Epcot Dolphin Experience

[schomers]

Had anyone ever done the Dolphin experience at Epcot? Is it intimidating? A great experience? What are your thoughts? My group would be 4 adults, youngest is 23 y/o. Thank You

 

[heidijanesmith]

We have not done the Dolphin experience at EPCOT, but my family are all scuba divers and do the Dive Quest tour every year. They love going backstage at The Seas and enjoy interacting with the sea life.

From what I have read the Dolphin experience includes the backstage area and the matinee area too. I have also read that you do not swim with the dolphins, but you do get to interact with them (dolphins free will).

 

[Lancer]

For what its worth, I had done it a number of years ago so I am not sure how much it has changed. Like the PP, I also do the Dive Quest on each trip. A week at Disney and get a dive in, the best of both worlds. We did get a backstage tour of all the facilities both inside and out. We then watched a video and had a brief discussion on conservation and the work they do with the dolphins in the classroom off stage. We then went to the viewing windows with the other guests to continue the discussion for a short while. We then went backstage locker room to get into shorty wetsuits(provided, but bring a bathing suit to wear under). You then go onstage to the center column of the aquarium and go up a stairway to the top of the aquarium. You are now on top in the middle of the "Donut" shaped aquarium. As stated you are not allowed to swim with the dolphins. They also emphasize that any interactions with the dolphins are contingent on whether they want to participate. They are not forced to. Our two dolphins that day chose to participate but I think it is very rare if they ever don't. At the edge of the deck, there is a submerged platform in about 3 ft of water. It big enough that you have no fear of falling off if you stay conscious of how far out you are on it. The cast members bring the dolphins to you on the platform where you can interact with them on a individual basis. They will also show you some things that the dolphins are taught to do. They also take a picture of you with one of the dolphins to take with you along with a t shirt. You then can shower and change back in the lockers.

Don't expect this to be like one of those resorts where you get to swim and ride the dolphins. It is a learning experience and a low key interaction. The Dolphins have there own partitioned section of the aquarium and even during Dive Quest, we are not allowed near them. Definitely not intimidating. A great experience? Yes, A little expensive, but how many opportunities do you have to touch and interact with a dolphin up close. And I think Disney does it in a responsible and respectable way with the dolphins unlike some of those other resorts.

Hope this helps

 

[fely1st]

We also want to do this next spring so I would be glad if you post your experiences. I really love to get behind the scenes impressions, but I'm also not sure if I feel sorry for the dolphins. So I'm not sure if to book or not.

 

[Tess]

For what its worth, I had done it a number of years ago so I am not sure how much it has changed. Like the PP, I also do the Dive Quest on each trip. A week at Disney and get a dive in, the best of both worlds. We did get a backstage tour of all the facilities both inside and out. We then watched a video and had a brief discussion on conservation and the work they do with the dolphins in the classroom off stage. We then went to the viewing windows with the other guests to continue the discussion for a short while. We then went backstage locker room to get into shorty wetsuits(provided, but bring a bathing suit to wear under). You then go onstage to the center column of the aquarium and go up a stairway to the top of the aquarium. You are now on top in the middle of the "Donut" shaped aquarium. As stated you are not allowed to swim with the dolphins. They also emphasize that any interactions with the dolphins are contingent on whether they want to participate. They are not forced to. Our two dolphins that day chose to participate but I think it is very rare if they ever don't. At the edge of the deck, there is a submerged platform in about 3 ft of water. It big enough that you have no fear of falling off if you stay conscious of how far out you are on it. The cast members bring the dolphins to you on the platform where you can interact with them on a individual basis. They will also show you some things that the dolphins are taught to do. They also take a picture of you with one of the dolphins to take with you along with a t shirt. You then can shower and change back in the lockers.

Don't expect this to be like one of those resorts where you get to swim and ride the dolphins. It is a learning experience and a low key interaction. The Dolphins have there own partitioned section of the aquarium and even during Dive Quest, we are not allowed near them. Definitely not intimidating. A great experience? Yes, A little expensive, but how many opportunities do you have to touch and interact with a dolphin up close. And I think Disney does it in a responsible and respectable way with the dolphins unlike some of those other resorts.

Hope this helps

Totally agree. We did this with our two kids years ago--they were 18 and 20 at the time. Both have said repeatedly that it was the coolest thing they had ever done at Disney. My husband and I really enjoyed it too.

 

[White Rose]

We did it several times, and I think the last time we got a drawstring bag instead of another tee shirt... not sure. I heard someone say they thought it switched to a lapelpin, it I can not confirm that. my hubby is a total dolphin nut and he reallllllllly enjoyed the experience because he felt the dolphins were not made to interact and they were not doing “shows”.