Tell me about Discovery Cove...

[BethEJo]

I woke up this morning to find my DC tickets had been delivered (along with a free waterproof disposable camera ):

Definitely helps with getting me through studying for Finals!

Anyhow, I just wanted to hear some info about the day from you guys who have been before!

We have booked the tickets with the dolphin swim - do you just get allocated a time when you are there? And the wetsuit, do you just wear that for the dolphin swim and then your own swimming costume for the rest of the day?

How long would you spend at DC? Looks like it's a lovely place to spend the day - what time would you guys normally leave?

Also, we won't be hiring a car, but did I read somewhere that there is a shuttle that goes from SW? Any info on this?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just so excited!!!

TIA

 

[Kath2003]

When I went, they gave you a swim time on arrival - so the earlier you arrive, the earlier your swim.

IIRC you must wear either a swimsuit or a yellow vest in the water at all times. That included in the lazy river etc. I'm not entirely sure why

We spent the whole day there, left around 5pm.

There is a shuttle from Sea World, there's a phone at the park entrance (on the left as you're looking at the SW entrance). Takes literally a minute. They'll take you back, too.

 

[dacatlady]

You really do want to take a whole day there. I don't know about the shuttle between SW and DC but I imagine that there must be one. A shuttle and transportation is a good idea as all Food and Beverages are included, This also includes Alcohol The frozen Marguaritas are fantastic, unfortunately my husband could not indulge Food was enjoyable, enough selection at Breakfast and lunch to keep everyone happy. We spent an entire day there, you get the wetsuit when you arrive, you can either go for a full body job (Great if you want to look like a penguin). Or you can have the half suit/vest. Much better for people with a bit up front. Get there early for a good spot, try to grab an umbrella as this can be needed during Early afternoon. The dolphin interaction was to be honest a little short, only 30 minutes. And you really want somebody else there to take photo's for you as their photo deals can mount up quite quickly. As for the waterproof camera, not the greatest device unfortunately. I would recommend finding a waterproof Digital camera or a waterproof casing for existing if you can. We used the waterproof and only ended up with about 3 worthy shots from the 24? on the film. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day swimming around in their lagoon with all the fish/rays was very relaxing. They have a bird house their which is nice if you like colourful creatures that flap they take the food straight from you. Some are quite friendly and have very odd character quirks. We left about 5. Highly recommend it if you are staying I-Drive. If you had a car I would probably recommend a trip down to Miami to swim with dolphins there, Slightly more expensive but also more time with the Dolphins, who lets face it "Are the ones you want to see".

 

[BethEJo]

Thanks both!

Well, it was manatees that I wanted to swim with first and foremost (don't ask, I just have a massive thing for them ) but I couldn't convince my friends lol! So we settled on DC instead. Yeah, I read the dolphin swim only lasted around 30 mins - never mind though I'm classing it as one of those things I can just say I've done. Would then return to DC in the future and leave out the dolphin swim perhaps

Good tip re: waterproof camera! Hopefully borrowing one from a friend to take to Orlando with us.

Did you keep your bags with you or did you store them in the lockers? Is it feasible to nip back and forth to the lockers etc?

Sorry, am just getting a tad excited

 

[dacatlady]

yes they have lockers and its the same thing u get at swimming pools, key on a band and the lockers are easy to get to, but they supply towels and give you a sachet of sun cream so you don't need to take much.

As for the manatees we went on a day trip with dolphin adventure tours you properly can see the tour on the American attractions site and i i bet your friends would change there mind if they went on it as swimming with the mantees was alot better than the dolphins and its an experience not to be missed and its alot cheaper than discovery cove, but it is a really good day.

 

[scoobydooby]

We arrived at half eight in the morning and there were about 20 people already there. We booked the first dolphin swim but next time (August) I'm going to book the third for two reasons.

1- We had to race through breakfast which spoilt it.
2- We later realised that the aviary birds get so stuffed from people feeding them that the lasted in the day you go the less interested they are on eating food from your hands.

The crowd is controlled at a maximum number of people a day so you never feel cramped and it really is a beautifully maintained park.

My only complaint is that the showers are totally inadequate for large crowds and with only three hairdryers it's a bit of a bun fight. It started to get busy by 4pm in there when I went and was unbearably mobbed by half past. I went in at three and was glad I did. I spent the last hour just sunbathing, I'd had enough of the water by then.

Go with a credit card. You will want the full photo package whatever you tell yourself before you arrive

Good luck with your finals. My father is really very unwell and my respect for doctors has soared. X

 

[fairytale]

I was just thinking of posting a similar thread, so thank you for this

We are booked in at DC for August 25th and same as you dont have much knowledge on how it all works really

Great tip on booking a later Dolphin Swim.

From what I had picked up on other threads a lot recommend getting an early time slot but I can so understand why you wouldnt want to do this now

Annette x

 

[starrysky]

We went several years ago and had a wonderful time. The place is beautiful and I would love to go back and see the new expansions and do the underwater tour.
Overall we found it to be a great experience but the dolphin interaction was good though short. And the birds were great lots of different types and the staff lovely and knowledgable.

 

[Bridgey]

We went back in November and imo was the best day of the holiday. Get there early doors to take advantage of the breakfast. The dolphin swim was good but the grand reef was the highlight for me, lunch was also good. We stayed right till the end and whilst the showers were busy it was all quite civilised in terms of people waiting their turn.

 

[nuggies5]

We have been twice...its a fantastic day,nice and relaxing,plus all food and drink is free

 

[Elves R us]

hello we have been twice and you are in for the most unforgettable day, if you went to Florida and you only did Discovery Cove you would have had the best holiday!
We arrived at 8am ish and the moment you arrive you just know you are going to have the most wonderfull time when you enter the foyer you are greeted and your photograph is taken and put on to a lanyard which is great as it just tucks into your wetsuit so you need not worry about cash, on the back of your photo is a map of discovery cove and you are told which cabbanna your in and what time your swim is.
We then had breakfast and just made the day so relaxing we stayed right till the very end and totally made the most of it, it is an expensive day and the first time we went in 2008 I was blow away infact I can remember saying to my hubby I actually don't think they charge enough for this place. The staff take wonderful photographs of you throughout the day so you don't even need to worry about capturing the moments everything is so well though out......enjoy every single moment

 

[Elves R us]

we have been twice in my opinion we enjoyed to swim early as it meant you were not clock watching, at first I thought it would work to swim later but we enjoyed it more earlier as it made the rest of the day much more relaxing not looking at the clock making sure we were on time at the cabbanna for the talk and filing in the paperwork.
just my opinion as diffrent ideas work too.

 

[DISWolves]

Anyhow, I just wanted to hear some info about the day from you guys who have been before!

We have booked the tickets with the dolphin swim - do you just get allocated a time when you are there? And the wetsuit, do you just wear that for the dolphin swim and then your own swimming costume for the rest of the day?

How long would you spend at DC? Looks like it's a lovely place to spend the day - what time would you guys normally leave?

We have been fortunate to visit six times up to now and apart from Disney's Castaway Cay - this is the most relaxing and enjoyable day for our family.
I am sure you will love it!

Here are a couple of links (with videos) to my trippies our past two visits.

Discovery Cove 2011

Discovery Cove 2012

 

[T16GEM]

My son is 6 and he is desperate to swim with the Dolphins, they are his favourite animals, do you think at 6 he will be ok with the interaction? He is a great swimmer too so no worries on that front.

 

[starrysky]

What is the age requirement to swim with the dolphins?
Guests of all ages are welcomed at Discovery Cove. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult who also is participating in the dolphin swim experience. This policy was established to ensure the cognitive and physical stature of the child. These factors are taken into consideration to ensure children are able to interact in a group social setting, accept instructions, and understand the trainer. Also, the physical size of the child is taken into account since he/she will be in water that is approximately 3 feet deep with large, powerful animals. Also, children must be at least 13 years of age to participate in the Trainer for a Day program without an accompanying adult and at least 15 years of age to visit Discovery Cove without adult supervision.

Must be 15 to enter the park without parental supervision. Parent or Legal Guardian must sign "Authorization to Treat" forms before allowing park entry
All Minors participating in the Dolphin Experience must have any and all release forms signed by a parent/legal guardian or chaperone over the age of 18
Any guest under the age of 18 participating in the SeaVenture experience must have liability waiver signed by parent or legal guardian after watching the instructional video


Taken from the discovery cove website

 

[MrRomance]

I woke up this morning to find my DC tickets had been delivered (along with a free waterproof disposable camera ):

Definitely helps with getting me through studying for Finals!

Anyhow, I just wanted to hear some info about the day from you guys who have been before!

We have booked the tickets with the dolphin swim - do you just get allocated a time when you are there? And the wetsuit, do you just wear that for the dolphin swim and then your own swimming costume for the rest of the day?

How long would you spend at DC? Looks like it's a lovely place to spend the day - what time would you guys normally leave?

Also, we won't be hiring a car, but did I read somewhere that there is a shuttle that goes from SW? Any info on this?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just so excited!!!

TIA

Discovery Cove is absolutely beautiful!
To answer some of your questions, we went last year and you are allocated a dolphin swim time at the start of the day. You will go and watch a video with your group and then head into the dolphin pool area.

You can choose either a full wet suit, a short wet suit or a swim vest but you have to wear what you choose (and you can change it throughout the day) when you're in the water.

It is definitely an all day thing. When we went the park closed at 6 and we were there after close picking up our photographs and video of the swim! There is so much more to it than just the dolphin swim and more has opened since we were there.

Can't comment on the shuttle service because we always drive.