Seaworld MMKE / Discovery Cove

[Shane]

Hey Everyone,

First I'd like say say hello to everyone since this is my first thread,you all seem nice and friendly!

Right, I am visiting Orlando 20th May - 10th June and we are doing the "Trainer for a day" at Discovery Cove, mainly for my 16yr old son who has a passion for Marine Life. After reading all the reviews I'm sure its going to be a great say and he wil enjoy himself and take home some memories.

Also, The reason im posting this thread. I have been reading up about the "Marine Mammal Keeper Experiance" and from what I can gather people prefer it over Discovery Cove, It is quite pricey at $399, but if you could give me some feedback on this it would be more than greatful. We are doing Discovery Cove but was wondering if MMKE is worth the money. We will probs end up doing it anyway.

 

[maine_jennifer]

Trainer for a Day at Discovery Cove is just ok. I will not pay to do it again. I'd rather have a leisurely day to enjoy DC at my own pace. To me, it seemed like the TFAD at DC was just a guided tour, not really being a Trainer. You also deal with birds and other non-marine animals, just as an FYI. The only things we did that other's don't do is feed nurse sharks (not by hand) and be introduced to a sloth & parrots, and something else I think. We also got a small bit of extra time with the dolphins, but it doesn't compare to the MMKE.

I would HIGHLY recommend the MMKE!! That is the one thing I would pay to do it again easily! You get much more hands on experience with the animals and since there are only two people allowed to do it each day, it is a much more individualized experience. With TFAD at DC, there seemed to be a lot of down time waiting for others, waiting for this, waiting for that. At MMKE it was animals, all the time, no waiting for others.

My advice, just do regular DC and definitely do the MMKE.

 

[Shane]

Thanks for the Fast Reply, there is three of us going and would cost an extra £300 to do the trainer for a day but after reading this I feel that we could put that £300 towards the MMKE instead if its a more hands on approach. The main reason we were going to do TFAD is the advanced dolphin interaction and to be able to experiance what trainers acutally do, but if thats not the case then maybe I will skip that.

One extra thing, how long did you book in advance for the MMKE, were going in June, So if its only 2 people per day its probs best to order within the next few weeks.

 

[maine_jennifer]

You get way more "trainer" type interaction with the dolphins during the MMKE. You feed them, get to kayak into dolphin cove while they swim around you. Won't give too much more away, but it was way cool!

My nephew and I went at the end of July and I made our reservations in February. Had no problems getting the exact dates we wanted, but I would do it ASAP, just because I'd hate to miss it. What is the extra person going to do when you do the MMKE? Like I said, they do only allow 2 people each day, no exceptions. If the mom type person is left out, a day at a spa would be a good trade off.

Good Luck!

 

[Shane]

Ye, Its a shame 3 are going, one is going to be left out on there own....

Although on the USA seaworld site it says three people do it, but on the UK site only two... hmm

One last question, even if the TFAD isnt as good as it sounds would you still reccomend it to try once.. or is it not much different to the All Inclusive. How long does the extra dolphin interaction take?