Thoughts on the dolphin swim?

[mshanson3121]

We are toying with doing Discovery Cove next year, if we can possibly afford it. Now, the kids (will be 8 & 11) really want to do the dolphin swim - but for us as Canadians it would be $750 extra (on top of the base cost). Is it really worth that?

**Correction. I forgot taxes. With taxes it would be $825 CDN for just the dolphin swim.

 

[janicept]

I've never been to it myself but I'm sure they have youtube videos about it. One thing I just realized is Discovery Cove tickets include admission to SeaWorld and Aquatic for 14 days. https://discoverycove.com/en/packages-and-pricing/

You can get funcards for SeaWorld for only $99 a person. Depending on what time of year you go you could get Blue Friday deals which are offered around Thanksgiving but expire around March. They change every year so you don't know exactly what they will have but last year they had deals on the up-close experiences and all-day dining.

My nephew wanted to do the beluga whale up-close tour but it was much more expensive than the dolphin one so they gave him a choice of doing the dolphin up-close plus front of the line tickets or the beluga whale up-close and he chose the dolphins. You don't get in the water but you get to touch them a little and do trick with them in a group. Also there is an underwater viewing area in SeaWorld where you can get really close to the dolphins even if your not on a tour. I think the first 20 minutes of the tour was in the underwater viewing area and anyone can listen to the staff member since it's not closed off during the tour.

https://seaworldparks.com/en/seawor...usive-park-experiences/dolphins-up-close-tour

 

[mya1k9]

We just got back and my 10 year olds liked the dolphin swim alot but LOVED the coral reef and avairy and lazy river. It is pretty scripted and be forewarned the adorable dolphin pictures are about 150-220 dollars more. It truly is worth every cent with or without the dolphin swim. Food, drinks and snacks all day long and just the animal interaction is amazing! The dolphin swim is cool and im glad we did it but its not something i have to do again. I promise though you will not regret going. Its an amazing day and so worth the money. Go to Seaworld and Aqiatica and really get your moneys worth!!

 

[StitchyPoo81]

We have done it twice, once for our honeymoon and once with 2 of our kids. We loved it and so did my kids. We had a cabana package for my daughters 13th birthday so it came with all the photos.
We are going in August but this time with no dolphin swim. We are planning on going 1 more time with a dolphin swim when my youngest turns the age that he can do it. Then after that never again. It's fun for a first time experience, is it worth the extra cost. I guess you only get to swim with the dolphin once for like 10seconds. The rest of the time you are getting it to do tricks and petting it as it swims by

 

[jeff_h]

We've been there 3 times and going for the 4th in May, we love going as the tickets (your lanyards) from Disc Cove are then good for either Sea World or Aquatica Water Park for up to 14 days.

As for the extra cost, my wife has done the dolphin swim once and now only our daughter and friend do the swim. Kids age 6-12 must have a paying adult go with them, so unfortunately you can't just let the kids do it. They've just raised prices on the experience and now with that added expense being $750 for your family I would have to say no, as in addition to the swim they take lots of pictures and then bring you in to give the sales pitch on those great pics and then you'd end up paying probably over $100US more for those based on what picture package you choose. So it really has the potential to put the money crunch on you, so unless one of your kids is absolutely dolphin-crazy I would recommend skipping it.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

"Worth" is going to be difficult for anyone to determine for another person. I don't think there's worth in staying onsite at Disney, but many others disagree with me. My criteria for value is often very different from other posters.

The interaction session itself is about a half hour long, plus the short orientation time beforehand and the photo viewing afterward. You will get the chance to touch, feed, and "swim" (holding on to the fin while the dolphin pulls you through the water) as well as have some excellent quality photographs taken by in-water photographers of your experience.

Your upcharge is pricey. You must be going in April? Because many of the other early 2017 dates only have a $60-80 difference in the price of the day resort package versus the dolphin swim admission.

It's a very cool experience. It's amazing to have the opportunity to be up close and interact with a dolphin. They are magical creatures that are even more captivating up close than they are from afar.

Do you feel that a half hour interaction (where you will be with another family, for a small group of approx. 8 people) is worth $750? Are your children excited to take part, or will they not really care if they see others in the water with the dolphins while they are not? There is certainly enough other activities to keep them busy for the entire day, so that's not a concern.

Me personally, I'd say if the budget will allow it, it's something most people will say is the highlight of their vacation. If you have to take a pass, though, you will still have a great day at DC, dolphins or no dolphins.

 

[mshanson3121]

You must be going in April? Because many of the other early 2017 dates only have a $60-80 difference in the price of the day resort package versus the dolphin swim admission.

Worse. Summer Upcharge for the swim is $140 US per person. And actually, I forgot about taxes, so with tax, the cost for just the dolphin swim is $825...

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

It is a really good time, but if that upcharge to your budget really stings, then I would opt out. The day at Discovery Cove is still wonderful. We are going for our fourth trip on Christmas Day - and I am most looking forward to the lazy river and reef. I know my perspective in of one who has already done the dolphin swim, but just know that the rest of the park is what brings us back!

 

[Vicki106]

Just my 2 cents:

We did the dolphin interaction/swim when our family went in June of 2014 and the kids (at that time the were 6, 10, and 13) loved it. It was as described above and really enjoyable. And yes we rented the cabana package that included all the photos and a DVD. It was pricey to say the least. We are going again this summer and I was braced for a fight to do the dolphin swim again and was pleasantly surprised when they (all three of them) said "We are so excited to go back. As long as we get to swim at the reef with the rays and fish and visit the aviary, we really don't need the dolphins. It was nice, but the rest of the day in the reef was the best part!" From someone who has been there and done it, I would also vote that $800+ CDN is too much money for the dolphin time. My kids would agree. Discovery Cove is so awesome, that I would really expect you to have a wonderful day there with just the day pass. Additionally, the dolphin swim took up a chunk out of the middle of our day with the pre-dolphin safety film/briefing, the actual time in the water and then looking at and choosing photos. Without the dolphin swim interruption, you will have so much more time to relax and enjoy all of the attractions at DC. Have a great trip!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Just my 2 cents:

We did the dolphin interaction/swim when our family went in June of 2014 and the kids (at that time the were 6, 10, and 13) loved it. It was as described above and really enjoyable. And yes we rented the cabana package that included all the photos and a DVD. It was pricey to say the least. We are going again this summer and I was braced for a fight to do the dolphin swim again and was pleasantly surprised when they (all three of them) said "We are so excited to go back. As long as we get to swim at the reef with the rays and fish and visit the aviary, we really don't need the dolphins. It was nice, but the rest of the day in the reef was the best part!" From someone who has been there and done it, I would also vote that $800+ CDN is too much money for the dolphin time. My kids would agree. Discovery Cove is so awesome, that I would really expect you to have a wonderful day there with just the day pass. Additionally, the dolphin swim took up a chunk out of the middle of our day with the pre-dolphin safety film/briefing, the actual time in the water and then looking at and choosing photos. Without the dolphin swim interruption, you will have so much more time to relax and enjoy all of the attractions at DC. Have a great trip!

Do you think that perspective would be different, though, if you had not had the opportunity to do the dolphin swim the first time?

 

[Vicki106]

Do you think that perspective would be different, though, if you had not had the opportunity to do the dolphin swim the first time?

That's a great question, but a tough one to answer. I know my kids would be desperately wanting to do it if they hadn't already experienced it once. But while I enjoyed the experience, I think knowing how it cut into our day, I wouldn't feel that we were missing so much if we didn't do it. It is hard to remove the fact that I know exactly what the experience is like from the equation.

But if the choice was a fantastic day there without the dolphin swim, or not going because of the high price including the dolphin swim, then I'd definitely vote for skipping the dolphins.

Does that help at all?

 

[mshanson3121]

Some good answers for sure. I think we'll skip it. Even if we did end up being able to afford it, I just don't think I can justify $825 on a 30 minute experience, when that money could go so much further in many other ways.

 

[mya1k9]

You will have a remarkable time without the swim. It really is amazing.

 

[Inhislove]

For what it's worth, we did our first visit to discovery Cove without the dolphin swim. and had a wonderful time. It was an incredibly relaxing day, and you can clearly see where the dolphin swim TAKES Place. Our nine-year-old had a wonderful time playing on the beach right next to the water where they do the dolphin swim. We watch them do tricks very close to us.

Swimming with the huge rays was amazing. The food was great, especially because you don't have to think about meals or snacks. As a mom, discovery Cove day felt like vacation.

 

[kathy884]

If you've never done a dolphin swim you'll probably think it's great. If you've done one before, this particular experience is pretty lame -- short, scripted, more of a photo shoot than a swim, and ranks last out of the four dolphin experiences we've done. Overall Discovery Cove is beautiful, though -- kind of like you Caribbean beach day in Central Florida. // I'd personally skip it, go to SeaWorld which is a great park, and buy some trays of fish at the park to feed the dolphins there.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If you've never done a dolphin swim you'll probably think it's great. If you've done one before, this particular experience is pretty lame -- short, scripted, more of a photo shoot than a swim, and ranks last out of the four dolphin experiences we've done. Overall Discovery Cove is beautiful, though -- kind of like you Caribbean beach day in Central Florida. // I'd personally skip it, go to SeaWorld which is a great park, and buy some trays of fish at the park to feed the dolphins there.

You haven't been able to feed the dolphins at SeaWorld for some time now. Sadly, it was discontinued after a child and her family failed to follow the animal care staff's directions to not lift the tray from the side of the pool, and one of the dolphins bit the child's hand as it tried to snatch the tray of fish from the air.

 

[lunaland]

You can still feed the dolphins at Seaworld, its just more structured than it used to be. I think its about $15 and you have to sign up beforehand. You get a few minutes of feeding, to pet them, etc. Much better situation for the dolphins themselves, as the feed programs tend to increase agression.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

You can still feed the dolphins at Seaworld, its just more structured than it used to be. I think its about $15 and you have to sign up beforehand. You get a few minutes of feeding, to pet them, etc. Much better situation for the dolphins themselves, as the feed programs tend to increase agression.

No, you cannot. Feeding is not part of that interaction. You are referring to what is now called the "Dolphin Encounter", and it is indeed $15 per person.....but its a short touch/pet and info session only. We did this tour twice in recent months, once in October 2016 and once in December 2016, and participant feeding of the dolphins is NOT part of the session inclusions.

 

[keishashadow]

Some good answers for sure. I think we'll skip it. Even if we did end up being able to afford it, I just don't think I can justify $825 on a 30 minute experience, when that money could go so much further in many other ways.

People can justify anything. It's refreshing to read a post where somebody freely acknowledges that pricing is way out of whack on a popular orlando attraction.

Even nicer to see you haven't been flamed for it.

You can't quite do the area on a dime but I do think many get discouraged visiting at all when they see these sorts of numbers...a shame...as a lovely trip can be planned adhering to a budget.

 

[elaine amj]

If you've never done a dolphin swim you'll probably think it's great. If you've done one before, this particular experience is pretty lame -- short, scripted, more of a photo shoot than a swim, and ranks last out of the four dolphin experiences we've done. Overall Discovery Cove is beautiful, though -- kind of like you Caribbean beach day in Central Florida. // I'd personally skip it, go to SeaWorld which is a great park, and buy some trays of fish at the park to feed the dolphins there.

I'm curious - we've done several amazing beach days in the Caribbean (with cruises) and in Asia. How does Discovery Cove compare to say a beach day on Castaway Cay (where you get to swim with fish too and are surrounded by endless free food) or snorkeling in a "real" tropical reef? I keep hearing amazing things about Discovery Cove but just not sure if it is worth it as we have experienced (and will again) tropical beaches, world-class aviaries, etc. Haha - guess its just hard for me to justify spending time and money away from WDW!