MAW, GKTW and Discovery Cove

[Kate&Laura]

Hi everyone,

We've just been approved by Make a Wish and I would really love to combine Disney and dolphins! People have recommended GKTW for Disney and Discovery Cove for dolphins. Does anyone know if it is possible to do both on a wish trip to Orlando? Also is it possible to choose which parks/attractions you visit?

We live in UK so it is a long trip for us and one that I want to make the most of. My DD is Laura and she is aged 10 and has Dravet syndrome, a neuro developmental syndrome. She functions at around 12 months. She just LOVES water but also does love rides. I'm not sure about Epcot or Universal studios as I don't think Laura will enjoy much at WDW other than the rides and the swimming pools.

We went to Disneyland in Paris in 2007 and she loved all the rides but didn't really connect with the characters or enjoy the Universal Studios park.

I guess my ideal would be to split the time between Discovery Cover, WDW and Sealife. Anyone know if it's poossible with MAW/GKTW?

Also is it possible to take shuttle buses between the parks as I doubt either of us will want to drive due to it being the other side of the road!

Many thanks!


Kate.

 

[rcq925]

Please come and visit the Wish Tripper Thread! You will get all kinds of wonderful information!! We are going on my daughter's wish trip in November and staying at Give Kids the World!

My understanding is that if you are staying there, you recieve a three day Disney Park Hopper pass to use at any of the Disney Parks, one day at Sea World, and two days at Universal Parks. I have heard about Discovery Cove, but that would depend on if your wish organization would pay for that or if you can afford to pay out of pocket!

Hope you come on over to the Wish Tripper Thread and start a pre-trip report!

 

[maroo]

to the DIS!

So glad you are going to be able to do a Wish Trip.

They have two options for most organizations...(they are all different)...but for ours we were able to choose between the Discovery Cove trip (which doesn't include Disney or GKTW) or the Disney Trip.

It was a hard decision for Lauren, because she has always wanted to swim with the dolphins.

But we decided that it made the most sense to do GKTW and then just see and feed the dolphins at Sea World. It made the most sense for us - sort of best of both worlds.

GKTW is an AMAZING place!!! A trip all on its own, really.

There is a thread in BLUE in my signature that will lead you to lots of info on wish trips!

PS - When you decide which trip you are taking...PM me and I will help give you some hints about transportation options.

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

I just wanted to say congratulations for getting a wish for your DD! I'm sure whatever you guys choose will be awesome!

 

[Schmeck]

I'd check with Discovery Cove to find out if there are any guidelines as to what physical ability level/health level a person needs to be at to interact with the dolphins. Dolphins are very intelligent, but they are also non-domesticated, and I've seen them get aggressive. While I was working with them in Hawaii, one of the trainers got raked on the arm by a dolphin's teeth, and another one was bruised up a bit while swimming with another dolphin that wouldn't let him get out of the tank.