First timer: DC and SW with young kids, need your help

[DisneyDreamer2325]

Hi,
I'm considering a vacation to Discovery Cove and Sea World for next year. My kids will be 4 and 6 by then. They really love animals, so Sea World is a definite must. Ideally, I'd like to spend 2 days there, so we can see all the shows and exhibits without rushing.
The Dolphins up-close tour really looks like fun. Does anyone have any experience with it?
For Discovery Cove, we would only do the day resort (no dolphin swim).
Is it worth it for kids that age? They are not good swimmers yet, but I guess they'd be fine with the life jackets.
Any information you can give me would be gretaly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Bearybear]

While I don't have experience with dolphins up close, we just returned from 2 days at Discovery Cove and 2 days at Sea World. We love discovery cove. Unlike other parks, it is so relaxing.

At your kids age, there are some things to consider. The grand reef, where you can snorkel with stingrays and tropical fish is salt water. It might be something they don't like, as it takes a little practice the first time you snorkel to keep the salt water out of the mouth.

There are parts of the fresh water loop (lazy river) that are 8 feet deep, and you have to go through 2 pretty thick waterfalls (to keep the birds in the aviary). However, we saw parents with babies doing this area, just with them all in life vests.

It is all inclusive. So if you want an ice cream bar, you walk up to the snack bar and ask for one. No money or payment needed. If you want a beer, you have to show your DC ID, to prove you are over 21 (and everyone must show it, even if you are clearly way over 21).

We saw many people, adults and kids wearing life vests. My DH even wore one, as he isn't a strong swimmer. But I've seen recommendations to wear them so you can just float when you snorkel and don't need to concentrate on swimming.

The aviary is fun, but can be a bit intimidating. My son was a little freaked out when a pretty big bird landed on his head. Of course, we were the first ones there and the birds hadn't been fed yet. Once other people came and started feeding the birds, they calmed down. We really enjoyed feeding the tropical birds, even with them landing on our heads.

The new area with marmosets and river otters is nice, but nothing extraordinary.

And even if you don't do a dolphin swim, you can watch the dolphins jump from the beach.

 

[DisneyDreamer2325]

Thank you for your comments
Do you think they would still enjoy Discovery cove at that age?
What if they don't snorkel? Can they still see fish and rays just by swimming around?

 

[Bearybear]

Yes, you can see the stingrays even if you don't snorkel. I don't know about the fish, though. I saw lots of kids that age (and younger) and they looked like they were having fun. There are sandy beaches, too, so they can build sand castles (you can bring sand toys if you want). There is also an area where you can see the sharks from above water.