Feeding the dolphins, etc

[Canadave]

What's the process for feeding the animals (I'm talking about where we can, for the cost of the fish, actually feed the dolphins, etc.)...ie. is there a schedule of where and when? Is there a line-up? Is there an age limit? Costs? Is it worth it??? It sounds so cool...and DC is soooooooo expensive.

 

[robvia]

No Schedule, it happens all day. As you enter the park, head to the left to the Key West area. You pass the sting ray tank, then walk down to the dolphin lagoon area. Good to go early. At 10am, trainers come out with a bucket and feed certain dolphins and make them do tricks.
Yes, there is a line up for the fish food. The window opens for about half an hour, then closes when all the food is sold. I think it's $4 for 4 fish. Annual Pass Holders get a $1 discount. No age limit. Yes, it's worth it. You'll get to touch the dolphin, and pet them. At DC, you have more time, get a kiss, and a ride to shore. At the Key West area, the dolphins only come up to those with the food. If you get lucky, they'll hang out and let everyone pet them before swimming away. If they come up for the food, and you don't give it to them, they splash you. Once all food is sold, the window closes, and there is about an hour wait for the next feeding time. The dolphins won't come up to anyone during this time, although the trainers will tell people to gently leave their hand in the water still, just to make it seem like they might come up.

For the sting rays, you can touch their wings as they swim by. Feed them early because once they are full, they don't eat anymore.

The Sea Lions are fun to feed. They stand in front of the people and bark like dogs.

Bring lots of cash. I'd say about $30. The fish go fast. Most people by 3 cups at once.

 

[Canadave]

Thanks for the quick response robvia....I think this will be a 'must do' on our visit to Seaworld

 

[jax100]

i thought i had read on sign that said only 2 per customer, but i might have been mistaken.

 

[makinorlando]

We have APs for Sea World, and one of our favorite things to do is feed the Sea Lions and the dolphins. .

The food does go quickly, so as the other poster mentioned budget for it. It is cool to feed the dolphins, but I think the most entertaining are the sea lions - they are a hoot. There was one the other day, that I believe might have a bad eye which appeared to stay closed, but when he would bark at the other sea lion who was getting in his face, he looked much like a pirate saying _ ARGHHHH!

The Dolphin Nursery to the right when you enter the park, near the marketplace is also a nice spot to spend a few minutes. Presently they have five mothers and calves ranging from 7 months to 5 weeks old. We were at SW three evenings this week, and all three times spent about 1/2 hour just watching for them to surface, and at times "perform"!!!

The Sky Tower - ($3 additional, free for kid under 42" - I think) is also a nice way to spend a few minutes. You get to see an aerial view of the park, as well as the Orlando Sky line. If you look closely on a clear day you can see the Epcot ball.

Enjoy ad have fun!! We love Sea World! Don't miss Blue Horizions either.

 

[Northstar]

The dolphin feeding was not all the time when we were there December 17th. They open the window where they're selling the fish for a short time, sell some of the daily quota of "snacks," then close down for a while to make sure the dolphins don't get either sated or overfed. I imagine they go by the crowd level...if there aren't many people expected at the park and the fish they've set aside for the day aren't selling too fast, they may just keep it open continuously. I think they were selling for 5 minutes every 45 minutes the day we were there. The trainers/naturalists/cast members (what do we call those folks at SeaWorld?) were announcing how long it would be till the window opened again, as part of their talk.

Even when we had no food to offer, some of the dolphins were coming right up to the wall and letting people touch them. One mischievously flipped water at my DH and everybody, including DH, said "ahh... isn't that CUTE" instead of "durn critter, let's get out of here." Not to be missed (the dolphins, not throwing water at my DH). We also loved the dolphin nursery and spent an unbelievable amount of time staring at the moms and babies there. And stingrays... now I can say I've had my hand kissed by a stingray (that's how they grab the food from you).