when to book dolphin in depth tour in epcot

[susie2]

hi, we have seen lots of info on this tour, and would like to do it when we visit next year, but we cant find out how far in advance you can book it, any advice would be very gratefull, thanks susie2

 

[susie2]

please can anyone help, susie2

 

[diswedwish]

Call 407-WDW-TOUR and ask if you can book yet. We've always had our travel agent book tours; for our Jan. trip I believe she was able to book them in Nov. - she kept calling back since they didn't have the next year in their system. For our Nov. trip I believe they were booked 4 months prior? I can't remember exactly, we didn't book our trip until last May, so it wasn't too far out. But if you call the Tour number, they'll know for sure. HTH and enjoy meeting Calvin and Rainier

 

[mking624]

We did Dolphins in Depth last June...booked about 60 days in advance. We had no problems getting in. If you're doing it next year, you still have some time before you can start booking. Wait until a few months before the trip and then start calling. But you're going to want to call often if things are booked up...because they only allow 8 people per day.

 

[susie2]

thanks, you have both been a great help, have rang and they told me to try around jan 06, thanks again susie2

 

[bunnyfoo]

I was told when I booked last year, they'll take reservations a year ahead of time. I booked 3 months ahead of time and had my choice of dates.

 

[catonsville]

I've never heard of this tour...can you please tell me about it? Maybe we'll try and book for our June trip.

 

[mking624]

Dolphins in Depth is a 3 hour interactive tour at the Living Seas (backstage). You're given a brief tour ot the backstage area and then you're taught about dolphin anatomy, and things they do at The Living Seas (particularly with the dolphins) and also about conservation efforts. When we went last year, we also got to watch a new training session going on....it was the first time they were actually making records of that particular training thing they were doing. They give you wet suits and you're able to spend apporximately 20-30 minutes in the water with the dolphins (there are two: Calvin & Rainier) and you can rub them down, etc. They also take your picture with the dolphin (the pic I have is with Rainier). After your time in the water, you get dressed and they take you to a room where they give you your photo, a tshirt, and a booklet about dolphins and conservation and we filled out a survey.

It's an awesome program. I believe it's $150 per person, but the Birnbaum's Guide has a coupon for it. You don't have to have a ticket to Epcot to do the tour...you meet at Guest Services and they will take you (and lead you back out). It's every weekday morning and the limit is 8 people per tour.

 

[anne]

I think it is 90 days out - I tried at about 85 and got a tuesday..I had wanted Monday but it was already booked. I read on another thread that Mondays are great because the dolphins have 'had the weekend off' and may be more social!

 

[mking624]

We did ours on a Monday and almost risked not being able to swim with them at all. They weren't too interested in coming over at first (keep in mind you only get to swim with them as long as the dolphins want to do it), so the trainers instructed us to turn our backs to them because they hated being ignored. So we did that, and about a minute or two later, they came swimming over and were fine after that. I don't know if the weekend really has much to do with it, since they're pretty social creatures as it is. I do know that they said in all of 6 years (7 years this year), they didn't participate only 2 times (and I'm sure at least one of those times were with Toby & Bob...both of which have passed away).

 

[traceycooper]

Is there a minimum age for this, my DD & cousin (aged 11 & 12) would love this!

 

[loriandmatt]

bumping as i am also interested in the age required for this as well as any other requirements.

- lori

 

[traceycooper]

Just found this on allears:
'You must be at least 13 years old to attend and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult.'

Oh well thats another excuse to back in 2007!!!

 

[mking624]

Minimum age is 13 years old (various websites have reported 16 or even 18, but this is not true). You have to have a photo ID with you and most likely proof of age for the 13 yr olds (the youngest person in my group was 18, so no one bothered to check their age, but they did say they would for younger guests). You also need to bring your swimsuit so you can wear that underneath the wetsuit.

 

[ralfrick]

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#dol

I don't know exactly when they start taking reservations, but we're doing the DiveQuest Tour in July, and I booked it last fall.

Cheers.

 

[anne]

We did ours on a Monday and almost risked not being able to swim with them at all. They weren't too interested in coming over at first (keep in mind you only get to swim with them as long as the dolphins want to do it), so the trainers instructed us to turn our backs to them because they hated being ignored. So we did that, and about a minute or two later, they came swimming over and were fine after that. I don't know if the weekend really has much to do with it, since they're pretty social creatures as it is. I do know that they said in all of 6 years (7 years this year), they didn't participate only 2 times (and I'm sure at least one of those times were with Toby & Bob...both of which have passed away).

After reading this I am SO glad I am going on a tuesday!! Only 3 weeks til my Dolphin 'experience' - I am very excited!! Thanks for the info!

 

[mking624]

Don't take my "Monday experience" as something that's typical for a Monday. It may not be. I'm just sharing what happened during our specific program.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I've done this tour twice (once on a Monday and once on a Thursday). Both experiences were great! The CMs warn you that the in-water experience is completely up to the dolphins, but I think they enjoy the interaction with different people than the ones they see every day. Plus they get the fantastic rub-downs, which they seem to love.