[KittieKChick]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Oh gosh, I think if I was dining with THAT picky of an eater I would have eaten at all buffets so I didn't have to hear the complaining. I am fussy too but sheesh, I can find SOMETHING on any menu to eat.

If I knew then what I know now... Yes, our trip would have been FILLED with buffets.

We only did one buffet that she went to, on the last full day.

[KittieKChick]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

I love your DD she is SO cute!

Originally Posted by Cielei

Love the trip report so far. Your DD is a cutie! Sounds like you had a wonderful time despite some of the attitudes. :) Putting something on the stroller is definitely a headache saver!

Thank you! Even the princesses were impressed by how cute she was. You'll hear about that later.

[staceyheis]

Your DD is soooo cute. I was afraid Fantasmic would be too scary but it sounds perfect for my DD5!! Great TR - sorry you had to deal with all the complaining!!

[vthokiegirl]

DD is adorable, love all of your pics. Wish you didn't have to deal with all the complaining on your trip!!

[mickeysgirlz]

"I love this pic I took during Fantasmic. You can see Pocahontas and John Smith behind the water screen:"

You should submit that picture to allears.net . . . very cool!


Do YOU have a wonderful photograph that captures the Magic of Walt Disney World? Send it to us and it could be chosen as our Photo of the Week! Each week we'll select one photograph that we think best conveys that extra sprinkling of pixie dust, and display it for all our readers to see. Send us your favorite memories and let's see what "develops!"

Sharing the Magic - Photo of the Week

[KittieKChick]

Day 3 – Part 1
DH and I got up early and went to Captain Cook’s to eat breakfast. We had the Adult Breakfast Platter, which was really good. DF & DM still had DD in their room, so we didn’t have to transfer her to their room that morning.
DH and I headed over to Epcot for our Dolphins in Depth tour at 8:30. I was pretty excited because I have been fascinated by dolphins since I was a little girl.

The tour started out with them taking us backstage. They showed us their water filtration system which basically just recycles the same water over and over. Our tour guide said they have about 80-90% of the same water they had when the aquarium opened (which if I remember correctly was in 1986). He told us that the aquarium has 5.7 (or maybe 5.9, can’t remember exactly) million gallons of water in it and that if you took Spaceship Earth and set it down inside the aquarium, you would still have 20 feet on all sides to swim around.

Before we got to go in the water, we did a quick session on dolphin anatomy and walked backstage where the dolphins are researched. For some reason, I just never thought that the dolphins were researched while they were there. I guess I should have known better.

We watched a great training session with the youngest dolphin, Calvin. There was a wall of various shapes, made from PVC pipe. Some shapes were simple, while others were much more complex. Our tour guide held a shape just above the water. On the trainer’s signal, Calvin would go to the shape, turn to look at it, then the trainer would say “Pull” and the tour guide would pull the shape up and away. This was Calvin’s signal to swim to the wall and pick the matching shape out of the 3 shapes they had chained there. Once he made his decision, he’d place himself in front of the shape and “squeak” from his blowhole. (I didn’t really know until then they all of their sounds are made from the blowhole, not the mouth). They taught him to “voice” his choice because sometimes he’d hang out in front of one, then swim to another one. I think Calvin only got one wrong out of about 5. They said he’s still learning, but he seemed to do really well. After every right answer, there were fish for him. After that, we watched a video on why we don’t pet or feed dolphins in the wild.

We were told that yes it was true that they had to separate the dolphins from the sea turtles, because they were playing jokes on them. They’d spin the turtles around or fling the stingrays around. We were also told that all the dolphins they have are male. No distractions if there are no females I guess. I found it fascinating that the male dolphins act like a group of brothers. They basically wrestle with each other, they’ll hold another dolphin under the water to see how long he can hold his breath, or they’ll nibble on other one. They have to show who is the alpha male. It’s just amazing to me how much dolphins are like people.

Not long after that, it was time to get suited up. We were given wetsuits and booties and were told to go change. Every piece of jewelry and hair accessories had to come off. They gave me a special rubber band to tie my hair back with. I must admit, I did like the sight of DH in a wetsuit.

We were split into groups of 3, (only 6 people showed up that day). There were two dolphins that were going to participate that day, Khyber and Ranier (not sure on the spelling). We were to meet Khyber first. The trainer first made him turn on his side and we all rubbed him, with flat hands, back and forth. Felt kind of rubbery, yet soft. The trainer said she thought they felt kind of like a hard boiled egg, and it did feel a lot like that, only a bit stiffer, since dolphins have cartilage in places. The first sign we gave him is where he raised his entire body out of the water, except for his tale, and just kind of swam backwards with his tale still in the water. It was like he was walking backwards on water. I was in awe to see how large these animals really were. I can’t remember what all signs we gave him, but I do remember one that I was asked to give him. I pinched my hand like a claw, then put it on top of my head and twirled like a ballerina. Khyber twirled around with me. It was so cool. Then, DH and I had out picture taken with Khyber. We basically had to give him a big hug and hold him up while we had the picture taken. Did you know dolphins weight about 500 pounds??? Didn’t feel like it, but that’s what they told us.

We sit back down for a minute, and then we go over to Ranier. The trainer made him turn on his side and we rubbed him, just like we did Khyber. We first give Ranier a sign to do a bow (which is when dolphins jump out of the water in an arch). Ranier did it over and over. It was amazing to see how strong these creatures were to propel their entire body out of the water continuously. We give him a few other signs, but the last one we gave him was I think called a tail flap. We did this one with Khyber too, but the trainer told us Rainer was particularly proud of it. So, we have him the signal. He put him entire body under the water, except for his tail. Then, he raised it up and smacked it against the water with a thunderous SMACK. So much for not getting my hair wet . He did it a few more times too. We could tell it was his favorite trick.

We were done with the hands on portion soon after, so we went back to the locker rooms to shower and change. After that, we were issued to a room where we saw a video on a law that prohibits any feeding or touching a dolphin. Not many people know about the law (and I certainly didn’t before the video). We got our Dolphins in Depth t-shirts, a pin, and our pictures.
Very unique experience and well worth the time and money!

Day 3- part 2 to come hopefully later today. If I can get my scanner working, I will scan our picture with Khyber.

[lovemysons]

Oh I am very jealous about the Dolphins in Depth tour!! But so glad you enjoyed it and that it was worth it. :)

To echo everyone else, your DD is just precious!!!

[vthokiegirl]

That sounds really fun! Might have to check that out come Sept.

[LittleMissMagic]

Just caught up on your TR (seems like everyone started one during my absense )!

The pictures are great, and Emma is too cute!

The Dolphins in Depth tour sounds like fun. Thanks for the info!

Can't wait for more!

[WDW92]

Oh Oh! I wanna swim with the dolphins!

I might have to pursuade my mom into doing this tour...

[tinkerbelle24]

If you don't mind me asking how much is the dolphin tour? My DD would love to do this for her bday. Is the an age, height or weight restriction?

[KittieKChick]

Originally Posted by tinkerbelle24

If you don't mind me asking how much is the dolphin tour? My DD would love to do this for her bday. Is the an age, height or weight restriction?

I think it was about $300-$350 for DH and I. But, it was included in the Platinum Plan, as all tours are.

It's a 3 hr tour (I always think of Gilligan's Island when I say that, ). You have to be at least 13 yrs of age.


DD is being a little tyrant today. I swear I'll get to the rest of this TR soon.

[jo-jo]

Originally Posted by KittieKChick

DD is being a little tyrant today. I swear I'll get to the rest of this TR soon.

She wants to go back to disney !!!!

[PrincessJill]

I'm loving your TR!!! Your little girl is SOOOO adorable!!! I love her reaction to the Beauty & the Beast show! Thanks for the Dolphins in Depth tour description... I really want to do it but I don't see it in my near future, so it was really nice to kind of do it vicariously through your TR. Can't wait to read more!!!

[tinkerbelle24]

Originally Posted by KittieKChick

I think it was about $300-$350 for DH and I. But, it was included in the Platinum Plan, as all tours are.

It's a 3 hr tour (I always think of Gilligan's Island when I say that, ). You have to be at least 13 yrs of age.


DD is being a little tyrant today. I swear I'll get to the rest of this TR soon.

That's not bad at all but my daughter will only be turning 8 on the trip so we have a few more years.