Discovery Cove questions

[angcmom]

This is probably a crazy question and I have read and read trying to find the answer but can't.

We will be at Discovery Cove in a couple of weeks as part of my daughter's Make-a-Wish trip. If we choose to wear the wet suits as opposed to the vests, what do people typically wear UNDER the wet suit? Should we just plan on our regular bathing suits or bathing suits with a t-shirt over them?

Also, how convenient are the lockers for storing keys/cameras/etc?

When eating breakfast or lunch, do people usually just leave their wet suits on, or do you change so you can eat dry?

Can you pick a seat (like at a water park) and come and go to it all during the day?

Thanks for any input!!

 

[Sehsun]

Not a crazy question at all!

You wear your swim suit under the wet suit. If you get the wet suit and want to change to the swim vest at any point during the day, you are allowed to do that and vice-versa.

The lockers are a pretty good size, the taller kind (two per column). They also have hooks on the inside. There is plenty of room to store keys, cameras, etc.

When eating meals, it seems like most people left their water wear on. I didn't remember seeing anyone change into dry clothes until the end of the day.

And yes, you can pick a seat and come and go to it all day. Make sure you remember where you left your belongings. And if you come early (or are lucky), you may be able to find a beach chair with an umbrella.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

All of the wetsuits, no matter which style you choose are meant to be fairly snug. I think trying to haul one of those bad boys on over a tshirt would be an exercise in futility (in other words, a huge pain in the butt) That being said, after you do manage to wiggle into the wetsuit, you probably won't want to do it any more times then you absolutely have to, therefore leaving it on during meals is totally ok and seems to be the norm. The vest isn't quite as difficult to get in and out of and if you want to be able to get in and out of it (something to consider for bathroom type reasons) it would probably be the better option. I've never gone for the vest myself because I would simply not be warm enough in it (I tend to go to Disney in cooler months, and DC has been a day during 2 out of my past 3 trips, one in Febuary and one in January)

The lockers can hold quite a bit, and if you have a large family I think they can give more than one locker. When you go to get your wetsuit and whatnot, they'll give you a key on a lanyard so its easy to just put around your neck like your park ID (just an FYI these will have to be tucked into your wetsuit while you're in the water) I would feel safe putting a camera in them.

Depending on the time of year, you could probably claim a chair but I would obviously suggest not putting anything of value at them, and if you abandon them for several hours, I wouldn't be surprised to find that your stuff has been moved. What I usually do is put my mesh bag (it comes with your snorkel and goggles) and shoes on a chair near whatever area I'm in. I usually put my sunglasses in their too and I've never had them moved.

 

[chiamarie]

This is probably a crazy question and I have read and read trying to find the answer but can't.

We will be at Discovery Cove in a couple of weeks as part of my daughter's Make-a-Wish trip. If we choose to wear the wet suits as opposed to the vests, what do people typically wear UNDER the wet suit? Should we just plan on our regular bathing suits or bathing suits with a t-shirt over them?

Also, how convenient are the lockers for storing keys/cameras/etc?

When eating breakfast or lunch, do people usually just leave their wet suits on, or do you change so you can eat dry?

Can you pick a seat (like at a water park) and come and go to it all during the day?

Thanks for any input!!

A) Wet suits (as others have stated) are meant to be snug, so you'd only want to wear your bathing suit underneath. If you get a vest; you could easily wear a tee shirt under it if needed.

B) I maybe miss reading your second question; but how convenient are the lockers? Yes, they are large inside, I usually have a back pack sized bag and it holds all my stuff easily. As to are they convenient to come and go; yes very. Discovery Cove is a very small park and from anywhere in the park; I'd imagine you could get to your locker in just a couple of minutes.

C) I usually eat breakfast before even getting my locker; let alone changing, and I feel like that is pretty normal. So I wear my regular clothes while eating breakfast. But I deff don't change for lunch. All one tables/chairs to eat at are outside, and I don't know that anyone will change for lunch or snacks.

D) I think of the lounge chairs as a "use them as you need them" type. The idea of picking a spot out; and then leaving it all day, seems pointless, and rude to the other guests who are looking for an open lounger when you're not using yours. So, unless you plan to be sitting on your lounger for 75% of the day; there really isn't much of a reason to mark your territory, if you're not going to be there for most the day.


Have fun at DC; it's an amazingly relaxing place and such a fun vacation spot!

 

[Cest_la_vie]

I would suggest taking your camera and phone with you and leaving them with everything on your chair. Generally if you put a distinctive t-shirt on the chair and put your camera etc. underneath that nobody will really mess with it.

The lockers are large, but depending on which ones you are assigned to they may or not be convenient to your location.

Also you wear your swimsuit underneath the wetsuit, nothing else.

 

[dthogue]

Thanks for the tips - we will be at Discovery Cove on Saturday and can't wait to experience it!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I just thought of this and figured I'd throw it out there. Unless you're planning on ordering any alcoholic drinks that aren't included in your package, you don't need to carry cash or credit cards around during the day. All your food and drinks are included (there's some alcohol available without additional charge, but you would need cash if you're looking for something strong) Leave your shopping towards the end of the day.

 

[meggiebeth]

This is probably a crazy question and I have read and read trying to find the answer but can't.

We will be at Discovery Cove in a couple of weeks as part of my daughter's Make-a-Wish trip. If we choose to wear the wet suits as opposed to the vests, what do people typically wear UNDER the wet suit? Should we just plan on our regular bathing suits or bathing suits with a t-shirt over them?

Also, how convenient are the lockers for storing keys/cameras/etc?

When eating breakfast or lunch, do people usually just leave their wet suits on, or do you change so you can eat dry?

Can you pick a seat (like at a water park) and come and go to it all during the day?

Thanks for any input!!

Hello! Just wear your bathing suit under your wetsuit... And definately choose the wetsuit over the vest- the Grand Reef and Dolphin Lagoon are SO cold and far more enjoyable if you wear a wetsuit.

We ate breakfast as soon as we got into the park, in our clothes. I think you are let into the park earlier than the published opening time. This is what we did, and we ate breakfast, we just couldn't get into the water, Grand Reef, Aviary, etc until the park officially opened. At lunch no one bothered to get changed back into clothes. If you're going during a hot month your wetsuits will dry anyway. If you're going in December or another relatively cool month, I would probably get changed and dry to avoid being cold and wet while eating.

Yes- leave your stuff on a lounger and that is your base for the day. You will spend hardly any time on them though, you'll be so busy!

 

[GypsyOBRN]

We chose a locker by the Grand Reef because we knew, other than swimming with the dolphins, we would be there the most. The park, as amusement parks go, is small, so walking around to get to one place or another was easy.

I wore a two piece under my wet suit & did just fine. My DD, age 15, changed to a vest 3/4 through the day, even in the Grand Reef & said after she got use to it, it was just as comfortable as the wetsuit for warmth.

Have a great time!