Two of my kids have decided not to do the dolphin swim

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I agree with a few of the comments -- if you really feel as though you can't afford this, then just don't do it. If you have to ask your teenage kids to help pay for some of the vacation, then you probably shouldn't even be doing it in the first place.

No offense here, but kids living at home under age 18 don't chip in in vacations -That, is a parents responsibility.

The OP indicated they were comfortable with paying for day resort admission to Discovery Cove for their whole family, complete with admission to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens for the remainder of their vacation. They are also a family of six, which is large by today's standards.

Discovery Cove is an amazing park that does not *need* the dolphin encounter to be a fun day. In fact, we enjoyed our day resort day in August as much (or more) than our dolphin experience day in January, as it was sooooo much more relaxing when we didn't have to plan at all around the dolphin swim time. Contrary to what some people seem to think, not everyone needs to have a dolphin experience at DC to enjoy the park. Some people might have that requirement, but others (like our family) had an incredible day enjoying the Freshwater Oasis, the Grand Reef, the aviary, the lazy river, the food.......and just chillin' on the beach.

The OP was not asking their kids "to pay for part of their vacation". She gave them the option (knowing they had the financial means in their savings from birthday and Christmas monetary gifts) to add on the dolphin swim for themselves if they so chose. These are not preschoolers we are talking about....they are up to 17 years old.

YOUR KIDS under 18 may not be asked to chip in for vacations. Perhaps the OP wants to teach her children other money lessons that you don't feel are important or appropriate right now. That's okay. We all choose different life lessons at different stages.

To say the OP shouldn't take her family on vacation because they are considering omitting the dolphin swim is baffling. Perhaps the OP has set a budget and wants to stick firmly to it, for whatever reasons. Everything can fit in the budget but the dolphin swim. If they kids want to do it, great, they chip in. If not, they have an amazing vacation with a DC trip, visiting Seaworld, swimming at Aquatica, and enjoying Busch Gardens. I think that's pretty fabulous, and those are some lucky kids.

For the record, I don't have my boy pay for attractions on our getaways, but he DOES finance all his shopping endeavours during our holidays (which he looks forward to immensely....and adds up to way more than what he would pay for a dolphin swim). He also buys ALL his own clothes throughout the year. I am sure some would say "if she can't buy his clothes, she shouldn't be taking her family on vacation". But what you are forgetting is I *CAN* afford to buy his clothes, but I choose not to.....using this as a life lesson (and he has tons of money from his part time job plus allowance) and preparing him to be an independent and financially responsible adult. Maybe the OP's objective is the same.

 

[Swirly girls]

I agree with a few of the comments -- if you really feel as though you can't afford this, then just don't do it. If you have to ask your teenage kids to help pay for some of the vacation, then you probably shouldn't even be doing it in the first place.
I have 3 teenage daughters, 2 work. I wouldn't feel right about asking them to pay for thier dolphin swim. Yes, they need to learn how to be responsible with money, but this isn't the way.
I asked my working girls if they were told by us that they would need to pay fir thier own dolphin swim if they would still do it, and they both looked at me like I was totally crazy!
No offense here, but kids living at home under age 18 don't chip in in vacations -That, is a parents responsibility.

 

[Swirly girls]

Yep, valid points.
Still strongly think parents should not ask kids to pay for ANY part of a vacation, no matter how small, or great the expense is. Comparing kids buying clothes with money they have earned is a very different comparison! Most kids I know do buy some, or all of thier own clothes, but I have to say I don't know any kid(s) under 18 who have paid for ANY part if a family vacation.
By the way, my girls are 16, 15 and 13.
DC is all around stunning, with or without dolphin swim. But, I know I'd feel pretty bad as a parent doing it and my kid(s) sitting out.

 

[janinca]

Yep, valid points.
Still strongly think parents should not ask kids to pay for ANY part of a vacation, no matter how small, or great the expense is. Comparing kids buying clothes with money they have earned is a very different comparison! Most kids I know do buy some, or all of thier own clothes, but I have to say I don't know any kid(s) under 18 who have paid for ANY part if a family vacation.
By the way, my girls are 16, 15 and 13.
DC is all around stunning, with or without dolphin swim. But, I know I'd feel pretty bad as a parent doing it and my kid(s) sitting out.

Dh and I are not doing the dolphin swim. If all the kids do it I may have to because of the age of my youngest but otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. I would probably have more fun trying to get pictures.

 

[janinca]

The OP indicated they were comfortable with paying for day resort admission to Discovery Cove for their whole family, complete with admission to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens for the remainder of their vacation. They are also a family of six, which is large by today's standards.

Discovery Cove is an amazing park that does not *need* the dolphin encounter to be a fun day. In fact, we enjoyed our day resort day in August as much (or more) than our dolphin experience day in January, as it was sooooo much more relaxing when we didn't have to plan at all around the dolphin swim time. Contrary to what some people seem to think, not everyone needs to have a dolphin experience at DC to enjoy the park. Some people might have that requirement, but others (like our family) had an incredible day enjoying the Freshwater Oasis, the Grand Reef, the aviary, the lazy river, the food.......and just chillin' on the beach.

The OP was not asking their kids "to pay for part of their vacation". She gave them the option (knowing they had the financial means in their savings from birthday and Christmas monetary gifts) to add on the dolphin swim for themselves if they so chose. These are not preschoolers we are talking about....they are up to 17 years old.

YOUR KIDS under 18 may not be asked to chip in for vacations. Perhaps the OP wants to teach her children other money lessons that you don't feel are important or appropriate right now. That's okay. We all choose different life lessons at different stages.

To say the OP shouldn't take her family on vacation because they are considering omitting the dolphin swim is baffling. Perhaps the OP has set a budget and wants to stick firmly to it, for whatever reasons. Everything can fit in the budget but the dolphin swim. If they kids want to do it, great, they chip in. If not, they have an amazing vacation with a DC trip, visiting Seaworld, swimming at Aquatica, and enjoying Busch Gardens. I think that's pretty fabulous, and those are some lucky kids.

For the record, I don't have my boy pay for attractions on our getaways, but he DOES finance all his shopping endeavours during our holidays (which he looks forward to immensely....and adds up to way more than what he would pay for a dolphin swim). He also buys ALL his own clothes throughout the year. I am sure some would say "if she can't buy his clothes, she shouldn't be taking her family on vacation". But what you are forgetting is I *CAN* afford to buy his clothes, but I choose not to.....using this as a life lesson (and he has tons of money from his part time job plus allowance) and preparing him to be an independent and financially responsible adult. Maybe the OP's objective is the same.

Thanks Gina, you are the greatest. I am glad you understand my thoughts in this.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks Gina, you are the greatest. I am glad you understand my thoughts in this.

Aw, no problem at all . You guys are going to have a GREAT trip, dolphin swim or not. You will have to come back and do a little trip report after your travels are over. Would especially love to see some pics and a write up on Busch Gardens....that's one park that's still on our to-do list!