family trip 4th -18th December part 4 The blue shoes

[epcot1stfave]

Friday 7th
Another early up and out today.DDIL has wanted to swim with the dolphins for a few years so when they decided to come on holiday with us this year we thought we would book Discovery Cove.We had not been before,so it would be new to us all. We arrived early ,checked in got our lanyards with photo and map on then we were given a short introductory tour and general layout of where to find everything we would need. 1st things 1st and off we went for breakfast,we had been allocated an afternoon swim -1.35 so we decided to have a good breakfast and have a late lunch after our swim. We went to get our snorkel,mask and vest then went to get changed and pick up our towels.
We found a spot and set up base and spread ourselves out. In the sun for me shade for DS and partial shade for DW and DDIL. DW cannot swim so we dont normally do beaches - pool activity, she normally sits and watches me when we do use the hotel pool. So we dont have any of those shoes that most people use so we went of to buy some DW also bought a sarong because she must have one. The shoes aren't very elegant but practical and they will come in useful for Castaway Cay in September. [so will the sarong apparantly]
DS and DDIL went off to do their own thing and left us to lounge, after a while we decided to go and look at the stingrays no sign of Troy Tempest .It was a strange feeling when the rays brushed against your legs. Then we went to the river section unlike TL or BB there are no tubes only lifejackets or floats and the current is quite strong and in some places the water is quite deep. DW had a panic attack and as the current was so strong a lifeguard had to pull her to the shallow water. It put her off for the rest of the day though she did recover in time for the Dolhin Swim. Plenty of hot tea helped.
When it was time for our session with the dolphins we went to the Sanddollar Cabana for our meeting with the trainers and to sign disclaimers !!!! We went into the water in a group of 8 people.the trainer was very good,funny and informative. Our dolphin had had a baby earlier in the year and she was swimming just to the side of us. So her mother sometimes decided to go over and keep an eye on her calf. She was very friendly ,she gave us all a kiss. When it came to the swim DW decided not to do this. DS did the shallow swim and DDIL and I did the deeper one. The dolphin was very good with us and I realy enjoyed it even if I did feel a bit foolish kissing a dolphin.
After our swim we went for our lunch.DDIL too exited to eat much, but we managed to force something down. It is surprising how many people take a large plate of food and actually leave most of it on the plate I think they must think they have paid for it so they have to take it even if they have no intention of eating it. We spent the rest of the day lazing around and enjoying the park,I was driving so no AB products for me.
Altogether a great day, they only allow 1,000 people each day but there was nowhere near that number on the day we were there,so if the park is busier the groups with the dolphins might be larger. It was well organised and the grounds are attractive reccommended If we did go again I would definately have an earlier lunch.

 

[Minniespal]

A lovely day at DC. When we visited in October there were less than 500 people in the park that day. It was wonderful, almost like having the place to yourself.

 

[natalielongstaff]

DC sounds lovely your poor DW though.... i would have been terrified

 

[tashasmum]

We love DC and have booked to go again in July. The only thing i disliked was that there was no signs of how deep any water was,and i can swim but was still very cautious.

 

[DisneyJo]

Sounds like a great time, it's something I definitely want to do!

 

[BRobson]

Sounds a great day

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Another Grand Day out

 

[jjk]

great report,Discovery cove sounds wonderful,hoping to convice DH for our next trip

 

[Daysleeper40]

Fab day - I don't remember having to sign any disclaimers when we went in september... not that it would have put me off anyway!

 

[mark&sue]

Our daughter, Kirsty had a panic attack when we went and have not been back since. I remember it was well organised and felt quieter than the other parks just as you report. A rare good day out away from Disney for us.


susan

 

[jockey]

Great day! I love dc!

 

[arieljasmine]

A lovely day, we loved DC. I did, however, have a very similar experience to your wife, so she has my sympathies. I am not a strong swimmer, and those currents were scary to me.

Laur's