Sea World question ~ Dolphin Encounter vs. Rocky Point Preserve

[oilergirl]

My daughter really, really wants to pet the dolphins at Sea World. But we'd prefer not having to get into a wet suit (her dad and I are pooh sized! ). So it looks like we have two options...the Dolphin Encounter for $45 each or the Rocky Point Reserve (free).

I'm a bit confused though why anyone would pay $45 each for the Dolphin Encounter if you can pet and feed them for free at Rocky Point Preserve. So I figure I must be missing something...

With the dolphins at Rocky Point Preserve, can you ALWAYS pet them (all throughout the day, everyday?)...or is it a hit and miss thing where you may or may not get a chance to pet them?

Can anyone explain to me the difference between what goes on at the Dolphin Encounter (with is a 10-15 min program) vs. interacting with the dolphins at Rocky Point Preserve.

Thank you!

 

[oc_tony]

I don't know that much about the Dolphin Encounter experience other than what I found on a website that said: "Want to touch, feed and train a dolphin without getting wet? SeaWorld’s® Dolphin Encounter is your dream come true. Go with a SeaWorld trainer to an exclusive area where you can touch, feed and interact with friendly dolphins. You’ll experience the thrill of a lifetime in this intimate, small-group experience."

As for Rocky Pointe, this is a dolphin exhibit where all guests are welcome to come see the dolphins up close. The side of the "pond" is about waist high to an adult, so you can lean over it a little in order to get closer. There was a trainer out when we were there and she gave some of the children fish to feed the dolphins, but I don't know how often/long the trainers are out there doing this. Maybe we just got lucky? I don't know how easy it would be to pet the dolphins as they were not that interested in getting close unless you had fish for them. Anyway, I hope this helps a little.

 

[annacali]

We've never done either...but whenever we have been there the line for Rocky Point is always really long and the people look to be lined up 3 or 4 deep to try and get up close to see the dolphins (you can see it from a walkway above). So the encounter is definitely a more "sure fire" way to get to feed/pet one if you are going at a crowded time (we are always there in mid-July on a weekend).

 

[endy]

Last week we did a behind the scenes tour. 1 hour & around $11 adult. You get to see baby sharks & touch them. Then you go see some dolphins with their babies, 3 babies & 1 due pretty soon.
We also did the spotlight tour. 1 hour and around $42 adult. This went back into where the baby dolphins are and you get to touch and feed a fish to the mother. In the same area are moray eels which you get to feed thru feeder tubes. Then you go to Shipwreck Cafe and get to feed (throw lettuce) to sea turtles.
By the way it's $6 for a tray of fish to feed the dolphins at Rocky Point. You get to stand in a line to buy the fish & wait for a spot to open to actually be able to feed them.

 

[sonnyjane]

Regarding why people would pay $45 for the Dolphin Encounter when Rocky Point is free... it is very, very rare to actually touch the dolphins at Rocky Point unless you have bought the tray of fish for $6.00. The dolphins pretty much only come to those people that are holding food, and food is not sold at all times of day. The Dolphin Encounter is a guaranteed touch/feed facilitated by the trainers in a roped off area of the tank, so there is no competition with other guests.