Discovery Cove - HELP

[Andy Lou & Meg]

We brought Silver passes for Sea World and Busch as we are going this year and twice next year. This year we are going with friends and they are gonig to Dis Cove during our stay. We decided not to do is as our DD5 is not old enough to swim with the dolphins and we didnt this that fair.

However I just contacted Dis Cove as I noticed on the internet that you could get a discount if you were a passholder. The rate is excellent for 2 adults to do the dolphin swim and for our DD the cost is around £250 all in.

I am now in two minds to do this. On one hand I think it would be a great experience but on the other hand I am feeling horrible as DD cannot join in.

If we do decide to go ahead our friends would have DD while DH and I did the swim and vice versa. Our DD is not 6 until end of Aug next year so even when we do go next year she would not be old enough to join.

If you were in my shoes what would you do?

 

[wicket2005]

It isn't just the dolphin experience you have got to consider. It is whether she can do the following:

Coral reef - snorkel by herself confidently, water cold, parts are deep, feel comfortable having fish around her.

Lazy Creek - warm water, deep in parts, most people snorkel around here as well but you could swim around.

Stingray Lagoon - cold but about waist height water (on me 5' 5"), stingrays whizzing around, come close at feeding times, you have to keep your feet on the pool floor.

Aviary - filled with birds who will land all over you if it is feeding time.

It really depends on what your daughter is capable of, for the rest of the attractions here. I think it will be disappointing for her if she sees you with the dolphins on the other hand she might be apprehensive of them and not be bothered about that side of things.

When we went we snorkelled all day which is what could be stumbling block for your daughter if she is not confident in the water. However, for yourselves it is truly a memorable day and has to be done once in a lifetime.

 

[kristieuk]

We went when my dd was 4. We spoke to her about beforehand and said she was chief photographer, and did she mind. I think she was so relieved about not getting into the pool with the (rather large) dolphins, she jumped at the chance!!

DC is about the whole day, and there are loads of other fantastic things to do and see. She was happy in the lazy river, but wouldn't go near the stingray or reef pool (too many alive things for her liking), but she still thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The dolphin swim only takes about 30 mins, so it's not like your daughter is missing a huge part of the day.

Maybe speak to her, explain that dolphins are big and so the people who swim with them also have to be big, and see how she takes it. If she is devastated, perhaps leave it for another visit. But she might just accept it, and that sounds like a great deal!

 

[carolfoy]

Great advice from both Bev and Kristie, can't really add anything just to say I hope it goes well for you all and that your little one isn't too disappointed

 

[wayneg]

Andy, Lou & Meg.
We are wanting to do DC in Oct and have SW 2 year passes. Did you get the £250 quote by email or did you have to ring them?
Thanks
Wayne

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

I got the price by ringing them but check the web first (for the telephone number) and call the main booking line not the special one they show as that is contantly engaged.

I hope you have a good time.

We are still in two minds about what to do.

 

[wils]

We took DD to DC when she was 2 (admittedly she was free!) and she had the time of her life especially in the Lazy Creek and even just playing in the sand.

I suppose it depends how dolphin mad your DD is - I asked the trainer and DD was allowed in the water after my swim where she got to meet the dolphin and stroke it. Needless to say the photographer got a 'must buy' shot! Maybe this would be something your DD could do?

Jo

 

[edinburghlass]

When we were at DC in July the trainers made a point of bringing into the water non participating family members for group photographs with the dolphins, I thought it was a really nice touch.

Apart from the actual swim my daughter and I just loved going round the lazy river, couple of foam things a piece and we just lazed our way round

 

[wayneg]

I got the price by ringing them but check the web first (for the telephone number) and call the main booking line not the special one they show as that is contantly engaged.

I hope you have a good time.

We are still in two minds about what to do.

Thank you
Like you said the number was engaged so used the main one. They reduced the price from $259 to $169 each(+tax) with our Gold passes. $90+tax saving each. Glad I rang yesterday as it was the only day we could visit and it wasthe last 3 available places.
Wayne

 

[mark&sue]

our daughter was 6 when she went and was scared of the dolphins and hated swimming with all the fish. She was happy just in the beach area.


Susan