Epcot Dolphin Encounter

[angelsmom]

I am thinking of doing the Epcot dolphin encounter. Has anyone done it and how does it compare to Discovery Cove? Can your family members watch you? Do they take pictures? Is a wet suit provided? Is it inside or outside? All details will be very helpful. Thanks

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I have not done it (nor have I done Discovery Cove to compare) but here is the info, I assume this is the tour you were interested in, not the SCUBA dive:

Disney’s Dolphins In Depth is an in-depth, behind-the-scenes experience to learn more about the dolphins and research at The Living Seas, as well as to increase awareness and appreciation for their counterparts in the wild. Most importantly, you will meet them up close and personal, in the water! You are guaranteed to get wet, and most likely splashed, by our resident dolphins.

It is our hope that we will educate guests with valuable information that will provide a better understanding and a heightened appreciation for these marvelous creatures.

Duration: 3 hours

Location and Time: Meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, guests will be greeted at the Guest Relations window outside the main entrance of Epcot.

Restrictions: Guests must be at least 13 years old to attend this program. (Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult)
Wetsuits are provided but guests must bring their own swimsuit. Guests will be getting in the water up to their waist for 30 minutes. (No swimming or SCUBA diving during the interaction)

Cost: $150 per person; includes a photograph with the dolphin, refreshments, and a T-shirt. Theme park admission is not required or included.

**Note: no cameras or video equipment allowed. Expectant mothers are very strongly discouraged from participating. It is the dolphin's choice to participate in the research sessions as well as the interactions.

For more information and reservations call (407) WDW-TOUR (407) 939-8687.

 

[bbowers]

DH and I did this a few years ago, but we have not done Discovery Cove (because I can't swim). As far as I could tell, family members can NOT watch, and the size is limited to either 8-12 people (I can't remember if we were 6 to a dolphin or 4).

You get some education before meeting the dolphins, in several different locations. Then you suit up and enter the dolphin area. At no time do you swim (hence why we did this), but just stand on a "shelf" (about chest-high water for me - 5'2") and the dolphins will come to you. You get to pet them and give a hand signal for them to do a "trick".

You get a T-shirt, picture, and other information concerning dolphins in the wild, i.e. don't feed them, pet them, etc.

My DH couldn't stop talking about it, but he doesn't know about Discovery Cove, either.

 

[beattyfamily]

How far out can you book this? Is it 90 days?

Thanks!

 

[Princess Wannabe]

How far out can you book this? Is it 90 days?

Thanks!

Here's a link that shows the costs, and if there's any discounts. It's a very helpful link! And I believe that you can book 90 days in advance!

General Info on Tours Including Discounts

 

[diswedwish]

We just did this in Nov. and really enjoyed it. Info is the same as what is here, with one addition. Your family *will* be able to see you for the short amount of time you're with the dolphins on the platform. When we went down last Jan. we saw people/dolphins on the platform - granted you can't see much or hear anything, but you are visible to the people on the observation level.

HTH

 

[ralfrick]

How far out can you book this? Is it 90 days?

Thanks!

I booked the DiveQuest tour a couple of months ago, and our trip isn't until July, so I would call them now. I'd called to find out how far in advance to book it, and the person said she could do it on the spot before she'd asked for the dates of our trip.

Cheers.

 

[twojo21]

me & my fiance did the dolphins in depth tour at epcot on our november 2003 trip. it was great, you take a tour of the living seas, were educated on marine dolphins, got suited up in provided wet suits & went to the backstage area of the aquariums, viewed the dolphins, then joined 2 dolphins, calvin & rainer in the water with 2 trainers. you assisted in tricks, got to pet them & received a picture of your dolphin hug, one of our favorites. i dont remember if people were viewing us from the outside, we were too involved. afterwards we showered & watched a video, received a tshirt, info packet & our picture. it was well worth it in our opinion, we paid $110/each with a birnbaums coupon & we had a great time, we would do it again.

we also did the discovery cove in cancun on a trip, we spent more time in the water, playing with the dolphins at discovery cove. but i think the disney tour was more educational & informative.

 

[Tiffany]

I am thinking of doing the Epcot dolphin encounter. Has anyone done it and how does it compare to Discovery Cove? Can your family members watch you? Do they take pictures? Is a wet suit provided? Is it inside or outside? All details will be very helpful. Thanks

Hi,

We did Disney's "Dolphin's in Depth" tour on our Sept 2004 trip. It is limited to eight people and only the people paying to be on the tour can go on the tour. Everything is "backstage" so no one but paying tour guests are allowed. You are also not allowed to take any pictures backstage. A wet suit is provided and they provide you with a picture of you with the Dolphin. There are two dolphins and they are great. The tour is educational along with the interaction with the dolphins. You will not be swiming with the dolphins but the experiance of being able touch/hold and instruct them is truely amazing. The tour is $150 per person. It was truely a great experiance.

 

[Evil Queen]

Wow do I feel like an idiot. I ket swearing up and down to my DS 22 , there no such thing. Thank you for opening my eyes.

To help "better" me with DS 22 who will be traveling with me and DS (almost)9, how far out should you "reserve". Is this charged ASAP or when you complete the "tour"? I am almost willing to front my CC to do it, but really hate to pay for it now and wait for my payback from DS22. He already has a growing balance to pay me for this trip. Hate to add something else....

 

[Tiffany]

Wow do I feel like an idiot. I ket swearing up and down to my DS 22 , there no such thing. Thank you for opening my eyes.

To help "better" me with DS 22 who will be traveling with me and DS (almost)9, how far out should you "reserve". Is this charged ASAP or when you complete the "tour"? I am almost willing to front my CC to do it, but really hate to pay for it now and wait for my payback from DS22. He already has a growing balance to pay me for this trip. Hate to add something else....

Call 1-407-WDW-TOUR. You can call today. They do charge your cc in full upfront. But, I can tell you this tour was a great experiance. Truely worth every penny.