Discovery Cove question

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I am thinking that maybe we'll do a day at DC and a day at SeaWorld on our August trip, but I have a lot of questions.

1) I heard that someone in your party needs to swim with the dolpins -- we've already swum with them elsewhere, so I don't feel like we need to do that. It's just going to be DS7 and I so can we arrange it so that only one of us swims. If it's him can I stay nearby and watch -- if it's me (he didn't really enjoy it that time) is there a safe place where he can sit and I can still keep an eye on him?

2) Are wetsuits mandatory all day? Won't we be boiling hot in August? Can we take them off for the pool and the lazy river at least?

3) What's lunch like?

4) What are our best bets for transportation from the Swan?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

One more question:

I have read posts from several people saying the water in some of the attractions is "cold". I am a total wimp about cold water! Is the water actually cooled or is it just not heated? I can't imagine the water being cold when we go in August unless they refrigerate it!

 

[ShannonRT]

We were there yesterday and I will try to answer your questions.

I don't believe anyone in your party "has" to swim with the dolphins to enjoy a day at DC. However, if you go without him, he can sit on the beach and watch and vice versa. There are 3 dolphin pool areas and 4 interactions going on in each pool at a time for 25-30 minutes.

Wetsuits are not mandatory, though they are the "short" kind. If you don't wear a wetsuit, they do require you to wear a vest. They're not the hard, plastic kind, they are the same material as the wet suit with a zipper in the front. It was my understanding that they are to be worn in any water, even the tropical river. Some of it is shallow, but there are sections that were over my head. There really isn't a "pool." You may only go ankle-deep in the dolphin pools unless you are participating in the interaction. There is the Coral Reef area for snorkeling, the sting ray area (waist-deep water filled with sting rays) and the tropical river. There is a shallow pool-type area that leads into the tropical river for splashing and playing. You may be able to get by without the vest in there.

Lunch was ok. Nothing spectacular. There were several different entrees to choose from, hamburgers, chicken, some kind of pasta. Sorry, I really didn't pay that much attention. I had a burger and cheesecake for dessert. All drinks and snacks are included in the price now, which was nice. They even had beer. We all had Shamu ice cream bars for "free" which cost us $2.75 each today at Sea World!

Don't know about transportation. We are staying near Sea World and had our own car. I have read that you can take the bus to the TTC and get transportation from Lynx to Sea World. I assume that includes Discovery Cove. You can research that some more on these boards.

The only water that is heated is in the tropical river and it was 82 degrees. All other areas are kept at 72 degrees for the animals. That doesn't sound very cold, but it is a little shocking at first. And the weather in Orlando yesterday was very warm, 88 degrees for the high. I got used to it quickly, but I did see several children shivering at times. But it was also very windy and once you got used to the water, it was actually warmer than the air temperature with the wind.

Hope this helps!