[wdwspider]

Who has been here? We are very curious about trying it. Please share stories and experiences. Thanks. :)

I got a pamphlet I requested the other day. Is it really worth another $100+ to swim with Dolphins or is there enough other things to fully enjoy the park at the $129 price?

[LRTJS]

I have not been but there is a teacher here at my school who has. She has some beautiful pictures of her children with dolphins. She has plenty of money so the cost did not bother her. they have a very good web site that I have looked at.
www.discoverycove.com

[anlashokna]

I had a friend do this a year ago and was disappointed in the swim with the dolphins experience. Too many people and only a couple of dolphins. Really didnt get to spend time with the animals. She didnt feel it was worth it, maybe she overanticipating the trip to discovery cove. That was her expierence.

So based on this I looked at Walt Disney World's program called Dolphins in Depth. Four persons, a trainer and a dolphin. Its $150 and the program lasts about 3 1/2 hours. Its at the Living Seas in Epcot.

I'm headed out Monday for the resort and have the program mid week. I'll be happy to pass on the details if your interested.

[wdwspider]

Well, a little more detail. For $129 you get:

A day at Discovery Cove
A free meal
Seven day pass at either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens

maybe more, but that sounds pretty good to me.

For another $30 you can get a 14 day pass and go to both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

It seems a fantastic value and Discovery Cove does look beautiful. Also, only one of us would even be able to swim with Dolphins since my 3 year old has to get the cheaper ticket. If it's crowded and you don't get much time with them then I would go with the cheaper ticket, but is there a lot of other things at the park. I have read the site, but I want to know from real people how much time they have spent there and thoughts on the value.

[CowboyMickey]

hi Spider!

CeltiaCat and myself went to DC for my birthday last year on 9/15. We both enjoyed ourselves, and would probably go back. Just beware of the lack of shade. The Dolphin Experience was fantastic - although the very slick merchandising at the end of it was very expensive for what it was...

For a very comprehensive review of our day there, check out CeltiaCat's trip report for that day, here.

Enjoy...and any questions don't hesitate to ask...

CM:)

[wdwspider]

Thanks alot, that was very interesting and informative.

Did you use the SeaWorld or Busch Gardens option along with your DC admission? If so, I did not see the day you went to either, if not... then I guess you found he price for admission worth DC alone which is great to hear.

[Ragin]

My DH and DD and I went to DC last year. We did not pay the extra $$ to swim w/ the dolphins because DD was too young. We're glad, though, that we didn't. We saw the "dolphin swim" and were not impressed with it. The trainers pretty much hold the dolphin and occassionally a guest is asked to inter-act with the dolphin. You can actually "touch" a dolphin more at Sea World in their tank..you can feed the dolphins there, too.

We rate DC 3/5 stars. It was a lovely way to spend the day and we thoroughly enjoyed the snorkelling. The salt water tanks were COLD (73 degress), so swimming w/ the stingrays and fish was VERY uncomfortable for DD and me. DH didn't mind the cold water one bit. You can rent wet suits, but geesh, the weather in FL in June is 90..who wants a wet suit?

Have fun. We'd definitely go back when DD gets older. Oh, and the lunch was very good!

The bathrooms come equipped with soap/shampoo/towels, so that was very nice! AND we got the 10-day pass to Sea WOrld, so we thought DC was a good deal.