]

Relax! You don't have to rush for seats! The staff will let you enter the resort after you're given a swim time and show you to your lockers.Then,someone will show you were to get your wetsuit/jacket. After that,you can go get some breakfast and then its up to you to HAVE FUN!!!

 

[seashell724]

Thanks,
I have heard that it is best to claim some seats across from the dolphin cove.
Would anyone agree?

 

[Squirlz]

I guess if you want to be near the dolphin cove! I don't see how it makes any difference personally. Just find a spot that looks comfortable to you.

 

[JoyMouse]

The staff will allow your husband to go to a spot where he can get a good shot of your swim. They are really good about making sure that all needs are met. We didn't stop for long enough to need "good" seats while we were there, but there seemed to be plenty of them. Have fun!

 

[HopperFan]

I would not want to be near the dolphin beach. Overall minimal time will be spent there and most your time would be over by the coral reef, resort pool etc. They do have lots of covered chairs though by dolphin.

As far as your dolphin, your DH can stand right at water's edge to take photos. I did that I didn't even know the people Here are a couple I took with NO zoom so you can see how close you get.

We like the purple/yellow spot on map. Back row for us has shade. Seating between resort pool and dolphin area has some with umbrellas/tables attached. We like it because we go back and forth from Coral Reef and Resort pool (lazy river), snack bar is there, bathrooms are there......most our time is in that area so nice to be near your stuff and chairs.

Let me know if you want pictures of seating areas.

 

[snowbunny]

where should we rush to get the best seats for the day?

First of all as others have said, you don't need to rush. Secondly you are not going to want to stay in the same area all day. There are very few people on the beach near the dolphin encounter, your DH will have no problems getting a good shot of you.

 

[christinou]

We also felt that we had to find the best spot, and I really thought about it, we ended up putting our things in between the rays and the pool, and we never sat there all day, we were too busy doing everything else.

 

[seashell724]

Thanks everyone for the info.
HopperFan, thank you so much for all the details and pictures. That is incredible. I think we will take your advice and plunk ourselves around where you mentioned. Then, my hubby can watch from the waters edge when I do the dolphin encounter. Hopefully on our day there will not be too many people there. I would love to see more pictures of seating areas and anything else you have too. Feel free to PM me if you wish.

christinou, I think we will be like you and be so busy all day. But I am glad you understand. This day is really special for me (us) and I am just trying to get my bearings beforehand. Thanks for your great comment.

Everyone, I guess I shouldn't have said "rush" to good seats since some people seem to think this is not positive. I don't mean "RUSH". I mean be focused and know where we are going I guess.

 

[snowbunny]

I don't mean "RUSH". I mean be focused and know where we are going I guess.

What we're trying to tell you is you don't have to be so focused -- it's just impossible to do DC park-commando style. Anyway, you'll see.

 

[HopperFan]

This photo is the seating by Dolphin Swim. You can see dolphin water slightly on the left.

This is from my purple spot looking over the resort pool/lazy river to the land before the dolphin swim area.

From my spot looking left to the coral reef swim area.

From my spot looking left and further away to the sting ray area.

From my spot looking straight to the snack bar.

From my spot looking right to the resort pool/lazy river. (oh and lazy river goes through the tunnel behind the waterfall.

 

[HopperFan]

Everyone, I guess I shouldn't have said "rush" to good seats since some people seem to think this is not positive. I don't mean "RUSH". I mean be focused and know where we are going I guess.

I totally understand. The first time we went we were lucky it was a weekday in off season on a dreary day. We literally had park to ourselves. We were able to locate a central seat to the main activity, under a palm tree for shade, and bushes behind us for "privacy". I don't enjoy being in a long line of seats with more behind me. Tree was also great when the rain came and my stuff was fairly covered.

Second trip we arrived about 15 minutes after declared opening, and while the park was probably not full, it was alot more people than before. We found we missed the first set of lockers and were sent to the next set at the far end of the dolphin swim. Not only was it far from all, but we spent 30-40 minutes in lines and getting all our gear etc. We did get our seats because we knew where to go, but within minutes our entire row was full.

No you don't spend much time there BUT it was a place to stop, rest, have a snack & drink.........snorkeling is tiring and the lazy river is deep and a workout. We needed to sit every couple hours.

Next time I will arrive prior to opening rather than chance the lines and longer walk to locker and gear.

Have a great time - I just love it there !

 

[seashell724]

HopperFan, thanks for all the GREAT pictures. They make me so excited to go there! Thanks for understanding what I mean too...your post seemed to perfectly explain what I am asking this question for. Ahhh...looks like Paradise.

 

[HopperFan]

This is actually the hard left view of the coral reef from our seats...

This is looking at our row of seats...along the shrubbery

The lazy river is really nice, take your googles one time so you can look at the stuff they put on the bottom....

You also can enter the Aviary via the lazy river. You go under a water wall on either side to keep the birds in...

Coral Reef........larger than it looks, you really can't get it all in photo...

Coral Reef...notice folks standing but just to right of them drops off deep..

Sting Ray pool........

Musical entertainment at lunch.......

HINT: Two things I learned that I wished I had utilized the first trip.

(1) Wearing a "ski" vest over your wetsuit or wet vest makes snorkeling so much easier. I didn't use one, but my DS did....who is an excellent swimmer but has stamina issues, he had a wonderful time snorkeling non-stop hours this trip with the vest. Last time we had to stop so often just for him to catch his breath. Water is very deep in most areas.

(2) Lazy river is deep and alot of work in places. Take one of their noodles and float with it. What a difference. Really relaxing !

 

[pjlla]

Thanks for the hints about the ski vest. DS (almost 10 ) is a good swimmer, but would also get tired and winded fast, so this is a great idea. Thanks for sharing so many photos! I've been lurking over here, picking up whatever hints I can for our first time at DC in April. ........................P

 

[airhead]

Its really is amazing! Best thing we ever did and can't wait for the 4th of July for our day at DC!!

 

[seashell724]

Is the water a nice temp. or is it cold? Like, will I want/have to wear my wet suit all day to help me with the water temp?

 

[Databoy]

Thanks for the tip on the WS vests for snorkeling. I have one son that will definitely tire from the effort - are the vests available at DC or do you have to provide your own? Thanks

 

[Squirlz]

Vests and wetsuits are provided, as are snorkels and masks.

 

[snowbunny]

Is the water a nice temp. or is it cold? Like, will I want/have to wear my wet suit all day to help me with the water temp?

The resort pool (with the lazy river) is warm. The fish and ray pools are cooler because it they have to be for the marine life, and the dolpin pool is quite cool.