Aurora1959
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2006
- Messages
- 461
No Really - This isn't something that normally comes up on the list of activities for San Francisco. However, my son and I did this on Saturday and it was so great, I wanted to tell everyone here about it.
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, CA
Cost: About $149 per person (less on park closed days and more if you buy a swim and lunch package) includes a picture by their photographer.
Who: Anyone meeting their height requirement that can swim. See their site for any other restrictions. (You are standing in the pool a lot, so they need to make sure you don't drown)
Length: About 2.5 hours from check-in to all done
What to bring: I wore my suit under my clothes all day. And then put it in a plastic bag after my shower. They provide a nice shower with body wash, shampoo and conditioner. And towels. So you might consider bringing a change of clothes. My son wore swim trunks and a swim shirt all day and really didn't care after he got out of the wet suit.
My experience:
We started by meeting at the Dolphin Discovery building. After everyone is checked in we went to the classroom where you learn all about dolphins. Did you know dolphins have hair? There's a quiz, so remember that fact.
After the class, you get into your wetsuit and swim shoes. They have lockers to put your stuff in. And our instructor locked the door so that nobody could get in there while we were swimming.
Everybody then goes out to the pool to meet the dolphins. This is done in a pool that is in the park and and park visitors get to watch you and be totally jealous. The bonus is if one of those park visitors is in your group, they can take 100's of pictures if you want - all for free.
They try to max each group to no more than 4 or 5 people, and keep groups together. Each group gets a personal dolphin trainer who will show you all the great things about your dolphin(s) and let you touch them. You'll get the opportunity to do a fin swim. They take lots of photos throughout the whole thing.
When you are all done, you walk back to the classroom area to shower. See note above by 'what to bring'. They only have 7 showers, so either be the first back or plan on waiting. They have plenty of hot water and towels.
Apparently dolphins in captivity only live about 25-30 years. They have this gal there named Terry that is 51 years old. And another one that is 31. So, this is really cool. My group got to spend lots of time with Terry, and I even danced with her and swam with her. She was so cool and mellow.
My son totally loved it and we are looking forward to doing it again. If you happen to come out to Northern California and want something a little different to do, I do recommend going there. We also spent time watching the tigers, birds, elephants and baby animals. I think total we went on one ride. My kids are so used to Disney and their efficiency that they were disappointed in the rest of the park. So we are looking to swim again with the dolphins on a day the park is closed.
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, CA
Cost: About $149 per person (less on park closed days and more if you buy a swim and lunch package) includes a picture by their photographer.
Who: Anyone meeting their height requirement that can swim. See their site for any other restrictions. (You are standing in the pool a lot, so they need to make sure you don't drown)
Length: About 2.5 hours from check-in to all done
What to bring: I wore my suit under my clothes all day. And then put it in a plastic bag after my shower. They provide a nice shower with body wash, shampoo and conditioner. And towels. So you might consider bringing a change of clothes. My son wore swim trunks and a swim shirt all day and really didn't care after he got out of the wet suit.
My experience:
We started by meeting at the Dolphin Discovery building. After everyone is checked in we went to the classroom where you learn all about dolphins. Did you know dolphins have hair? There's a quiz, so remember that fact.
After the class, you get into your wetsuit and swim shoes. They have lockers to put your stuff in. And our instructor locked the door so that nobody could get in there while we were swimming.
Everybody then goes out to the pool to meet the dolphins. This is done in a pool that is in the park and and park visitors get to watch you and be totally jealous. The bonus is if one of those park visitors is in your group, they can take 100's of pictures if you want - all for free.
They try to max each group to no more than 4 or 5 people, and keep groups together. Each group gets a personal dolphin trainer who will show you all the great things about your dolphin(s) and let you touch them. You'll get the opportunity to do a fin swim. They take lots of photos throughout the whole thing.
When you are all done, you walk back to the classroom area to shower. See note above by 'what to bring'. They only have 7 showers, so either be the first back or plan on waiting. They have plenty of hot water and towels.
Apparently dolphins in captivity only live about 25-30 years. They have this gal there named Terry that is 51 years old. And another one that is 31. So, this is really cool. My group got to spend lots of time with Terry, and I even danced with her and swam with her. She was so cool and mellow.
My son totally loved it and we are looking forward to doing it again. If you happen to come out to Northern California and want something a little different to do, I do recommend going there. We also spent time watching the tigers, birds, elephants and baby animals. I think total we went on one ride. My kids are so used to Disney and their efficiency that they were disappointed in the rest of the park. So we are looking to swim again with the dolphins on a day the park is closed.
