Where can we see Dolphins?

[GRAYWIFE]

We are going to be at the World in January and my niece wants to see Dolphins...are their Dolphins to view at the Living Seas?

I have been to WDW a few times but have never gone to the Living Seas.

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[disney queen]

yes, there are dolphins at the living seas. there is also a behind the scenes tour, program would be a better word, where you actually swim w/the dolphins. have a look at this link: http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#dol

 

[beatnik]

Once or twice a day there is a dolphin demo in the Living Seas. This is definately worth seeing, but I have never seen the times posted in the daily schedule, so have found it hard to plan. However, if your niece specifically wants to see dolphins, I would try to find out in advance when these demos take place. The trainers stand in the aquarium part of the exhibit and call the dolphins up to the front of the tank where a few of their trained behaviors are demonstrated. The trainers also explain what they do in working with the dolphins and answer questions. Lasts about 15-20 minutes, I'd say. Would be a great interest to your niece, I'd say.

If anyone else has a better memory or more details on this demo, please post!

Beatnik

PS I am sure you know this, but of course Sea World is chock full of Dolphins. The nice things for kids are of course the shows, but also there is a nursery where the tiny dolphin babies swim about--very sweet. You can also buy (stinky) fish and feed the dolphins at Sea World. Maybe not an option, but perhaps worth considering...

 

[GRAYWIFE]

Thanks for the info, guys!! We have decided against Sea World because it is my sister and niece's very first trip to WDW and we have so much to see in the 4 Disney Parks. Our other option was to try to take to her the Brookfield Zoo here in Suburban Chicago before she goes home to Missouri.

She is obsessed with Dolphins. We were actually going to stay at the Dolphin just for her, but then the Visa Kids stay/play free promo came out and we could not get that deal and stay at the Dolphin...we are taking her there for lunch instead.

Thanks Again!!!

 

[chamonix]

If she is "obsessed" with dolphins--and you can afford it--TAKE HER TO SEA WORLD or DISCOVERY COVE!! Yes, I am yelling. If you really want to give her dolphins, you need to do Sea World or Discovery Cove. As much as I love Disney, we are all animal lovers, and Sea World is always the highlight of our trip. At Sea World, you can buy fish (about $1 a fish! So spend the extra $20 bucks or so if you can) and feed the dolphins. If you want to pet them, and interact with them, feeding them is the best way. They don't usually come up to you without a fish in your hands. (unless you are lucky enough to stand next to someone who is feeding) Have you heard of Discovery Cove?
www.discoverycove.com
You can swim with dolphins there, (it is owned by Seaworld and includes 7 day admission to seaworld) and if you really want to spend the money she can do a tour called Trainer for a Day where she can really get involved with the dophins. Think of it as an investment, maybe she will be a marine biologist one day, all because you made the time to explore her interest.
Trust me, if she is "obsessed" with dolphins, if you seriously want to do something nice for her take her to one of these places. It will be much better for her interests than extra time at Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Yes, there is a lot to see and do at WDW, but if she loves dolphins, take her to Seaworld/Discovery Cove and skip the waterparks or DTD. Truly, it's a no-brainer. See one or two dolphins in a tank at the Living Seas behind glass? or feed them, pet them, smell them, swim with them at Seaworld/Discover Cove...? If it was up to her, I know which one she would pick, LOL.
Of course, if you really can't swing it this trip, the Living Seas will be cool too! Maybe she can save some of her own money for the Seaworld/Discovery Cove option?
OK, I am pretty enthusiastic, can you tell we love dolphins too?

edited to add, my dolphin loving dd is only 6yo, and we haven't done the Discovery Cove dolphin swim yet, just fed and pet them at Sea World. I totally understand if it's a first trip (but not a once in a childhood trip) that you would want her to wait to really experience dolphins.

 

[madthemouse]

On Sunday, when they play the Jets. Just kidding.....wrong mammals, Discovery Cove, very cool time!

 

[TammyC]

I looked for dolphins at Living Seas, but did not see any information about the demo. I did see something about the in depth tour though. I think she might have disappointed in the Dolphin hotel, since the statues on top look like fish!

 

[chamonix]

I think we caught a portion of the demo at Living Seas in Epcot when we were there, but I couldn't see enough to judge. For the indepth tour/encounter at Living Seas you have to be 16 years old, I believe.
I also think the Dolphin hotel statues look like regular fish, but have never been there up close.

 

[clutter]

I'm with Chaminox. I've got a 6yo dolphin-loving dd, and SeaWorld is it for dolphins. My dd was thrilled by the nursery, but then we found the feeding place. Wow. You get to pet them, feed them, and buy a picture with them! Truly a highlight. Bring cash, we ended up not eating cause we fed the dolphins....

As for the hotel, isn't there a fish that you eat that's called a dophin? Maybe that's what the statues are of. They sure aren't the bottlenose ones.

 

[cleo]

There is simply no experience to compare with Discovery Cove. Maybe not this year, but perhaps next time you visit, be sure to include it in your plans. I'm probably what you'd call an 'average' dolphin lover........they're beautiful, amazing creatures, but I don't think of them often in my day to day life. However, Discovery Cove and the interaction with 'our dolphin', Teejay, was one of the most awe-inspiring experience I can remember, certainly in a theme park.

Watching them in an aquarium is mesmerizing, but being in the water with them where you can really feel how powerful they are is a gift you must give yourself, if at all possible.