Discovery cove

[ge0rgette2]

Any discounts available for Discovery Cove - either end of December thru 1st week of January

Thanks!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Here's 2 that are on mousesavers.com

Promotional Codes

American Express cardholders can save up to $80 per person at Discovery Cove for visits through 12/23/10 using promotion code AMXDM10. Not valid on previously booked reservations. Must mention promotion code at time of booking to receive discount. Each reservation must include at least one Dolphin Swim admission. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Thanks to Dennis Z for info.

The Adopt a Coral Reef Promotional Package includes a $25 discount on the Dolphin Swim package, plus a $25 donation will be made to The Nature Conservancy’s Rescue the Reef fund. Use promotion code TNC11. Offer available 8/23/10-3/27/11. Blackouts apply. Thanks to Joanne C for info.

I acutally used the AmEx one a few years back (it was only $50 then) so I'm excited to see it back again this year. I couldn't find it last year. I would love to go to DC again.-It is a great experience.

ADDED-I just checked and the AmEx discount is $50

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.

 

[ge0rgette2]

I searched and found, thanks!!

Amex would be a great deal, but we are going after that date.

I tried the other and it worked, saving me $25.00 per ticket.

thanks!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

I searched and found, thanks!!

Amex would be a great deal, but we are going after that date.

I tried the other and it worked, saving me $25.00 per ticket.

thanks!!

You're welcome. I checked for our dates and it's such a good deal that I definitely want to do it again.

Have you done it before? It is really great, even if you don't do the dolphins. My DD( now10) and I did the dolphins a few years ago and had a wonderful time. And you (and your kids) can get all the drinks and snacks they want-inc. in your price. I'm not much of a drinker but it also inc. Beer and wine coolers as well.

One of the best things is that they limit the amount of guests. Last time we went on a Sunday in Sept. If we do it again I would do it on a weekday. I overheard one of the employees mention that during the week, while we were there, they had less than 500 guests.

Also when we were there a storm started to approach about 3 p.m. Many of the guests decided to leave for the day and the staff closed all water/beach areas. However, just before we were going to leave, they re-opened everything and it was like having the place to ourselves! I was the only one in the Tropical Reef. I was amazing. I had to keep swimming backwards so I woudn't run into the fish and rays. AMAZING! So if you are there and a storm approaches, don't be too quick to leave, they may just reopen. The day we were there the storm never did reach DC. It was several miles away.

Here are some pix from our day there (Sept. 07)

DD(then 7) petting rays-this was a really cool pool-you get to be in the pool and feed them!

DD riding dolphin

Me with dolphin

Incoming Storm

Tropical reef after everyone left. These rays were huge! Like 6' across

More of the rays.

My Dsis at lunch

This was the beach area after most of the guests left.

The lunch menu

Cobb salad-very good

Lunch-the lobster salad was very good (with croissant) they make it up to order.

DD in line for continental breakfast.

Lunch display

Make sure when you go to go hungry. You'll have plenty of opportunities to eat all day long.

My DD loved being able to get all the pretzels and frozen lemonades that she could.

Have fun!

 

[ge0rgette2]

Hi again

Nope, we have never done this before.. We've done everything else. Actually, thats a lie, hehe, We've never done aquatica either, which we plan on doing.

When we were done there last Christmas, we were going to do Discovery Cove, but the prices were crazy. We are now going after New Years, so the price is reasonable - esp when you receive the snacks and food, plus a ticket to SW or Aquatica. We were going to chose SW as our park of choice, but we were just there.. I have to look into a bit further and I'm going to book it this weekend.

Thanks for the pictures, they are great!!!!

I have a 19yo son and a 7yo daughter, I'm sure my daughter won't be afraid and my son is going to love this, as will I.

Thanks again!!

 

[ge0rgette2]

It seems that if we go Mon thru Wednesday it's $204.00 w/ the discount, or Friday is $174.00 with the discount. For 4 people, that's a savings of $120.00.. not such a bad deal. We are there til Sunday .. so Friday isn't bad to go.

 

[dizkids]

I got the postcard from Amex with the DC offer 2 years in row but family of 5 is lots of money. I heard its awesome. Some day!!! Very tempting.

 

[Dizneydaz]

When we did it in 2007 we picked Busch Gardens. Aquatica wasn't built yet. We liked BG but it was a little bit of a drive. In fact we only went one day but if it was closer we would have gone more. I didn't pick SW because we have one nearby, in San Diego, and we used to go there quite frequently.
BG seemed much hotter than AK though, and the animals at AK were much better.

Now I don't know if we would pick SW or Aquatica. I haven't been to that SW since like 1986ish. I would need to check out some of the reviews on Aquatica and SW before I decided for sure. We do love the waterparks always do them both while at WDW (last year we did TL twice and BB once.)

I would definitely pick Friday. Still a weekday and $120 savings is a pretty good deal.

Last time we went I believe we paid $279 for the dolphin experience for DD and myself and $179 for non-dolphin-my DM and DSis. I got $100 back in AmEx Gift Certificates so it really cost us $229 for the dolphins. Looking at the prices this year we can go for $149 for the dolphin and $79 for non-dolphin. That is a tremendous savings over 2007. $377 (plus tax) for the 3 of us this year vs. $637 which we paid for the 3 of us in 2007. (A savings of $260) I guess the economy has reduced attendance to DC as well as WDW. I don't think it would take much convincing to get my DM to go again. She had a great time as well as we did.

Thanks again for your question! If you hadn't posted it I wouldn't have seen that the prices had gone down.

 

[ge0rgette2]

No problem!! Glad I posted ...

Yeah, we hadn't been to SW in yearssssssss, my son was so little when we went, but in going this past December, we really enjoyed it much more. It was much better than I remembered.. lots of new things.

My family loves water parks thats why we were considering going with Aquatica, only thing that stinks is that you have to pay for parking per day.

 

[Lex33]

A little FYI-

If the park closes due to weather they will give you another day to come back while you are still in town. (No repeat dolphin swim.)

When we were there a few years ago we went on our last day. I questioned them about their weather policy and they ended up giving is a credit for one year. Of course we had to return to use it. Next month we are going to do just the park, no dolphin swim. I used the Amex discount-$99 for Aug 19th. Not bad considering you also get a free additional park for 2 weeks. I love Disney, but Discovery Cove is a great place to slow down for a day.

 

[dizkids]

Can someone help me regarding the dolphin package. If i book the non-dolphin swim package for myself and get the dolphin swim for DH and kids can i see them with the dolphins and take pictures or do i need to purchase the same package? Thanks!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Can someone help me regarding the dolphin package. If i book the non-dolphin swim package for myself and get the dolphin swim for DH and kids can i see them with the dolphins and take pictures or do i need to purchase the same package? Thanks!

Yes you can watch them and take pictures as well. The pictures I posted were taken by my Dsis standing on the rocks off to the side. You can also watch from the beach. No camera allowed in the water with the dolphins but you can use underwater cameras in all other areas.

 

[dizkids]

Yes you can watch them and take pictures as well. The pictures I posted were taken by my Dsis standing on the rocks off to the side. You can also watch from the beach. No camera allowed in the water with the dolphins but you can use underwater cameras in all other areas.

Thanks! See your pics are whats selling me : ) My wheels are spinning now. I am happy that i dont have to get a dolphin package. I like taking the pics and yours are really good!

 

[disneybound31]

We won a trip to DC back in 2002...it was really fantastic...DS was only 3 at the time so could not do the dolphin swim and I was 8 months preg but they let me do it and it was very relaxing. DSnow11.5 often says we should go back so DD8 can swim with the dolphins like he did...he does not recall that he only watched from the shore. They did let him pet them. Very nice experience all around. Worth it at least once.

 

[Juliee8]

Those prices with the AMEX discount are great, too bad we don't have an AMEX card!

 

[hsmamato2]

why don't they show the prices on their website,or am I just missing them?

 

[Dizneydaz]

why don't they show the prices on their website,or am I just missing them?

They're there. You need to bring up the calendar and it will show you the prices on each day. Click on the pricing button. Then enter the # of dolphin an non-dolphin tickets and change the month on the drop down to the month you want to go. The price will now be displayed.

Thanks! See your pics are whats selling me : ) My wheels are spinning now. I am happy that i dont have to get a dolphin package. I like taking the pics and yours are really good!

Thanks! My DSis took the still pix while my DM shot some video . Funny thing was my DM couldn't tell which person was me in the water and she mostly shot another women instead of me! She told me it was too much pressure and she won't do it again! She did get my DD though, so that was good! This trip it would be just DD10, DM, and myself. Since DD is too young to do the dolphins alone I will have to be in the water with her. Hopefully I can talk my DM into at least taking a few still pix. Or maybe a kind stranger on the beach will take pity on me! If DD was old enough to do it on her own I would pass on it so I could do the pictures and video. But I enjoyed the dolphin experience as much as she did.

Oh, and when you do your dolphin training where you watch a short video and get instruction from a trainer the rest of your group can join in, even if they aren't doing the dolphins.