Discovery Cove

[saintstickets]

DW and I, DS, DSf, DD & DDf will be going to Discovery Cove in May, 2012. A couple of questions to start...
- How soon should I make my reservations? Right now, all dates during May are available. In fact, only one day in April is gone.
- Assuming we get to DC early and do the dolphin swim as soon as possible, how much time should we allow that day? We are looking at booking a reservation later that day and would like some idea of how long to spend at DC.
TIA

 

[Lynne G]

No sure how long to wait to buy. It's supply and demand. I would think at least a month or so out, unless busy tiime, then the earlier the better.

You cannot pre-register for the dolphin interaction. It is assigned when you check in. We arrived around 8:20 and received a 10:30 time. But I do not think it was a sell out day. There were dolphin times throughout the day.

We spent the whole day there. It closed at 5:30, and by the time we changed and was ready to go, it was close to 6. My kids loved the reef (spent hours there) and we liked relaxing and floating around the lazy river.

The dolphin interaction took around 15 minutes, but we were about 1 hour total at the area where the dolphins were. First, we were to start at 10:30, but not everyone arrived on time, everyone had to fill out forms, then the trainers were late because they were busy. You have to watch a short video about conservation and dolphins before you go off to see the dolphin. You are also grouped in about 8 people, so if you are not the entire party, you have to wait for the other people to have their fun. You can also see and hear the other groups with their dolphin on either side of you.

 

[saintstickets]

Thx Lynne. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[cvs2kids]

I have a question. My DW, DS & DD and I will be doing this in a couple of weeks.

If I sign up at a different time then my wife and daughter, would I be able to take pictures of them as theydid the interaction?

 

[Lynne G]

I know family or friends were taking shots from shore. However, what I don't know is if they will split your party up. They do have photo guys in the water with you, and you can pay for prints or packages of those shots.

Enjoy!

 

[ccgirl]

We went in December and it was definitely an all day experience. Although, they do close fairly early (around 5pm I think). My DH and my DD8 did the dolphin swim while myself and my DS2 stayed on shore. I was able to climb on the rocks beside them and got some amazing shots as well as video. For some reason, my DH also purchased a $200 photo an video package. I could have gone at a different time as well. They will split up a family on request. I agree there is so much to do, the lazy river, bird aviary, "pool", stingray pool, snorkeling etc. We actually wish it was open later. We are planning to go again in May 2012 as well. Truly was a magical day!

 

[saintstickets]

We went in December and it was definitely an all day experience. Although, they do close fairly early (around 5pm I think). My DH and my DD8 did the dolphin swim while myself and my DS2 stayed on shore. I was able to climb on the rocks beside them and got some amazing shots as well as video. For some reason, my DH also purchased a $200 photo an video package. I could have gone at a different time as well. They will split up a family on request. I agree there is so much to do, the lazy river, bird aviary, "pool", stingray pool, snorkeling etc. We actually wish it was open later. We are planning to go again in May 2012 as well. Truly was a magical day!

Thx for the info. It looks like we will have to plan our horseback ride for another day. We will be at Discovery Cove Tuesday, May 22nd or Wednesday the 23rd. When will y'all be there?

 

[ccgirl]

Thx for the info. It looks like we will have to plan our horseback ride for another day. We will be at Discovery Cove Tuesday, May 22nd or Wednesday the 23rd. When will y'all be there?

Yes, I would move the horseback riding. We found a day at Discovery Cove was perfect with a night at DtD. We're not sure when we're going yet but we're leaning toward the beginning of May. Southwest releases their airfare on Oct 2nd so we're waiting until then to book.

 

[floridianer]

Def skip the horseback riding...

DC is not a "cheap" day and I would make the most out of it!

All is included and a full day RUNS quickly.
So much to explore!

Take your time and enjoy !

 

[saintstickets]

Y'all have convinced me not to try and plan anything for early afternoon the day we go to Discovery Cove. I'm really looking forward to going there. I guess we'll have to arrive a day earlier and go horseback riding, jet skiing and putt-putt golf on the extra day!

 

[portobello_rd]

we were just at Discovery Cove on 9/23.
it is AN ALL DAY THING
we checked in at 745 and were given a 1030 dolphin time.
we ate breakfast, got our gear, got our locker.
then we swam at the Grand Reef with the fish and sting rays until 1000.
swam with dolphins, then ate lunch.
then did the aviary, lazy river.
then my husband and i got margaritas and layed under a umbrella. ate soft pretzels.
everything (food, drinks) is included!!!!
i shopped, he did the grand reef some more, and we left at 4. we could have stayed later but we went to MNSSHP that night and needed a nap before that!
but its great. dont rush it!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Portobello we were there the day after you. It was my DD's 13th birthday party and it will go down in our families history as the best party ever. We also arrived at 7:45 and had a 10:30 swim time. There were 7 of us and we spent a little over 30 minutes with the dolphin -- mainly because he swam a buoy over the said Happy 13th Birthday on it. Soo cool. Anyway, there were three 13 year olds and when we left at 5:00 there was no way we were doing anything else. A relaxing evening at the hotel was about all we could handle.

 

[portobello_rd]

Portobello we were there the day after you. It was my DD's 13th birthday party and it will go down in our families history as the best party ever. We also arrived at 7:45 and had a 10:30 swim time. There were 7 of us and we spent a little over 30 minutes with the dolphin -- mainly because he swam a buoy over the said Happy 13th Birthday on it. Soo cool. Anyway, there were three 13 year olds and when we left at 5:00 there was no way we were doing anything else. A relaxing evening at the hotel was about all we could handle.

we also did the buoy!! i had the dolphin bring it to my husband for our wedding anniversary. He said it was the best surprise ever, and i love the pictures we got!

 

[saintstickets]

Thx everyone for the advice. I will definately not plan anything for that afternoon. It will be DS's 28th birthday so I think I'll tell DC and maybe they'll surprise him with a "Happy Birthday" buoy! We are staying at VWL so I think we'll just head back there after the day at DC, eat at Artist Point or Whispering Canyon that night. Then we can head outside and maybe see some of the fireworks. It sure is great to get tips from DISboard members and avoid problems or snafus beforehand. Thanks everyone!

 

[portobello_rd]

the bouy is a celebration package that i payed extra for when i booked. youll have to pay extra to book it. we got a nice tote bag, a stuffed dolphin, a photo frame, and a tshirt. oh, also 25% discount on a picture package which was a great deal.

 

[saintstickets]

the bouy is a celebration package that i payed extra for when i booked. youll have to pay extra to book it. we got a nice tote bag, a stuffed dolphin, a photo frame, and a tshirt. oh, also 25% discount on a picture package which was a great deal.

Since DS will be 28 during our visit and will be getting married in December, I will definately have to do this because I know it will embarrass him!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Yep We did the birthday package too. My DD was sooooo surprised and her friends were absolutely amazed because the trainer dropped the buoy and the dolphin picked it up and swam over with it perfectly placed in its mouth so the Happy 13th Birthday was the first thing you saw. It was definitely worth the money. We also splurged on a cabana, and if you can work it into the budget, it is completely worth it. The cabana boy brings drinks and snacks all day long and is available to answer questions or offer any kind of assistance. One recommendation -- before your dolphin swim get a full wet suit as that water is cold. Then after your swim you can change to a swim vest as the rest of the water is OK.

 

[Brownsfan317]

I was just at Discovery Cove last Monday. We got there right at 8 and there were only a few people in line ahead of us. (We happened to be on a Mears bus on the Saturday before that dropped people off at Discovery Cove-the line was halfway down the drive at 8 am.) We received a dolphin swim time of 8:50, so we had a quick breakfast and then got ready for our swim.

The swim with the dolphins was fantastic. Every trainer we interacted with was very personable and informative. We were lucky to have a dolphin named Amaya who was really enjoying herself.

The rest of our time was spent either in the reef, aviary or the wind away river.

A storm was heading through about 4:00 and you could see lightning in the distance. They had every evacuate the water. Within just a few minutes they were under a "code red" as they called it and forced everyone into the gift shop.

This was the beginning of the frustrating end to our afternoon. The employees I believe did not handle the situation well, and in turn, the guests did not. At one point, the employees of Discovery Cove told us that we were not allowed to leave. Even if we ran out of the gift shop and got to the reception area, they would not let us to our cars. Now that part did concern me because I had a Mears shuttle scheduled and it was the last one of the day. Anyways, to be told we were "trapped" did not go over well with guests and there was a lot of ignoring direction and complaining and yelling. This went on for about 45 minutes. At one point one of the employees said that lightning was within 1 mile of the park, but we did not get a lot of rain.

So it turns out that 3 weeks ago, lightning struck a cabana and some guests were injured. That is why they reacted to the lightning so aggressively. I realize that they have to have a plan in place, but I find it hard to believe that this is the first situation in the 11 years they have been open. I do not think they gave their employees the correct tools/instruction on how to handle the situation appropriately either. Hopefully, it will get better.

I will say that I would go back and I do not want to discourage anyone from going. I just wish they would work on their customer service skills a little more. There was more than one employee we encountered that day that seemed to really hate their job. However, the enjoyment that I saw on my DS' face throughout that day was worth every penny.

Also, as a side note, the price was $199 through the whole month of September. I waited until a few days before (I did not notice any days that sold out that month) because I wanted to see the weather. All of the sudden, the prices skyrocketed. They went to $339 the Saturday before and $229-$269 through most of the week we were there. It may be normal for them to spike up the price right before, but I just did not notice it at all earlier in the month of September.

 

[dthogue]

the bouy is a celebration package that i payed extra for when i booked. youll have to pay extra to book it. we got a nice tote bag, a stuffed dolphin, a photo frame, and a tshirt. oh, also 25% discount on a picture package which was a great deal.

I assume I call DC directly to book the birthday package - do you happen to remember the cost?

 

[MinnieSummer]

The birthday package was an additional 129 and for another 100 you can get the cabana as well. I don't remember how many people you are going to have but the cabana provides an easy way to keep track of everyone, a private locker to keep your stuff, a refrigerator, snacks all day (which I know are free but this way you don't have to walk anywhere to get them), and in our case a perfect view of the dolphin cover where we could watch other people swim with the dolphins and watch the dolphins playing between swims. You can book it on line or call and talk to a live person -- for this I preferred a live person.