Discovery cove

[sovietsong]

Hi all , has anyone done discovery cove where there are no swimmers ? is this allowed ? and if so is it worth the expense ? , the park looks great but there are no swimmers in our party :-( and wondered if it's another family has done ,thanks

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Plenty of people do DC and don't swim with the dolphins. You can still do everything else, and there is lots to do.I wouldn't hesitate to do DC without the dolphin swim.I used to sit on the rocks next to the dolphins and just watch them swim around
Its a lovely relaxing place,as there is a limit to how many people are allowed in.Great break from the parks

 

[Tigger007]

We did Discovery Cove a few years back. At that time, you had to have at least one swimmer in your party to be allowed in. I am not sure if this has since changed. It was a fantastic day and I would definately recommend it.

 

[~Piglet~]

....and if so is it worth the expense ?

We did DC with a dolphin swim years ago, it was a nice day out but I wouldn't pay the $$$ to spend a day there without a dolphin swim.

 

[jockey]

We really enjoyed the Dolphin swim tho it does not last long...we enjoyed all the other parts of the park just as much..I would do the non swim package

 

[Trevski220]

We are going in October family of 4 without the dolphin swim, have done the swim before and it was so short don't think it's worth doing again, but we love the park and the grand reef!!

Managed to get adult non swim ultimate tickets (including Seaworld aquatica and Busch gardens) for 107 pounds per person, which I think was a great price!

 

[Tony Toon]

We have been to Discovery Cove 3 times now and my Mum (late 70s at the time and non swimmer) swam with the Dolphins no problem and loved it. She took part in the part where you stand in chest deep water and interact with your dolphin. She decided not to go in to deeper water and be towed back in by the dolphin but this would not have been a problem had she chosen to do it as everyone (whether or not you're a good swimmer) has to wear a life vest. I don't know if things have changed but certainly any time we have gone in the past, at least one member of the party has had to swim. We love DC and attended as non swimmers the last time (DS and his GF swam, her first visit) and would not hesitate to go again. Love the whole experience - unlimited food, drinks, snacks, facilities, relaxing atmosphere etc. The only downside (apart from the cost ) is the yucky dolphin friendly suncream you have to use rather than your own.

Mrs TT

 

[catherine]

I also thought that you had to have at least one swim package per group. It will be great for us if you don't as oldest DD is not going with us next year and our other DD doesn't want to do the swim. We were trying to figure out whether to do this or not, but if all 3 of us can go and do the non swim that would be so much better. To be honest, if we go, we will be going to see the otters as DD is a huge otter fan!

 

[Trevski220]

I also thought that you had to have at least one swim package per group. It will be great for us if you don't as oldest DD is not going with us next year and our other DD doesn't want to do the swim. We were trying to figure out whether to do this or not, but if all 3 of us can go and do the non swim that would be so much better. To be honest, if we go, we will be going to see the otters as DD is a huge otter fan!

I emailed to check prior to booking, and was told the whole group could do non swim

 

[catherine]

I emailed to check prior to booking, and was told the whole group could do non swim

Thanks for the info.! Our problem is solved!

 

[bazzanoid]

You've always been able to do a whole group non-swim, but only if you booked by phone as the online and TA rules were one swimmer per group. Now they have lots more to offer besides the dolphin experience they are entirely open to non-swim groups

 

[sovietsong]

I think I'm reading this right , a non swim day at discovery on the date I want is £106 which of course includes all the meals etc , aquatica and 14 days to sea world , that seems a very good deal especially as we would have been going to both the other parks anyway

 

[scottishgirl87]

Interested in this thread as I have done the dolphin swim previously, however, I'm hoping to fit in DC again next year (minus dolphin swim). Only problem is my boyfriend can't swim and I'm not sure how keen he'll be on wearing a life jacket to enjoy the whole point of the day.

 

[Trevski220]

I think I'm reading this right , a non swim day at discovery on the date I want is £106 which of course includes all the meals etc , aquatica and 14 days to sea world , that seems a very good deal especially as we would have been going to both the other parks anyway

Yep seems like a great deal, that's exactly what I've booked up!

 

[whitemischief]

You don't need to add the dolphin swim...it's optional.