Discovery Cove Tips?

[POOHPAMG]

We're due to take DD and DS to DCove in May....are there any things you wish you'd known about ahead of time?

Any tips that you'd like to pass along?

We have booked the B'day pkg for our DD.....anyone ever done this? I hope it's worth it?

I assume there's a Souvenir store or two there? Or are there better options at Sea World?

Any idea on the cost of the videos/pictures they talk about taking?
Are there AAA discounts on them?

Thank you very much for any help!!!

 

[Cindy B]

You can find all sorts of Discovery Cove tips on the Sea World Discovery Cove forum right here on this board. From the scroll down menu on the bottom, its right near the Universal Studios section. There you will find trip reports and such.

I loved Discovery Cove. One day I know I will be back, and it was incredible.

Get there early, leave late! Do your best to get an early dolphin swim.

 

[cleo]

It will truly be a day you will never forget. I'm going to bump you over to the Discovery Cove board for more information.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We went to DC last August. I'd suggest arriving at the check-in at least 30 min prior to park opening because they assign dolphin swim times according to first arrivals. We were there 45 min prior to park opening and got a 9:30 am swim time. We wanted an early swim time so we wouldn't have to be constantly checking our watches to get back in time during the day. There were probably 15 families in front of us in line at this time.
Other than that, we found it a relaxing, low-stress day. We loved the leisurely pace.
I'm not familiar with the b-day package so I can't help you there.

We did purchase a photo and video package even though we said we wouldn't. They let you view the video and photos prior to purchasing and you can make your own package. Some people last year reported some pressure tactics in trying to sell them, but we found it very low key. I'm trying to remember the prices but it's been 8 months now. I think the video was around $60 and made for a terrific souvenier. We also purcached about $85 in photos. We opted for the photo CD. You can have as many or as little pics as you want placed on the CD. They offered photo mugs, keychains etc but we didn't opt for those. I honestly don't recall if there was an AAA discount. They didn't mention this and we didn't ask. I'll kick myself if there was and we forgot to ask. I do know that the main Sea World offers AAA discounts on meals etc, so DC may also. Couldn't hurt to have your AAA card with you.

Yes, there were two slightly higher-end souvenier stores and also a souvenier hut. We didn't get too much----a "I swam with the dolphins at DC" t-shirt, a hat and my youngest dd got a plush talking dolphin. You don't need cash/cc's in DC. You use your photo ID that they give you at check-in for all purchases----BUT, somehow my ID became deactivated while trying to use it at one of the stores. My husband had to give his & it worked fine.

Have a great trip PoohPamG

 

[twotoohappy]

Originally posted by POOHPAMG
We're due to take DD and DS to DCove in May....are there any things you wish you'd known about ahead of time?

Any tips that you'd like to pass along?

We have booked the B'day pkg for our DD.....anyone ever done this? I hope it's worth it?
We did the b-day package in Dec. It was great! You get a pic, video, t'shirt(you get a choice) and an incredable cake!!! You can take the cake home with you if you don't eat it there.
I assume there's a Souvenir store or two there? Or are there better options at Sea World?
kinda pricy, I'd bring my own underwater cameras, the fuji work great.... you also get a free camera with the b-day package - if your dolphin swim is late...ask to pick up your camera early so you can use it all day
Any idea on the cost of the videos/pictures they talk about taking?
the video comes with the b-day package if not it's 60- and I think the pics are 15- each. (my personal choice... I asked for the music NOT to be added to the video. It makes it so you can't hear the trainer. If you get home and the music is too loud - email them right away and they'll replace it... They add the music on later and it's overwhelming. But the video is great and I'm glad we got it!
Are there AAA discounts on them?


Thank you very much for any help!!!

 

[eblondie]

I wish that we had known that you are not able to use your own underwater camera during the dolphin swim. If you have non swimmers with you then they can take photos from the beach area. Unfortunately we had no one to take photos for us so we needed to buy photos..which are expensive.

 

[highlander447]

Make sure when u get your DC pass at check in u check everyone has the same doplhin swim info on it as they managed to mess ours up, picture package for $99 4 photos and 4 key chains the photo cd was 5 photos $100 15 photos $150 20 photos $200 u get to pick the best pictures we actually got 5 pictures plus key chains and video $170 after tax and the photos and video are good

 

[MiaSRN62]

I wish that we had known that you are not able to use your own underwater camera during the dolphin swim.

Also wanted to add to remember to bring your snorkel and mask to the dolphin swim. I'm sure most people would assume this, but the family from England that were in our group forgot theirs back at the orientation hut. They were not unable to duck down under water and watch the dolphins swimming.

 

[essmom]

We did not take our snorkel and mask and we got to feed the dolphin while the others watched underwater. It was no big deal. Pictures were great and video also. We arrived at 8:30 checked in at 8:45 and got an 11:05 swim time!! perfecto!!!

 

[POOHPAMG]

Thanks for all the WONDERFUL tips!!!!

Now I'm debating about trying to change our "Trainer for a Day" package....but I know that's what my dd has her heart set on.

So is that time already set for the dolphin swim time, or the "trainer" pkgs also depend on WHEN you arrive in the morning for check-in?

I'm not really into swimming w/the dolphins, but I wanted to be w/my kids & dh, so I paid for it......do you think they might let my dd take my ride, or are they pretty strict?

Again, this board is GREAT....I really appreciate all the advise!! Thanks again! 34 days and counting!!!!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm not really into swimming w/the dolphins, but I wanted to be w/my kids & dh, so I paid for it......do you think they might let my dd take my ride, or are they pretty strict?

I can't say for sure, but I can't see why they wouldn't let your dd take your ride also. Just make sure she goes first in your family so she has time to swim back out in the deep part of the lagoon after the dolphin brings her to the shore---and let your trainer know about this as soon as you all get in the water.
As for the snorkel and mask----no, it's not a big deal as essmom stated----but just wanted to give you the head's up in case looking at the dolphins swimming and doing their twists and turns underwater was something you'd be interested in. Our dolphin, Scarlet, had her baby along side her also. It was so neat to see the two of them interacting underwater. Everyone in our party (mask or not) got to feed the dolphin and give her hand signals. It was a really fun experience---just way too short imo