Discovery Cove dolphin swim - any times more desirable than others?

[peacefrogdog]

Going to DC this Thursday with my 3 kids (aged 8,7,7) - planning to get there before opening, so hopefully will have a good choice of Dolphin swim times.

Are there any times for the dolphin swim that are advantageous? We'd like for it to be warm enough so that the kids are somewhat comfortable, but don't want to do it too late that the kids get too tired doing everything else in the park.

Thanks in advance

 

[MomofCKJ]

No answer for you but we'll be there Thursday too! I went 2 years ago and we got the first one of the day, we were happy with that because it left us the rest of the day to do as we pleased. I have read some people say to get a later one and go to the Aviary first thing as the birds are really hungry in the morning but we are still going to aim for getting to DC early and getting an early Dolphin Swim.

Have fun!

Allyson

 

[Lynne G]

We had a 10:30 time, and thought it was perfect. Time for breakfast, feeding the hungry birds and getting a lay of the land. before having the dolphin interaction. Also, for the day we went (Aug 29), it was the nicest part of the day, as it was overcast and raining later in the afternoon.

I agree, try to feed the birds as early as you can. We did around 9am, and then went back after our dolphin fun. They weren't hungry and hung pretty far away from people that were trying to still feed them and take pictures.

DC was one of the highlights of our vacation. My kids think it should be a yearly trip and would like to go back over Christmas break as well. I really enjoyed it, it was one of the most relaxing days on vacation.

 

[Cest_la_vie]

You will be assigned the time based upon when you arrive in the park, if you're one of the first one's expect to be swimming before 9 a.m. if you're later in the day you'll be swimming at 4 or 5 p.m.

 

[peacefrogdog]

If you're one of the first in line, can you request a later time like 1030 rather than a 9 AM time?

 

[Cest_la_vie]

If you're one of the first in line, can you request a later time like 1030 rather than a 9 AM time?

Only if you have a very good reason.

 

[mom2d&b]

Can some one explain how tis works. DD was scheduled to dive at Dive Quest in Epcot later this month but that has been canceled by Disney. She has mentioned she woudl like to swim with the dolphins but I don't know how this works. Do you make reservations? Do you need anything except a swim suit? How much is it? And anything else you can share would be appreciated.

 

[peacefrogdog]

We did Discovery Cove a few days ago. You book your tickets online for the day you want. The fee includes unlimited breakfast and lunch (and snacks), and use of the entire park which includes a snorkelling lagoon (with tons of rays!), a bird aviary, Serenity bay which is a quiet swimming area, and a river that goes all around. You can choose to get the package with the Dolphin Swim, or without it.

You get assigned the time of the Dolphin swim whe you arrive. We arrived right at 8, and got a 8:40 AM time. The dolphin swim is done in a group of around 8-9 people. You have a chance to feed a dolphin, pet it, and the dolphin encounter ends with you doing a swim with a dolphin during which you hold onto its fins and it pulls you back to shore. The entire Dolphin encounter is around 45 min.

Don't know anything about Divequest so can't compare but my kids who are ages 8, 7 and 7 had a blast and can't wait to do it again.

 

[dthogue]

We did Discovery Cove a few days ago. You book your tickets online for the day you want. The fee includes unlimited breakfast and lunch (and snacks), and use of the entire park which includes a snorkelling lagoon (with tons of rays!), a bird aviary, Serenity bay which is a quiet swimming area, and a river that goes all around. You can choose to get the package with the Dolphin Swim, or without it.

You get assigned the time of the Dolphin swim whe you arrive. We arrived right at 8, and got a 8:40 AM time. The dolphin swim is done in a group of around 8-9 people. You have a chance to feed a dolphin, pet it, and the dolphin encounter ends with you doing a swim with a dolphin during which you hold onto its fins and it pulls you back to shore. The entire Dolphin encounter is around 45 min.

Don't know anything about Divequest so can't compare but my kids who are ages 8, 7 and 7 had a blast and can't wait to do it again.

Thank you for the information - how did you like that early time? Seems like you would have been rushed to get there - did you have time for breakfast? What happens after you sign in and are assigned a swim time - what things need to be done before you swim?

 

[peacefrogdog]

Thank you for the information - how did you like that early time? Seems like you would have been rushed to get there - did you have time for breakfast? What happens after you sign in and are assigned a swim time - what things need to be done before you swim?

In all honesty, I had been hoping for a mid-morning swim to allow us time to have a leisurely breakfast, then do the swim. But having done the early dolphin swim, it did work out real well.

We signed in at 8, and then had time for a quick bite for breakfast (croissant, small muffin or cereal). We got changed into our wetsuits at 8:30ish and then were in time to meet at 8:40 for the pre-swim talk and prep.

Once the swim was done, it was nice knowing that we didn't have to watch the clock, and could explore the rest of the park at a leisurely pace. We did go back to have more breakfast after our swim, and then hit the snorkeling reef right after. Unfortunately it started raining hard thereafter, and I know some of the later dolphin swims got pushed back.

So long story short, I would do the early dolphin swim again. The food they serve there is nothing to write home about. Worse than Disney counter service in my opinion. But it is free and unlimited! Free draught too!

 

[dthogue]

In all honesty, I had been hoping for a mid-morning swim to allow us time to have a leisurely breakfast, then do the swim. But having done the early dolphin swim, it did work out real well.

We signed in at 8, and then had time for a quick bite for breakfast (croissant, small muffin or cereal). We got changed into our wetsuits at 8:30ish and then were in time to meet at 8:40 for the pre-swim talk and prep.

Once the swim was done, it was nice knowing that we didn't have to watch the clock, and could explore the rest of the park at a leisurely pace. We did go back to have more breakfast after our swim, and then hit the snorkeling reef right after. Unfortunately it started raining hard thereafter, and I know some of the later dolphin swims got pushed back.

So long story short, I would do the early dolphin swim again. The food they serve there is nothing to write home about. Worse than Disney counter service in my opinion. But it is free and unlimited! Free draught too!

thank you - I do like the idea of doing the dolphin swim done early and not having to watch the clock. We are anxiously awaiting our day there - this is a surprise for my DD, she thinks we are going to Sea World for the day