Sea World - marine mammal keeper experience-opinions

[debidoesdisney]

I absolutely love sea world and "if I had it to do all over again" think I would like to go to college to work with the animals at Sea WOrld. They are just so cute, BUT because I am 50 the best I can do is the MMKE, and my 19 year old son would like to do it with me(he doesn't share my passion, but always likes to do new things. With that said, has anyone, that shares my passion, down this? I read the discription and wonder why we have to pay BIG$$$ to clean fish etc, For $399 X2 is it really worth it? If it is what I am thinking, it would be a dream come true. But if you don't really get to interact with the animals, I don't think I want to spend the $. Without totally giving it away, can you share your thoughts with me. Oh yea, one last thing, is there a way to get this cheaper do you know? I already have a Sea World pass, but my son doesn't.

 

[lpbm4]

I am a *HUGE* fish lover, always wanted to become a marine biologist. I volunteered at the Shedd Aquarium and my job entailed the description of the marine mammal keeper experience that you are speaking of. To me, you did a lot of food preparation and poop scrubbing. But in the end, I got to help the specialist for about 10min hands-on with the penguins and beluga whales. It was so awesome, and I still wish I was pursuing that. But, I personally would just do the Discovery Cove to get hands-on with the dolphins. I don't think I'd pay that much money to clean up poop, sort through fish, and get such little time with the animals. I swam with the dolphins in Cancun during my honeymoon and *LOVED* every minute of it...and got a good 30-45min with the dolphins. I don't know how much time you get to spend with this Sea World experience, but I personally would stick to Discovery Cove.

 

[debidoesdisney]

Did you actually do this at Sea WOrld or are you speculating from your past experience, which is fine, just curious. We have been to Discovery Cove the 1st year and I loved it, but just WASN'T long enough. I could have spent all day.
Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it!

 

[lpbm4]

Just speculating from my experience of working at the Chicago Shedd Aquarium.