just DC and Disney

[Laneyg]

We are going to FL in December. We're mostly going for Disney World but I have always wanted to swim with dolphins. DC sounds so nice. I guess it includes passes to Sea World? But we wouldn't use those. So is it worth it? Does anyone just go to DC for a day and then Disney the rest of the time? Or is that a big waste of money?
Also, we are staying on site at Disney. Would we be able to take a shuttle to DC from anywhere close? So we don't have to rent a car...?

Oh, and what will this be like in Dec? TOo cold? Crowded?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are going to FL in December. We're mostly going for Disney World but I have always wanted to swim with dolphins. DC sounds so nice. I guess it includes passes to Sea World? But we wouldn't use those. So is it worth it? Does anyone just go to DC for a day and then Disney the rest of the time? Or is that a big waste of money?
Also, we are staying on site at Disney. Would we be able to take a shuttle to DC from anywhere close? So we don't have to rent a car...?

Oh, and what will this be like in Dec? TOo cold? Crowded?

Hi Laney,

The "worth it" question is so hard to answer. Worth is so subjective, and means vastly different things to different people. Here's what I can tell you that might help you arrive at the decision that's best for you.

Crowds....there are none. That's one of the (many!) beautiful things about DC. They only admit a max of 1300 guests per day, so by nature of their admission structure, there are never any lines, never any crowds, never any "busy" days. Even on a holiday or weekend.

Cold weather: that's something that can't be predicted. December might be summer-like or it might be very chilly. We're from the north so our "cold" is defined much differently than by those who live in the southern states. Our very first visit to DC was on January 1st, 2012 and we had a BLAST. The sun shone, and the temps were cool in the morning but moderated by afternoon. Wetsuits are provided and will help keep your body warm on a colder day. There are heaters scattered in the "dry" areas throughout the park (like at the restaurant) so you can warm up/dry off quickly when you need to. And some of the water features....thinking most specifically of the lazy river and Freshwater Oasis....are super warm (think bathwater!) so they are a great place to relax and enjoy the day if the air is cooler than you like.

Swimming with the dolpins: its an awesome experience...you get to feed, touch, and kiss the dolphins in small groups of about 8. You will also get to "ride" with a dolphin (holding its fin as he/she pulls you through the water). Its so amazing be up close to such majestic animals, and the in-water photographers get some great pictures. BUT....it really is a small part of your day (about 30 minutes actually in the water). Just so you are not expecting it to be a lengthy experience. There is so much to see and do at DC, I guarantee you will still have tons of things to fill a whole day (and wish it were longer!) but the dolphin interaction really is just a small part of the overall DC experience.

SeaWorld: yes, your DC day includes 14 days unlimited admission to both SeaWorld and Aquatica. Both GREAT parks.....absolutely worth a visit to each at least once, in my opinion. Not using your included admission to those other two parks greatly decreases the perceived value of a day at Discovery Cove, in the sense that you are choosing not to use something you have effectly paid for. I would skip any Disney park for a day at SeaWorld (my family much prefers the SW parks to Disney), but of course others would disagree.

Shuttle: DC does not offer a shuttle from Disney (just as Disney does not offer free shuttles to their parks for SW guests). This thread might help you find a cost-effective option for transportation: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2469141

All that said.....Discovery Cove is my favourite park in all of Orlando (and we have done 'em all, with the exception of Legoland). Its relaxing and peaceful and beautiful. Breakfast is included, lunch is included, snacks are included, drinks are included (even alcohol). You get a free 6 x 8 family photo. They provide complimentary lockers, sunscreen, parking, and wetsuits. You feel pampered and spoiled and its sooo relaxing. The experiences.....snorkelling in the Grand Reef, swimming with the dolphins, feeding birds in the aviary, swimming alongside Asian otters.....are things you will remember your whole life. Do I think its worth it? Absolutely! But we will also be using our Seaworld and Aquatica admission to boot......so with that, I think the price is a steal!

 

[Laneyg]

Thank you for the reply- that's great info and really makes me want to do DC!!

 

[Dduckmom]

I agree with the previous poster that "worth it" is somewhat subjective. But, we did exactly what you are talking about - 1 day at DC and the rest at WDW. We never used our SW passes and really didn't plan on it. In my opinion, it was one of the best days we have spent. There are no crowds. We did not have to wait in line for anything - to snorkel or go into the lazy river or even for meals. We felt spoiled. The food was very good and it was all included so I wasn't nagging the kids about getting more to eat. The dolphin experience was wonderful. But, the rest of the park was great as well. We loved the ray pool, where you could wade/swim with rays and the snorkeling was very cool. Even though it was a theme park, it was one of the most relaxing days we have spent. And we found the service to be oustanding - I felt like there was someone at every turn asking if we needed anything. Wonderful, wonderful experience.
We went in November and found the weather to be perfect for us. I guess you really can't guarantee good weather no matter when you go.
And, we took a cab from POR to DC. I can't remember the price, though.

 

[allykat73]

We also did one day DC and the rest of the trip at Disney. We had an awesome time. We were going to go to SW but decided to stay at the resort that day instead for a lazy day instead. We stayed at a disney resort and took a cab both ways no problem.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[RabFlmom]

I think I am going to have to disagree on worth. It is expensive to go to DC and sure it is fun, but why throw away the chance to spend a day or 2 in SW or Busch Gardens? That's throwing away quite a bit of money in my book. A family of 4 goes to DC for a day and it costs nearly $1000. If you throw away the free pass to one of the other parks you are losing another about another $360 for 1 day or $1000+ if you go multi days to SW-----unless you are a season pass holder for SW/BG anyway. I would definitely advise giving up a Disney Day and go to SW.

BTW if you are going in December, SW does Christmas so much better than Disney does now. The park is decorated to the hilt and the shows for Christmas are fantastic! Check out Sea World at Christmas on You Tube. Lots of videos of the decorations and shows.

 

[Jdismom]

I don't know how many people are going in your group, but we have 5 in our family and just wanted to do DC and Disney. So I became a Seaworld member and saved a few hundred dollars with the passmember price for DC that doesn't include the extra parks.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I don't know how many people are going in your group, but we have 5 in our family and just wanted to do DC and Disney. So I became a Seaworld member and saved a few hundred dollars with the passmember price for DC that doesn't include the extra parks.

That can work well, but remember there are passmember black-out periods for the DC promotion. This year, all of June, July and August were excluded from the passholder promotion, and at least part of April. Everyone should double-check before purchasing a SW or Aquatica pass .