Discovery Cove for ages 6 yr. and 20 months?

[cheeseliz]

We are planning our 4th trip to Orlando in 6 years. We have always done WDW (and know that a little too well), but now I think I'd love to take my daughter to Dicovery Cove. She's 6 so she's eligible for the dolphin swim, but is it worth it for a 6 year old, or is it too much waiting/wadding around? Could she not get a good dolphin experience at Sea World?

Second, if we decide to do Discovery Cove, should we get one of our senior relatives joining us to watch the 20 month old for the day, or is DC suitable for him? Anyone know off hand what the DC entrance price is for the under 3set?

 

[yaytezIOA]

If the six year old knows how to swim very well...then DC is a wonderful place. But when we went, we did not do the dolphin swim, and still had a great time. We also saw a bunch of people who's children were afraid of everything going on. IF you go to DC, then you need to make sure that your child is ready to swim with animals...they are really close. My son who was 9 had a hard time with it at first. My daughter...yeah...we didnt even take her.
As for the 20 month old....I would not recommend it. Its not like there are slides and kiddie pools for him to enjoy.

 

[cheeseliz]

Thanks! You're right, maybe my six year old is a little too young for DC! But at least a have a few months before I have to decide!

 

[yaytezIOA]

Didnt say she wasnt ready for it, just that you need to know what you're getting her into. If she is a good swimmer, and loves animals...then you're okay. If she gets freaked out.....because this is a deep deep deep pool.....then you may want skip it. Personally I think its worth it for the Aviary alone....I'll try and post some pics later.

 

[cheeseliz]

OK - So maybe the dolphin swim is questionable for my 6 year old who may be too scared to go in such a deep (and assuming dark) water with a live dolphin, but what about the rest of DC? Is the coral reef and sting ray stuff also that dark and intimidating to a child? I know she would love to snorkel and we practiced lot a lot before a Disney cruise two years ago, but the current was too strong off the beach that day and she couldn't enjoy it (at 4.5 years old). I thought DC would be a much more controlled environment for that type of thing and a good introduction. Any thoughts?

 

[yaytezIOA]

You left the fact that she snorkeled before out of your question. She should be fine then. There are stingrays and lots of fish in the reef areas, nothing else really. There are areas where you can look at sharks and barracudas behind glass. Its a very controlled environment, and if she has done it before...then she'll be fine. The water in the dolphin area is pretty bright, and you can see the dolphins. It may be a little much for her, but you'll be right there. There is also a section like a lazy river that is warm and has no animals at all in it. It does go through the aviary and it gets pretty deep, also there are sunken treasures to look at. Make sure she is a pretty strong swimmer as the current is pretty swift in a lot of areas. As for the 20 month old....again, its not a water park...and there are really no kid areas....its all about swimming all day long.
As I promised, pictures:

That is the dolphin area

The aviary

sharks behind glass

 

[cheeseliz]

Thanks for all your tips, and especially the photos - It's nice to get a better understanding looking at snapshots, rather than the website's canned photos! I plan on calling the rest of our traveling families and seeing who is interested in going (besides us!) and who we could get to babysit the 20 month old!!!! Then, I'll be off to find some type of coupon!!! Thanks again for your input!

 

[ggeorgiagirl]

I am taking my 5 year old and 19 month old in May! I, too, am concerned! Do you think that we could bring floats for the babies?

I pray that my 5 yr old doesn't freak.....that is A LOT of $$$! But he LOVES the beach (whick we go every few weeks)! He LOVES to feed birds, too!

I would love some other opinions!

 

[SharonLowe]

We first went when my DD was 6 - she was a very strong swimmer and loved everything about DC. Everyone wears a vest or shortie for everything so even not so strong swimmers can do the dolphin swim. They will adapt the program for you too. The last time we went (she was 8 that time), I had recently had surgery so wasn't comfortable doing the actual swim hanging onto the dolphin. So, they just let me have more one-on-one interaction with the dolphin. My DD had not snorkeled before but still loved the reef pool. She hung onto either DH or me and learned to do it while there. She was in heaven the whole time we were there!

I must say when we went last time (she was 8), she freaked a bit at all the rays in the reef pool - she couldn't think of anything other than Crocodile Hunter and no matter how many times I told her the rays barbs were removed, she just couldn't deal with it. We have now gotten her over that fear and she is back to loving snorkeling again.

You will have vests or shorties on all day and you can get noodles for the river so it should be fine. The birds are really great as is all the other stuff.

As others have said, nothing for a 20 month old so if someone will babysit, use that option.