Swim w/Dolphins Question

[keishashadow]

I wanted to try the "Swim with the Dolphins" excursion @ Nassau for our cruise. Found out it entails of 30 min. in the water & costs $175 pp.

Vaguely remembered reading about Discovery Cove & explored their web-site today...if you factor in 7 days of SW or BG or 14 days of both; the rate is still expensive - but a better value that Nassau.

Couple questions:

Does SW alone have enough activites to engage us for 5 or 6 days?

How early do I need to book a package for late June?

Anyone know the closest pick-up site near the WDW resorts for the free shuttles to BG?

Any discounts available on the package (ever?).

Thanks...any other advice or info you can share will be appreciated.

 

[dizzyfan]

We just did Discovery Cove in July we paid $289.00 per person (our son is 10) and we got the 14 day pass to Busch Gardens & Sea World. I had planned on spending two days at Sea World and two days at busch Gardens but at the last minute my cousin and her family decided to go with us and they had not been to WDW since 2000. So they ask us to go with them to show them around, so they could accomplish more in the few days they had (we were only there Sat. to Sat.) I would have really liked to had at least two days at Sea World and 2-3 days at Busch Gardens we did alot in the one day at each park but we were exhausted at the end of the day - I prefer to take my time and enjoy what I am doing but it was so rushed trying to cram everyhting in, needless to say we did not get to do everything at both parks. WDW we basically did what they wanted because we knew we would be back in Dec.. Discovery Cove is AWESOME - I would do it again! It is well worth the money! I thought we would be bored for the day since we only got 30 minutes with the dolphin, boy was I wrong - we got there around 8:45am and the park closes at 5:30 or the attraction do - the gift shop and photo centers stay open as long as people are buying - we left around 6:45pm. The lunch that is included was nice, you get a couple of entrees to choose from - everything you need for they day is provided - towels, suntan lotion, snorkel gear, bags for wet clothes, lockers, showers with shampoo, soap etc. all you need to bring is a bahting suit and a change of clothes. You feel like you are queen for the day - everyone is so helpful and courteous. Beware fo the pictures and the video that is where they really get - you I spent alot of money on pictures and DVD.

I booked our package in the first of Feb. for July they remember they only allow 1000 people per day into the park but not all 1000 get to swim with the dolphin.

We drove to Busch Gardens it took about 45 mins. to an hour

I have never seen any discounts. I do not recall anyone else saying anything about ever seeing any either.

I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have just let me know. Give it a try I think you will like it!

 

[keishashadow]

Hi dizzyfan - see you're from Conway, SC, I can't tell you how many times I've driven through your charming town on my way to Myrtle Beach. Actually, it was more of a very slow crawl...last June took us 3 hours from the time we left South of the Border! Next time I'm driving down the back way (thru Loris & White Plain, I think?) Always think the locals must hate Saturday's & the tourist traffic.

Unfortunately, SW has announced a price increase for '06. For the 3 of us: DC & SW or BG = $894; DC & SW + BG = $990. For us it's more than our AP's @ WDW!

Still, when you compare the Cruise version $525 to the above, it seems more reasonable. Especially, if you can use the park passes for more than a few days. It's tough for me to justify spending another $1 K, when we'll have have WDW AP's.

When you say the pictures/videos are expensive, what are we talking? If you're part of a group, can you "get away" with 1 video of all?

WDW has a PhotoPass system where you can order pictures of your trip once you're back home for several months...does SW have the same type of system?

Thanks.

 

[robvia]

Your DC badge gives you 7 days of admission to BGT/SWF. I'd say SWF is a 2 day park. BGT can be done in a day if you drive over and get there early.

The drive over to BGT is 75 miles, and takes about an hour and a half. It's better if you rent the car for the week.
Disney doesn't have a free shuttle to SWF. There is a Lynx bus that goes from the TTC to SWF, the #50. To get to BGT, you either drive over in your rental car, or take the shuttle from SWF. Only thing with using the SWF shuttle, is you won't get there until about 11am, and that would take away your early morning advantage. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see pictures of the shuttle sign and what number to call.
http://www.nogodforme.com/IOA072905.htm

If you do DC and stay for a week, you can visit USF/IOA for a few days. A good idea is to visit SWF one morning, go back to your hotel and rest, then do another park at night. Then on the next day, you can visit IOA in the morning, then SWF at night so you can see the last Shamu show.
There is nothing that says you need to spend an entire day at each park. What I always do is spend a morning at one, and the evening at another.

 

[keishashadow]

Your DC badge gives you 7 days of admission to BGT/SWF. I'd say SWF is a 2 day park. BGT can be done in a day if you drive over and get there early.

The drive over to BGT is 75 miles, and takes about an hour and a half. It's better if you rent the car for the week.
Disney doesn't have a free shuttle to SWF. There is a Lynx bus that goes from the TTC to SWF, the #50. To get to BGT, you either drive over in your rental car, or take the shuttle from SWF. Only thing with using the SWF shuttle, is you won't get there until about 11am, and that would take away your early morning advantage. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see pictures of the shuttle sign and what number to call.
http://www.nogodforme.com/IOA072905.htm

If you do DC and stay for a week, you can visit USF/IOA for a few days. A good idea is to visit SWF one morning, go back to your hotel and rest, then do another park at night. Then on the next day, you can visit IOA in the morning, then SWF at night so you can see the last Shamu show.
There is nothing that says you need to spend an entire day at each park. What I always do is spend a morning at one, and the evening at another.

I can hear me selling the plan to my DH "we need to buy WDW PAP's, & SW DC & renew our Universal PAP's"...he might faintLOL.

We were originally just going to renew our Universal passes and finish up @ the HRH for 2 nights in June & Dec '06. The shuttle to BG from the HRH leaves @ what time? When does it return?

Another option would be to stay @ BG for 2 nights @ end of our trip...can you recommend any "Value/Mod" close-by - would prefer one w/shuttle service?

That's the problem w/Orlando, too many great choices!

TIA