How Cold is the Water at DC?

[plutospup]

I've been reading about needing wet suits when swimmng with the dolphins, and the water is "freezing". Ok, how cold is the water. My family has our pool heater turned up to at least 80, and sometimes 85. Help!

 

[padisneylover]

If I rememer right the water is in the 60-70 range in that particular pool. I had on a short wet suit and was initially cold when I got in but the thrill of it wiped the feeling of cold right away. We did have a 13 year old who litterly shook he was so cold with his short wet suit on though. Also we were there in November but the temperature out was in the high 80's with sun that day.
I know that my husband with his arthiritis would never be able to stand the water temperature without the full wet suit on.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think it depends on the weather and when you go, last March it was quite chilly at times in the morning, the water at DC was freezing cold.

 

[Squirlz]

I can't tell you to the degree, but padisneylover probably has it about right. This is a living marine environment, it is not a swimming pool. Hence the need for wetsuits. They will keep you warm enough.

 

[susieh]

You will be offered a swim vest or a shortie wet suit. We persuaded the CM to let us have both

We wore the wet suits for our swim with the dolphins (my theory is the hotter the air the colder the water feels) and then switched to swim vests for the snorkeling with the rays and fish

 

[lbarnes]

We were there in October, 2005. I believe they said the water was 67-70 degrees which felt really cold when we entered the water. I was surprised at how quickly I warmed up though (with just a swim vest). The dolphin pool, the ray lagoon and the coral reef are all the cooler temps. The swim area and lazy river are warmer. Not sure what the outside temp was the day we were there, but it was very warm and humid.

 

[-x-Dory-x-]

The water is very cold at first however if u fully submerge yourself for a breif moment you will quickly become aclimatised to the water temperatue. I swam in all the pools including the dolphin pool with the swimming vest rather than the wetsuite and i didnt find it that bad at all. Plus i was so excited to be swimming with dolphins that after a couple of mins i was too busy thinking about them rather than the cold

 

[DVCLiz]

We were there last Thursday (miss it already!) and were told the dolphin pool, ray pool, and coral reef were about 75 degrees, and the resort pool and river area were 85 degrees. It was cool but easy to get accustomed to fairly quickly - I wore a wetsuit and was perfectly comfortable all day. The air temps were in the low 70s and it was a bit cloudy with a brief rain shower in the early afternoon.

What a wonderful day!!!

 

[ShannonRT]

We were there last Thursday (miss it already!) and were told the dolphin pool, ray pool, and coral reef were about 75 degrees, and the resort pool and river area were 85 degrees. It was cool but easy to get accustomed to fairly quickly - I wore a wetsuit and was perfectly comfortable all day. The air temps were in the low 70s and it was a bit cloudy with a brief rain shower in the early afternoon.

What a wonderful day!!!

We were there last Tuesday and the weather was a bit better for us. The temp was in the mid-80's and sunny, but it was very windy. At some points, once we got used to the water, it actually felt warmer to our skin than the air with the wind.

Unfortunately we were at Blizzard Beach on Thursday and the water was very cold with no wet suit! The grown-ups froze to death but DD didn't care.

 

[donnamerry]

It feels as cold as sticking your fingers in a glass of ice water. But they do have you submerge yourself (not your head) quickly to get used to it. Though they have Long sleeve wet suits on - the ones we get are not, they are vests. Once you get thru that you're alright. You quickly forget how cold the water is and concentrate on looking into the eyes of Flipper! ha!
Have fun - it's an experience you will never forget! You know, if you go to this park, you don't have to swim with the dolphins, I had the best time just sitting on a lounge chair in the sand very close to them and just watching them! it's awesome! and worth every penney!

 

[ciship]

We are booked to be at Discovery Cove August 1st. I'm sure the weather will be extremely hot and humid then.

For those who have been there recently, can you please tell me what they served for breakfast and lunch?

My 9 and 13 year old are doing the dolphin swim, but we (parents) are not. Is there somewhere we can sit and be able to see their experience? Can we film them during their dolphin swim?

Also, are you required to walk around DC in a wet suit or vest? Can people just wear their swimsuits? If it is required to wear one or the other, do more people wear wet suits or vests?

Where is the best spot to "park yourself" inside the park during the day? We would prefer somewhere quiet and peaceful?? Or is the whole park like that?

Thank you!!