Would you rather: Epcot Dolphin experience or Wild Africa Trek Feb. 2022

[Song of the South]

I am taking my DD, as a surprise, for her grand birthday, just the two of us to Orlando for 2 park days. 1 park day is swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove. The other day we could "just" do a Disney park or we could do a tour. I am looking at either the Epcot Dolphin experience or Wild Africa Trek. She is an animal lover and wants to be a vet. I am leaning toward Wild Africa Trek.

What would you do? Epcot Dolphin? Wild Africa Trek? Just a Disney day because Discovery Cove is going to be amazing? Or would you do something else entirely?

Things we have done in the past: horseback riding at the stables at FWC, tea at Peacock Alley, tea at GF, boat rental on Bay Lake. I don't need to "top those in any way, just to show that we haven't done many tours or things. I am open to anything in Orlando.

Thanks for your thoughts and help!

SotS

 

[kathy884]

Discovery Cove will be a wonderful day for you. You know your daughter best.

I'm not sure how the pricing for your Discovery Cove day is, but when we did Discovery Cove (way back when) a day at SeaWorld was included at no additional charge. Because SeaWorld is such a great park, if it were already included in the Discovery Cove admission, I'd go there. SeaWorld is a really great park and is one we try to hit for a day every time we are in Orlando too.

If SeaWorld is not automatically included that would open up all the other Orlando choices for me.

If money is not an object, I think the Wild Africa Trek sounds amazing. I believe you have to get an admission to Animal Kingdom too, so you would also have time at that park. I haven't done the Wild Africa Trek myself with my family though, because of the cost (Reviews are great and it sounds amazing, but it was more than I was willing to pay). That's what sounds most appealing to me as a special experience.

If I were taking my son on a mini two day trip to Orlando, despite his love of animals and of course he'd love anything, I would have to do the second day at the Magic Kingdom because he is in love with the classic Disney park and always wants to do that for his last day in Orlando (never seems to get tired of that park and thinks it's a great way to end a long or mini Orlando trip).

I don't know if you are wanting this to be a surprise. If that's not important to you, I'd ask your daughter what she'd like to do for her second day (or give her the choices you are thinking about). I've done mini mother / son trips with DS to Orlando and have such a blast including DS in the planning.

Have a wonderful time - one on one mini trips to Orlando with a daughter or son are the best (so much fun) -- great memories.

 

[glocon]

That’s so sweet that you are surprising your daughter!
Since you are doing a dolphin day at sea world, I would do the animal kingdom wild Africa trek for variety. Agree though, if you get a sea world admission included with the dolphin swim, I’d do that and save some $$.
Where are you staying?

 

[DWillowBay]

Everyone will have their preferences, but we did Wild Africa Trek and LOVVVED it! Very interesting and unique experience to be 'backstage'. Crossing the rope bridge (harnessed and clipped in) was really fun...walking above the alligators. Lunch was very good. More up close and personal with the savanna animals. Really worth the money and at the end you can choose which animal group (rhinos, lions, elephants ...and I think one other) that you'd like to support. Very nice!

 

[lockets]

I second glocon’s response.

 

[fhtpdw20]

Keep in mind the following info is from 2016 and I don't know how much of this has been covid modified. They will check for ages and the are serious about weight limits (the have a scale to weigh you). Two guides are assigned and they did take pictures which were included with your tour. You could request any photo you wanted. You will be strapped into a harness for the first part of the tour. We were give a metal water bottle imprinted with Wild Africa Trek (can be hooked to the harness). You will be "hiking" on uneven ground once you go backstage so if you have any mobility issues please be advised. We went first to the hippo pool and you do become part of the Safari on stage experience. The same at the crocodile pool. You go over the suspension bridge which is roughly 10 feet off the ground so be advised if you have fear of heights. They do attach your harness to safety rail at the hippo and crocodile areas. You transported in your own safari vehicle which has a U shaped configuration instead of rows of benches. They do ask that you sit while in motion, but once you stop you can walk from side to side. After the suspension bridge you will go to the hut by the flamingo pool for a lunch/snack which was very good and bathroom break. You also remove the harness at the hut. There is a porch surrounding the back which will over looks the lion's area. I have a neat picture standing on the porch facing the flamingo pool with an onstage safari vehicle in the background. After the break, we get back into the safari vehicle and finish the tour. We pulled off the normal path of the regular KS for additional info and pictures. Once you return to the station you are given a pebble to choose an endangered species as part of the tour price at that time included a donation which made me feel better about the cost. Don't get me wrong, it is a fabulous tour and well worth the price. The donation for me was a surprise cherry on top. Our guides were fantastic and very knowledgeable about the animals.