The Tale of the Grow Walk .Hunh?

[dolphingirl47]

Oh, what a pain. I am glad you still made it on time?

Corinna

 

[KatMark]

Great bird pictures.

Sounds like a pain, but glad you got there in time.

 

[jenseib]

Oh, what a pain. I am glad you still made it on time?

Corinna

Yep, made it on time....but just barely.

Great bird pictures.

Sounds like a pain, but glad you got there in time.

Thanks.

It would've been easy had it not been for that couple. But they were nice and I kept my patience in check.

 

[jenseib]

I arrived and went in and the 2 people I had been corresponding with met right up with me. I was confused at first because the guy had told me that he had a meeting that day and wouldn’t be able to join us. I am not sure they want their names used, so I will call them Lucy and Sam. Sam said he was on his way out but wanted to say hi to me. Lucy was going to be taking me around. They were both super nice and Sam left right away then and we got down to business.
Lucy told me that the entrance is made to have a resort feel to it and it definitely looked like a hotel lobby. She showed me where you check in and that everyone gets a lanyard to wear for the day.















Everyone is also give a plastic card map and she gave me one as well…which I guess I didn’t scan as I don’t see it in my pictures.
There are a couple of packages you can get, but even with the base all food and drinks, including alcohol are included. You can eat and drink as much as you want. With the base package you get to use most of the facilities and it looks wonderful. You can upgrade to a dolphin swim package as well (with an age limit…..I am thinking it was starting at either 6 or 8 without going to look at my notes). There were also a few other add ons that you could do. The prices vary by time of the year and how busy it is. I think she said the price to come on this particular week was something like 300-400 or more per person. I just remember it being extremely high. It does however include 14 days of Sea World and Aquatica as well, but only one day at DC.

We then headed outside.



This place is beautiful and I did not do justice with my pictures as I was shooting and walking and talking all at the same time.



DC had many little lagoons with swimming and snorkeling and some beach areas as well.



They also provide wheel chairs if needed.



The paths were so lush with plant life.







Lucy asked where I was from and I told her Ohio. I told her that I went to Sea World Ohio many times when it was there and was sad it had closed. What a small world. She worked at Sea World Ohio for many years and she also went to college in Bowling Green, which is 30 minutes from my home….and home to the National Tractor pulls. (I know that doesn’t sound exciting to you, but my husband tractor pulled for years and this was always the big event of the year).





I can’t remember what these buildings were, but I think it was something like a guest service area.





I had asked what this land had been in the past and she told me just wooded land. Sea World owned it already for years and years and just built on it when they were ready. Evidently Sea World still owns quite a bit of undeveloped land in the area.



This area was new (there were several newer areas here) and I think it was called marsupial Island.



You can kind of see the critters in the trees there. I might have gotten a better picture later on.





We never stopped for long as we had a lot of ground to cover.

Here is one of the food and beverage areas.



I am sure you have noticed everyone has on a wet suit. DC provides them for every guest. You cannot bring your own in. You have to wear their’s if you are in the water. If helps them keep track and watch each person in the water for safety measures.

 

[jenseib]

They also provide life jackets for those that need them.







And yes, they have wild life here and there.





And they have the coolest Aviary.



You can go in and feed the birds and they come right to you.



I thought this was funny….looks like a headless peacock.





Yep! That bird is on her head.







There’s his head!





For an additional cost they do have cabanas.









And we passed by the restaurant. This lady was very friendly and eager to tell me about the food they had….which looked pretty darn good. I think they should’ve had me taste some of it. LOL.





And they had a gift shop.



If I am remembering right, you could add a CC to your account and use your lanyard ID card to charge things since it was basically a cashless place.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm enjoying the Sea World day, Jen. We had a lot of fun there (with a Dis Meet) and I'd like to go back and do some more exploring. Speaking of exploring, your private tour of Discovery Cove looks amazing so far! I would love to do that one day but it is so doggone pricey.

 

[JKSWonder]

Discovery Cove is looking pretty so far!

 

[dolphingirl47]

This update made my heart beat quicker. Although I love everything Disney, Discovery Cove is my ultimate happy place.

Corinna

 

[rndmr2]

Getting caught up on TR's since I came home from my trip a couple weeks ago.

Love the Sea World update, it's great to see the tour of Discovery cove.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I've been away for a while, but now I'm all caught up. I'd love to take the girls to Discovery Cove! Wow, looks so beautiful and relaxing.

We haven't been to Sea World Orlando since they were babies (first trip to FL) but went SW San Antonio about 7 years ago. So fun.

Your BOG dinner looked so good! I can't wait to eat there on NYE!!

I know I congratulated you and Paige on FB, but Congrats to the family on your new princess!!

 

[jenseib]

I'm enjoying the Sea World day, Jen. We had a lot of fun there (with a Dis Meet) and I'd like to go back and do some more exploring. Speaking of exploring, your private tour of Discovery Cove looks amazing so far! I would love to do that one day but it is so doggone pricey.

Hopefully you can make it back and cover more ground. Even after 2 visits Claire and I still haven't seen it all.
yes, DC is really pricey. You really have to go during a slow season to get it at a decent price.

Discovery Cove is looking pretty so far!

it is so beautiful.

This update made my heart beat quicker. Although I love everything Disney, Discovery Cove is my ultimate happy place.

Corinna

I know you love it there and I thought about you while I was touring around.

 

[jenseib]

Getting caught up on TR's since I came home from my trip a couple weeks ago.

Love the Sea World update, it's great to see the tour of Discovery cove.

Hope you had a nice time...and it wasn't too hot for you!

I've been away for a while, but now I'm all caught up. I'd love to take the girls to Discovery Cove! Wow, looks so beautiful and relaxing.

We haven't been to Sea World Orlando since they were babies (first trip to FL) but went SW San Antonio about 7 years ago. So fun.

Your BOG dinner looked so good! I can't wait to eat there on NYE!!

I know I congratulated you and Paige on FB, but Congrats to the family on your new princess!!

DC is really beautiful. I know Claire would enjoy it too so it's on my list for someday.
I do enjoy Sea World. This time I was a little more familiar with the park so it made it slightly easier to get around.
I am so jealous of your upcoming trip!
Thanks. She is a cutie and I wish I lived just a little closer so I could see her more often. I might have to visit her in the next few days or I won't see her again till Tuesday.

 

[littlenellbell]

WOW, DC looks amazing and beautiful! I'd love to go here someday.
How nice you got the chance to tour it. The free Sea World tickets are a bonus as well. Too bad they wouldn't let you have a peek at the penguins. There was a lot of hype for that penguin ride. Some friends of ours went and said it wasn't that great either. But they loved Sea World overall.

 

[jenseib]

WOW, DC looks amazing and beautiful! I'd love to go here someday.
How nice you got the chance to tour it. The free Sea World tickets are a bonus as well. Too bad they wouldn't let you have a peek at the penguins. There was a lot of hype for that penguin ride. Some friends of ours went and said it wasn't that great either. But they loved Sea World overall.

From what I hear, most are not impressed with the ride but love seeing the penguins....which is probably why they make you wait in line...so you don't bypass everyone as maybe no one would ride the ride.

 

[jenseib]

When you check in, you are given a section to report to to get your wetsuit. I believe there are 3 stations to do that and then you will also get a locker in that area. Be sure to remember your section as we had an older couple come up and ask which section they were in as they couldn’t find their locker anymore and it appears that they can’t scan your card to find that info out.



I was also told they have wet suits for all sizes of people, so not to worry about that either.




Snacks!





I believe these people were getting ready for a dolphin swim.





Showers to rinse off with.



Beach strollers provided as well.



















Snorkeling.

 

[jenseib]

I believe here you could watch sharks through the glass.







On the other side they had something like snuba going on, but I think they have their own name for it.



This is also an extra add on for an additional cost.









We were constantly on the move and I just kept snapping pictures when I could.



I think this was inside one of the cabanas.





A dolphin swim going on.











A walk through the gift shop.





They take pictures of the dolphin swim and the Sea Venture as well (that is what they call the snuba thing I believe).

 

[dolphingirl47]

Oh, that is new that they assign you an area to pick up your wetsuits and for using the lockers. In December you just chose where you picked up your year and which lockers to use.

Sea Venture is amazing. I was in two minds about this last year, but I am so glad we did this. Last year they did not take photos during Sea Venture. You could bring your own camera or they let you borrow one of their's and the photos from those cameras were burned onto CD. We have our own underwater cameras and brought them. The dive masters that were with us took a couple of photos of us with our cameras. There is however professional photographers at the dolphin swim, in the aviary and around the lazy river.

Corinna

 

[dizneeat]

Awesome updates, Jen!

DC looks amazing.

 

[KatMark]

I have been wanting to go to Discovery Cove for years. However, we plan it and then cancel it. And that price tag scares me.

But after seeing all of your pictures, I definitely want to go. Now I just have to convince hubby to wear a wetsuit.

Beautiful pictures, Jen. Thank you so much for these.

 

[jenseib]

Oh, that is new that they assign you an area to pick up your wetsuits and for using the lockers. In December you just chose where you picked up your year and which lockers to use.


That is what she told me, but maybe she told me wrong, or I misunderstood. I would think if they could assign you an area they would have it on record somewhere...wouldn't you?

Sea Venture is amazing. I was in two minds about this last year, but I am so glad we did this. Last year they did not take photos during Sea Venture. You could bring your own camera or they let you borrow one of their's and the photos from those cameras were burned onto CD. We have our own underwater cameras and brought them. The dive masters that were with us took a couple of photos of us with our cameras. There is however professional photographers at the dolphin swim, in the aviary and around the lazy river.

Corinna

I thought she said something about photos in different areas too, but I couldn't remember 100% I have looked for prices and I have seen 50- 200+ for the CD's, so it must depend on what things you do I am guessing.

Awesome updates, Jen!

DC looks amazing.

It is so gorgeous there!

I have been wanting to go to Discovery Cove for years. However, we plan it and then cancel it. And that price tag scares me.

But after seeing all of your pictures, I definitely want to go. Now I just have to convince hubby to wear a wetsuit.

Beautiful pictures, Jen. Thank you so much for these.

The price tag scares me too but I would pay it during a slower season. And wetsuits are slimming! I would rather wear a wetsuit than just my swim suit.