Discovery Cove

[pentex]

Hi...did anyone ever do the Discovery Cove by Sea World? Sounds expensive but a lot of fun....let me know what you thought, please! Do you have to know how to swim to do the dolphin experience?

(bump up please)

 

[lovethattink]

I have never done this, but I knew an elderly woman who did. She said it was THE BEST thing she did in all her 86 years of life. I know I'd like to do it sometime too. She sold my son on it, and he really wants to swim with the dolphins soon!!

 

[HookedOnDiz]

We did it on our honeymoon and REALLY loved it... it is pricey, but its not something you have to do every year so you could look at it as a one-time splurge... you won't be disappointed!

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

It is absolutely worth every penny! It's a beautiful place, the dolphin experience is amazing, the snorkeling is awesome, the food was even outstanding. I really hope to go back someday!

Oh, and you don't have to know how to swim. You'll have the option of either standing in shallow water and interacting with the dolphins or swimming out into deeper water.

 

[24KK9]

We did Discovery Cove for our DD's 10th birthday. It was absolutely worth every dime, and I hope to do it again for her Sweet 16th. They have different packages for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and engagements. You don't have to know how to swim, but I took swimming lessons ahead of time so I could have the whole experience. Our DD didn't know I was taking swimming lessons, so she was surprised by that, as well. They have a limit on how many guests there are at one time, so it's never crowded. The water where the dolphins are is COLD!!! Also, if I'm not mistaken, they have life jackets you can wear over the wet suit they provide. We definitely recommend it.

 

[Dizzyworld]

We (DH 49, me 47, DS 10, DD 7) enjoyed our day there very much. It was fun looking at all of the empty beach chairs. I've never seen so many empty chairs in my life. Everyone was in the water somewhere. They are very organized there once you get by signing in.
Try to get a morning dolphin swim time in case there are afternoon storms. You don't want to go that far and get bumped out.

 

[Kristina]

We had to cancel and I still can't believe it but we can't afford it this trip! We have never been to Walt Disney World before plus with Sea World and the Universal parks added into the mix, well I'm sure we will have so much fun we won't know the difference! We are going to leave it until next year, and with our AP's all paid for Discovery Cove will be easier on our wallets! It will be something new to look forward to, along with everything else !

The pictures on the net including the overhead shots on this site are just so amazing! Ish, now I'm thinking I want to do it this trip again!! Best have somebody hide my credit card!!! I wonder if they have had any cancelations.....

 

[Rhonna]

If you go to the main page of the disboards and look down lower under "Universal Studios" forum there is a whole forum for "Sea World/Discovery Cove".

I found alot of info. there and plenty of reports.

 

[HookedOnDiz]

One negative I forgot to mention... be prepared for the outrageous prices they charge for photos and videos of your dolphin swim... I know they have to make their money, but this was the WORST price gouging I have ever seen. We ended up just getting a 5x7 photo for $15... but videos were close to $100 and a CD with a couple of digital pictures on it was over $50...

 

[HookedOnDiz]

Here are the exact prices:

Dolphin Swim Photos

Starter Package $29.99
1 - 5x7 photo and 1 set of keychains
or
1 - 5x7 photo and 1 set of 4 wallets

Advanced Package $62.99
3 - 5x7 photos and 1 set of keychains
or
3 - 5x7 photos and 1 set of 4 wallets

Family Package $99.99
5 - 5x7 photos and 2 sets of keychains
or
5 - 5x7 photos and 2 sets of 4 wallets

* Any item sold as a set will be of the same photo.

Digital Photo CD

Your interaction photos are available for purchase in a digital format on a CD. The images will be written as JPEG files with a resolution of 300dpi

5 photo CD $100.00
10 photo CD $150.00
20 photo CD $200.00

Video $59.99

The interaction video consists of 23 minute overview of Discovery Cove and 20 minutes of your group's experience with the dolphin. This video is not individualized. It will contain your entire group's interaction session.

Frames

There are several styles of frames available for purchase. Ask your photographer to detail the current selection of frames.

Additional Items

1 set of keychains $15.99
4 wallet photos $15.99
1 5x7 photo $15.99
1 8x10 photo $29.99

 

[cleo]

I've been lucky enough to enjoy Discovery Cove twice and absolutly love the park. Truly an oasis of peace and beauty. My 11 year old son went with me last time and had the time of his life. If there is any way you can swing it, Discovery Cove is a memorable experience.

Just bumping you to the SeaWorld/Discovery Cove board for more answers.

 

[bubba's mom]

I actually think the video for $59.99 is reasonable. When we went to Sandals, Jamaica for our honeymoon (11 yrs. ago), we took a 3 hour excursion to the Falls and bought the video they shot on this (sailboat) excursion. It was us on the sailboat with other resort guests, snorkeling on a reef on the way, and us climbing Dunn's River Falls. It cost $60. Worth every penny, because we look back and recall so many wonderful memories....

 

[tiggersgal19]

Which would you do trainer for the day or the regular dolphin swim. DD 14 wants to do the trainer.

 

[Kristina]

I'm pretty sure trainer includes a dolphin swim so I'd go for trainer. Much more fun, if that's even possible!

 

[Amberle3]

Originally posted by HookedOnDiz
but this was the WORST price gouging I have ever seen.

I was just checking out chapels in Vegas for my wedding. The one we ended up going with has an option of having the pictures put on CD. You get anywhere between 1-50 pics on a CD, I guess depending on how many good shots there were. $375.

 

[mm6mm6]

Go! Do it! Don't even ask any more questions!

I'm a stingy guy who plans and plans and then plans our once a year vacation like a mad man.

I'm not cheap, just stingy. I like to get my money's worth.

Despite the cost (which does include SeaWorld), Discovery Cove was the most wonderful day of vacation we've ever had in a resort.

We still talk about once a week. My DD7 just loved everything about it. I did spend a good amout of time teaching her how to snorkle so she could really enjoy everything there was to offer.

I would recommend you get there by 8:15am.

We got there at 8:15, got in a short line, got our digital picture ID lanyards and we were assigned a 9am dolphin swim time. Then we went right into the park.

They kind of make you think they don't open until 9.

Get there early.

It's worth it. The reason is that the dolphin swim may get cancelled due to the park closing down for lightning. But that hardly ever happens in the morning. Get your dolphin swim done so you can now relax and enjoy everything else the park has to offer, including lunch when you want it.

Let's say you had the dolphin swim at 1pm. So you enjoyed the saltwater lagoons and then you start to figure you better stop to have lunch because you don't want to get caught at lunch without time for your dolphin swim time. Then the storm comes in. Hopefully it passes but if it doesn't and they close the park, now you have to change your schedule to come back another day. Yuck!

They did close down due to lightning on the day we were there but it was 3:30 pm and we were just about ready to go anyway.

But trust me, it's the best $245 each I've ever spent!

-Steve

 

[24KK9]

What mm6mm6 said. He's right about getting there early so you can get an early dolphin swim time. By getting an early time, you aren't trying to keep up with the time all day and you don't feel rushed or anxious about missing your time.

 

[lkc0538]

We are just back, and our day at Discovery cove was the highlight of the trip. After fighting people, crowds, and all that not so fun stuff, it is a wonderful change of pace. If you can, GO!!! Our family and our friends traveling with us, thought it was worth every single penny. Remember, you get a free ticket to either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, and the lunch they give is very good. When you factor both of those in, the price is easier to swallow.

I third getting there early. We got there at 7:55, and were not the first ones there-but we still got a 9:10 swim time. By the time we finished the dolphin swim and looked at our pictues and everything-it was nearly 10:30 - it does take a good chunk of your day. Also, there are few clocks in the park-it's a bit hard to keep track of time. You can wear a waterproof watch if you have one!

In other words, we thought it was more than worth it!!!!

 

[TandyR]

My DH and I are tossing around the idea of doing this for our older DD for her 10th b-day, since her dream is to study dolphins and whales when she is an adult.

I have a question....if the dolphin swim is canceled because of lighting, can you make it up some other time or are you just out of luck? Just asking because I know DD would be heartbroken if it was canceled and couldn't be made up.

thanks,
Tandy

 

[Rpsemont]

I'm also in the process of considering this. Right now, we have plans to be in Fla in Feb, and then maybe October and December. Any thoughts on best time to go? I'd lean toward October,because it's more likely to be warm to enjoy DC, but it's also hurricane season. Our last trip in Feb, there were a couple days it was downright chilly. Probably OK with a wetsuit and the dolphin, but can you enjoy the rest of DC in layers? Also, do you get discount if you have a SW AP? DD will be 10 in a few weeks. What do you think is the best age for kids?