Discovery Cove Package Differences.....

[Mmybaby05]

Can anyone PLEASE HELP me with info between the TFAD and regular dolphin swim packages and if the extra $200 is REALLY worth it. (I definetly would like to hear back from those who have done both packages!) I would like to take my son, who will be 8 to DC,but I'm am ripping my hair out trying to decide between the two packages! I kinda have the, this is "probably" a once in a life time thing, so go all out and do the TFAD package, BUT then I think, well maybe a more "at your own pace" kinda day would be better for him. Who knows!!?? Does anyone out there know??!! (or at least give me your feedback!)
Also, with the TFAD program how long does it last, I've was told you have about until 2:30 with the trainer, then the rest is free time. BUT then I also noticed reviews that said you only have about 1-2 hours of free time...again who knows?! NOT ME!! Any feedback would greatly help

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have done both: the ordinary dolphin swim once and TFAD four times. With TFAD I had anything between 30 minutes and an hour of free time after lunch and the programme finished at about 3:30 which gave us about 2 hours free time. We always started the day of in the aviary and we often got access before the official opening time of 9:00. So we got some quality time with the birds who were seriously hungry at the time. Different times we then went behind the scenes at aviculture or most recently did a water quality tour. Then it is usually off to a private bit of beach to meet some of the parks small mammals and other assorted critters. You will meet a sloth and an anteater, but we also have met a tortoise , an armadillo and a tiny owl at those meet and greets over the years. Then it is either the behind the scenes tour of the dolphin lagoon or the dolphin swim followed by the other one and lunch. In the afternoon we then always spent some time with the sharks (either feeding them or some other kind of interaction), feeding the rays and feeding the fish at the coral reef. At that stage there is usually a bit of time to spend snorkeling in the coral reef. Then it is back to the dolphin lagoon for the enhanced dolphin interaction and that finishes the formal programme. Depending on the precise timings, we have also swam a lap of the tropical river as a group or had a short period of time in the coral reef in the morning on top of the feeding session. It is a great day out.

dolphingirl47

 

[Mmybaby05]

Wow, four times?! I take it you really enjoy the TFAD package. Thanks for your reply. Could you please let me know if you felt rushed? Do they give you some time in between visited areas?(just in case you need a bit to eat before, after lunch, bathroom etc...)I know it is more structured then the reg. package,but I still want my son and I to have a nice "relaxed" day.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have never felt rushed. There is not much time planned in between various parts of the programme with the exception of just before the dolphin swim when some time is planned in to head to the lockers to drop of the cameras, etc. People are asked to just let the trainer know if they need something like go to the locker for more sun screen, go to the bath room, etc. Eating should not be an issue as you start your day with an all you care to eat continental breakfast and lunch tends to be huge as well. We were given bottled water in the morning to take with us, were encouraged to pick up an extra bottled water at lunch and were asked if we needed a drink whenever we passed one of the snack kiosks,
TFAD is a really great programme. In November 2006 I was lucky enough to be the only TFAD that day and got the full celebrity treatment. I was working with a dolphin that had only just started full interactions and I had the opportunity to be the first guest with whom she did some of the behaviours. I did not only get to do the dorsal tow, but also a belly ride and some other neat stuff. This is probably why I feel TFAD has run its course for me now. When I am in Orlando next month, I will give Discovery Cove a miss. I did the Marine Mammal Keeper Experience at Seaworld last November and had a wonderful time so I will do this again. Whereas TFAD is really an intense Behind the Scenes tour, with the Marine Mammal Keeper Experience I actually got the chance to really be part of the animal care team for a day and got to do some really amazing stuff like interacting with dolphins in different areas and bottle feeding an orphaned manatee, but also not so glamorous stuff like preparing the otters' lunch and scrubbing fish buckets.

dolphingirl47