Discovery Cove Sunscreen and other 1st time questions

WDWfanfromOR

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
12
Hello, all!

To start, thanks to all that have posted; the great info here helped me so much in deciding to book! We were talking about how we wished we could do a cruise style private island day, and when I started reading about Discovery Cove, that is just exactly what it sounded like!

A couple of questions, then some comments about my experiences with reservations:

1. Sunscreen: We are very pale Oregonians, and the website says that they give you a "sample" packet of the animal safe sunscreen. Is it enough for all day?

2. Since we are not doing the Dolphin Swim do we need to be there at 7:30? Would 8:30 be early enough? We will have been in Orlando a couple of days, but I know from past trips the time change from the west coast will make getting up early pretty difficult.

Comments:
Reservations: I've seen several people talk about the ease of changing dates for weather or convenience. I called today to move our reservation by one day, and the young lady on the phone let me know that because we booked on a promotion that expired at Christmas, we would give up our $30 each discount if we moved the date. Also, if you move it more than once, there is a $50 fee.

Parking: I have seen others talk about adding a parking pass, but didn't remember seeing a price. We just added the pass for $40 plus tax. Good deal since we will be using 4-5 days of parking and the daily price is $15.

Our deal was $149 each for the resort day, and we added the Busch Gardens and Parking. All in with taxes was just a bit over $400 for both of us, and we are planning 4-5 days in the other parks. It really is very affordable when you spread it over that many days!

Counting the days until March 12th! :beach:
 
Hello, all!

To start, thanks to all that have posted; the great info here helped me so much in deciding to book! We were talking about how we wished we could do a cruise style private island day, and when I started reading about Discovery Cove, that is just exactly what it sounded like!

A couple of questions, then some comments about my experiences with reservations:

1. Sunscreen: We are very pale Oregonians, and the website says that they give you a "sample" packet of the animal safe sunscreen. Is it enough for all day?

2. Since we are not doing the Dolphin Swim do we need to be there at 7:30? Would 8:30 be early enough? We will have been in Orlando a couple of days, but I know from past trips the time change from the west coast will make getting up early pretty difficult.

Comments:
Reservations: I've seen several people talk about the ease of changing dates for weather or convenience. I called today to move our reservation by one day, and the young lady on the phone let me know that because we booked on a promotion that expired at Christmas, we would give up our $30 each discount if we moved the date. Also, if you move it more than once, there is a $50 fee.

Parking: I have seen others talk about adding a parking pass, but didn't remember seeing a price. We just added the pass for $40 plus tax. Good deal since we will be using 4-5 days of parking and the daily price is $15.

Our deal was $149 each for the resort day, and we added the Busch Gardens and Parking. All in with taxes was just a bit over $400 for both of us, and we are planning 4-5 days in the other parks. It really is very affordable when you spread it over that many days!

Counting the days until March 12th! :beach:

Hi WDWfanfromOR :wave:,

The packet of sunscreen is small (and the product itself is a super THICK and GOOEY consistency) but if you need more, DC staffers are happy to give you an additional supply :thumbsup2 .

The first big advantage of arriving early is to secure the earliest possible dolphin swim. Since that's not an issue, you can scratch that off the list! The second advantage is to simply maximize your day.....squeeze in as much fun as you can before the park closes. If that's not a HUGE issue, arriving at 8:30 will be no problem at all. You will still be in time to enjoy breakfast after you check in.

The parking pass has two different price points. The $40 pass you purchased is for Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. There is also a $30 pass which gives 14 days of parking for SeaWorld and Aquatica only (for those not paying for the BG ticket add-on).

Yes, there can be extra costs associated with moving your reservation. The first change is free, but can be subject to a pricing difference between current rates and what you initially reserved at. Subsequent changes incur both a change fee AND the pricing difference (if applicable). Good to point that out so everyone knows ::yes:: .

I will add you to our DC Roll Call list for March 12th :cool1: :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3214125
 
Thanks, Gina! All great info. Thanks so much for the answers and clarifications.

I do hope I can drag myself out of bed at what feels like 4 AM, but I think giving ourselves a bit of leeway may mean we enjoy the day more.

In the last couple weeks we've had snow and ice (unusual for the Portland area) inches of rain and some sleet and hail as well. DC is sounding better by the minute!

Coreen
 

Thanks, Captain!

Gina, thanks for adding me to the roll call. I've had a sick day today, and enjoyed reading through you trip reports!

A friend just pointed out that daylight savings time starts the day we leave, so we will be dealing with a 4 hour time difference! :coffee: We will need some serious caffeine those first few mornings!



Coreen
 
Thanks, Captain!

Gina, thanks for adding me to the roll call. I've had a sick day today, and enjoyed reading through you trip reports!

A friend just pointed out that daylight savings time starts the day we leave, so we will be dealing with a 4 hour time difference! :coffee: We will need some serious caffeine those first few mornings!

Coreen

You're welcome :goodvibes . And thanks for the kind comments on the trip reports :) . Sorry to hear you had a sick day, but glad they brought you some enjoyment while you rested. Hope you are feeling better today!
 





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