Tortola Dolphin Discovery w/ Infant

[cblack]

Our family (DH, me, DD7, and DD1) were planning on going to Dolphin Discovery on our upcoming cruise using the Disney excursion. DH and DD7 were planning to do the encounter and DD1 and me were going to be observers. I was assuming going in that DD1 would not be allowed to participate in the encounter.

I visited the Dolphin Discovery website, this morning, and noticed that for DD1, the cost for her to do the dolphin encounter is free, but I am not able to sign her up for the encounter through Disney's excursion.

For anyone who has experience as an "observer" -- can you change your mind when you get to Dolphin Discovery and pay the extra to participate in the encounter? Basically, could I sign DH, DD7, and me up for the Dolphin Encounter and DD1 for the Observer and then let DD1 go into the water once we arrive?

Based on other threads I've already read today....I'm not trying to circumvent the rules or not pay a fair price. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Normally when cruises are in they are packed and all available spaces gone. You may have a slim chance as its extra$$$ but I think it's unlikely.

 

[VFG]

I'm booking this on our own. My son is under the height requirement and considered free but I'd have to pay for him with Disney.

 

[cblack]

Will you just take a taxi there? I think I will also call Dolphin Discovery to see what they say...


Just called and they confirmed that on days when Disney is in port, they do not accept reservations from anyone else. I will call Disney to see what their response is and report back...

Final update....this is a no go. Disney has the whole place booked and they group at maximum capacity for the group, so Dolphin Discovery couldn't add anyone without going over maximum capacity. Back to the original plan...

 

[SwimMom2]

Disney often takes up all the available advance reservations when they visit a less populated port of call, but it is reasonable to expect that the company will save space for people without reservations that day. Of course you risk that there won't be availability, but given the age restrictions Disney imposes, it might be a risk worth taking.

I have been to Tortola with a little one (not a cruise) and did almost every port excursion on their list with my child (not the 4x4, but all the others).

We are definitely making our own plans in Tortola because I do not want my youngest to miss out. He will be 5 and is still very limited according to what Disney will allow. Disney is very strict on the age requirements for port adventures.

The BVI are very child friendly.

 

[cblack]

Disney often takes up all the available advance reservations when they visit a less populated port of call, but it is reasonable to expect that the company will save space for people without reservations that day. Of course you risk that there won't be availability, but given the age restrictions Disney imposes, it might be a risk worth taking.

I have been to Tortola with a little one (not a cruise) and did almost every port excursion on their list with my child (not the 4x4, but all the others).

We are definitely making our own plans in Tortola because I do not want my youngest to miss out. He will be 5 and is still very limited according to what Disney will allow. Disney is very strict on the age requirements for port adventures.

The BVI are very child friendly.

I didn't include this in my update, but the Disney CM's exact quote was, "would you really want your 1YO in the water with a dolphin? I know I wouldn't." I guess I assume that if my 1YO is in the ocean, there is a chance she may encounter marine wildlife.

I am going to book the observer and keep my fingers crossed. If it doesn't work out, no big deal.