Discovery Cove vs Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel?

[PrincessScarlett]

Has anyone ever been to Sea World Orlando's Discovery Cove? Me and my bf are trying to decide whether to do a dolphin excursion in Cozumel such as Dolphin Discovery or Dolphinaris or wait til we go to Sea World after the cruise. Does anyone have experience with these 2?

 

[Stinasmom]

Oh, I want in on this question too! I am very close to booking Discovery Cove for a date just prior to sailing, but it would take a day away from our time at WDW. And, since Discovery Cove then gives you a 7 day pass to Sea World, my DS will want to go there taking ANOTHER day away from WDW.

Discovery Cove seems like a really good deal for what you get, but I would love to hear a comparison to the Cozumel Dolphin thing too...
Anyone...??

Thanks!

 

[sillysully]

We only did the Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel, but in hindsight, there are some things about Discovery Cove that appeal to us. The current due to wind was very strong the day we were in Coz, making it difficult to stand on the platform, plus the tide was fairly high, so even my 10 y.o. was floating while I held onto her lifejacket. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the excursion (we did the Royal Swim), but I don't think you'd have these issues at Sea World.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We did the Royal Dolphin Swim in Cozumel and it was FANTASTIC! The cost is about 1/2 that of Discovery Cove but, of course, you don't get the extra activities that DC has. You do get admission to Chankanaab Park, however, and there is more than enough to do there to fill your day. We would do the Cozumel experience again, over Discovery Cove. The cost is far better and and our experience was phenomenal. It was, hands down, the best excursion we've ever done.

Here's a link to that section of my trip report, in case you'd like to read about our experience... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1636950&page=6 It's the second post on the page.

BTW, we booked the Royal Swim on our own. You cannot book the Royal Swim through DCL.

 

[love2travel]

We have done Discovery Cove and all I can tell you is that it is AWESOME!!! Definately worth the money!! A beautiful park and interacting with the Dolphins was just an incredible experience that we will never forget!!!!!

 

[barbmouse]

We have done discovery Cove and it is truly an awesome experience. The dolphin experience was wonderful but the great thing about DC is that your entire day is spent in this paradise. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable day. I would highly recommend DC.

 

[ctc917]

We did this same exact thing when we went on our 2007 7 day Disney cruise. I thought that it was worth the extra money to spend the whole day swimming with the different sea animals including the dolphins(even thou the dolphin swim was a small part of the day)only 2 of our party did the dolphin swim, my 4yr old(who was too young at the time), and my husband sat and watched me and my older ds do the dolphin swim it was great. The food was great and we also used our 7 day passes to go to Seaworld a couple of days which added to the value. We did all of this before our cruise and then after our cruise we went to WDW for a few days, it was a wonderful vacation.

If you decide to do Discovery Cove check around they usually have discounts out there, I think they usually have a discount if you reservation early..

ctc917

 

[ellenmiele]

How about the Dolphin Swim in Nassau? I was thinking about either that one in June or waiting and doing Discovery Cove when we're in WDW next April. What I read about the Dolphin excursion in Nassua makes me think that the actual contact w/the dolphins is limited/short - and I right? And I do like the idea of a full day at DC - although that's a full day away from WDW.

 

[misslissa]

We haven't ever been to Seaworld, but we're thinking of doing it sometime. Now that we're going on the cruise at visiting Chankanaab anyway... I'm wondering whether we should do it during the cruise or just wait and do DC someday... ???

 

[CraftyMouse]

We haven't ever been to Seaworld, but we're thinking of doing it sometime. Now that we're going on the cruise at visiting Chankanaab anyway... I'm wondering whether we should do it during the cruise or just wait and do DC someday... ???

Our experience at Chankanaab was fantastic. I highly recommend it! We did the Royal Swim and booked directly with www.dolphindiscovery.com

 

[PrincessScarlett]

Thank you so much everyone for responding! Discovery Cove sounds like so much fun but I still can't make up my mind. I guess I better call them and ask them if they're even available for the time we are going. I hear they only allow 1,000 people a day in there. Thanks again.

 

[pouncingpluto]

What about the Dolphinaris dolphin swim through DCL? Has anyone done that or heard anything about it?

 

[sam2cam]

HI
We did Discovery Cove last year. Don’t get me wrong we had a good time but I don’t think that I would pay that kind of money again. We have been to two parks in Mexico and loved them much more. Me a DH are planning a bed and breakfast trip to Cozumel and are booked for the Royal swim. I am sure either one you do you will have a wonderful time!

 

[kcashner]

We loved Discovery Cove. It was the only thing we've ever done where the level of service approximates that at Disney.

You do need to be aware that your "dolphin swim" is limited by Florida law to 30 minutes with the dolphins. You will have about 15 minutes before that with the trainers. However, there is plenty to keep you busy the rest of the day. Other nice things--all animal food is included as is people food (lunch), your wet suit, snorkel (which you get to keep), locker, etc. There is no need to spend another penny, but you will buy a LOT of pictures! In addition, you get a pass for a week at Sea World which can be used either before or after your Discovery Cove day.

Personally, there are enough other things to do on the ship/excursions, and Discovery Cove was SO good that I wouldn't spend my ship time on a dolphin swim elsewhere. We haven't done the one on the Western, but we've done 2 others in the islands and they just didn't compare.

 

[love2travel]

Thank you so much everyone for responding! Discovery Cove sounds like so much fun but I still can't make up my mind. I guess I better call them and ask them if they're even available for the time we are going. I hear they only allow 1,000 people a day in there. Thanks again.

I think if you call them, they can send you a video describing what it is like there.

 

[barney4liz]

Discovery Cove is WONDERFUL! We took DD's entire Girl Scout troop there 2 years ago (they had a lot of cookie money that year ). It is a gorgeous park, the closest thing you can get to an island vacation without getting on a ship. I loved that it was all-inclusive. Because it is limited to 1000 visitors, it never felt crowded. There is a fantastic snorkeling river and pool and a stingray lagoon for feeding the rays, in addition to the dolphin encounter. There is a swim-through aviary with tropical birds, you can get out of the water and feed the birds. There is a beautiful beach. You can do a guided walking tour to learn about the beautiful plants. If you wear prescription glasses, you can get a swim mask that approximates your prescription. Snacks and lunch are included, and the food is excellent. A hint -- we were driving the girls home that evening, so we ate lunch at noon and then let them hit the buffet again (I believe it was available until 4) for an early evening meal before we left, so we actually got 2 meals plus snacks.

I can't wait to go back!