Should we go to Discovery Cove?

[deedeetoo]

I am having a hard time deciding this and would like to get opinions. It will be me, my dh, dd9 and ds6. I know that ds6, dh and I will all love it. The big problem is dd9. She tends to be very timid around creatures (all kinds). She is somewhat interested in the dolphin swim, but the thought of touching rays, snorkeling with fishes, and birds landing on her is making her uncomfortable. I know she can just go to the resort pool but is it worth the money if she does this? DH has suggested that maybe we should wait until she is a teenager but I'm not sure she will be any better then. On top of it, DS6 is ready to go now and will not be happy if this gets put off because his big sister is scared.

Has anyone else gone with a timid child? Any advice?

 

[JoyMouse]

We (DD's 19 & 15 and DH and me) went to DC last summer. My DD19 wasn't excited about the critters at all, but ended up loving them, one and all. She didn't join us for the dolphin swim, but says that she will next time. Let your DD give it a shot, she may surprise herself and you too!

 

[snowbunny]

My DD13 said ahead of time there was no way she was swimming with the dolphins, didn't want to swim with fish either, yuck!

I told her if she didn't want to do the dolphin swim, no problem, I would go with her brother instead of her. Well when we got there and she saw the dolphin habitat she said, "okay I'll do it." While we were waiting for their dolphin swim time, yes she did swim with the fish, went in the stingray pool, a few shrieks but mostly laughter. And she spent a lot of time in the lazy river (no fish).

If she doesn't want to do the aviary just don't enter it - you can see it going through the lazy river but there is a net between you and the birds.

I have a beautiful photo of my DD's dolphin interaction as well as that of my DS9, who really wanted to go from the beginning unlike his sister. And both are ready to go back again So yes - go.