dolphin spotlight tour

[eeyorefanuk]

Has anyone done this ? any good? any photos?

 

[dolphingirl47]

I did this tour in October and really loved it. Unfortunately I have no photos. We met near Journey to Atlantis and headed backstage at the Whale and Dolphin Theater first, where we were met by one of the trainers. He talked a bit about the animals there and then we could ask questions. Then we headed backstage to Animal Care, where they have dolphins that are new to the park, are about to be moved or have medical issues. We found out a bit about the animals in that area. The last stop was Dolphin Cove, where we were split into family groups. Each group was allocated a member of animal care staff and two dolphins. We got to touch the dolphins and give them various hand signals. There were photographers taken photos of the interaction. I really enjoyed the tour and would not hesitate to do it again.

Corinna

 

[SandrA9810]

I've always wondered... do the dolphins pay attention to hand signals from guests? or do they only do it for the families because the trainer is standing there??

It'd be cool to go to dolphin cove and see if the dolphins would pay attention to what i was doing.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I think they do pay attention to the hand signals, but I am sure the stuff would tell you to stop pretty soon if you would try it out if you were not doing it as part of an organized tour.

Corinna

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I did this tour in October and really loved it. Unfortunately I have no photos. We met near Journey to Atlantis and headed backstage at the Whale and Dolphin Theater first, where we were met by one of the trainers. He talked a bit about the animals there and then we could ask questions. Then we headed backstage to Animal Care, where they have dolphins that are new to the park, are about to be moved or have medical issues. We found out a bit about the animals in that area. The last stop was Dolphin Cove, where we were split into family groups. Each group was allocated a member of animal care staff and two dolphins. We got to touch the dolphins and give them various hand signals. There were photographers taken photos of the interaction. I really enjoyed the tour and would not hesitate to do it again.

Corinna

Hello, I think you have done the VIP tour as well?

If so which would you recommend (I know the vip tour is alot dearer).

We were going to do it but then worried re the heat in august and the seven hour tour.

any thoughts ?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Hello, I think you have done the VIP tour as well?

If so which would you recommend (I know the vip tour is alot dearer).

We were going to do it but then worried re the heat in august and the seven hour tour.

any thoughts ?

No, I have never done the VIP tour. I have done the Marine Mammal Keeper Experience twice though and absolutely loved it.

Corinna

 

[TiffinyKC]

I would be happy to share a few photos from the spotlight tour. We took ours this past December and it was fantastic. I even bought the photo CD which was about $45.

A couple of things...I agree with previous posters and their views on the experience. We were told in advance not to try to use handsignals in the future...so I guess that must mean that it will work. We had three dolphins to our family...all of them were females. They were so nice and friendly. We had previously gone to Discovery Cove and done the dolphin feeding and this was the most interaction without actually getting in the water. Had I known that they were going to take so many pictures I would have put my camera down! They were really great. In addition to this we met the trainers at the Blue Horizon show and saw where the dolphins are quarentined when they are not well for various reasons. Totally worth the $$$ in my opinion.

 

[Dolphina]

thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[MickeysFans]

AMAZING PHOTOS! I'm sold!

 

[MickeysFans]

After buing the CD, did they give you the "professional permission" to print photos anywhere or is it only to look at?
Thanks! LOVED your pictures. My daughter about jumped out of her chair!

A couple of things...I agree with previous posters and their views on the experience. We were told in advance not to try to use handsignals in the future...so I guess that must mean that it will work. We had three dolphins to our family...all of them were females. They were so nice and friendly. We had previously gone to Discovery Cove and done the dolphin feeding and this was the most interaction without actually getting in the water. Had I known that they were going to take so many pictures I would have put my camera down! They were really great. In addition to this we met the trainers at the Blue Horizon show and saw where the dolphins are quarentined when they are not well for various reasons. Totally worth the $$$ in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

 

[TiffinyKC]

Sorry for the delay...I've been slammed.

You do get a release that is embedded into the CD that you purchase. You can just tell the photo operators at WalMart or whatever to see it on the CD if there is a problem.

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the pictures...we love them.

 

[MickeysFans]

Thanks so much. I am sure I will be getting it now!!!

 

[ajaysmom825]

How far in advance can you purchase this and is it super expensive? I can't remember if I saw it on the Sea World website (so maybe it is sold out?!?)

Thanks!

The pics look amazing and my son would absolutely LOVE this experience.

 

[TiffinyKC]

How far in advance can you purchase this and is it super expensive? I can't remember if I saw it on the Sea World website (so maybe it is sold out?!?)

Thanks!

The pics look amazing and my son would absolutely LOVE this experience.

Thanks for that...we love the photo's too. I believe that they take reservations up to a year in advance; that's what one of the ticket agents told me anyway. Personally, we booked it a couple of months ahead of time. It was about $100 for the two of us...that's not counting the photo CD that I purchased seperately. It's called the Dolphin Spotlight Tour, here's a link:

http://commerce.4adventure.com/EStore/Scripts/Skins/SWF/Tours.aspx

It's most of the way down the page.

Good luck!