Grand Cayman Dolphin and Turtle farm bus to excursion

[Lacoccinelle]

Hello,
Going on then again in two weeks and my mom said last night that she has always wanted to swim with dolphins, so we are changing our excursion. The problem is that my younger daughter is only 5 and she can't actually swim or sign up for that extreme excursion. I booked my parents, DH, and ODD for the extreme experience at 11:15. YDD and I are only dolphin observer, but at the same time. Do you think we will all be transported there together? We should be able to watch them swim, right?
Thanks!

 

[tnshsms]

Yes, you will be transported together and I really think your 5 year old could do it. Mine was 5 when we did that exact excursion and although she was a good swimmer, they provide life vests and she could almost touch the platform. I'll post some pictures.

 

[tnshsms]

Well, I apparently need to learn how to post a picture! Once I figure that out, I'll do so. But there is a platform in each dolphin area that the adults stand on and the water goes to waste or a little higher. So for your kiddo she could even be held if you want her to do it with you guys. But if you don't want to, you will all go together and will have a front row seat of what happens with the dolphins.

 

[tmoor]

Yes, they take you all together on the bus. My 5yo DD took part in this activity. She was in a vest and she pretty much bobbed next to me on the platform. You take a few steps down into the water onto this metal grate platform - everyone in our excursion group went down onto the platform and lined up in the waist/chest deep water. I would lean against the cement wall or bridge thingy behind me and hold her up on my knee just to keep her steady as she bobbed. The dolphin handlers would make their way down the line of people doing tricks with the dolphins and getting the dolphins to shake your hand and give you a kiss and they would pose you with the dolphin for a picture or two. My husband took these pictures from about 10 feet away behind a railing where he was an "observer".

 

[DJinPA]

Yes, they take you all together on the bus. My 5yo DD took part in this activity. She was in a vest and she pretty much bobbed next to me on the platform. You take a few steps down into the water onto this metal grate platform - everyone in our excursion group went down onto the platform and lined up in the waist/chest deep water. I would lean against the cement wall or bridge thingy behind me and hold her up on my knee just to keep her steady as she bobbed. The dolphin handlers would make their way down the line of people doing tricks with the dolphins and getting the dolphins to shake your hand and give you a kiss and they would pose you with the dolphin for a picture or two. My husband took these pictures from about 10 feet away behind a railing where he was an "observer". View attachment 160761

I think there are a few different levels, and because it has been a few years I forget the names. There is the observer, a meet and interact type activity and one to actually swim. My son was 7 at the time, and a great swimmer. I have to admit I was a little nervous because he swam out in very deep water to wait with one of the workers to be pushed by the dolphin with a little swim board, and then again to catch the dolphin's tale and ride in. I am just making the distinction, because the one we did, actually swimming out with them, made me a little nervous because I wasn't right with him. He was fine and did well, but I don't think I would have sent him any younger or if I was unsure of his swimming ability. I didn't fully know what to expect.

On a side note, we also did a snorkeling tour in Cozumel, and my son's life vest deflated. I stayed with my son and one of the guides went and got a replacement, there were plenty of guides around me, too - and they were the ones who put it on him - out in the deep, deep water. Again, I didn't realize quite how deep the water was and I actually panicked a bit myself!

 

[tmoor]

I think there are a few different levels, and because it has been a few years I forget the names. There is the observer, a meet and interact type activity and one to actually swim. My son was 7 at the time, and a great swimmer. I have to admit I was a little nervous because he swam out in very deep water to wait with one of the workers to be pushed by the dolphin with a little swim board, and then again to catch the dolphin's tale and ride in. I am just making the distinction, because the one we did, actually swimming out with them, made me a little nervous because I wasn't right with him. He was fine and did well, but I don't think I would have sent him any younger or if I was unsure of his swimming ability. I didn't fully know what to expect.

On a side note, we also did a snorkeling tour in Cozumel, and my son's life vest deflated. I stayed with my son and one of the guides went and got a replacement, there were plenty of guides around me, too - and they were the ones who put it on him - out in the deep, deep water. Again, I didn't realize quite how deep the water was and I actually panicked a bit myself!

Yep. I'm sorry. I didn't read the question thoroughly. This was my daughter and I doing the dolphin encounter with my husband being an observer. The larger pool/lagoon they were doing the Dolphin Swim was directly on the other side of that concrete walkway we had our backs to. It was definitely not something I think my 5yo would have been able to do.

 

[Lacoccinelle]

Well, I apparently need to learn how to post a picture! Once I figure that out, I'll do so. But there is a platform in each dolphin area that the adults stand on and the water goes to waste or a little higher. So for your kiddo she could even be held if you want her to do it with you guys. But if you don't want to, you will all go together and will have a front row seat of what happens with the dolphins.

They won't let her sign up The age was entered before and you have to be six to register on the Disney site.

 

[Lacoccinelle]

Yes, they take you all together on the bus. My 5yo DD took part in this activity. She was in a vest and she pretty much bobbed next to me on the platform. You take a few steps down into the water onto this metal grate platform - everyone in our excursion group went down onto the platform and lined up in the waist/chest deep water. I would lean against the cement wall or bridge thingy behind me and hold her up on my knee just to keep her steady as she bobbed. The dolphin handlers would make their way down the line of people doing tricks with the dolphins and getting the dolphins to shake your hand and give you a kiss and they would pose you with the dolphin for a picture or two. My husband took these pictures from about 10 feet away behind a railing where he was an "observer". View attachment 160761

What you are doing here is pretty much what they want to do. Is this not the dolphin extreme?
Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Lacoccinelle]

Wow, okay. We are doing the extreme. The encounter was sold out! Will my six year led be okay doing this?! She is an ok swimmer.

 

[tmoor]

What you are doing here is pretty much what they want to do. Is this not the dolphin extreme?
Thanks for all the replies!

No. This was the encounter. You do not swim with or get pushed/pulled by a dolphin on the one I show in the picture. It is simply standing on the platform and you get to feel the dolphin, shake hands, and kiss on the nose. The dolphin will do a few jumps or flips before the handler brings the dolphin over to meet and interact with each person.

 

[ajo]

Wow, okay. We are doing the extreme. The encounter was sold out! Will my six year led be okay doing this?! She is an ok swimmer.

We did the extreme excursion with a 6 year old and a 7 year old. They both did fine, although they were a little apprehensive at first. As the PP stated, the kids have life jackets on and have to swim out to the other end of the pool (the first time with a little swim board, the second time on their own) in order to be pushed (with the board) and then to swim with the dolphins by grabbing on to their flippers. If your six year old is comfortable on her own in the water, I would think she would be fine. Here's a picture of the dolphin pushing underwater to give you an idea.

 

[tnshsms]

Yes, they take you all together on the bus. My 5yo DD took part in this activity. She was in a vest and she pretty much bobbed next to me on the platform. You take a few steps down into the water onto this metal grate platform - everyone in our excursion group went down onto the platform and lined up in the waist/chest deep water. I would lean against the cement wall or bridge thingy behind me and hold her up on my knee just to keep her steady as she bobbed. The dolphin handlers would make their way down the line of people doing tricks with the dolphins and getting the dolphins to shake your hand and give you a kiss and they would pose you with the dolphin for a picture or two. My husband took these pictures from about 10 feet away behind a railing where he was an "observer". View attachment 160761

Totally unrelated, but how did you post the picture? I couldn't figure out why it was asking for a URL.....do I have to upload it somewhere else and then use the URL to post here?

 

[ajo]

Totally unrelated, but how did you post the picture? I couldn't figure out why it was asking for a URL.....do I have to upload it somewhere else and then use the URL to post here?

Below the box where you type your comment is a box that says "upload a file". Click on that and select your photo. It will then upload to your post. Has to be <1mb in size IIRC.

 

[tnshsms]

Oh I see it now...I was looking above. Thanks ajo!!

 

[Suruat68]

I hope it's ok to piggy back on this thread...

My excursion booking window opened up about 45 minutes ago. DS and DH are doing the encounter at 11:45 and I signed me and older DS up for the extreme swim at 12:45 - thinking this would allow each group to watch the other.

But this excursion has an end time (4:15 and 5:15 respectively). Will we get transported together and get to go to the turtle farm together?

Or, will I have to book us all at the same time and miss watching DH and DS during their dolphin encounter? TIA!

 

[tnshsms]

My guess is that you can get on the same bus back if there is space. I know others were able to get on an earlier bus ride back to the ship because they were done and there was space. I don't think it will be too much of a problem.