Discovery Cove and Watercamera

[AydensMom]

I have been to Disney many times but have never ventured to Seaworld. This fall we are thinking of skipping Disney and hitting Universal and Discovery Cove/Seaworld.

I see people mentioning they bring a water camera to Discovery Cove.

Are you allowed to bring it in the water with your group for the Dolphin Swim?

Could I take pictures of my son with the dolphins and hand it off to my husband when its my turn?

I really would like some pictures but they seem so expensive.

I have swam with the the dolphins twice now in the Caribbean, so would it be better for me just to watch from outside the pool and take pictures?

 

[MarkF0wle]

I have been to Disney many times but have never ventured to Seaworld. This fall we are thinking of skipping Disney and hitting Universal and Discovery Cove/Seaworld.

I see people mentioning they bring a water camera to Discovery Cove.

Are you allowed to bring it in the water with your group for the Dolphin Swim?

Could I take pictures of my son with the dolphins and hand it off to my husband when its my turn?

I really would like some pictures but they seem so expensive.

I have swam with the the dolphins twice now in the Caribbean, so would it be better for me just to watch from outside the pool and take pictures?

You can't take it in the water with you to do the dolphin swim. They won't let you take anything not completely strapped down to you so the dolphins can't grab it. (Or as far as I know). If you don't do the swim there are beaches & rocks around to take pictures, you're pretty close to the action so I am sure it wouldn't be hard to do. They won't try to stop you. There are also people with cameras in the water to record the moments which they will sell you in packages for lots of cash or you can trade your first born.

You can take the water cameras everywhere else though wherever you snorkel & there are some pretty cool things to get pictures of on your trips around.

 

[we3peas]

We have the same dilemma. We are booking 2 different swims for that reason. My dh and dd will do one and I will do another just so we can get pictures of the event. I'm NOT up for paying over $100 for a CD of the swim.

 

[mjohnson96]

We have the same dilemma. We are booking 2 different swims for that reason. My dh and dd will do one and I will do another just so we can get pictures of the event. I'm NOT up for paying over $100 for a CD of the swim.

Make sure to have a camera with a good zoom, we bring both an underwater camera and then the DSLR with the 200 lens. Depends on what section your party is in when in the water, it is not always super easy to get the great shots. We have stood on some of the rock ledges and got some great shots with camera though both trips when the kids did the dolphin swim.

The underwater is awesome in the reef though, I have some pretty neat shots of the fish and then the one I have I can put a fisheye or extended lens on as well and was able to get some awesome pictures during the sea venture too.

 

[progs2]

There are also people with cameras in the water to record the moments which they will sell you in packages for lots of cash or you can trade your first born.
.

My first born is a teenage girl. Some days I'd trade her for the free photo from when you arrive.

How far away is the shore from where the dolphin swim takes place. My wife's parents are not swimming, but will be watching. I was hoping to set up my video camera on a tripod so all they need to do is turn it on.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

The photo packages they sell you are not just pictures of the dolphin swim. They also have photographers all over the park. We got pictures taken in the bird aviary, and the warm water oasis and some cool underwater shots. The photographers will just come up to you and ask if you want pictures.

There is no good location for you to stand on the side and get good close up pictures unless you have a big zoom lens. The pictures they take of you are very up close.

And they do not allow any of your own cameras in the dolphin swim area.

We bought the Adventure photo package that was $159 and got all of our park pictures on a disc, plus 2 keychains and 6 6X8 prints. I did not buy the upgraded package that had the DVD of the dolphin swim because I knew none of us would ever watch it.

 

[kreckl]

We went last October and nobody was allowed on the beach or rock ledges with cameras. They were very strict about that. People were walking around just for that reason and asked to leave.
I brought my waterproof camera and got beautiful photos everywhere else, then bought the basic photo package. They were great- much higher resolution than I could ever do.

 

[CarolAnnB]

We went last October and nobody was allowed on the beach or rock ledges with cameras. They were very strict about that. People were walking around just for that reason and asked to leave.
I brought my waterproof camera and got beautiful photos everywhere else, then bought the basic photo package. They were great- much higher resolution than I could ever do.

I am planning to take pics of my DDs doing the dolphin swim (I am not doing it this time). This is on their FAQ page:

Cameras and video recorders
Guests may use their personal cameras and video recorders throughout the park, with the exception of the dolphin lagoons (for the safety of our animals and your photo equipment). We do, however, allow other party members to take photos and record video of the interaction from our beach areas. In addition, we provide photographers and videographers to capture your memories. Photography and video packages vary in selection and pricing.

So I will have a big issue if they don't let me take pictures from the beach. Maybe those people were not with people participating in the dolphin swim and that is why they were asked to leave?

 

[AydensMom]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to have just my son and husband do the dolphin swim and hope for some great pictures

 

[Jules123]

We were there last week and people were standing on the beach videotaping and taking pictures.

 

[kreckl]

Hmmm, strange. I wonder what was up when we went?
If anyone is thinking of buying a waterproof camera- I LOVE my Olympus TG-1. It's one of the "Tough" series http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/tough-tg-1.html
It went down waterslides and was great underwater. Just be sure to get the floatation strap! I got a good deal on a refurbished one at Best Buy ( with full warranty).

 

[edinburghlass]

I was at DC last month with my daughter only doing the swim. She was on the right hand side of the first "bay" and I went down to the beach and it was the official photographer with her group who pointed out the path for me to get up on the rocks for better pictures.

 

[kreckl]

We spent an entire day there and also were never approached ( or saw) any photographers other than during the dolphin swim. Our photo CD included just those. Is this new? We went last October 2012. Thanks!