Discovery Cove Experience?

[dugarner]

My daughter has been begging me for three years now to take her somewhere to swim with dolphins. I looked into Discovery Cove and it looks like a pretty fun place. However, here's the rub. The drive is easy, less than a day. But my husband can't swim and has no interest in the dolphin experience. My son and daughter both would love to swim with both dolphins and rays.

Is this someplace where my husband would enjoy himself for the day even if he didn't have the dolphin experience? We don't like separating for any kind of vacation, and I thought with the added benefit of the park admission (is it Sea World and Busch Gardens?) it might make it worth it for him to tag along.

What is your opinion on the overall experience for a family?

Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

you may want to check out this forum for more discovery cove discussion:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

 

[JimMIA]

Your husband doesn't need to swim to enjoy the dolphins -- it's a wade at first to get acquainted and then later they let you hang onto the dolphin as it tows you along. He could forgo the ride part.

Or he could just pass on the dolphins altogether. That's what I did -- I'd been swimming with them both in a controlled setting and in the wild, so I passed on the extra expense and my wife and daughter did the dolphin experience.

There is also a lazy river where I think you can stand up all the way around (not sure). Life jackets are also provided for the lazy river, and may even be required. If that looks appealing, he could do that. There are a lot of other activities which can be enjoyed by just wading -- we didn't do much actual swimming at DC at all.

Food for the day is included (and is pretty good). When we went, I believe we also got a one-day pass to Sea World. I'm not sure if it was Sea World/Busch Gardens, but we did Sea World...which was great as well.

 

[Lynne G]

My DH did not do the dolphin, just my kids and I. We had a great time. DH is not a good swimmer, but liked hanging out in the lazy, well not real lazy, river, resting in our cabana and enjoying the rest of the park. He enjoyed the aviary. While my kids and I snorkeled in the pool with the manta rays, he just sat and swam it some. We had a great time relaxing.

Your tickets now include 14 days of SW and Aquadica. With an extra 20 dollars or so, you can add BGT.

Check out the board as mentioned above, and go onto DC's website. You can see what they offer and the prices. Price changes both on what time of year and how popular it is.

We've done it twice, one time at the end of August and last year, on Christmas day. A very relaxing, not over crowded day both times. It was busier in our August trip than our December trip. DC does cap attendance.

 

[dugarner]

That is just the information I was looking for. We were thinking about next March. My husband can float and enjoy that sort of thing but isn't going to snorkel or get into a wetsuit. This is very helpful information. I will definitely check out the link.

Thanks again!

Sarah

 

[jaykorf001]

That is just the information I was looking for. We were thinking about next March. My husband can float and enjoy that sort of thing but isn't going to snorkel or get into a wetsuit. This is very helpful information. I will definitely check out the link. Thanks again! Sarah

Yes! And his ticket will be less expensive as well.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If your DH enjoys just relaxing in a tropical atmosphere, there's lots of places at DC for him to kick back and relax. He could bring a book or his Kobo and spend hours enjoying it here:





If he doesn't enjoy swimming per se but still likes the water (or wants to cool off), the Freshwater Oasis has a great area that features sunken loungers....and its conveniently located near a snack and beverage stand so he can get a drink and something to eat and then just kick back and enjoy the sunshine:



(remember that your breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages...including alcohol...are all included in your admission)

If he enjoys birds, I am sure he'd get a kick out of the Aviary too:



They provide you with little cups of food, and the birds will come right down and eat out of your hand. There's also a selection of larger birds who are tame enough to stroll right by you:



Your day at DC includes 14 days admission to both SeaWorld and Aquatica, which can be used either before or after your DC reservation (or a combination of both). 14 days admission to Busch Gardens can also be added for an addition $22 pp (or thereabouts).

Parking passes are also available for DC guests for the other parks (parking at DC itself is free). You can add on a pass that includes unlimited parking at both SW & AQ for $30, or the ultimate pass (unlimited parking at SW, AQ & BG) for $40. You have to call and add it, though, as the option to purchase is not online.

 

[NinaBella]

My daughter has been begging me for three years now to take her somewhere to swim with dolphins. I looked into Discovery Cove and it looks like a pretty fun place. However, here's the rub. The drive is easy, less than a day. But my husband can't swim and has no interest in the dolphin experience. My son and daughter both would love to swim with both dolphins and rays.

Is this someplace where my husband would enjoy himself for the day even if he didn't have the dolphin experience? We don't like separating for any kind of vacation, and I thought with the added benefit of the park admission (is it Sea World and Busch Gardens?) it might make it worth it for him to tag along.

What is your opinion on the overall experience for a family?

Thanks!

There isn't really any "swimming" involved in the dolphin pool. You wade out to maybe just above waist level. At the end you can get the dolphin to pull you in a deeper part of the pool but that part is optional. If he doesn't want to stand in the dolphin pool and pet the dolphin, then just don't add the dolphin experience part to his ticket.

Oh, and they loan you the wet suit or vest to everyone. I suppose if he isn't going into the dolphin pool then he may not be required to wear it.

 

[thatgirl23]

There isn't really any "swimming" involved in the dolphin pool. You wade out to maybe just above waist level. At the end you can get the dolphin to pull you in a deeper part of the pool but that part is optional. If he doesn't want to stand in the dolphin pool and pet the dolphin, then just don't add the dolphin experience part to his ticket.

Oh, and they loan you the wet suit or vest to everyone. I suppose if he isn't going into the dolphin pool then he may not be required to wear it.

Just wanted to add that everyone that does the dolphin experience has the option to choose a shallow swim/tow instead of the deep water. And any time you are in the water at DC (Grand Reef, lazy river, etc.) you have to wear a vest or wetsuit. It's required as it helps DC staff and lifeguards distinguish between guest and other employees.

 

[dugarner]

Thanks for all the great info and pictures! It looks gorgeous. I'd pay for it---hubby is a harder sell. He does love "the beach," and will go and wade in up to his knees or so, and he will go in water as long as it's not deeper than he is tall. So the swimming with the dolphins, do you really get to interact with them for a few minutes? When we went to Sea World in San Antonio my daughter was tall enough to reach over the side of their dolphin pool and touch one briefly, but she wants an experience where she can be right with it, and pet it.

 

[NinaBella]

Thanks for all the great info and pictures! It looks gorgeous. I'd pay for it---hubby is a harder sell. He does love "the beach," and will go and wade in up to his knees or so, and he will go in water as long as it's not deeper than he is tall. So the swimming with the dolphins, do you really get to interact with them for a few minutes? When we went to Sea World in San Antonio my daughter was tall enough to reach over the side of their dolphin pool and touch one briefly, but she wants an experience where she can be right with it, and pet it.

Yes, you are interacting with them. The trainers bring them over right next to you and you can pet him/her. However, the dolphins are much larger than ones you find in a petting pools.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for all the great info and pictures! It looks gorgeous. I'd pay for it---hubby is a harder sell. He does love "the beach," and will go and wade in up to his knees or so, and he will go in water as long as it's not deeper than he is tall. So the swimming with the dolphins, do you really get to interact with them for a few minutes? When we went to Sea World in San Antonio my daughter was tall enough to reach over the side of their dolphin pool and touch one briefly, but she wants an experience where she can be right with it, and pet it.

DC places you in small groups of about 8, with a trainer and a dolphin (sometimes, they will swap out the dolphin midway through and you will be joined by a second, different dolphin). With the trainers guidance and supervision, each person will get to feed, pet, kiss, and "swim" with the dolphin (the swim involves you holding on to the animal's fin and back while it takes you for a short "drag" through the water). There are in-water photographers there to grab some great pictures of all those moments (and special posed photos as well, including one where the dolphin gives a big open mouthed "smile").

The interaction lasts about 30 minutes total. Its an awesome and memorable experience .

The whole dolphin experience is done in water that is shallow enough for an adult and many kids to stand in without it being over their head (it was chest-deep on me, and I'm about 5' 3"). Every participant is given the option to have the swim portion in the deeper or shallow water....you just have to inform your trainer of your preference.

 

[dugarner]

Tried to convince hubby this morning for all of us to go next spring. He is not interested at all. He said he will take our son to Jupiter for Spring Training baseball while I take my daughter to DC. I guess that means she and I will spend a day or two at Sea World together too. I am not wasting those perks!

Thanks for the information. Here is another completely goofy question. I can't tell from the info on the website but is it a manmade lagoon or natural? I ask because I wonder if the snorkeling areas are netted or self contained to keep jellyfish out. I cannot swim in water where I might encounter one.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for the information. Here is another completely goofy question. I can't tell from the info on the website but is it a manmade lagoon or natural? I ask because I wonder if the snorkeling areas are netted or self contained to keep jellyfish out. I cannot swim in water where I might encounter one.

Its man made . No jellyfish worries at all .

 

[dugarner]

Its man made . No jellyfish worries at all .

Yay! Thanks so much. It is a weird thing but I have had horrific experiences and I won't swim in the ocean or bay anymore.