kguenther
Proud USAF Wife!
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2004
- Messages
- 55
Day 3 was time for a break.
We rose early and headed off for Discovery Cove. We arrived right at 8 am, and checked in. They gave us these nifty badges that also had our credit card info (only if you want) on it to buy drinks, pics etc. without having to carry anything around.
Then, we were given a tour of the facilities and assigned a locker. Out dolphin swim time was at 8:45 (the first of the day) so we headed off. There were 7 people in our group and we were with Roxie, a young learning dolphin. We touched her, posed for a kiss with her, and also listened to her underwater. Then another dolphin was switched (Maria) and she was the one that we swam back with holding on to her fin. It was a cool experience that I won't ever forget.
After the swim, you are led to a hut to look at pictures. The system they have is cool, and they really don't pressure you at all. We bought a 5 photo CD for $100. The pictures are really good. They also have videos available.
Next, we put our snorkel stuff on and headed out to see the rest of the park. It only took me a few minutes to get the hang of the snorkel equipment. There was a warm pool with nothing in it that we practiced in, and then headed down the river to the aviary. This is a cool place where you can get dishes of food and feed all the different kinds of birds there. After awhile, we headed off to the coral reef, where we spent most of the day. This was awesome! Huge rays and all kinds of fish swimming all around you as you floated around. After about an hour, we were hungry, so we headed off to lunch. Lunch is included in your steep admission price, and it was very good. We both had fajitas and chocolate cake. The cake was very good, and so were the fajitas.
Next we headed back into the coral reef and the stingray pool. This was my favorite. There are rays all around and they just glide right past you. Later in the day, I got to feed them and I had a blast. They know when you have food and they will get aggressive (for a ray) and beg for it. It is so cool to feel their little mouths (and teeth!) take the fish from you. I fed them twice!
We got tropical drinks, layed on the beach, and snorkeled around the coral reef for the rest of the day. The day went by fast. The one knock I have against the place is that they require you to were a swimvest or wetsuit at all times you are in the reef. The water is cold even in the middle of summer, but you get used to it quickly. Anyways, my vest was rubbing my left arm, and I tried different size adjustments, but it still bothered my arm. I ended up ignoring it, but got a nasty rash that we had to wrap the rest of our Disney trip. I think it was a combination of the salt water and the vest rubbing. I know they don't want people diving down bothering the rays and fish, but I think they could maybe not require adults who know how to swim well to wear that vest. The water is so bouyant anyways that it is almost impossible to dive down. Also, the park seemed a little more crowded than 1000 people, but maybe not.
Having said that, we were treated with courtesy, the place was immaculate (there are people constantly sweeping sand off the sidewalks), the food was great, the interaction, pools, etc. were wonderful. When I booked this place 6 months ago, and my husband heard the price, he was not thrilled about "swimming with the fishes" However, at the end of the day, he said hands down he would pay it again in a heartbeat. We both had a great time, never got bored looking at that reef, and were impressed with the quality of everything. It was very enjoyable.
That night we ate at the California Grill at 9 pm and dinner was superb. For people complaining about the price of this place, don't! It wasn't any more expensive than most other disney places, and the atmosphere and view was awesome! We had a table right by the window, and the fireworks with the music was spectacular. Even my non disney loving husband loved this place. I had the pork roast and he had salmon. Both dishes were awesome. Our waiter was busy and a little slow in coming around at times, but we did not feel like at Mama Melrose's. He was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about all menu items, wine, etc. When we weren't sure on wine, he brought us samples out and just generally made us feel good.
This was a perfect day with discovery cove and Califonia Grill for dinner. Please don't hesitate to go here, it won't disappoint you!
Also, most people were dressed up at least a little (guys in khakis and polo or button up shirts, and women in skirts or nice summery outfits. I only mention this because my husband said he would have felt really uncomfortable coming from the parks wearing shorts).
Stay tuned for AK and Ecpot reports!
We rose early and headed off for Discovery Cove. We arrived right at 8 am, and checked in. They gave us these nifty badges that also had our credit card info (only if you want) on it to buy drinks, pics etc. without having to carry anything around.
Then, we were given a tour of the facilities and assigned a locker. Out dolphin swim time was at 8:45 (the first of the day) so we headed off. There were 7 people in our group and we were with Roxie, a young learning dolphin. We touched her, posed for a kiss with her, and also listened to her underwater. Then another dolphin was switched (Maria) and she was the one that we swam back with holding on to her fin. It was a cool experience that I won't ever forget.
After the swim, you are led to a hut to look at pictures. The system they have is cool, and they really don't pressure you at all. We bought a 5 photo CD for $100. The pictures are really good. They also have videos available.
Next, we put our snorkel stuff on and headed out to see the rest of the park. It only took me a few minutes to get the hang of the snorkel equipment. There was a warm pool with nothing in it that we practiced in, and then headed down the river to the aviary. This is a cool place where you can get dishes of food and feed all the different kinds of birds there. After awhile, we headed off to the coral reef, where we spent most of the day. This was awesome! Huge rays and all kinds of fish swimming all around you as you floated around. After about an hour, we were hungry, so we headed off to lunch. Lunch is included in your steep admission price, and it was very good. We both had fajitas and chocolate cake. The cake was very good, and so were the fajitas.
Next we headed back into the coral reef and the stingray pool. This was my favorite. There are rays all around and they just glide right past you. Later in the day, I got to feed them and I had a blast. They know when you have food and they will get aggressive (for a ray) and beg for it. It is so cool to feel their little mouths (and teeth!) take the fish from you. I fed them twice!
We got tropical drinks, layed on the beach, and snorkeled around the coral reef for the rest of the day. The day went by fast. The one knock I have against the place is that they require you to were a swimvest or wetsuit at all times you are in the reef. The water is cold even in the middle of summer, but you get used to it quickly. Anyways, my vest was rubbing my left arm, and I tried different size adjustments, but it still bothered my arm. I ended up ignoring it, but got a nasty rash that we had to wrap the rest of our Disney trip. I think it was a combination of the salt water and the vest rubbing. I know they don't want people diving down bothering the rays and fish, but I think they could maybe not require adults who know how to swim well to wear that vest. The water is so bouyant anyways that it is almost impossible to dive down. Also, the park seemed a little more crowded than 1000 people, but maybe not.
Having said that, we were treated with courtesy, the place was immaculate (there are people constantly sweeping sand off the sidewalks), the food was great, the interaction, pools, etc. were wonderful. When I booked this place 6 months ago, and my husband heard the price, he was not thrilled about "swimming with the fishes" However, at the end of the day, he said hands down he would pay it again in a heartbeat. We both had a great time, never got bored looking at that reef, and were impressed with the quality of everything. It was very enjoyable.
That night we ate at the California Grill at 9 pm and dinner was superb. For people complaining about the price of this place, don't! It wasn't any more expensive than most other disney places, and the atmosphere and view was awesome! We had a table right by the window, and the fireworks with the music was spectacular. Even my non disney loving husband loved this place. I had the pork roast and he had salmon. Both dishes were awesome. Our waiter was busy and a little slow in coming around at times, but we did not feel like at Mama Melrose's. He was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about all menu items, wine, etc. When we weren't sure on wine, he brought us samples out and just generally made us feel good.
This was a perfect day with discovery cove and Califonia Grill for dinner. Please don't hesitate to go here, it won't disappoint you!
Also, most people were dressed up at least a little (guys in khakis and polo or button up shirts, and women in skirts or nice summery outfits. I only mention this because my husband said he would have felt really uncomfortable coming from the parks wearing shorts).
Stay tuned for AK and Ecpot reports!
