Tell me about Discovery Cove--have you gone???

[Funniebunny]

Hi,

I have been twice now and you will love it.
I went in 2000 and again last year. I didn't swim with the Dolphins the 2nd time but paid for my boyfriend to as it was his birthday. He thought it was fantastic. I have never seen such a big grin on a 26 year old before, he was like a little boy in a sweetie shop.
He bought a waterproof camera whilst there and took loads of pics of the fish in the snorkle lagoon. As for the Dolphin swim, I was able to watch from a nearby rock and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. It was well worth the money and he thought it was the best birthday present ever.

 

[lbarnes]

Discovery Cove is the ULTIMATE in relaxation!!! We absolutely loved all of it.

 

[DIS NURSE]

WOW! So glad I stumbled onto this thread!
We are going on our second 7 night Disney Cruise in Nov,2006 and we thought our kids are old enough now (9 and 7) to try DC!

Hmmming and hawing about the $$$ is tough......until you read this thread!
Thanks to everyone! I know the prices have gone up even further since these last posts!

.....but then, again, a one day Sea World entrance fee is about enough to make you choke! So, in that regard, I can justify it!

 

[LAURHOPE]

My daughter will be one week away from her 6th birthday during our next Orlando visit. How strict is the age restriction at Discovery Cove? She is a level 2 certified swimmer and would love to swim with the dolphins but I would hate to book it and get turned away. Any suggestions?

 

[Randy K]

How deep is the water in the different areas. I have an 11 year old daughter a little tall (5') but she isn't a very good swimmer at all. Needs some lessons but just hasn't got around to it. Would she be able to do DC. Is being at least an average swimmer a must or could you do o.k. with very little swimming ability?

 

[discoverycovegirl]

I hope you tell by my name How much I liked Discovery Cove. When I went I was 8 years old (I am now 11) It was the best day of my life. Being so close to dolphins was an amazing experience. Please please please take your daughter. She will never forget it.

 

[DIS NURSE]

Okay, you have officially convinced me! We have an 8 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. We were waffling, but not anymore!

We are booking today!

Thanks for your inspiration!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Can someone explain the pricing to me. Either I'm dense or there are only packages available. I can't find a "one day" price. Also, how much time do you really get to spend with the dolphins? I'm trying to get information for my parents nurses daughter who is handicapped but high functioning. She has wanted to do this for years now and I promised I would research it for her. I'm also looking into the various programs at Epcot. Any opinions on those? Thanks for any help you all can give.

 

[Squirlz]

Can someone explain the pricing to me. Either I'm dense or there are only packages available. I can't find a "one day" price. Also, how much time do you really get to spend with the dolphins? I'm trying to get information for my parents nurses daughter who is handicapped but high functioning. She has wanted to do this for years now and I promised I would research it for her. I'm also looking into the various programs at Epcot. Any opinions on those? Thanks for any help you all can give.

Not sure what you're looking at, but the prices are for one day either with or without the dolphin experience. It's very simple really.

 

[Capt_BJ]

is that the problem? does the price seem high? yes, those prices are for 1 day; the dolphin experience being an 'optional' part.

the dolphin exprience is approx 30min and you are in a small group, not alone, so your 1 on 1 time is measured in minutes.

don't get me wrong, we loved it .... but it isn't for everybody @ the price

Here's the link to the Disney Dolphin experience @ EPCOT

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/tourDetail?id=DolphinsInDepthTourPage

I have not done this, but did the scuba dive in the Living Seas and that was great.

 

[PrincessG]

Can someone explain the pricing to me. Either I'm dense or there are only packages available. I can't find a "one day" price. Also, how much time do you really get to spend with the dolphins? I'm trying to get information for my parents nurses daughter who is handicapped but high functioning. She has wanted to do this for years now and I promised I would research it for her. I'm also looking into the various programs at Epcot. Any opinions on those? Thanks for any help you all can give.

I did the Dolphins in Depth program at Epcot....I cannot swim at all. Actually, I am petrified of water that is over my head. I loved the dolphin encounter at Epcot. It is a small group, 6-8 people. Basically you are in waist deep water (I am only 5ft tall) you do not swim at all. You kneel on a platform at the top of the tank (which is very, very deep) in the Living Seas, the dolphins come to you, you hug them, give them a kiss, rub their backs. They are gentle creatures, but are very large. Disney is wonderful about accomodating people with disabilities, I would call them. You say she is high functioning? Can she walk/stand/balance on her knees, understand basic safety instructions? if she can, I would think she should be able to participate, of course I would make sure another adult would be with her
I guess there is some risk of losing your balance and falling in the water, which could happen to anyone, disabled or not and I'm sure it has happened.
Discovery Cove is a one-day all-inclusive with 2 price plans the higher priced option includes the dolphin swim, it is $279 per person and you need reservations. I don't know much about the actual dolphin experience as
I have not been to Discovery Cove yet (going in May)
I would call Disney. Good luck, I hope this info helps.

 

[TyNicJen]

Hi I'm new to the boards but I am very interested in DC. No one has really answered the questions as far as how old you meust be or if you must swim etc. Anyone know the deal? It sounds great1 and you do geet the free seaworld for7 days at the same time right? Anything else? Thanks for all the info.

 

[silverangel879]

Hi I'm new to the boards but I am very interested in DC. No one has really answered the questions as far as how old you meust be or if you must swim etc. Anyone know the deal? It sounds great1 and you do geet the free seaworld for7 days at the same time right? Anything else? Thanks for all the info.

Hi, Welcome to DIS !

I went to DC on July 05 and the min age for the swim is 6 yrs old. I don't think they have a max age . The half hour of your swim is basically in no too deep area. But There was a part in which you'll ride on a dolphin. They'll ask me if I felt confortable with deep waters. Then we move there and ride till the shore where the rest of the group were. In my group was an 11-yrs-old kid. He did the ride near shore. I think there will be no problem if you can't swim. About, the Sea World ticket, I remember that they had exp date, but not so sure about it. If you plan to visit Sea World BEFORE DC (like I did), you have to bring your reservation letter (DC send you one) and present it in the SW ticket areas. They give you a pass for that day. If you go AFTER DC, you use your DC ID (DC gave a picture ID).

Hope I answered your questions, if you had more...keep them comming!

The DC experience worth EVERY PENNY SPENT...It was the purpose of my July trip, after a got my DC reservation, I planned everything else ....

It was just great....I'll post some photos later....

HAVE A NICE DAY!

 

[TyNicJen]

Thank you silverangel879. It sound worderful. I'll be looking for the photos. My dd is just 6 so I think I may go in a year or two so she can fully enjoy it. I'll have fun planning in my head till then though.
thanks again

 

[DadtheKid]

For a family that has snorkeled in the Keys and a number of Carribbean islands, would you still reccomend DC?

 

[curlybop]

Are the Seaworld passes for everyone who visits DC or just those who do the swim w/ the dolphins? I'd LOVE to do it, but DH would have to be onshore w/ DD. If all 3 of us received passes, that would be an extra bonus.

 

[silverangel879]

Thank you silverangel879. It sound worderful. I'll be looking for the photos. My dd is just 6 so I think I may go in a year or two so she can fully enjoy it. I'll have fun planning in my head till then though.
thanks again

TyNicJen: Sorry for making you wait! Here are some of the photos...Enjoy!

Complementary Foto

Lobby

Partial View of DC

Waiting for our turn...picking the other group!

Snorkeling in the pasive river!

One of the photos bought in there...My DB and I with Yoshi...a baby dolphin!

Sweet Kiss - Kissing Yoshi...

A dream come true...Here ridding Capricorn. One of the oldest dolphins...

We were lucky. We had two dolphins in our half-hour. Yoshi was one of the youngest. They "used" us to practice with Yoshi...Then for the ride, they brought Capricorn...It was amazing....A DREAM COME TRUE

As I said before...It was worth every penny!!

 

[silverangel879]

Are the Seaworld passes for everyone who visits DC or just those who do the swim w/ the dolphins? I'd LOVE to do it, but DH would have to be onshore w/ DD. If all 3 of us received passes, that would be an extra bonus.

curlybop, the SW tickets are complemetary with you DC tickets (Dolphin or non dolphin). For more info you can visit their web: www.discoverycove.com.

 

[samkj]

Could someone tell me which to choose, trainer for a day ($449) or the all-inclusive ($279)? What is the difference in time with the dolphins? The group will be two men and their sons, ages 7 and 8. The girls will be at WDW visiting with the princesses!

Thanks!

UPDATE!! They decided to skip the trainer for a day program and just do the regular DC plus dolphin day.

 

[tam012864]

Can someone tell me about the "lazy river" Is it like the one at Typhoon Lagoon where you get in inner tubes...or what??? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!