Swimming with Dolphins

[2XHoney]

Hello out there. I am so green! I have never been to WDW and this is my first time on the boards. Please forgive me if I sound like a fool....but here goes.

My husband and two sons (9&5) have booked the 4 day land, 3 day sea package for 1/19/03. I had some many questions, but reading these boards have really helped.

However, I was wondering if anyone has tried the swimming with dolphins excursion in the Bahamas? I am sure my oldest would just flip out if he did that, but I don't know if it is worth it because I read somewhere that dolphin contact is very limited.

Okay Dis friends, help me out.

Thanks!

2XHoney

 

[Hopkins]

Welcome to the DIS family!

There are two programs offered directly by Dolphin Encounters in Nassau (242) 363-1003 or www.dolphinswims.com .

"Swim-With-The-Dolphins"-$145
After your orientation, enjoy a 30 minute swim where you will be able to pet, kiss, hug and feed the dolphins. Highlights include the foot push where the dolphins push you around the lagoon with your arms out and also the human hurdle when the dolphins jump over you.

"Close Encounter"-$75
This is not a swim program, but you get to interact with the dolphins from a waist deep platform. Interactions include the kiss, hug, dance and petting and feeding.

I did the swim program in January 2002 and we had to book directly with the Dolphin Encounter people. I highly reccommend this program. It was incredible to swim with these marvelous creatures. Since then, I believe Disney has added either both or one of the programs. I recommend the swim. It's a lot more money, but swimming with them and doing all those thing is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Just remember to document the experience by buying their video or have someone video tape it for you. Also, pictures. Wow!

Hope this helps.
Tina
Magic Western 1/18/03

 

[2XHoney]

Hi Tina,

Thanks for the great information, this is really easy. Since this excursion was not offered by Disney, what kind of transportation did you arrange. How long is the whole excursion? Also, my sons are not very strong swimmers yet. Do you think this will be a problem?

 

[Hopkins]

Since the excursion wasn't offered by Disney, we had to arrange our own transportation to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal. We took a taxi to the Atlantis Resort and from there we walked to the terminal. The taxi held like 10 people, so it made one stop. I thought they were going to drop us at the terminal, but it was a nice walk and if you have time, the Atlantis Resort Hotel and Casino is wonderful. Taxis are easy to get in Nassau, they flag you down. LOL!!! We had a late excursion time, so we did a carriage ride tour of Nassau in the morning. Got lunch on the ship. Changed into our swim gear. Took the taxi to Paradise Island and waited at the terminal for the Dolphin Encounter high speed catamaran to take everyone to the Blue Lagoon where the dolphin program is located. The trip to Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes.

Once you get to the Dolphin Encounter, you get an orientation program, given a locker, put on a wet suit (if you want), given a life jacket (mandatory, so being a strong swimmer isn't necessary), and then you are taken to the lagoon area where you dangle your feet a little while so the dolphins get used to you. And then the swim program begins. You jump in. First, the easy stuff, like the kiss, dancing, hugging, feeding, petting and stuff like that. The entire time, you are in deep water, but with the life vest on, so you are floating, but you can move around. Then the human hurdle when you are paired off and you make a " human field goal" in deeper water. The dolphins are sent out and then jump over the both of you. The finalle is the foot push when two dolphins push at the bottoms of your feet and push you through the water while you arch your back and have your arms out like you are flying though the water. The entire time you are with the dolphins swimming around you and you around them, but they are busy with the other people, too. We had a total of 8 people including ourselves, but you get a lot of attention.

Since had the last swim of the day. I think it was 3:30PM. We left Blue Lagoon at 6PM and made a stop at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal (this is where we got on in the morning, BUT DON'T GET OFF. It will take you directly into the Nassau terminal port where the ships are). We arrived back on the Wonder at 6:30PM and ran to "Who Wants to Be a Mouseketter" about ten minutes late. They do have an outdoor shower at the lagoon to get the salt water of you and a changing area, but we didn't have soap. Luckily, we had late dinner seating, so after the show, we showered and then had dinner. LOL!



You're going to have a wonderful time!
Tina

 

[westjones]

I believe you can book the Dolphin Encounter through Disney, just not the swim. If you book through Disney they take care of getting your there and back. But it is more expensive than if you book it yourself.

We are probably going to do the program through Disney on our cruise next year, but we haven't done it yet, so I am no expect (just someone watching for good advice also).

Debra

 

[westjones]

I believe you can book the Dolphin Encounter through Disney, just not the swim. If you book through Disney they take care of getting your there and back. But it is more expensive than if you book it yourself.

We are probably going to do the program through Disney on our cruise next year, but we haven't done it yet, so I am no expect (just someone watching for good advice also).

Debra

 

[2XHoney]

Tina,

This sounds like a great time! I am really feeling like a kid again. I am not going to tell the kids about it..... I am going to surprise them!!!

You were there in January, like we will be. How was the weather in Orlando and in the Bahamas?

 

[Hopkins]

When we were on the Wonder this past January, teperatures in Nassau and Castaway Cay were in the low 80's. The water temperature at Castaway Cay was perfect, but at the lagoon, since it was a swim program, the water was very deep and thus the temperatures were cold. I was fine without a wet suit, but the little ones need a wet suit for warmth in January since the sea temperatures are lower. We took my twelve year old neighbor kid and he used a wet suit and was fine, but at first he was cold. The key is to tread water and move around.

The "Swim" program isn't offered by Disney, so that's the only one you can book directly with the Dolphin Encounter people. So, for the Swim program, transportation has to be arranged to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal(this is where you check-in), but not on the return trip. Just get off at the Cruise Ship Terminal dock (second and last stop).

Tina

 

[nanc]

I'm so glad I found this post as I've been trying to decide on whether to take our 4 kids to the encounter at Blue Lagoon. If we did we will book on our own to save $$ because its only $75 a person if you book alone. What does it costs for transportation to get to the place to catch the ride to the encounter? You mentioned Atlantis-how far of a walk is it from there? I have my mom who is 75 and my mother n law who is mid 60's that will atleast like to observe the encounter and may participate. Before or after is it possible to then go to the beach? Would you recommend Blue Lagoon or Atlantis? My mom would love the casino so we're just trying to make everyone happy.
I need to get a detailed map!


I would appreciate all your help!!

thanks
nanc

 

[Hopkins]

A shared taxi to the Atlantis Hotel was $2/person for us one way. The walk from the Atlantis was about 10 minutes. I'm sure if we made a stink, the taxi driver would have dropped us off. She passed it on the way to the Atlantis. It's at the base of the bridge as you cross onto Paradise Island.

Observers at the encounter pay $15 to view. I don't know if you can book the Dolphin Encounter directly with the company since you are coming from the Wonder. It might have something to do with a contract they have with DCL. I assume we could have gone swimming at the Blue Lagoon, but we had the last dolphin swim and the last cataman, so no time. You might want to call the Dolphin Encounter people for more answers.

The pools (and I believe the beach, but someone else might know for sure) at the Atlantis are only for the guests of the hotel and those on excursions which include them from the cruise ships. You can walk around, shop, pay to get into the aquariums, eat, gamble... . It's a beautiful resort!


Tina

 

[nanc]

I feel silly asking this question but where is Atlantis, Blue Lagoon, and Paradise Island all located from each other?

I know to do the encounter you have to be at the Bridge to catch the ride. So it is a 10 minute walk from like the Atlantis casino and shopping area to get to the Bridge where we would catch the boat ride to the encounter? And the ride takes you to Blue Lagoon where the dolphin encounter is?

So depending on time (we are at Nassau until 11pm) we could stop at Atlantis before and shop or gamble and then walk to the Bridge and catch our boat ride to Blue Lagoon. Then I just need to check on what it would cost to enjoy the Blue Lagoon Beach (if I'm right where everything is located) after the encounter depending on time frame.

Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot, I have so much going on and trying to plan this trip is stressing me out that I know I'm not thinking clearly.

Please help, I appreciate any info and your time!!!

Nanc

 

[Hopkins]

The Wonder docks in Nassau. There is a bridge that connects Paradise Island and Nassau. At the base of this bridge is the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal (check-in here for the Dolphin Swim and wait for the catamaran). The Atlantis Resort Hotel and Casino is on Paradise Island along with other hotels and lots of high priced real estate. From the terminal, it takes 20 minutes to get to the Blue Lagoon which is where the Dolphin Encounter is located. It's on another island altogether.

After the Dolphin Encounter, you definitely can spend time at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino. Or before, if you have the time. The last catamaran from Blue Lagoon is a 6PM. From there, it's 20 minutes to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal and another 10 minutes to the Nassau dock.

Questions is why these boards are here. Call the Dolphin Encounter people to see if you can swim afterwards. In the brochure or on-line, I didn't see anything about swimming, but I know they have a beach.

Hope this helps.
Tina

 

[nanc]

Thanks Tina for spelling everything out so clearly. This was extremely helpful since you've been there. It will save me lots of time from digging my books out. My mom will be thrilled to get to go to a casino while cruising!!


nanc

 

[Hopkins]

One big note that I forgot to mention... remember as you leave the Wonder to pick up towels. It's so easy to forget with all the excitement of the day. We forgot and had to buy new ones at the Paradise island Cruise Terminal. It's still one of my favorite beach towels because of mthe memory, but if you didn't want to purchase a cheap looking towel (instead of the nice ones in Mickey Mates on the Wonder) remember to take ones DCL provides as you exit the ship at port.

REMEMBER TO TAKE A BEACH TOWEL WITH YOU.

You'll forget, we did.
Tina

 

[nanc]

Thanks for the helpful tip. Do they allow you to take your towels if you aren't going on a DCL paid excursion?

 

[Hopkins]

Just bring them back to the ship.

Tina

 

[stitchfansmom]

We did the Dolphin Swim in August. As Tina mentioned, you do have to book directly through the Dolphin Encounter people and provide your credit card number on a fax. I experienced no problems doing that, however.

Because I knew (from reading this board) that the Dolphin Swim was at the same place at the same time as the DCL Dolphin Encounter excursion, rather than deal with taking a taxi to Paradise Island, we went to the meeting place (Cadillac Lounge, I think) for the excursion and I asked (nicely) if we could get a ride with them to Dolphin Encounters. She called over and it was fine, although I was told that technically we were supposed to find our own transportation (although on the way back noone said anything). When we arrived at Paradise Island, I had to go off the boat briefly to check us in, then returned to the boat in plenty of time to continue on to Dolphin Encounters.

The swim was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend it.

Stitch Fan's Mom