Dolphins up close tour - reviews?

[sharona]

Hi. Thinking of booking the Dolphins Up Close tour for our upcoming trip in 3 weeks. DD8 loves all things dolphin and is really looking forward to our day at Sea World. We can't fit DC into our budget this year with the current prices so thought this might be a nice alternative.

Questions for those who've done this tour:

How much time is spent interacting with the Dolphins vs. viewing the facilities?

Were you allowed to take pictures while your children were participating in the training part of the tour?

Did you think it was it worth the extra money? It would be $80 for DD and I. $130 if DM also wants to join us.

What was the timing like for the tour? Was it AM or afternoon? The online system just gives availability of Tour 1 or Tour 2, no start times.

We'll be there in early May on a Tuesday so I don't expect super big crowds. How many people were in your group?

DD is really looking forward to feeding the dolphins and rays. I know this isn't part of the dolphin tour - will taking the tour interfere w/ plans to feed the dolphins and rays? Will we miss the feeding times?

Did you book this in advance or sign up when you got there?

Lots of questions!!! Thank in advance for your responses.

 

[chiamarie]

Hi. Thinking of booking the Dolphins Up Close tour for our upcoming trip in 3 weeks. DD8 loves all things dolphin and is really looking forward to our day at Sea World. We can't fit DC into our budget this year with the current prices so thought this might be a nice alternative.

Questions for those who've done this tour:

1) How much time is spent interacting with the Dolphins vs. viewing the facilities?

2) Were you allowed to take pictures while your children were participating in the training part of the tour?

3)Did you think it was it worth the extra money? It would be $80 for DD and I. $130 if DM also wants to join us.

4)What was the timing like for the tour? Was it AM or afternoon? The online system just gives availability of Tour 1 or Tour 2, no start times.

5)We'll be there in early May on a Tuesday so I don't expect super big crowds. How many people were in your group?

6)DD is really looking forward to feeding the dolphins and rays. I know this isn't part of the dolphin tour - will taking the tour interfere w/ plans to feed the dolphins and rays? Will we miss the feeding times?

7)Did you book this in advance or sign up when you got there?

Lots of questions!!! Thank in advance for your responses.

1) The tour is an hour long, I believe. You start at the Dolphin Nursery with your guide telling you information about dolphins. You watch the trainers feed the mom and baby dolphins there. You then walk to Dolphin Cove and go in the feeding area. There a trainer will go over a few basic rules and split you up into small groups to meet a few dolphins. You get about 20 minutes in the dolphin area, the actual training session is about 10-15 minutes long.

2) Yes, you can take photos while interacting with the dolphins; they also have photographers taking your photos that you can purchase as well.

3) I think this is an individual answer as to if it's worth it or not. As someone who visits the park regularly, I don't really think it'd be worth it. But for someone who doesn't get to see or interact with dolphins very often, it certainly is worth it.

4) I think most the tours are mid morning/early afternoon. I don't think I've seen one later than about 3pm.

5) Depends. I think the tour books as full around 15-20 people. But like I said, they split you up in to smaller groups to meet the dolphins.

6) You won't be missing any feeding times. These dolphins you're meeting are also used for the feeding times. So when you're there; there isn't a public feeding going on. My suggestion, if you want to feed the dolphins, would be to go there first thing in the morning and do it then; ti's the least crowded time of day and dolphins are more interested in people first thing in the morning.

7) Book ahead of time. this is very popular, and seems to sell out almost daily. Regardless of the time of year.

Hope this helps!

 

[sharona]

Great input! I think we'll book it. I know my DD will love it.

 

[sean14]

I agree with everything the original reply said. It is a great time.