Discovery Cove - who's been?

[bryanclarke124]

Hi,
Into mad planning mode now, and looking for answers in the best possible place - the DIBB.

I have booked for the day at Discovery Cove, with Dolphin Swim. I see from the website that the Dolphin Swim is for groups of between 6 and 8 people.

I was wondering how this stacks up to your experience? How many were in your party for the dolphin swim itself?

We are a family of 4; that's 2 adults and 2 boys (8 and 11). We are going in the middle of August this year.

Based on your experiences, do you think I can expect to be doubled-up with another party? I'm trying to manage my own expectations, here. Having paid a whacking amount for the day there (and I'm sure it will be great), I've built up this cosy image in my mind of just the four of us, a Dolphin (and maybe a helper!!)

Is the reality likely to be any different??

Thanks for your contributions.

Bryan

[Friday'sChild]

We are a party of five (two adults and three children). Our experience was that we were joined with a party of 3 to make a complete group of 8 people.

The dolphin swim was one of the most memorable parts of our very first trip to Florida..... definitely worth every penny and not to be missed.

The park itself has loads to do and see and provided us with a very nice lunch. It was like spending a day in Paradise, although the photos of our swim made a rather large dent in the old plastic friend :pgig: :pgig: :pgig:

Am considering doing it again next year.


Fran
x x

[easygoingeezer]

Been three times, there were six each time. I like the tropical pool the best now

[wilma-bride]

I think you need to keep your expectations realistic. Yes, Discovery Cove is a more 'exclusive' day than say a WDW park in that it is unlikely to be really crowded as they limit numbers. However, as a party of 4, you will undoubtedly be put with at least 3 or 4 others (possibly another party of 4). There will be you and the others, the dolphin and the trainer in the water for around 30-40 minutes. However, it is a very hands-on experience. You get exactly the same experience as everyone else in your group. The trainers will ensure that everyone gets a chance to do the various interactions.

Discovery Cove is not all about the dolphin swim, though, in my opinion. Yes, it is a big part of the day but, to us, the whole experience was fantastic. It was such a relaxing day and we felt utterly refreshed after our day there :)

[Happy Hammer]

we were a group of 7 last year 4 adults and 3 kids the whole day was fantastic and worth every penny,you will have a great time.They may make your group up to a 6 if there are a spare couple but i could not swear to it.Also the dolphin swim is only in my opinion a very small part of the day so i wouldnt worry too much if there is another couple with you.if your boys arnt used to snorkeling try to teach them a little before you go(ours practiced in the bath)and you will have even more fun with the kids in the 2 lagoons and the lazy type river

[loopydiamond]

we were a party of 3 and we were mixed with a party of 4 and a single lady on her own, it was great though, we enjoyed the experience as a 'party of 8' if you know what i mean. and as already been said, the dolphin swim, although the hightlight of my entire holiday, is only part of the wonderful day at DC.... there will be so much more for you and your family to experience together during the day.

Jules

[tigger&eeyore]

first time we were teamed up with an obnoxious couple from essex and a girl on her own and the second time a lovely family of 4, make sure you can snorkle, our kids love the lazy pool and snorkling with the fish, such a lovely relaxing day in paradise

[loadsapixiedust]

It is extremely unlikely that 4 of you will get a dolphin encounter all to yourselves. Sorry if that is not what you were hoping to hear, but better to be prepared. There were 3 of us and we were teamed up with 2 couples who were together as a group. Of all the groups we saw the smallest was 7, so I'm not sure if they would even do 6.
Given that many dates sell out completey well ahead there is not scope for smaller parties as the swims are carefully timetabled throughout the day to ensure everyone gets their turn.
We did not feel that being with another group in any way spoiled the experience other than the fact they do crop up in the video and photos, but they do try to have as many shots as possible of just your group as they obviously want you to buy them.
There is a lot more to do than just the dolphin encounter and the rest of the day you will feel like very exclusive guests in a park which is like paradise and never gets crowded. As long as you don't go expecting to get it all to yourselves you won't be disappointed.

[pluto rules]

When we done ours there were 3 of us and we were teamed up with another family of 3 but that was 4 years ago, 7 or 8 seams to be the average now going by what my best mate told me when she done it last year.:wavey:

[Gaz]

we as a group of four teamed up with a family of 3,
the whole of DC is fantastic the time there goes so quick.

we love this place

[freckles]

We were a three, and were joined by another couple & their child and a young couple. There were also two (three?) other groups in the water, but well spread out.

We were impressed how good the photographers were at getting photos of just us though.

The trainer was great at making everyone feel a full part of it; you all get to do the individual bits equally, and a few things you all do together as a group.
He was also particularly nice to our youngest, who was the smallest of the group, almost designating her the group leader and telling her what to do first, then everyone else to do it like her!

It was a friendly group though ( I think everyone is just so happy to be there!). Right at the end, the young couple did get slightly special treatment - the girl was asked to stand and catch a float that the dolphin brought to her, when she looked closely at it, it had "Will you marry me?" written on it! She cried, we all cried, it was lovely! To avoid any confusion that she might be marrying the dolphin, as we all got out of the water, staff brought up a treasure chest with the ring in it, and her fiance got down on one knee on the sand. It was really sweet - though I'm not sure I'd want my engagement photos taken wearing a wetsuit!!!!

So, being in that group was quite an experience for us. I hope you enjoy it; it may not be quite how you first imagined it, but its still very, very special.
Have a lovely time!
:wave:

[Tinkerbell]

We went shortly after it first opened.

There was 4 of us on our own. but it was in the early days. Also, only lunch was included not like now, where breakfast lunch and snacks etc are included. Other groups were larger. The dolphins is only part of the day, I think it is enough for young children and elderly like MIL who could not swim, but had enough interaction to say she had "done it". The whole day is also about recharging batteries.

I am taking my Mum this year as a treat. As this is the nearest she is ever going to get to interacting in the water, as a non swimmer, safetly

Tanya

[Helen uk]

When we went 2 weeks ago there was us 3,another couple and a mother and son in our group they dont go over 8 but i think you will be lucky if its just your group.We went on the 06/06 and also on the 09/06 as we enjoyed it so much.Put it on the plastic,buy now pay later.:pgig: :pgig:

[Diane]

When we went just our DD did the swim and she was placed with another single child swimmer, a family of 4 and a single lady swimmer. The handlers were particularly good with our DD and the other lone child, but everybody had a fair turn with the dolphin and all got a chance to kiss, stroke and pose for pictures with it.

As others have said, the swim is just a part of the day, its about the entire experience. You will find its so relaxing that you can pretty much count it as one of your 'rest days', we thought it was one of the best days of our entire trip.

Diane x

[cavalier]

We done ours about 2 weeks ago now and there was 8 of us in a group. DS and I and 2 other families (one with 4 one with 2) hope thiis helps.

It was the best day of my holiday!

[Maqs Mann]

WOW !

Sounds great, can't wait, GW. :D