Discovery Cove & the weather- It would make me nervous, but.....

[jaoconnor]

it would really work best for my family to schedule our Discovery Cove on our last full day in Orlando.

My family of 4 will be visiting Discovery Cove for the 1st time this October. We are really looking forward to it.

Please tell me more about weather situations at Discovery Cove. Do they close the park completely if the weather is nasty?

Do they ever keep the park open, but cancel the dolphin interaction?

I assume if its just chilly and/or light rain we will still be able to enjoy everything?

Do many people change their Discovery Cove day if the weather is just a little off, or do you stick it out unless it's awful.

How important to you feel the weather is to your overall Discovery Cove enjoyment?

I feel like my fam would be willing to go with the flow if the weather is imperfect, but due to the cost, this is likely a one time only visit for us so I want it to be great.

If the weather would cooperate, I think Discovery Cove would be an awesome grand finale to our trip. Would you risk leaving it to the end?

 

[scottmel]

it would really work best for my family to schedule our Discovery Cove on our last full day in Orlando.

My family of 4 will be visiting Discovery Cove for the 1st time this October. We are really looking forward to it.

Please tell me more about weather situations at Discovery Cove. Do they close the park completely if the weather is nasty?

Do they ever keep the park open, but cancel the dolphin interaction?

I assume if its just chilly and/or light rain we will still be able to enjoy everything?

Do many people change their Discovery Cove day if the weather is just a little off, or do you stick it out unless it's awful.

How important to you feel the weather is to your overall Discovery Cove enjoyment?

I feel like my fam would be willing to go with the flow if the weather is imperfect, but due to the cost, this is likely a one time only visit for us so I want it to be great.

If the weather would cooperate, I think Discovery Cove would be an awesome grand finale to our trip. Would you risk leaving it to the end?

Great questions!!! I have struggled with this same thing for years. I always book DC and end up cancelling it b/c of weather worries and we go in june! I know they allowed me to change the date one time but any other changes they would not permit. I have heard that the afternoon dolphin interaction is the dicey one due to afternoon thunder etc. I honestly can't get psyched up enough for this b/c of weather concerns. I get about saving it to the end but I would want a buffer day JUST IN CASE someone got sick, weather bad etc. etc.

 

[Mellymoo]

Myself and the DH went for our honeymoon last year and went early October. Weather was overcast but nothing was cancelled. We had a fantastic day! I have been in the past and it rained and we just took it as an opportunity to grab a bite to eat and pick up our photos.

 

[RabFlmom]

The answer that I would say is.....Florida rarely has a full day of Thunderstorms. Lightning within a certain number of miles would cause them to clear the waters but not send you packing. When the storm has passed over and lightning is far enough away from the park, they reopen all water activities.

October is still hurricane season, but usually not a problem and you would know a couple days in advance if they think it is going to hit the state and get any where near the Orlando area.

I would plan it for the final day and just not worry about it myself. Have fun.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would plan it for the final day and just not worry about it myself. Have fun.

I tend to agree. We have been in the middle of winter (January 1st) and in the dead of summer (end of August). Both time periods had their specific weather concerns (cold temps in January, hurricanes and thunderstorms in August), but both days turned out wonderful.

We do try and avoid the absolute last day of vacation in the event that Mother Nature wreaks havoc on our selected day. Just to be on the safe side.

I would not, personally, readjust my plans if weather was supposed to be "a little off". Most of the water features are well heated (think bathwater warm) so air chilliness isn't a huge worry. Like RabFlmom mentioned above, unless there is a major storm system bearing down on the region, you will rarely get a day that is a wash-out from morning until night.

 

[pixeegrl]

We were there in August of 2012 and about 1:00 a big bout of rain and thunderstorms came through. I do know they had everyone out of the water at that time and it was shut down for awhile. Luckily we had purchased tickets at a deep passholder discount $69 (no dolphin swim) I think or something so I wasn't too upset about missing out on most of the day. We headed over to Sea World and got to ride some rides and shows during times of "dryness" lol but later on it really started pouring so we headed back to the Hard Rock. If we had paid full price and missed out, I would have been very upset that they don't reschedule. Found this on the site "Changing or canceling a reservation
At Discovery Cove, we recognize that vacation plans sometimes change. To accommodate this, we will allow one complimentary date change prior to your visit. Further changes to your itinerary will be provided for a nominal charge of $50 per change. If you need to reschedule your Discovery Cove visit, one complimentary date change is allowed, pending availability. Bookings made within 3 days of original reservation date will be booked at the original rate. Bookings made outside of that time will be subject to change based on seasonal rates for the new date chosen.

Please note: If you decide to cancel or rebook your Discovery Cove reservation within 30 days of your visit there is no refund. If the cancellation notice is provided more than 30 days from your originally scheduled arrival, you will receive a full 100% refund. If you have to change or cancel your reservation, please contact the Discovery Cove reservations center at 1-877-557-7404. "

 

[jaoconnor]

Thank you for everyone's replies.

My itinerary tends to change weekly, but I think I'm going to go for it & plan on Discovery Cove for our final Orlando day.

The only other day it would work in our week would be the morning after Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios & I'm worried we'll be extra tired after that late night.

Because we have specials plans to see my son's favorite football team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I convinced my hubby we need to do something special for our daughter too and book a celebration package at Discovery Cove. I think the buoy delivery sounds like so much fun & would be something she would absolutely love! I'm not sure what to have it say?? Maybe just "Discovery Cove 2014" and her name. She can never find any souvenirs with her name on them....Kennedy.

I'm still on the fence about a cabana, but will most likely skip it. We are planning on a cabana for our Aquatica day because it's such a bargain at $59.00. I think we will be in the water as much as possible at Discovery Cove.

Can't wait!!!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I think the buoy delivery sounds like so much fun & would be something she would absolutely love! I'm not sure what to have it say?? Maybe just "Discovery Cove 2014" and her name. She can never find any souvenirs with her name on them....Kennedy.

The buoy will have the Discovery Cove logo name/logo preprinted on it. So you may want to go ahead and have her name added to it instead , especially since personalized items are hard to find for her. Maybe something like "Kennedy Swam With the Dolphins 2014"?

When you do decide on your date and have your reservation in place, be sure to post it over on our roll call thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3214125

Then I can add to you our list of DC guests that we have running on page 1 .