anybody been to discovery cove?

[TUBBSY99]

I am going for the dolphin swim at discovery cove at the end of June. Me and the girlfriend are booked in. Can anyone give us some information about the place and what to expect?

Thanks

[TinkTatoo]

I've not been - but if you look at the bottom of this page there are some links that should answer your questions.

[Mr_Taz]

We did TFAD there a few years ago. Basically it's an artificial lake (well, more sea) with a artificial beach. Very relaxing. You have an alloted time for a Dolphin Swim that lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.

In the meantime you can either lie on the beach and relax, or walk through the avery/look at the mammals they have. You can also swim in the lazy river (warm), or the Coral Reef (cold) that has loads of fish/stingrays in it.

Food's very good as well :)

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

Jonathan

[mspennielane]

Hubby and I went back in January and had a wonderful day. The place is amazing and the dolphin swim, well that was something else. You will have an incredibly relaxing day. The food that is included in the price you pay is great.

[ceri]

We went a couple of years ago, a good tip is to listen to the trainers when they tell you how to be 'attractive' to the dolphins.
Another group didn't and just stood quietly, their dolphin soon became bored and wouldn't interact with them. We were lucky, as the trainer said that our kids behaviour was so attractive to the dolphins that would we mind ( he had to be joking) staying in the water to interact with a new dolphin that they were training
I guess we were just lucky, but we got two interactions for the price of one:)
Ceri x

[Claire_L]

We went in June 2002 and had a wonderful time. One tip at this time of year is to get ther early so your swim is more likely to be booked for the morning. As the afternoon clouds can bubble up and when the storms are about they close all the pools and suspend the dolphin interactions. Oh and take a waterproof disposable camera for the coral reef and other attraction in water.
Have a lovely time.
Claire :wink

[desperate]

HAS ANYONE MISSED A DOLPHIN SWIM BECAUSE OF A STORM AND WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS MISSED

CHRIS

[BCKloon]

DC from memory...

Arrive early around 8am to try and get an early dolphin swim (they hand out times on first come basis)...

Arrive at guest reception and book in...here you get a photo id that you hang around your neck which you can use to purchase items(if you leave credit card print) these ids also double up as your passes to seaworld/busch gardens...

After checking in you will proceed into the lovely lush gardens and have a complimentary photo taken here which you pick up later...

After the photo...you will meet up with a guide who will take you down to the cabannas via the lockers and the equipment stores...Here you will get your wetsuits / swim vests / towels / snorkel gear / sun cream(dolphin friendly) etc...

Get changed into your gear at the locker rooms / changing areas...

If you have your dolphin swim first like we did then you proceed to one of the cabannas where you will see a short video presentation and meet the trainers...

At this time you will be split into your groups and allocated a trainer..

Now its time to head off to the lagoon where you will meet your dolphin and hopefully have a fun 30-40min interaction period...

During the interaction there is a photographer and video cameraman taking pictures and footage of your time with the dolphins...

After the swim..you can head off back towards the cabanna where there is an area where you can view the photos in order to purchase them....The video can be ordered here as well but make sure you order the PAL format..

The photos and video are paid for and picked up later in the day..

Now that you have finished your dolphin swim you can now just chill out by doing any or all of the other attractions below...

THE CORAL REEF...
This is an excellent opportunity to get close to some colourful fish..this lagoon is full of fish and has some amazing bat rays and eagle rays...We spent ages in here snorkelling...one tip dont just thrash about as you will scare the rays away from you..If you stay still the rays will investigate you...

THE TROPICAL RIVER...
Another snorkelling opportunity but not much too see here but fun anyway...be warned some sections can go as deep as 8ft with a fairly strong current in places...but i one thing you will notice at DC is the abundance of life guards so dont worry too much lol...The entrance to the river is via a nice pool area which is good for any kids to splash about in..

RAY LAGOON...
Ray Lagoon is a secluded, tropical oasis which you’ll find nestling at the heart of Discovery Cove. You can wade, swim, snorkel and touch the dozens of southern and cownose rays ... which vary in size up to 4ft across....Dont miss feeding time here where you can hand feed these wondeful fish...they surround you swim around and through your legs...

TROPICAL BIRD AVIARY...
As the title says..its a100ft free flight avairy full of birds...


Like all parks there is ample places to buy souvenirs...the toilet facilties were nice and clean.....

At lunch time you go to the cafe and recieve your buffet lunch that you get as part of the DC fee..the food available was excellent and you had 3-4 choices per course (3cousre meal)..normally there is some sort of light entertaiment here as well such as music/singing etc...

before leaving the park you go to the photo pick up where you pick up all your photos and video that you ordered earlier...

The free photo that was taken as you entered DC is picked up from reception prior to leaving...

Hope this shows an insight to DC...I'm sure others will fill in the blanks...
:cool:

[Earthbound]

Web-site at www.discoverycove.com/explore.aspx it will be an excellent day :thumb:

[braduk]

Hi all, (first post!!)

Just a little concerned about a couple of things:

1) If your swim is cancelled dur to bad weather, do they reschedule you for another day, or give you a refund, or is it just 'tough luck'?

2) The photo i.d. - do you need to bring some passport-sized photos with you, or do they take them there?

Thanks in advance!

[gaz-r]

1, Dont know about the canx event ,
2, they take your photo via a small web cam type device for a plastic pass .

Its great place so relaxing , easy to understand why they involve children that have suffered trauma to try and bring them out and lift their spirits.

You wont regret it ,

[bengunn]

DC is great, you can read my trip report for more details:
Day 10 – Discovery Cove (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12403)

[mikeblockley]

Sounds great. Can't wait!

[mikeblockley]

My DD just turned six last week. When we originally asked her if she wanted to "swim" with a dolphin, she was most concerned, and pointed out that she couldn't swim properly yet!
However I think we've managed to persuade her that she will be fine.

[Alfie]

I have been twice, one to do the day swim and then about a month ago did the new twilight swim, both were brilliant and i would definitely recommend it!!

[WFC]

Another thumbs up. Its fantastic, and well worth the money. I'd go back on our next visit, but we may not be able to afford :(

[shefox]

I'm thinking of booking this for DH next year as he will be celebrating a mile stone birthday (shushhh). I am not a strong swimmer, will it still be advisable?? (hope so)

[Anne]

Originally posted by shefox
I'm thinking of booking this for DH next year as he will be celebrating a mile stone birthday (shushhh). I am not a strong swimmer, will it still be advisable?? (hope so)

Yes as you can get life vests to put on. Lots of people wear them around DC.

[braduk]

And they don't look much different to the normal Wet Vests, so you won't stick out anyway!

LOL - just don't expect warm water!! The fish and dolphins don't like it!

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Originally posted by shefox
I am not a strong swimmer, will it still be advisable?? (hope so)

90% of the time you will be standing in shallow(ish) water, but they ask you to keep your shoulders below the surface of the water. During this time they'll tell you a lot about dolphins generally and your dolphins in particular. They'll answer questions and get the dolphins to swim backwards and forwards for you to stroke them. Each person in your party will then go up in turn to kiss a dolphin (still in shallow area) and your picture will be taken.

The only time you will go in deep water is for your actual swim bit so the dolphin can bring you back to the shore. I have heard they can do something else for you if you cannot swim in the deep water - like getting the dolphin to take you from the shallow water - just make sure you hang on to that dolphin! :D Maybe someone else can confirm this?

[Gaz]

we went to DC this year. it was FANTASTIC. we will deff do this again. in all my dibbin time i have never read a negitive post on DC so that must be a recommend

[sylvester]

Its near Seaworld,there are lots of dolphins and you will get wet.

[Ballamory]

we went for the dolphin swim a couple of years ago & got to DC a bit late and so did not get a swim time till late afternoon.

The place is amazing, very relaxing and scenic & we loved the snorkeling bits. Unfortunately, after lunch a big storm was on its way & everyone was told to clear the beaches. We had to grab all our pocessions, including pushchair etc and go to shelter under the umbrellas outside the restaurant - it peltted down, thunder, lightening, the full works & this was the time we should have been having our dolphin swim.

It passed after about an hour and we went back to the beach, spread everyhing back out, settled down only to be told if we were quick they would do our swim now. We had to pack everything back up again, run to the other side of the park to get to a differant pool than the one we had originaly been allocated!

But being in the water & being kissed by a dolphin made all the other bits pale into insignificance - it was great, no regrets and one day we will go back & do it all over again!!!!

[lefthanded]

Another positive vote for DC. We went in early May this year. The dolphin swim is the highlight of the day, but the rest of the park is wonderful as well.

Personally I felt that it was something you need to do once and that I wouldn't do it again on our next trip. But DW has other ideas. She says that another trip to DC is not-negotiable. So I guess we'll be "dolphin swimming" again in May 2006

lefthanded