Discovery Cove Dolphin Swim Overpriced and/or Exploitive?

[consultant]

I hesitate to ask this as I know I'm setting myself up for possible backlash going against probably the majority opinion for this type of forum, but keep in mind, everyone is entitled to their opinion so *NO OFFENSE INTENDED TO THOSE THAT DID THE SWIM*.

I've been up close to two different swim with dolphin experiences that seemed almost identical to the one at DC as it is explained. One was in the Bahamas and the other was in Hawaii at the Hilton on the Big Island. Neither time did I partake and I was glad I didn't because I thought a) it was a complete rip-off for the money, and b) I think keeping animals in captivity and charging for entertainment under the guise of 'education' is somewhat sad. Recuing animals that can't be released back into the wild and have to live the rest of their life in captivity is an entirely different thing. My opinion is these resorts are feeding on everyones 'Flipper Fantasies.' Next zoo's will be charging to hug a Panda Bear at the zoo or something. I did do Stingray City in Grand Cayman, for free, our SCUBA boat just stopped there. It was great fun, the Stingrays acted like dogs! And it was in the open ocean, not some captive pool/lagoon. So I'm not some 'Sealife/Entertainment Scrooge'

With that said, I do have a 9-yo and 11-yo (boys). I'm sure if I asked them if they wanted to "swim with dolphins" they'd say yes. So like many other parents that probably did this for fear of feeling guilty their kids watched all the other kids do it but not them, is there anything anyone can tell me as to why this is such a must-do thing, that I would go against my own values regarding this sort of things and still let them do it? I guess what I'm looking for is not someone that really wanted to do it and says, "it was even better than I expected" but someone like me that generally frowns on this sort of stuff, but did it anyway and was totally glad they did. In other words, if you respond, clarify which 'type' of person you are so I know where you are speaking from.

 

[consultant]

Just want to clarify the reason for my question is really I've seen quite a polarity on the reviews of the Dolphin Swim itself. In general the majority of reviews are very positive with titles like "Best Experience of My Life" I suppose one answer to my question is "It Depends on where you are coming from and what you make of it." For a family that travels the world, goes on safaris, etc (not us), this would probably not be "The Experience of a Lifetime". For someone who saved hard and could barely afford to go and always dreamed of touching a dolphin and probably couldn't afford to do it again anytime soon, I can see that being a totally different reaction. But I'm still curious, how accurate this assessment I read of the experience is:

"You don’t get to swim with the majestic creatures at any time. You do however get pulled along on their dorsal fin for about 30yrds, which lasts for approximately 5 seconds. The rest of your “dolphin encounter” is spent with several people you’ve never met before all jockeying for position. They don’t even introduce you to the people your sharing your experience with. This can leave you feeling quite self-conscious at times, and just adds to the overall disappointment.

After posing for a series of (money spinning) photographs, which involve you being directed when to stroke/hug/signal the dolphin, you’re quickly hurried out for a high-pressure sales pitch to buy said photographs. The regimented way you’re instructed during the encounter, completely kills it."

 

[Eliza32]

I've been and done it, yes it was expensive, would I do it again? Maybe in a few years. Was it worth the money? Hell yes. Where else am I gonna get to spend time in the water that close to a dolphin?? The 'strangers' in my group were all loveley, we introduced ourselves to each other, and none of us jockeyed for position. We all knew we'd get our turn. OK, so you don't actually 'swim' with them, but for me it was about touching and seeing up close, not about 'swimming'.and I was quite happy to pay the price they asked in order to do so. Some of my friends won't go to WDW because they think it's too expensive. I think it's a fair price (but wouldn't say no to it being cheaper!!). My point is that you make your own choice.

 

[julieannbabe]

i am pro freedom.

i have told this story before on here:
my boss went on a cruise and had a day in the bahamas - she promised her 11 year old daughter that she could swim with a dolphin. but when she got there - she said it was almost as big as a hotel swimming pool where people were getting in and out of the water having their pictures with dolphins - she said it was like a conveyor belt.

she felt it was inappropiate and explained to her daughter what was wrong with this. she let her daughter make a choice - even though her daughter was heart broken - she decided not to do the dolphin swim.
my boss was pleased as she had taught her daughter right from wrong - but of course was upset for her daughter.

she just said that when she saw people getting into the water invading the dolphins already tiny space - she just felt it was wrong on every level. the dolphin become a product - just so holiday makes could show people when they got home that they had their photo taken with a dolphin.

i don't know about DC. just to make it clear that i am not comparing facilities in the bahamas to SW.

it is good to question things. it is up to you what decision you make.

i always wonder why a lot of people want to have their picture taken with a dolphin - like it a must have and you haven't lived if you haven't had a dolphin swim.
i admit i was like this into i did my own research into captivity. i can't explain why i had this thought though.

 

[julieannbabe]

"You don’t get to swim with the majestic creatures at any time. You do however get pulled along on their dorsal fin for about 30yrds, which lasts for approximately 5 seconds. The rest of your “dolphin encounter” is spent with several people you’ve never met before all jockeying for position.

After posing for a series of (money spinning) photographs, which involve you being directed when to stroke/hug/signal the dolphin, you’re quickly hurried out for a high-pressure sales pitch to buy said photographs. The regimented way you’re instructed during the encounter, completely kills it."

of course it is a business expect nothing different.

'jockeying for position' - that bit makes me feel a bit ill - it like the dolphin isn't respected as long as the people paying get their monies worth - then that all that matters.

ain't good at all.

at the end of the day it isn't about the experience but about the picture you got with the dolphin to prove you have done it.

 

[consultant]

I'm surprised this didn't get more responses because I think it is a somewhat controversial subject. I think that we have places like Discovery Cove speaks a lot about the American Culture and the very high value of entertainment in our society (hence the huge incomes of professional sports players, movie stars, and pop singers.) Thankfully we live in a country that has freedom of choice, but unfortunately that can result in creating a demand for products that are borderline ethical or just not smart.

I remember watching an interview a couple years ago on TV with a car dealership asking why the manufacturer is continuing to turn out SUVs that get very poor gas mileage in a country that is complaining about dependence on foreign oil and how it is contributing to the downfall of our economy. His answer was, 'we make what our customers want.' And so that cycle of gratification continues until the choice is so obviously bad, the majority of consumers change their minds and the demand evaporates.

In my opinion, most people aren't going to 'think it through' what paying $200 to swim with captive dolphins really means. Most don't care where that money is going. Most companies throw in some educational aspect, and maybe advertise they donate 5% of their profits to Save The Oceans etc. This is to alleviate any concerns the semi-conscious consumer might have - but in the end it is just all marketing and what is really going on with the company and the dolphins probably only a few company insiders and marine biologists know.

I'm an Internet Search guru and I am surprised I never looked up information on captive dolphins. Here's everything you ever wanted to know, well for most, it is everything they probably DON'T want to know.

I suppose I'm somewhat of a hypocrite since we are still going to DC to snorkel with all the 'captive' fish and Manta Rays. Not paying twice the money for the Dolphin swim is in my mind a fair compromise and in this case I can live with a hypocrite label should someone want to label me as such.

http://www.wspa-usa.org/pages/2220_dolphins_in_captivity_faqs.cfm

 

[DCLMan]

After posing for a series of (money spinning) photographs, which involve you being directed when to stroke/hug/signal the dolphin, you’re quickly hurried out for a high-pressure sales pitch to buy said photographs. The regimented way you’re instructed during the encounter, completely kills it."

There is no pressure to buy the photographs.

 

[phamton]

Discussion of overpricing is fine but this isn't the proper forum to discuss animal rights. This is a trip planning forum.