Discovery Cove-Swim with dolphins 149.00

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I know this info has been posted on SW/DC boards but I thought I would pass it along.

If you use this code AMXDM10 you will save 50.00 off each ticket. You can use the code only when paying with American Express card. I didn't have one and neither did anyone in my family so I went to Rite-Aid and bought a AE gift card and I was able to use that to purchase my tickets. If I didn't do that, I was going to have to pay 150.00 more for our tickets. Plus we got a 14 day admission ticket to Sea World.

Also, this is just a heads up but on the back of the gift card is a number. Call that number and give them your name/address/phone number so they can attach it to the card. If not, you will not be able to use it online. (found out the hard way. LOL)

 

[luvmy3]

Are there specific dates that you have to go? My dd wants to do this so bad but we don't have any plans to go in the very near future.

Thanks for the info about the card.

 

[yeahdisney]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[gk90]

Are there specific dates that you have to go? My dd wants to do this so bad but we don't have any plans to go in the very near future.

Same question here, if anyone knows I would love to hear!

 

[Dizneydaz]

OP-very smart idea about using an AMEX gift card.

For those asking particulars-here you go-

American Express Offer
Book your reservation using your American Express credit card and save $50 per admission per dolphin swim package.
Your exclusive American Express offer includes:

* Reserved all-inclusive dolphin swim package.
* All day self parking, use of snorkel gear, wetsuits, towels, sunscreen, showers, lockers and changing rooms.
* A light complimentary continental breakfast, a freshly prepared lunch, plus snacks and beverages throughout the day.
* An unlimited use pass for up to 14 consecutive days to your choice of either SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Aquatica.
* Opportunity to upgrade to the Ultimate package which includes 14 consecutive days of unlimited admission to all three parks, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica and save $80.
* Offer available through December 23rd, 2010.

We are planning on doing DC (again-yeah, did it 3 years ago!) in late Sept. Just so you know, the price does vary, depending on when you book. All days in Sept. are only $149 (which is an amazing deal!) except for Sept. 1st and the 4th which are $199. In October the price ranges from $179 to $239. The non-dolphin experience is $70 less, so as low as $79! Such a great deal!

Last year I couldn't find a AMEX discount. 3 years ago we got back a a $50 AMEX traveler's check for each dolphin experience (non-dolphin got nothing back) The prices were also higher. $279 dolphin and $179 non. We paid $737 for 3 of us and got back $100 in traveler's checks. ($637 after refund). This year we will pay only $377 for the 3 of us. ( a savings of $260! WOW!)

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

OP-very smart idea about using an AMEX gift card.

Thank you! I'm glad that it worked. I've always wanted to Swim with the Dolphins but always out of my price range. We were planning on a VIP tour to SW but the total cost for both SW tickets and VIP tour were only 18.00 LESS than dolphin package PLUS we get into SW for 14 days (which we won't use). I can't wait. The kids don't know but I've been trying to throw some hints to them to see what they think and their like...yea ok whatever. Youtube has some great videos.

 

[RumpleMom]

I can't use this deal right now, but thanks for sharing.

I just wanted to say that we swam with the dolphin at DC and it was a fantastic experience. Truly one to remember for a lifetime.

Also Aquatica is a great waterpark.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

A bit off topic but I'm wondering if DC is a full 5-8hr day?

 

[persimmondeb]

Easily. We didn't want to leave at closing time, and we didn't even do the dolphin swim.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Oh yeah! Full day for sure. Funny thing was when we were there in Sept. 07 a storm approached the park (never really arrived). They watch the weather very closely at DC and when the storm got within a certain distance they closed all beaches and water areas. Since it was around 3 p.m. or so, many of the guests (us among them) decided to leave. We turned in our gear, got in line for our free picture, and where all ready to go when I overheard one of the guests asking one of the lifeguards if they were reopening soon. He said they were and mentioned they would be staying open later to accommodate the remaining dolphin experiences.( if you book an dolphin experience and can't do it due to early closure then DC will give you a free return visit-I'm sure they do all they can to avoid this.)

I told my family and we decided to stay. It was an awesome decision! We basically had most of the park to ourselves! For awhile I was the only one in the coral reef. The fish were so close that there were times when I had to stop myself from running into them (you aren't supposed to touch the fish). They stayed open almost an extra hour.

I need to tell you about the extra service one of the DC employees gave us. Since we were going to leave when they closed the beaches we returned our gear. Then when they said they were going to re-open we went back to get gear. Problem was all the gear in the baskets had been used and we couldn't us it until it was cleaned. One of the employees went into the back area and got us all new, clean, gear. If she hadn't offered to do so we wouldn't have been able to go back in the water.

Here are some huge rays hanging out near the entrance to the coral reef after most people left.

This was one of the beach areas just before reopening

Here's my DD (then 8) riding CJ.

Have a great time-it's awesome!

I just can't decide on which of the 3 parks to do. We did BG 3 years ago and while we liked it it is a little bit of a drive to Tampa. Plus it was really hot the day we went! Regarding SW-we live about 100 miles for SW-San Diego and have been many times. Aquatica-are we going to want to do another waterpark after doing DC, TL, and BB?

Advantages for SW and AQ are that they are pretty close to WDW so we could go there for partial days if we wanted. BG is really more of a destination park. Also I read that one of our fav. rides there, Rhino Rally, has closed off the water portion of the ride so now it's just a ride looking a some animals (not nearly as good as KS).

My DM71 has an uncle (in his late 80's) who lives in Orlando that she wants to spend some time with. We usually have dinner with he and his wife but my DM would also like to spend more time with him, talking about her dad (who died when she was 10) and his memories of the old days. I figure my DD and I could do a park one day while she visits. We could do SW or AQ. The other day I was leaning more towards BG, but now I'm thinking SW. But would we really want to go there more than once? Decisions, decisions....?

 

[luvmy3]

OP-very smart idea about using an AMEX gift card.

For those asking particulars-here you go-


We are planning on doing DC (again-yeah, did it 3 years ago!) in late Sept. Just so you know, the price does vary, depending on when you book. All days in Sept. are only $149 (which is an amazing deal!) except for Sept. 1st and the 4th which are $199. In October the price ranges from $179 to $239. The non-dolphin experience is $70 less, so as low as $79! Such a great deal!

Last year I couldn't find a AMEX discount. 3 years ago we got back a a $50 AMEX traveler's check for each dolphin experience (non-dolphin got nothing back) The prices were also higher. $279 dolphin and $179 non. We paid $737 for 3 of us and got back $100 in traveler's checks. ($637 after refund). This year we will pay only $377 for the 3 of us. ( a savings of $260! WOW!)

Thanks for the details. I am assuming that I can purchase up until that date, but reserve a dolphin experience for a later date, say sometime in 2011. Am I wrong?

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks for the details. I am assuming that I can purchase up until that date, but reserve a dolphin experience for a later date, say sometime in 2011. Am I wrong?

When I called; you had to have the dolphin experience by December 23, 2010 it was not just a purchase by date.

Also, I was able to use the code but pay with my Discover card. I called Discovery Cove to do it as it was a toll free number and I had other questions anyway. No problem and I received my confirmation with the correct total. For December, I paid$149 for the swim and $49 for the non swim (which is crazy since SeaWorld is twice that and you get 14 day admission there).

Anyway, it was a great deal and we are so excited!

 

[zoie101]

ok so am i undestanding it right, get an amx card
swim with the dolphins at DC, plus a 14 day ticket for sea world etc.
for $150 per person?


we are going in september

 

[Can't w8 4 Disney]

Thank you for much OP for posting this. I had purchased tix for our DF of 5 last week. I was able to make the switch and save $250. Appreciate you posting this!!!!

 

[ccgirl]

ok so am i undestanding it right, get an amx card
swim with the dolphins at DC, plus a 14 day ticket for sea world etc.
for $150 per person?


we are going in september

Short answer...depends on the date. And...I did not have to have an AMEX. I used my Discover to pay and I know many others who booked with cards other than Amex. Go on the Discovery Cove website. Where you purchase, put in your dates and the AMXDM10 code and it will tell you what your price will be. There is a dolphin swim, non swim, and under 3 price. You can pick Sea World, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens as the other park and it includes a 14 day admission to one of those parks as well.

Great price!

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Now see I tried booking with a Visa and Mastercard both online and on the phone and the person on the phone wouldn't let me do it. That's why I had to purchase an American Express gift card. I had to pay 5.95 for it but sooo worth the total value of it.

 

[ccgirl]

Now see I tried booking with a Visa and Mastercard both online and on the phone and the person on the phone wouldn't let me do it. That's why I had to purchase an American Express gift card. I had to pay 5.95 for it but sooo worth the total value of it.

Looks like they train their representatives like some of the WDW CM's??? Sometimes you can...sometimes you can't. WHen my representative read the code she said it had to be used by December 23rd and it didn't say anything about having to use your AMEX to pay for it. Although, I did have one and could have used it if I needed to.

Great thinking purchasing the AMEX gift card though. I will have to remember that one! Glad you got the deal. Are you still doing the VIP tour?

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

No were not doing the VIP tour this time. I thought we would like to swim with the dolphins better and since it was a great price, that's what we went with. I just hope I made the right decision. I know I'm excited about it LOL

 

[zoie101]

Short answer...depends on the date. And...I did not have to have an AMEX. I used my Discover to pay and I know many others who booked with cards other than Amex. Go on the Discovery Cove website. Where you purchase, put in your dates and the AMXDM10 code and it will tell you what your price will be. There is a dolphin swim, non swim, and under 3 price. You can pick Sea World, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens as the other park and it includes a 14 day admission to one of those parks as well.

Great price!

I see the different selections, if you pick the dolphin swim that gives you just the discover cove and the swim right? If I want the 14 day tic I have to pay the upgrade correct?

Why is it this budget board cost me money? lol

 

[10_Kyle_10]

Just tried using a visa on their site and it wouldn't allow it. Off to get a gift card.