Discovery cove

[slammin]

Hi

We have just booked our first trip to disneyworld for April 2014, the kids will be 6yrs(boy) and 8yrs (girl). I think they would love to go to Discovery cove especially our daughter, but just wondering if it is worth booking without the dolphin swim? I am sure my son would like to see the dolphins and even be in the water with them but not sure how he would feel about the swim bit. So essentially what this rambling post is actually asking is do you still get in the water with the dolphins even without the swim ticket?
Thanks

 

[pascalstongue]

No you can't get into the water with the dolphins without the dolphin swim. However they can snorkel in the lagoon with sting rays and other fish. There is loads to do without the dolphin swim. It's a really lovely day out.

 

[TinkerbellW]

In a word...no.

We did it 3 years ago and I wasn't sure my kids would enjoy the whole thing (It was on my 'bucket list') but it was the only thing they talked about when they got back and how fantastic it was. If you are going to DC, pay extra for the swim. The 'handlers' are brilliant and really put uneasy participants at ease. Before you do the 'swim' which is actually a 'tow', you get up close, touch and feed the dolphin and generally just get used to them.

They also do a shallow water 'swim' for the less confident.

Go for it - you won't regret it!

 

[BethEJo]

Hi,

My friends and I did Discovery Cove for the first time last month - and it was soooooo good! Pretty much one of the best days of my life, and easily the best day out of the holiday for me!

The weather was horrendous for us - cold and wet and grey - but that didn't spoil it at all! Just shows how good it is

We did the dolphin swim, and before we went, we thought that that was the main reason why we were going to DC. We were really really looking forward to that bit and were therefore surprised when we got there and saw that there were so many other things to explore too!

The dolphin swim experience lasts 35-45 minutes and when you check in you get given a slot during the day. We were given the first slot of the day and this was good because we did it, then explored the rest of the park without worrying about times etc.

If you don't book the dolphin swim, then no, you can't get in the water with the dolphins. You'll just be able to watch other people with them from the beach of the coves. The whole interaction consists of splitting you into smaller groups with two trainers to each group. First you'll get a bit of a talk and the trainer will bring the dolphin to the line where you can stroke it as it swims past you. They'll also do some tricks etc and you'll get to feed the dolphin and kiss it on the nose too. This is followed by the 'swim' - basically you go out a bit further into the cove and the dolphin pulls you back in. The trainer is right there with you and tells you what to do. You also have the option of doing this in deep water or shallow water and its pretty much the exact same.

I too wasn't sure of doing the swim bit - as I got into the water I had pretty much decided that I'd stroke the dolphin and see the tricks and all that bit but not partake in the swim bit where the dolphin brings you back into shore. I'm not really sure what I was wary of but hey, I just was The trainers however just asked me to watch the other members of the group doing it before I made my decision for sure - they just left me to the end so that I could see everyone else do it first. Well, I went for it - it looked great and everyone was smiling so much! I just decided to do it from the shallow water and it was amazing! So relaxing haha! I'm sure your children will enjoy it!

In my opinion, if they really want to do the dolphin interaction, then the money is worth it even if they don't do the swim bit which is a small portion of the session. Everything leading up to that was equally amazing!!

Next time we go, I said that I would do a non-swim ticket! As I say, there are so many more things to experience: there's a type of lazy river/oasis that goes through a bird avery and a little otter and marmoset enclosure. There's also a stingray lagoon where you get a free snorkel and mask and can go snorkelling with fish and stingrays (in both shallow and deep water). And don't forget that all food and drinks and snacks are included, there's plenty of places to relax, and the tickets include 14 days Seaworld and Aquatica admission too.

There's plenty to do with the non-swim ticket, but even though I've said I'd do that next time, I'm sure that when I come to book it I'd opt to do the dolphin swim again! It was just so memorable and amazing! I was entranced and I had a tear in my eye being so close to those marvellous creatures!

I've been writing a trip report about my recent holiday and have included two posts about our day at Discovery Cove. Check it out if you like - it will tell you everything that we got up to there. You can find my trip report here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3085888
The DC posts are posts 118 and 119 and can be found on page 8!

Let us know what you decide

 

[wayneg]

We have been twice, while I love DC I personally think the dolphin swim is over rated, I think the rest of the park is amazing. On the other hand for DW & DS the main reason to visit is the dolphin swim.

As said you can't get anywhere near the dolphins without the swim so only you can decide what to do.

 

[slammin]

Thankyou so much for the replies, we are definitely going to book the swim now it sounds great. My daughter will be over the moon when I tell her and son will love the snorkelling with the rays.

 

[ninamouse]

I wanted to book this for my two but there is a minimum age you need to be to swim with the dolphins. My DS4 and DS7 are not old enough.

 

[MrRomance]

Hi

We have just booked our first trip to disneyworld for April 2014, the kids will be 6yrs(boy) and 8yrs (girl). I think they would love to go to Discovery cove especially our daughter, but just wondering if it is worth booking without the dolphin swim? I am sure my son would like to see the dolphins and even be in the water with them but not sure how he would feel about the swim bit. So essentially what this rambling post is actually asking is do you still get in the water with the dolphins even without the swim ticket?
Thanks

I'm going to start this with a declaration DISCOVERY COVE IS INCREDIBLE and I definitely recommend it.

However, what I would say is that the dolphin swim can be VERY cold. The temperature of the water is low and our daughter (8 at the time) was so cold she couldn't really enjoy the dolphin swim. Although, she is a skinny little one and doesn't have much meat on her bones to keep her warm!

Now to answer your specific questions about whether it is worth it without the swim. Yes, it is absolutely worth it. We did the swim last year and we've booked non-swim tickets for our trip this year. There is plenty to see and do without the dolphin swim. You will not be in the water in the dolphin area if you do not book the swim so no need to worry about that.

The aviary is really neat, feeding lots of exotic birds. There is a lazy river, the area with the rays and other exotic fish, there is an area where you can see sharks (behind class but in the water with you). The beach is fantastic, and they've just opened the new area which looks great with monkeys and otters. It's an all inclusive day, food is great, as many snacks and drinks including alcohol as you want. They offer breakfast and lunch.

I really didn't want to go, but my daughter wants to be a trainer at Seaworld and bugged us so I caved in, but I can honestly say it was the best day of our trip and I wouldn't go back to FL without going to Discovery Cove for the day! It's consistently been a top attraction since it opened and it's well deserved!

 

[scoobydooby]

Discovery cove is by far the best park in Florida IMHO. I am not bothered about the dolphin swim either although I have done it once. My kids did this age 9 and 12 on Christmas day and it absolutely made their trip. They LOVE the dolphin swim part. They weren't remotely bothered about the cold water they barely noticed it with a dolphin to play with and the 'swim' part, which is very short, was their highlight. In order to be pulled in from the deep water your children would need to be able to tread water. I think there is a minimum age though (8?).

The rest of the park is beautiful. Well worth a visit.

 

[mckelvey72]

Another lover of Discovery Cove!!!! Kids have to be 6 to do the dolphin swim so you will be good. The entire day is amazing...both the dolphin swim AND the rest of the stuff that there is do there. couple of things.....

1. Be prepared to spend 200.00 on pictures cause who can leave behind a picture of their kid kissing a dolphin! I didn't want to waste time looking thru them and trying to pick so we just bought the entire package and walked away with all of them!!!!

2. GET THE PRIVATE CABANA!!!!! Ok did I stress that enough HAHA Many will tell you that it is waste of 180.00 (or whatever it costs now) but to me it was the best 180 I spent the entire vacation. So picture this.....your own private cabana with table, 4 chairs, 2 loungers, ceiling fan, your own fridge stocked with whatever you want to drink, your own locker. Your own space. OK..got that in your head?? Now picture a row of 100 loungers in which you need to find space for all your peeps. OK, now you got 4 loungers?? Now the kids want to go swimming so now you need to walk all the way to the lockers to put your money etc in it and walk back. You go swimming, now guess what...that soda is now HOT. Plus you have no guarantee of a shady spot to sit. Oh and did I mention that with the cabana, there is a "person" who will keep your basket FULL of snacks...oh and she will go get your kids ice cream for you, she will keep your cabana clean....etc. And we got one over by the sting rays and I could sit on the lounger and the kids could play in the sand direcly in front of the cabana deck platform...right in my site. And then it is close enough that they could go get in the sting ray water (or hang on rocks as the sting rays float by) and we didn't have to move out of our chairs.

OK so that is my rant about Cabanas. I would never go back there without one!!!!! Go, do the dolphin swim. I thought my kids were going to be scared but they LOVED it. As a matter of fact..it was our last day of vacation...so we had already done Disney...and all they talked about for months was the dolphin swim. Poor Mickey got mentioned here and there. And i do recommend it as a last day cause it is relaxing and wonderful. Amazing way to end your vacation!!!!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Out of curiosity, just how much is Discovery Cove?

I've looked a few times over the years intrigued but I can never find the actual price of tickets. Even on the website. I have wrote it off as one of those things that if you have to ask its probably too much money.

 

[mckelvey72]

Out of curiosity, just how much is Discovery Cove?

I've looked a few times over the years intrigued but I can never find the actual price of tickets. Even on the website. I have wrote it off as one of those things that if you have to ask its probably too much money.

It depends on the time of year you want to go. Just act as if you are ordering tickets..pick a day around the time you think you might want to go and it will tell you. I believe now it can be anywhere from 290 - 350. But keep in mind a few things.....

1. That price includes the dolphin swim
2. That price includes ALL your food...breakfast, lunch, all drinks, snacks...you pay for nothing once you enter the property
3. That price also includes 14 day admission to SeaWorld and Acquatica so you could make a long weekend out of just buying Discovery cove tickets.

It is so worth the money.....an enjoyable day all around as i said previously.

 

[MrRomance]

Out of curiosity, just how much is Discovery Cove?

I've looked a few times over the years intrigued but I can never find the actual price of tickets. Even on the website. I have wrote it off as one of those things that if you have to ask its probably too much money.

Last year we booked directly with Discovery Cove in USD, it was $200 each ish for the dolphin swim package. This year we booked non dolphin swim through attraction tickets direct and paid £107 each. The same dates were more in USD directly with DC so it worked out better for us.

I think what you have to remember with DC is that it's not just your ticket, it's as much food as you want for breakfast and lunch and snacks, drinks (including alcohol) all day. You also get the 14 day Seaworld and Aquatica and for an extra $20 you can add Busch Gardens to that too.

 

[wayneg]

We have AP's for SW/Busch so get discounts on DC entry, I think the offer this year is still around $169 with swim or $69 without.

On our first visit I found the standard of photography was really bad so on the second visit I didn't do the swim, I positioned myself on the rocks and got some great pics of DW & DS. I find the photographers are similar to Photopass in Disney, they just take multiple shots and hope to get a few good ones, the quality is very hit and miss.

 

[BethEJo]

On our first visit I found the standard of photography was really bad so on the second visit I didn't do the swim, I positioned myself on the rocks and got some great pics of DW & DS. I find the photographers are similar to Photopass in Disney, they just take multiple shots and hope to get a few good ones, the quality is very hit and miss.

I'd have to disagree; all of our photos that the photographer took at DC were excellent during our dolphin swim. Even with it pouring down with rain! Don't feel like you can't do the swim just to get photos of your kids - you don't need to miss out

The photo CD with ALL of your photos on from the day (those that they take during the dolphin swim, along with those that other photographers take of you around the park if they're out) are included on it - it cost us $150 and as a previous poster said, you'll just have to buy it! Far easier than just choosing a few

You also get a free group photo when you enter the park, and you can pick up this print (free) from the photo booths throughout the day!

 

[wayneg]

I'd have to disagree; all of our photos that the photographer took at DC were excellent during our dolphin swim. Even with it pouring down with rain! Don't feel like you can't do the swim just to get photos of your kids - you don't need to miss out

The photo CD with ALL of your photos on from the day (those that they take during the dolphin swim, along with those that other photographers take of you around the park if they're out) are included on it - it cost us $150 and as a previous poster said, you'll just have to buy it! Far easier than just choosing a few

You also get a free group photo when you enter the park, and you can pick up this print (free) from the photo booths throughout the day!

Thats what I mean Beth, the photographers are very hit and miss, you might get a good one or a poor one as we did.
Although whatever quality I would never pay $150, I am too tight I would never pay $15 for a photo. Photos don't mean that much to me, I have 30,000+ on hard drive, can live without more.
I agree can't not swim just to photo, it only works if you have someone like me in the group not bothered about the swim.

 

[scoobydooby]

We bought the full photo package at DC and they were all good ones. Our poster size one is now framed in our hall and gives me great pleasure every day.