Help for the uninformed

[Angel717]

I am in the preliminary stages of planning a trip for August, 2005 and am considering going to Discovery Cove. I am waiting for a brochure and trying to gather as much information as possible.

How far in advance can, or should, you make reservations?We are a family of 7 and this would be a once in a lifetime event for us. This will probably be the last time we vacation in Florida while all my kids are still under 18 and I am trying to make this a really memorable trip. My one son, who will be 13 next year, really wants to swim with the dolphins, but my husband is not interested in doing this. I read that the age limit is 6 and over, so he could sit it out with our youngest (who will be 3). I know my oldest (16) will want to do it, but am not sure about the other two yet (6 and 8). Am I correct in assuming that the only time we would be separated is during the dolphin swim? Will they be able to see the swimmers in the water or is the dolphin swim at a location only accesible to the swimmers?

Has anyone done this with a large group? There may be other members of my extended family going, though I'm not sure if they will be going to Discovery Cove. I do have a feeling that when I mention it to them, though, they will want to do it, especially if my family does it.

Any help for this novice will be greatly appreciated! I am now going to read as many trip reports about Discovery Cove as I can!

 

[highlander447]

U are right u only get split up for doplhin swim and in august they get pretty busy so I would leave plenty of time to reserve

 

[vernon]

The dolphin swims are done, usually, in groups of 6-8 people so you may get a whole group to your family. The usual way they work it is that you'll all wade into the shallow water ( maybe 3 feet deep) and get the chance to get to know the dolphin together while standing up. Then one of the trainers will take people two (sometimes 3) at a time into the deeper water for a closer and more personal time. The others in the group are only maybe 20 feet away and the dolphin makes trips between the (2/3)swimmers and the group that are wading (being looked after by another trainer) so they are not "left out" of the action. Each group of swimmers get about 6/7 minutes of "quality time" before the groups are swapped over.
The younger children is, potentially, going to be a difficult call, it's not hard to swim/tread water with the vests on, however they do need to be confident in the water to be able to complete this aspect. It is possible though, if they lose their courage, for them to have all their interaction while standing in the shallows and sometimes to have a "slingshot" ride from the dolphin. In this they hold onto the dolphin's dorsal fin and get a quick ride (maybe 15 feet) out and back to the shore. If the younger ones do the swim you'd probably be able to go with them ( as a 3) and let the 18+13 yr old go together.

You hubby will be able to watch you easily from the shore, if you have a camera with a decent zoom you'll get decent pictures as you're no more than 40 feet away from where he would be. I have heard of the trainers in that situation (with a child too young to take part) being allowed to come into the water to pet the dolphin at the end of everyone's swim time, it's worth asking the trainer if they can. If it's just your family I would consider splitting your group, letting the two elder kids go on their own later in the day and you taking the younger ones earlier in the day. This way it gives you the opportunity of watching the older ones when they do their swim without you having to worry too much about looking after the 6 and 8 yr old in the water. It sort of doubles the excitement.

P.S I think your hubby will be a little miffed after the event if he chooses not to take part LOL.

 

[Angel717]

Thank you for the information.
My Dh may change his mind, but if not, I'll put him in charge of taking pictures.

After reading some trip reports and visiting the Discovery Cove website, I am very anxious to make the reservations and experience this for myself!