Dolphin Swim questions

[byrdsnest]

Ok...we have 4 kids, 10, 11, 11, 11, who want to do the dolphin swin. Should we book directly through Dolphin Encounters? Or when we board the ship? Also-we have a 7, 8, 8 year olds,-how strong of a swimmer do you need to be to enjoy the swim?
Thanks ahead of time!

 

[chasbos]

You can not book through the swim through Disney - only with the company directly. The Dolphin Encounter is what Disney offers and my kids 13, 11, 9, & 6 loved it. But it fills up really fast so if you are going to book through Disney do so at the 90 days when you can make your shore excursion ressies.

 

[byrdsnest]

OK, so the encounter is the one they are in about 3 feet of water? That can be booked through Disney, but the swim cannot be? Sorry, I would hate to screw this up so I want to be sure! Thanks!

 

[chasbos]

Yes, the encounter you just stand on a platform in the water and in groups of 10 you get to interact with the dolphins - pet them, feel their teeth, dance with them, hug and kiss them. And this is the only thing you can book through Disney. The Disney excursion includes transportation, the encounter, lunch (our family thought it was good - burgers, ribs ect) and then the afternoon at the beach.

I am not sure what you get when you book the swim directly with the company but I think you have to find your own transportation there and no meal is included.

There were 6 of us so I went for the easy Disney does everything for you package!

FYI - while we were getting informed of what was going to happen with the dolphins they did ask if anyone wanted to upgrade to the swim (extra $ of course) because there was still spots open. I do not know if this happens often or not.

 

[byrdsnest]

Thanks for the info!