Discovery Cove questions....

[arctic_angel]

We are going to Discovery Cove in 4 weeks! The kids don't know we're going. It is a suprise. I am so excited!! If anyone can answer any of the these questions, I would greatly appreciate it!!

I am a fair haired/skinned person. Is there anywhere in the shade to sit? Do they provide enough sun block, or can I purchse more? I understand they use "fish-friendly" sun block and we can't bring our own in.

Flotation devices.. I thought those were mandatory to wear? We are all strong swimmers. Do we have the option NOT to wear a vest?

How early does one need to arrive in the morning?

I know a lot of things are included in the price, but what extras does one need to pay for? I am trying to budget the extra costs.

Thanks for sharing your experience!!!

 

[S. C.]

http://www.discoverycove.com/pricing.asp

Hope this works. Here is the web site for discovery cove. I think i read they provide you with a sample of their sunscreen and you can purchase more. I don't think they allow you to use other sunscreens since theirs protects marine life.

We will be going to DC for the first time next july. We have been to the dolphin swim at Blue Lagoon and loved it.

 

[Eclpz314]

My family went to DC this past July. If you don't want to buy any of the pictures they will offer you after your dolphin swim, then you will not have to spend much at all. After you check-in for the day, DC takes a family pic that is free. You will pick it up at the end of the day and it's in a nice cardboard DC frame. My husband took a lot of video and pics from the shore since he didn't do the dolphin encounter, but I still couldn't resist one of the "pro" pics that DC had taken of my two sons with the dolpin. That was $15. And then I saw "the perfect frame" in the gift shop for another $15. The included meal was plenty big enough that even my 14 & 17 yr. olds were satisfied. You can take your own extra water, etc....plastic bottles only. There are a lot of palm trees to use for shade, and quite a few umbrellas...GET THERE EARLY ! We arrived at 8 am and there were a lot of people checked in ahead of us. You DO need to take photo id's, and they ask for a credit card # just in case you want to charge stuff during the day. As far as sunscreen, what they gave us in our bags was a little tear-open pouch of Panama Jack stuff. We didn't use/need more than that, so I don't know if they would just give you more or if you'd have to buy it. Everyone is required to wear either the wetvest or lifevest. The vest felt weird at first, but was just buoyant enough that you could enjoy snorkeling without having to expend a lot of energy staying afloat....make sure it fits tight enough though, or it will NOT help you (my 14 yr old found out this the hard way while treading water for so long on part of the dolp. enc.) They don't let anyone do a lot of kicking and splashing, so outright swimming wouldn't work. On the DC website, there is a place to email them with questions. I found them to be very prompt in answering.......all three different times! lol

 

[gshoemate]

When I was there is September they gave just a small tube for each person of sunscreen but you can buy larger bottles if you need. I agree, get there early. DC does not open until 9:00 but that means the actual park. You can check in, get your swimming items and find a chair before the park opens. If your dolphin swim isn't right away, you can do lots of things before most people even get checked in. I like to wait on the bridge going to the coral reef, that way your one of the first people in at 9:00. Last time I was there, I had the coral reef to myself and the stingrays.....it was great!! Have fun!!

Another thing alot of people don't know about is their jewelry policy. I believe they only allow you to wear one item, everything else must come off for the animals safety. So you might want to leave it in the hotel or your car.