Discovery Cove / Sea World Question

[BigShot2421]

Hello,

I have a few questions for anyone who has done the Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove.

My wife has always wanted to swim with the Dolphins. I am thinking of taking a day out of our December Disney trip to do this at Discovery Cove.

However, I don't really want to take more than one day.

Is it possible to do this:
Arrive early and get an early Dolphin Swim time. (I know not guranteed)
and after the lunch time, go over to Sea World and do things at the park there? I see that it is open until 11pm most nights in December.

Besides the lazy river and swimming - what else is at Discovery Cove?
Are you pretty much on your own after your Dolphin swim and lunch?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

 

[TheTrickyTwister]

We did Discovery Cove last October and loved the whole relaxing experience. We had done the cove a few years previous and loved it then too.

Last October we did Sea Venture and the Dolphin swim. Between these activities we did the lazy river, snorkelling in the lagoon and fed the birds in the aviary. You also have the all inclusive lunch to fit in!

It is great to have a relaxing day and get the value from this quieter more private experience. The weather may play a big part in your plans, however, I should imagine it is very possible to do the early Dolphin Swim and then pop over to Sea World. You may not be getting as much value for your money, but it would be possible. I personally would do a day at each.

Have a great time!

 

[Yubbie]

Once you're at Discovery Cove, you won't want to leave. It's a pretty amazing place. There's so much more to DC than just the dolphin swim (and that is awesome).

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling around the reef. It's a prime opportunity to learn to snorkel if you've never done it, because it's a controlled environment (no waves, lifeguards, and vests that assist in buoyancy). You also have access to "free" food and drinks, the pool area, lazy river, bird aviary (this is pretty neat as well), the ray pool, and the new fresh water oasis.

Also, with your DC ticket I believe you still get unlimited access to Seaworld and Aquatica. So there's A LOT to take in once you purchase that DC ticket and it's well worth the time and expense.

I would highly suggest at least one full day at DC and at least one additional day for Seaworld or Aquatica.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Discovery Cove really is a full-day park. And to do SeaWorld justice for a first time visitor, you will need at least one full day there (preferably two).

If you check out the links in my signature, you will find lots of pics and info on our visits to Discovery Cove (we visited on January 1st, 2012 and did the dolphin swim, then again on August 29th without the swim but adding on a cabana rental).

My January trip report also covers SeaWorld. We visited twice that week (January 2nd and January 5th).

I would not try to squeeze both into one day.

 

[Littlenemo]

As others have said DC is awesome. We loved it there and are returning on our next holiday. (not long to go) At DC you are paying for the whole day so I would really try to utilise that as its not cheap.
But it is definitely worth it.

We did a day and a half at seaworld, if you are first time visitor I would recommend you do at least one full day there. There is so much to see and do. We didnt see to see all the shows in one full day. And I think they are well worth spending the extra time in the park