Question For Family dad & Kim Marie.....Dolphin Swim

[S. C.]

When you did the dolphin swim did you have to get your own transportation or do they provide it?

We have the encounter booked but are thinking of doing the swim instead. they did still have openings for our date 2 days ago.

 

[jlp651]

Good question...I'd like to know the answer to this one too...I don't think I've ever heard my boyfriend say any animal was cute except the dolphins-so you know what we'll be doing in Nassau....

To add to it though-does Disney give you a list of "safe" taxi co's? Ones with a set price that won't cheat us?

 

[Irishmom23]

We (myself, DD 14 and DD 10) did the Dolphin swim in Nassau June 2002. It was a very memorable experience. Because we wanted to have beach time too, we booked the Blue Lagoon Beach day, and then walked over to the Dolphin swim for our afternoon swim (I believe it was for 1:30pm) I booked the swim on my own (Disney excursions only would book the Encounter, not the swim) and then I booked the Blue Lagoon Beach Day through DCL. They provided a lunch which was included (not very good) and the boat for transportation. Whether you only want the Dolphin swim or wish to enjoy the beach too (very clean and not crowded) you will need to get there by boat. I don't remember where you pick up the boat for the swim (?Paradise Island) but the swim was well worth the money and time. The boat ride was quite enjoyable, and you could see some very pretty parts of the island as you were sailing along on the ferry. We have some great pictures of the island, and the Dolphin swim pictures we purchased we just ausome. Good luck!

 

[Kim Marie]

We actually booked the Dolphin Encounter with Disney and then upgraded to the Swim--So with that we took the ferry over to Blue Lagoon and did the second swim--then we sat on the beach--we did not eat there and then we took the first ferry back to the ship and then we went shopping. The bonus of booking the encounter with Disney was in case the shore excursion got cancelled we would only lose the difference of the encounter vs. the swim--does this make sense--if not le me know!

 

[familydad]

We had to provide for our own transportation, since the Swim isn't booked through Disney. You'll get detailed transportation instructions when you book the Swim. They will send you a small package containing the needed info.

Basically, you'll take a taxi to Paradise Island ferry terminal($4/person). You'll catch a ferry there that will take you directly to the Swim.

Disney doesn't provide a list of "safe" taxis, that I'm aware of. Don't worry about getting taken advantage of price-wise for the taxi ride. We were told numerous times that it would be $4/person, and it was. I was all prepared to bargain with the driver, but never needed to.

You'll catch the taxi right after you get off the pier where the ship docks. Lots of hair-braiding offers there, so you may want to cover up your or your daughter's hair!

Also, the taxi will have to pay a $1 toll to cross a bridge during the ride. Our driver asked that someone in the taxi pay it. Have a dollar available. (I had all our money buried in a bag. My daughter, age six, wanted to play grown up and give the driver the dollar. Like any six-year-old, she took about five minutes to unzip her fanny pack, dig the bill out, rezip her pack, smooth out the bill ("it's all crinkly, daddy!") and hand it to the driver. Traffic is backing up, the other passengers are rolling their eyes, you get the picture.)

Also, we were told to arrive at the ferry terminal 1/2 hour to 45 minutes ahead of schedule. You don't need to. They apparently tell you that so you'll shop in the open-air market that's there. It was OK, but for me (a non-shopper) it was a waste of time.

Have Fun!

 

[S. C.]

Family Dad & Kim Marie & Irishmom Thank you so much for the answers.

Kim Marie did you do the upgrade with the same # you call for the swim? Did they have your name already? How would i do the upgrade?

 

[Farms]

As usual, I'm confused. You are referring to the dolphin "swim" as opposed to the "encounter" The only thing I saw on the DCL site was in relation to the "encounter" Can someone give me some information about the "swim"? I have twin daughters ages 6 and my husband and myself. WE were planning on doing the encounter. how long do they both take? My husband wants to get a Rolex from J.P. Bull while we're there and he's worried whether he'll have enough time if we do the dolphin thing.

I'd love any additional information you might be able to give me. THanks

 

[Irishmom23]

The Dolphin Swim is not a DCL offered excursion, but must be booked directly with the company that offers the encounter. I booked on line at the web site for the swim, but I no longer remember what it is. I am sure someone on the boards know though!! The swim lasted about an hour or so. We wore life jackets and actually went in (over our heads!) and swam with the dolphins. We were divided into small groups (generally by family) and each little group danced, were kissedby the dolphin, fed the dolphin, and other little activities. Then each person had the opportunity to have a "foot push" in which the person floated on their stomach and were literally pushed forward quite a distance in the water by the dolphin. I did not do this, but both my DD's did and loved it! I do no know the minimum age for this but we really enjoyed the whole experience!

 

[S. C.]

Farms
Here is the link for the dolphin swim, Call early the spots fill up fast.

www.dolphinswims.com/program.html

 

[jlp651]

ok so has anyone done just the encounter...what did they do for that?

 

[Kim Marie]

Sorry this took so long---I originally boked the Encounter with Disney (phone) and then upgraded also on the phone with the Blue Lagoon peopHopethis helps--Kim

 

[S. C.]

Thank you Kim Marie

We were able to book the swim with the online phone # at there site. But they wouldn't let us do an upgrade from the encounter that we already had booked.

 

[Kim Marie]

I would cancel the encounter with Disney and ask them if you can ride the ferry over to Blue Lagoon.