Dolphins at Living Seas

[SueM in MN]

A thread on the Theme Parks Board reminded me of something DH and I saw when we were at WDW in July. Looking up toward the roof in the dolphin area, you can just barely see an observtion area above you. They seemed to be doing some training with a wheelchair. There was a person in a wetsuit sitting in a wheelchair and the trainers would encourage the dolphin to approach the person. The wheelchair was tethered so that it could not go over the edge of the observation area, although it didn't look real safe from below. The observaion "beach" they were on looked like it was sort of domed and sloped down quickly. The person in the wheelchair was not seat belted in (which concerned me since it looked like he/she could tumble into the water quite easily). What made us think it was a training session rather than an actual encounter with a disabled guest is that the person in the wheelchair repeatedly picked up the wheelchair and moved it to different areas. If it had been an actual guest, I think the CMs would have shown some interest in that, but they just kept working with the dolphins.
Anyway, we thought it was quite interesting.

 

[Absimilliard]

When I took the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour, they explained that the little "beach thing" you saw is for the Dolphins in Depth tour.

In that tour, you go on that beach where the dolphins come to you, so you can interact with them (not swim.. a MAJOR difference). They just added a ramp, so a guest travelling in a wheelchair whould eventually (if not already possible) be able to do the tour and interact with the dolphins. What you saw I believe was to get the dolphins used to having a wheelchair there.

 

[dclfun]

My favorite area at DAK is Pangani Trail due to my love of gorillas ( I used to take care of one plus numerous chimps, etc.) Anyway, knowing the curator of primates I've been allowed backstage a few times to see my favorites, the bachelor gorilla group ( I won't reveal their names here, but the silverback "knows" me, will "call" to me from the trail, and is my favorite fella). The first time I arrived in my chair next to his enclosure he was terrified, running back and forth and touching the wall, then peeking around a wall to be sure the chair wasn't going to attack him. Gradually he calmed down, but this leads me to believe that it's a great idea to train the dolphins to accept and go up to someone in a chair. Unknown "objects" can be scary for them, and they're so intelligent as well that they're thinking about any dangers. I'm glad to hear this news since this is something I'd love to do in the future! By the way, the gorilla that I used to work with actually cried the first time he saw me in my chair and came over to hold my hand and gaze into my eyes to express his concern. One of the chimps who knows sign language repeatedly signed "hurt". Gorillas and apes in general are such gentle, intelligent "people", who care about each other just like we do. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for your info, Absimilliard and Kathy.

 

[bearloch]

Ok im confused, can you actually get close enough to touch a dolphin? If you can please tell me what i have to do to arriange this. thanks carrie

 

[Absimilliard]

For the Dolphin interaction, you will put a wetsuit on, along with the shoes. Then, you will go on that beach thing, where the dolphin will come see you, where you can touch, pet, etc. with him. You dont swim with the dolphin.

As with all other tours, call 407-WDW-TOUR to book it. Its called Dolphins in Depth.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know if they are doing wheelchair versions of the Dolphins in Depth yet r if they are still in a training mode with the dolphins, but they should know at the number that Absimilliard posted.
We could see fairly well what was happening above us during the wheelchair training session. The dolphins did come close enough to the wheelchair to be touched a number of times. The also did some things like scooting backwards and doing flips on hand commands from the person in the wheelchair and the other people up there.