Discovery Cove

[Jools99]

We are going to discovery cove when we go this summer:D The kids are swimming with dolfins:p:
Can anyone give me any Tips? Is there any hidden costs to be aware of:confused: Any advice or information.


Cheers:beer:

[SMAX]

No there are no hidden costs. You can buy photos and videos of the dolphin swim etc. and you probably will want to.

There is a downloadable video on theDIBB if you want to see what to expect there.

[paulac]

Get there early in the morning 8 am and book an early swim with the dolphins. Then you can get on with the rest of the day without worrying about your time slot for the dolphins. Also afternoon thunderstorms can put a stop to the dolphin swim.

You have your photo taken when you first enter the park and this is free. Other photos and the video are a bit on the pricey side, but we chose a family photo with our dolphin and the video.

Paula

[Jools99]

Thanks for the tips

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Apparently, a video will be taken of your group swimming with the dolphins which you can buy later. The video will be of your whole group which will consist usually of eight people - so if your party is less than eight, another group will be added to make up the numbers. If you get the video - be aware that just as much footage will be taken of the other people.

I haven't been before but got this advice off others DIBBers and D.C.'s own website. Someone commented that the video quality is more of a home-video quality than of professional quality but still great. Can't remember what they said the cost was.

There are several links at the bottom of this page to other threads about Discovery Cove which discuss all these sorts of things. Hope this helps.

Zoe

[Earthbound]

I've also booked for when we visit in August - my youngest is really looking forward to it as she is a BIG dolphin fan. I've read up quite a bit about DC as it was a big investment for a family of 4 as you'll appreciate. On arrival parking is free & you're "checked in" & given an ID card which can be linked to a credit card for any additional purchases - you do get a family photo taken which is included in your admission costs. You may have to arrange a swim time if not already done - some people recommend the morning when the dolphins are most active. If you haven't done this already then do it as soon as you arrive in Orlando. Groups of about 8 people go for each interaction period (less if it's not busy) each session lasts about half an hour. The rest of the day is up to you - there are plenty of other activities (Ray lagoon, Aviary, Coral Reef, Tropical River etc) to keep you occupied but you can leave the park & return providing you get your hand stamped. Lockers & changing rooms are aplenty - just arrive dressed for the beach. All other items like snorkels, masks & suncream are thrown in - don't take your own suncream as the one they provide is "dolphin friendly!". Also leave the underwater camera at home - they are strictly forbidden as the dolphins may eat them!! Lunch is also included & is a set meal (seafood, chicken, pasta etc), there are a couple of bars for extra drinks/snacks during the day (chargeable). The inevitable gift shop also resides there (very chargeable!!!). After the Dolphin swim there is a push to get you to buy the photos ^ video of you swim - each 7 x 5 photo is about $16, whilst the video is about $60 for about 60 minutes of footage (the first 30 of which is what you see during you preswim briefing!). Above all enjoy it & relax - it is a break away from the hustle & bustle of WDW & Universal. Let me know how you get on.....
Earthbound

[paulac]

Originally posted by Earthbound
Also leave the underwater camera at home - they are strictly forbidden as the dolphins may eat them!!

Earthbound, I agree you are not allowed underwater cameras in the dolphin pool, but you are allowed them in the other lagoons.

Paula

[Jools99]

Thaks This has been very useful. I will book the swimming with Dolfins as soon as.

[raksha]

You will also need some kind of sand shoe - take your own as the ones for sale in DC are pricey (and they have NO idea of English sizes, spent ages working up through the sizes to find ones to fit me and the sprogs :( ). The only meal/drink supplied is the mid day one - anything else is chargeable - we ended up spending $200+ (OK, yes, we did have a copy of the video, but haven't watched it yet) If you wear glasses it's worth trying to get your own prescription goggles before you go (they do carry a stock of prescription goggles you can hire for $70 deposit) but as I am also severly astigmatic they were no good for me (I just wanted to be able to see my own kids in the water).
You also need to wear the DC wet suit or vest when swimming with the dolphins or going down the tropical river, which gets VERY deep if you're a non swimmer or not 100% confident ;)

[kina]

What we bought, which I thought wasn't too badly priced, was a snow globe with a picture inside and a 5 x 7 picture for $30. We've bought the video before but I was not that impressed with it. Perhaps it is better if there is more than 2 people in your party, as the group can have up to 8 people in it.

[RSKJAS]

We bought the cd with 10 photos on it, although quite expensive you do buy the copyright of the photos so can use them wherever you want.

If you are going in the summer months it's important to get an early dolphin swim, when we went last August there was a very severe storm and we had to leave the water at approx 2.30 and we weren't allowed back in. We eventually left at 5pm and it was still raining! We were glad we'd had a morning swim!

Sue.