Lots of questions for DC veterans

[Fantasmic303]

Hello, All!!

We're heading down to Orlando next week and checking into Discovery Cove on the 29th. This is the first time we've ever done this type of vacation experience, and I've got a LOT of questions. I've read a lot of posts and articles about DC, and as excited as I am, I'm also a little bit concerned about things I've never thought about on vacation before. I'm hoping someone out there can answer some of the following for me.


1. Towels - provided by DC? Do you recommend bringing your own?

2. Jewelry - will we be allowed to wear it? For example, can I wear a waterproof watch, rings, earrings, etc., or will I be asked to remove all of it?

3. Facilities - are there hair dryers available? I know it sounds like a silly request, since we'll be in the water so much anyways, but our schedule is planned for post- DC as well, and we'd like to be neat and pretty lol.

4. Lockers - are they located throught DC, or only in one place? I'm curious about what you do with personal belongings while you're in the water if it's something you might need/want throughout the day...lip balm, sunglasses, camera, etc.

5. Cameras - are they allowed? I know we can't take it into the dolphin swim with us, but are you free to use them elsewhere? I'm hoping for some underwater shots, but also for some video if it's allowed (see question 4 about storage, though ).

6. The lagoon - how deep is the water, roughly? I've never been in really deep, open water, though I can swim. I'm just curious because I think I may be initially a bit uncomfortable in deep deep water, even if I know I won't drown.

7. Reservations - if we want an early swim time, what's the best way to request that? I've heard you must reserve your swim time the day of your visit - how early can I request?

8. Watersocks - I originally read this as a suggestion, but have since gotten the impression that it's strongly encouraged, if not mandatory. Any insight?

9. EMail/AIM - would any DC veteran out there be willing to share with me, in the event that I think up new questions within the next week??


Sorry for all the questions - thanks in advance!!

 

[mog]

Well it's been a couple years since we were there, but I'll give it a shot - at least for a few of your questions. I'm sure someone else will chime in on the rest...

1. Towels are provided. We were perfectly happy with theirs and I wouldn't bother bringing my own. They have stacks of clean ones in the bathroom/changing rooms you can always get a dry one if you need it.

2. Jewelry is fine except during the dolphin swim. They make you take it all off - they did let us leave a wedding ring on if it was tight and too hard to get off, though (like mine!).

3. The facilities are great. There is shampoo, soap, conditioner and hair dryers. We also showered and changed there and went straight on to our plans for the evening.

4. I think I remember there being more than one location for lockers, so it should be convenient to get to.

5. Yes we had a regular camera and underwater ones - you are right, you can't take it in the dolphin swim, but if someone in your party isn't doing it they can stand on shore and take pictures.

6. The lagoon is like a beach - zero entry. There is quite a bit of it that is standing depth - you shouldn't have to go too deep if you don't want to.

7. Don't know about this - when we went we made our dolphin swim time reservation at the same time that we made our reservations for the day. They have changed this since then.

8. I would want them. Sometimes the sand/pavement is hot. I don't think there is anything in the lagoon that would hurt your feet, but we did bring them along.

Hope this helps some - keep in mind that this is based on our visit a couple years ago and hopefully the information is still valid! They could have changed some things, though!
You will love it - it is an awesome day - can't wait to go back next summer!

 

[KSH]

You're going to have such a great time!! My husband and I went in August, and it was wonderful. They do a very good job of taking care of the guests.

Now for the answers to your questions -

1. As Mog said, there are plenty of towels, don't bother with your own.

2. You can wear your waterproof watch and your wedding band during the dolphin swim, but that is all. I only wore my watch and left everything else at the hotel so I wouldn't have to keep up with it.

3. Great facilities with everything provided.

4. If I remember correctly, there are two locations with lockers. DC is small, so it was never far away, but it did get crowded at closing time.

5. Definitely take cameras, and lots of film!! The locker is big enough for a video camera.

6. It is hard to say how deep the water is in the lagoon, because perspective is distorted. Not too deep though...maybe 12 - 15 feet? Less in most places. And the wetsuit will not let you feel like you are sinking AT ALL. We just wore the vests and couldn't stay underwater even when we tried! It really keeps you on the surface.

7. GET THERE EARLY. They say the doors open at 8, but that is for the doors into DC. The lobby/check-in area opens earlier. We got there at 7:45 a.m. and there were probably 20 or so there already. They assign swim times as you check in. If you get there when we did you can probably get any time you prefer.

8. Yes, you'll want watershoes or sandals unless you already go barefoot a lot and your soles are tough. They may have you take them off for the dolphin swim.

9. Feel free to PM me if you think of anything else.

One other tip - take the time to pick up your dolphin swim photos (if you purchase any) early in the afternoon and take them back to your locker. There was a fairly long line at closing time! (It wasn't too bad though...gave me time to go to the gift shop while my husband waited!)

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!

 

[Fantasmic303]

Thanks to both of you for all of your input - it'll definitely be put to use!!


If anyone else has thoughts to share, feel free!!



Thanks again!!

 

[Eclpz314]

I would definitely second the idea of water socks. My son cut his foot on a piece of "coral" there while swimming along....6'2", and his feet kinda went farther down than he thought! Also, the tropical river part goes from 8' deep or so to about 3' several times. I ended up stubbing toes a couple of times while swimming along. Definitely take the cameras! We had a video/digital camera plus my 2 boys and I each had an underwater camera---those pics come out really colorful too! I was highly impressed. Make sure you have photo ID with you to sign in to the park. We had to show ours.........and what a time to realize my license wasn't where I thought it was in my wallet We just left our stuff on one of the lounges whenever we went to the water. Everyone else appeared to have done the same thing and no one bother stuff. The lockers are big though, so you'd probably have room to put your money, etc. Oh, and definitely check out the picture frames in the gift shop. I only bought one of the many pictures they took of us during our dolphin swim, but I splurged on "the perfect" frame for it. Have a great time......and don't forget to allow time for the great meal that's included!

 

[highlander447]

Yeah the frames really make the pics all the parks seem to do well with the frames on offer

 

[tooyellow313]

hi, you are going to love it, we were just there last friday. there were 5 of us. 2 dd, one friend, dh, and me.

just pick up some cheep water shoes, that is my only regret.

take a bit of extra money, because some of the photos they take are wonderful, once in a lifetime shots. we went on our next to the last day of vacation, and used the free sea worls passes on saturday (our last day). it was so very relaxing. we even stayed until the park was closing. dc does take some of the luster out of sea world though.

they give you dolphin safe sun screen as well.

make sure you spend some quiet time in the avairy, there are 3 feeding stations there, some of the birds are amazing. they come right to you to eat.

the sting rays feel like velvet. you can look for some of their teeth on the botton, my girls thought that was cool. enjoy.

 

[highlander447]

Silly question but what is a water shoe is a flip flop?

 

[FINFAN]

A water shoe has a rubber sole and mesh/nylon type top, to keep your feet from burning on hot sand/pavement or from getting cut and scratched on rough surfaces. You slip your foot into them. You can find them just about everywhere in the summer. Try Wal-Mart/Target/K-Mart clearance sections....or the sporting goods stores usually carry them year round. They dry quickly.

 

[highlander447]

Thanks will need to pick these up we are in states 1 week befor we go to DC so we should be ok thanks for reply