Some questions about the dolphin swim

[mshanson3121]

My biggest question is, say you book the dolphin swim package and the moment/day comes and your child decides they're too scared to do it - do you get the money back for the portion of the dolphin swim, or are you out your $140?

On that note, do you feel the $ is worth it for the dolphin swim? It would be an extra $560 US (probably $750) for our family.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I can't answer your first question, unfortunately, but I will throw my two cents in on the second one.

We have done both the dolphin swim and the day resort packages. The dolphin swim is an amazing, albeit short, experience (about half an hour in the water, plus the orientation time beforehand).....but the opportunity to be that close to a dolphin is something that memories are made of. For a first visit, if the budget allows, I would strongly recommend booking the dolphin swim. You'll be able to see the other guests interacting with the dolphins as you walk along the beach, and you will crave the opportunity to take part in that experience too.

That said....

If the dolphin swim is going to completely blow the vacation budget (and as a fellow Canuck, I totally feel your exchange rate pain), the day resort admission will also give you an amazing day at a much lesser cost. The only thing you will miss out on is the dolphin experience.....everything else is exactly the same. You will still see the otters, the marmosets, go snorkeling in the Grand Reef, etc.

So for *us*, it was worth it to do the dolphin swim at least once (we have actually done it on two of our three visits, as we took a DC newbie on trip #3 and that warranted giving her the dolphin experience, too). When we go in October (assuming OUR budget will allow!), we will just do the day resort package and save the difference.

Have you considered doing just the day resort package at DC, and going to SeaWorld and adding on a tour there instead? Dolphins, sea lions, etc? That would give your kids an animal interaction experience at a MUCH cheaper cost....and your admission to SW is included with your DC package.

 

[Hopeful8]

I cannot answer question #1 but would like to tell you that we took our 8 year olds last year for the dolphin swim and I was quite worried they might back out. But the trainers were super welcoming and you are in shallow water and the whole introduction to the dolphin is very gentle and not intimidating at all. You don't have to do the actual "swim with the dolphin" part if your child doesn't want to, that is the very last part of the dolphin experience.
Having said all that, I totally agree with Gina, that if it's going to make or break going to DC, you can skip it and still have an amazing day. We are returning this year and when we asked the kids what was it that they were most looking forward to at DC, they replied "the lazy river"! We were shocked that it wasn't the dolphin experience, so we are skipping it this time (our Canadian budget is happy about that!).

 

[chiamarie]

I had a 9:15 swim time back in Jan; and I am pretty sure that was one of (if not the) first times of the day. Technically speaking, I believe discovery cove "opens" at 9am; but they start checking people in and letting you get breakfast and suits and stuff starting at 7:30; but I don't think you can get into the water anywhere until 9am.

 

[RZphilly]

I am wondering what the earliest dolphin swim time would be at DC. I would dearly love to get in some coffee and breakfast before the dolphin swim! I know DC opens around 7:30a and we plan on getting there for opening. Basically hoping there is no mad rush to get our wetsuits etc first thing in the morning.

We arrived and checked in at 9am and got an 11:30am swim time which in my opinion is the best option to allow you to get settled and have breakfast . It's also a bit warmer . Hope you have a great time! It's such an amazing place ... We had an amazing day 3 weeks ago . After that long winded answer .... To answer your question I believe the first swim is around 9am .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We arrived and checked in at 9am and got an 11:30am swim time which in my opinion is the best option to allow you to get settled and have breakfast . It's also a bit warmer . Hope you have a great time! It's such an amazing place ... We had an amazing day 3 weeks ago . After that long winded answer .... To answer your question I believe the first swim is around 9am .

The "best" swim time will vary widely by season. In January and February, mid-afternoon would be ideal because it should be warmest. In August, though, first thing is best to ensure you get your swim in before the afternoon thunderstorms roll through.

 

[RZphilly]

My biggest question is, say you book the dolphin swim package and the moment/day comes and your child decides they're too scared to do it - do you get the money back for the portion of the dolphin swim, or are you out your $140?

On that note, do you feel the $ is worth it for the dolphin swim? It would be an extra $560 US (probably $750) for our family.

I would say do it ! It is an unbelievable experience for the family .... It was the highlight of our vacation . My 9 and 13 years olds absolutely loved it . I can't see your child being scared of the whole experience . The trainers have you stand in water up too your waste and talk to you about dolphins and explain some of the training techniques with the dolphin by the trainer. If he/she chooses not to interact there will be no pressure . It very entertaining and not a scary experience at all.

 

[RZphilly]

The "best" swim time will vary widely by season. In January and February, mid-afternoon would be ideal because it should be warmest. In August, though, first thing is best to ensure you get your swim in before the afternoon thunderstorms roll through.

Good point ! I didn't think of the Florida weather in the summer . Jan/Feb is always better later

 

[mshanson3121]

I would say do it ! It is an unbelievable experience for the family .... It was the highlight of our vacation . My 9 and 13 years olds absolutely loved it . I can't see your child being scared of the whole experience . The trainers have you stand in water up too your waste and talk to you about dolphins and explain some of the training techniques with the dolphin by the trainer. If he/she chooses not to interact there will be no pressure . It very entertaining and not a scary experience at all.

My biggest fear is my son. He has Sensory Processing Disorder with anxiety issues, and... even though it seems tame, I could see him deciding at last minute he doesn't want to do it. Though, knowing he doesn't have to do the actual swim may help. Though... again, not sure if I can stomach $140 pp... (which is about $190+ for me in CDN)... to stand in the water with a dolphin. But... maybe even just being in the water is worth it?

How deep is the water where they have you?

 

[DCTM]

My biggest fear is my son. He has Sensory Processing Disorder with anxiety issues, and... even though it seems tame, I could see him deciding at last minute he doesn't want to do it. Though, knowing he doesn't have to do the actual swim may help. Though... again, not sure if I can stomach $140 pp... (which is about $190+ for me in CDN)... to stand in the water with a dolphin. But... maybe even just being in the water is worth it?

How deep is the water where they have you?

We did this last year for the first time and are going back this May. My son was 7 and he loved it. He is very shy and I too was very concerned that he would cry or back out of wanting to do it.
But, he didn't. Adults can stand in the water and he could also although is came up further on him (you can watch some videos on you tube to get an idea of the water level).
When they take you out to swim with the dolphin the trainer was completely with him and never had any safety concerns, etc. I know everyone's experience will be different but my son really liked it and is looking forward to going again.

 

[DCTM]

Also, something else to keep in mind. The water is fairly cool....something you get used to but it's pretty cold when you first walk in.

 

[RZphilly]

My biggest fear is my son. He has Sensory Processing Disorder with anxiety issues, and... even though it seems tame, I could see him deciding at last minute he doesn't want to do it. Though, knowing he doesn't have to do the actual swim may help. Though... again, not sure if I can stomach $140 pp... (which is about $190+ for me in CDN)... to stand in the water with a dolphin. But... maybe even just being in the water is worth it?

How deep is the water where they have you?

The staff and trainers are brilliant and will do anything to make you and your son feel completely comfortable. I understand your position on the money side of it but I think it would be worth it too take the chance . My daughter was very apprehensive about it at the beginning which did scare me but once the whole thing started she was fine . You stand in water below your waist . You give the dolphin some fish , some gentle touching and interaction . You then have the choice to swim with the dolphin in shallow or deep water . We chose the shallow swim. One trainer is with us and the other with the dolphin ... You walk out to the other trainer ... They show you how to keep your hands on the fins of the dolphin and the dolphin basically drags you about 30ft to the other trainer . Even if he doesn't do the swim with the dolphin . The interaction would still be worth it . Hope you have a great time either way. Discovery cove from my families perspective was the highlight of our 2 week trip and we will be back . As DCTM stated , there are loads of videos on you tube of the experience . Show him a few clips and see what his reaction is !

 

[Woodview]

Here is an idea There are 5 of you in your family

Then 3 buy the full package for Dolphin Swim & 2 buy the package Less the Dolphin Swim

All 5 do most things & when Allotted time comes for Dolphin swim 3 go & do it & 2 watch from shore line ( Maybe 20 feet away )

The 2 watching will have just as much fun watching the other 3 being ?????????

Gina's post 2 is well worth reading .

 

[mshanson3121]

Also, something else to keep in mind. The water is fairly cool....something you get used to but it's pretty cold when you first walk in.

Oh crud. I forgot about that. Neither of my children do well in cool water. My daughter came out of an 81 degree pool blue and shaking (not shivering, but full on shaking, and it took about 20 minutes for the shaking to stop) due to circulation issues. My son has no medical reason for his dislike of cool water, but more sensory. That said, he is getting better at dealing with it. We could do full body wet-suits though, right?

What is the water temps there?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Oh crud. I forgot about that. Neither of my children do well in cool water. My daughter came out of an 81 degree pool blue and shaking (not shivering, but full on shaking, and it took about 20 minutes for the shaking to stop) due to circulation issues. My son has no medical reason for his dislike of cool water, but more sensory. That said, he is getting better at dealing with it. We could do full body wet-suits though, right?

What is the water temps there?

Here ya go:

https://discoverycove.com/en/premier-planning/faqs/#gpi24

The temperature of our pools remains constant throughout the year. The fresh water Serenity Bay, Freshwater Oasis and Wind-away River are maintained around 85-88 F (30 C). The salt water Dolphin Lagoon maintained around 72 F (22 C), and The Grand Reef are 77 F (25 C).

 

[macraven]

merged dolphin questions and swim threads to one.

 

[zilp]

merged dolphin questions and swim threads to one.

It seems like my OP about earliest swim time with the dolphins doesn't really belong in this thread. The OP originally asked a specific question because her child has sensory processing disorder and anxiety...it feels like my question just came in to hijack her thread when her query was going in a different direction. Just my two cents.

 

[macraven]

I didnt see it that way but will look at the threads again
I can always move the thread to stand alone if that pleases you

 

[zilp]

I didnt see it that way but will look at the threads again
I can always move the thread to stand alone if that pleases you

If there is a master thread on dolphin swim info (that actually sounds like a good idea!) then I certainly wouldn't mind. In that particular thread, the OP has a very specific question and I don't want it to read as if I came along and hijacked her thread. I think the continuity of her original post gets lost.

 

[macraven]

I totally understand your point and want no one to have hard feelings

I'm flexible with how I will organize the forum as I want all to be pleased

My purpose is to consolidate sw, dc, and aquatica threads in a more uniform set up so all info about them can easily be found

Your suggestion for Dolphin swim is a good one
I need to read all six pages again and see if all dolphin swim threads will be a good blend together

Some posters have multi questions so those are hard for me to to determine if they should stand alone or be merged as a same topic theme

I would like to group threads that compliment each other that are if the same subject

To relieve your fears, I can move your thread out of the merge.

My goal is to work with this forum to improve it and make finding info easier