Discovery Cove photography

[thermal]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster

I have a reservation for Discovery Cove on May 1st. This will be my first time there, and my first time to Florida.

I currently have a Canon digital camera, but it's not waterproof. I understand that DC have photographers who wander around and take photos during the day, and you can purchase the photos in the form of a CD.

Q: Is the CD sufficient to capture most of your memories from DC (dolphins, aviary, lagoon)? Or should I purchase a splashproof camera as well?

Also, If anyone's purchased the CD, can you tell me a little about it? It seems very expensive; is it worth the money? Good quality photos?

Thank you very kindly.

 

[DixieDolphin]

When I worked there (I did Stingray/Aviary Photography in 2003), the dolphin photo was a totally separate entity, run by FreezeFrame. Our group was actual SeaWorld crew and we took photos generally in three places: the Aviary, the Stingray Pool, and the waterfall right before the Aviary on the Tropical River. You could purchase all your photos from the Rays, the Aviary, and the River at our booth on one CD, but the dolphin photo folks were totally apart and you had to buy their photos & CDs separately. At the time (granted, this was all in 2003), it was around $100 for a photo CD from Stingray/Aviary... with unlimited photos on it. But the Dolphin Photo folks charged $100 for a CD with only 4 or 5 shots on it.

It may not still be run the same way these days, but that's how it was when I did photography there. =)

You should still bring a waterproof camera, though! Even though you can't take it in the dolphin pool, there's plenty to take pictures of! Just make sure you put your name on it in waterproof sharpie pen (in case it ends up in lost and found).

=)

 

[thermal]

Thank you DixieDolphin, very useful information.

 

[kellymonaghan]

The dolphin pool photography and videography is now done by SeaWorld staff. I don't remember seeing SW photogs anywhere else, but then I wasn't really looking.

We found the photos they took well worth it. ($197 worth!) We got the whole deal, photo prints, photo CD, and video DVD.

If you use your own camera, you will have to sit out the dolphin interaction to serve as photographer. There are rock outcroppings near the pools and, in our group yesterday at least, they were very good at directing the non-swimming photographer/dad to the best place to sit. You'll need a good telephoto lens for best results.

 

[karma]

Is it worth it to spend the money to buy a waterproof case for my digital camera? Or would I be better off just buying the CD of shots?

(Waterproof case runs $130 ~ $170.)

 

[DixieDolphin]

The dolphin pool photography and videography is now done by SeaWorld staff.

THANK GOODNESS! Finally!! I wondered how long FreezeFrame was going to monopolize that.

Are they sharing the same building now? Dolphin Photo and Stingray/Aviary Photo used to occupy separate buildings (Dolphin /next/ to the gift shop, S/A across from it).

I'll be interested to check it all out when I go back next (hopefully later this year!). I haven't been in the park since I left that job. I can't wait to see what's changed since then! I really miss that place! =)

 

[DixieDolphin]

Is it worth it to spend the money to buy a waterproof case for my digital camera? Or would I be better off just buying the CD of shots?

(Waterproof case runs $130 ~ $170.)

Not sure how serious of a photographer you are, but if you plan on taking more underwater shots down the line and plan on using your current camera for a long time down the road.. by all means, go ahead and get the housing! I know housings for the smaller point&shoot cameras by major brands are fairly inexpensive these days.

If you don't think you'll be taking many underwater shots in the future, though... I'd just opt for a cheap disposable waterproof camera and perhaps supplement those shots by some purchased at the park.

=)

 

[Echie]

I'd buy one of those disposible underwater cameras. It's fun to take underwater shots of the fish while snorkeling and of the artifacts in the tropical river.

We used a disposible underwater camera and also brought our digital camera along to use in the aviary and to just take photos at lunch, at the lounge chairs, etc.

Then we also bough the expensive CD, DVD, photo, keychain package.
We were very happy with the quality of the photos on the CD
We had some photos of us taken in the sting ray lagoon too, and those along with the photos taken during the dolphin interaction were all on the CD.

Although if I ever go again, I'd be more assertive with the photographers (not the dolphin interaction ones, they were great!), that are around and in the sting ray lagoon, etc. They just all didn't seem interested in taking photos - so weird!
I felt like we were bothering them by asking them to take our photo, so we only ended up asking one photographer, and I kind of wish we'd asked different ones as well, but we didn't know at that point whether we'd for sure be buying the package or CD yet... anyway just be assertive if you are thinking of buying the CD anyway and tell the photographers you're buying the package and could they take lots of photos please

 

[DixieDolphin]

Although if I ever go again, I'd be more assertive with the photographers (not the dolphin interaction ones, they were great!), that are around and in the sting ray lagoon, etc. They just all didn't seem interested in taking photos - so weird!
I felt like we were bothering them by asking them to take our photo, so we only ended up asking one photographer, and I kind of wish we'd asked different ones as well, but we didn't know at that point whether we'd for sure be buying the package or CD yet... anyway just be assertive if you are thinking of buying the CD anyway and tell the photographers you're buying the package and could they take lots of photos please

Yes, /always/ make a point to ask the photogs!

When I worked in Stingray/Aviary photo in 2003, they instructed us to not harass the guests about photos... this was in an effort to keep the experience stress & pressure free (and not to be like the annoying people at the front gate of most parks that chase you down like heat seeking missiles for photos). So most of the time, we would take candid shots.. then ask to take a photo of your ID card (or do this on the downlow, too). At most, we were supposed to be very polite and unobtrusive about offering photo ops. Usually we just waited for folks to ask us. It's a funny balance. It may be different now, as it seems from what others have said that the company has made some changes.. but that's how it was when I was there. =)

But yes, ask for lots of photos! They do a good job! =)

 

[thermal]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

So just to be clear:

- there is one photo CD for sale that includes dolphin photos.
- there is a seperate photo CD for sale that includes aviary/ray/lagoon photos?

The dolphin CD ranges from $20 - $200 or so, depending on the number of pictures on it?

The aviary/ray CD is one price (about $100), and includes quite a few photos?

 

[DixieDolphin]

From what I'm reading, it looks like things may be different now from when I was there. If the two groups have merged into one, then it might be possible to get all the photos on the same CD.

Can anybody confirm this?

You could always give DC a call and ask, too. I'm sure they can provide an up to date answer!

=)

 

[kellymonaghan]

Complete pricing info for dolphin pix only has been posted here.

 

[DixieDolphin]

"6x8"?! Who the heck prints at 6x8?!

I wonder if that's a 5x7 with a border around the edge. Hmm.

 

[kkdlfry]

Kelly,

Thanks for the informations! We are coming down to Orlando on October 24 and going to DC on Oct. 26. Is the DVD included with the $135 package or do you have to buy that seperately? Just wondering since we are trying to put together our budget on what we want to spend. Our girls ages 6 and 8 love dolphins and this is their first trip to Disney World and the Orlando area. We are flying from Iowa and this is their first trip anywhere besides Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis by car and we would like to have these memories for them. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[Echie]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

So just to be clear:

- there is one photo CD for sale that includes dolphin photos.
- there is a seperate photo CD for sale that includes aviary/ray/lagoon photos?

The dolphin CD ranges from $20 - $200 or so, depending on the number of pictures on it?

The aviary/ray CD is one price (about $100), and includes quite a few photos?

All the photos are on one CD - dolphin, aviary, ray, all on the same CD

 

[thermal]

All the photos are on one CD - dolphin, aviary, ray, all on the same CD

Excellent - thank you! Makes my purchasing decision that much easier.

Now just have to figure out the pricing scheme.

 

[Kristybell]

We were planning on bringing a waterproof camera for our day at DC and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/preferences on make/brand of camera?

We have a regular digital, but were thinking of investing in a new waterproof model for the trip.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!
Kristy

 

[thermal]

We were planning on bringing a waterproof camera for our day at DC and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/preferences on make/brand of camera?

We have a regular digital, but were thinking of investing in a new waterproof model for the trip.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!
Kristy

The Pentax Optio W30 and Olympus Stylus SW series are the two main choices. Of these, I prefer the Pentax for its slightly better image quality.

 

[time for pink]

Are you able to make copies of the dvd to give to other family members?
Has anyone tried this and does it work or do they put some type of block on the original dvd so that it can not be copied?

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

to much to take in..my head hurts,

just buy a waterproof casing for your digi cam it ranges from $20.00 to $160.00 that way no water gets in..lol i went to SW and bought a 20.00 casing for my cam it worked perfectly. that also included when i was taking pool shots at the hotel..lol