Discovery Cove

[PaulaSB12]

I am thinking of sneaking in a visit to Discovery Cove with dolphin swim for the kids and a non dolphin swim for me and my sister. It would cost $1500 is it worth doing this? This is the one that covers the tickets to Busch gardens Sea world and Aquatica.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

If you can afford it then its worth it! Just check your kids are old enough for the swim.

My GF and I are going soon and it's one of the days im looking forward to most!

 

[PaulaSB12]

If you can afford it then its worth it! Just check your kids are old enough for the swim.

My GF and I are going soon and it's one of the days im looking forward to most!

They are all 14

 

[nannyj]

We have been for the last 3 years and even if you don't do the dolphin swim, it is worth every penny. It is an unforgettable place and an experience you will never tire of!

 

[wayneg]

Done it twice, worth every penny. 2nd time I did it without the Dolphin swim and preffered it, I prefer the fish lagoon and Aviary. DS and DW did the swim both times.
Thankfully we have AP's for Seaworld so 1st time with swim only cost £75 each, 2nd time was August so discounts were not good. It was worth buying AP's for discount at DC, not sure what they offer now.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

My comments are kind of a contradiction, our day in March 2005 was ruined by thunderstorms and cold weather , Joshua fell asleep! but it is a great place to visit and does feel special.

If you can make the most of the day it is worth it, ensure you have breakfast and lunch (included in the price) and get there before 8am if you want an early dolphin swim.

 

[nibbo]

Definitely do it but keep it a surprise for the kids. We kept it a surprise from our DD's right up until we checked in at DC on Christmas morning. We told them we had to exchange a voucher for seaworld there. They fell for it right up until I went up to the desk, handed my ticket over and he confirmed that we were doing the dolphin swim. The look on the girls faces were priceless, and they still keep saying it was their best Christmas ever....ours too!

 

[DISWolves]

Going for our 4th Dolphin swim this August.
Best day of the whole holiday IMO, and with the crowd limit, it is never crowded. Food is good and plenty of things to keep you busy. Snorkelling with the rays / fish is good, but the water is FREEZING !!!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Looking forward to our 1st visit in December - only hope it's not too cold a day

 

[wayneg]

Looking forward to our 1st visit in December - only hope it's not too cold a day

You are so brave

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Would I look out of place with my hat & scarf on then???

 

[wayneg]

Would I look out of place with my hat & scarf on then???

Bikini, hat and scarf? You will be fine.
1st time we went in Dec(2000) there was ice on car everyday, it was so cold that year. Other years we have had mixed, cold starts to nice in afternoon, then other days shorts and Tshirts right thru til midnight. No way will you know until you get there. I am soft though would not go in water at that time of year, August is only month we do water parks, it has to be 100+ for us.

 

[kayleighnik]

I went with my brother (11 at the time), my mom and my nan in July 07...it was fantastic - one of the highlights of the trip. Even if you don't do the dolphin swim, its still worth it.

I would definately recommend it...food, drink and snacks were included and we must have gone round the river at least 5 times. My favourite part, other than the dolphin swim, was the stingray lagoon...unbelievable actually being able to be in the water with them.

There was 8 - two families - in our group in total and we saw 4 (!!) different dolphins...Capricorn (the oldest dolphin), CJ, Kaylee (the youngest dolphin - with the same name as me!) and (the name has escaped me :S I think it was Rascal though)

Go for it!

Kayleigh

 

[Hbabe78]

im going on the 26th of september with my eldest dd who will be 13.

im a wee bit nervouse though as we will be going on my own, couldnt afford tickets for the rest of the family to just come in and watch for not much in price differnce, i know ill love it, its been a life long dream, and its a gift to myself for my 30th birthday in june.

i assume there will be an oppertunity to buy official photos, since theres no one to snap away for us,.

i cant wait

 

[nannyj]

You get a free photo when you go in but the other photos (and videos) are very pricey. The photographers actually go into the dolphin pool with you and take photos so you will have the memory always. I am sure someone will take a photo for you, we just ask and usually someone is happy to oblige!!

I am sure you will have a fantastic day. It is always the highlight of our holiday.

 

[PaulaSB12]

You get a free photo when you go in but the other photos (and videos) are very pricey. The photographers actually go into the dolphin pool with you and take photos so you will have the memory always. I am sure someone will take a photo for you, we just ask and usually someone is happy to oblige!!

I am sure you will have a fantastic day. It is always the highlight of our holiday.

If we go I will be taking my camcorder with me to video it.

 

[fuse04]

DC is a great day out, given the choice Hannah (DD 10) would choose this as being top of the things to do list

 

[Daysleeper40]

im going on the 26th of september with my eldest dd who will be 13.

im a wee bit nervouse though as we will be going on my own, couldnt afford tickets for the rest of the family to just come in and watch for not much in price differnce, i know ill love it, its been a life long dream, and its a gift to myself for my 30th birthday in june.

i assume there will be an oppertunity to buy official photos, since theres no one to snap away for us,.

i cant wait

That is exactly a year and four days since we were having our dolphin swim... I'm sooo jealous of you!

Yes they sell official pics and also a DVD. They are very expensive but well worth it for us - it's not exactly something you do every day is it! See my trip report for how we spent our day. Here are a couple of examples of the official pics:

 

[wayneg]

The official photos were not good for both our trips, its a bit hit and miss, sometimes they get a few good ones, depends which photographer you get.
These are a few pics I took

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Im sure when i went in 2004 you wasnt allowed to take your own pics of you and the dolphins. Has that changed now?