Swimming with Dolphins

[suechilcott]

Hi everyone

We are planning a trip to Disney july next year and are looking at the Swimming with Dolphins Day ,as this is rather expensive I would be gratefull if anyone that has done this to give me their opinion

Thanks Sue:jump:

[Cinders Mum]

sue

my opinion is that it is worht every penny, remember that it also includes 7 days at either seaworld or busch gardens within the price, as well as a 3 course lunch.

Fantastic, highly recommend it, brilliant........ d'you think I liked it???? LOL

Val
xx

[angie66]

We done it for the first time on our last trip (sept) and we thought it was an absolutly brilliant day!!! Although it is a bit pricey we thought it was well worth the money!

[suechilcott]

Hi Val
Thanks for your reply which one did you go to and how long were you in the water and how far away from mainstream Disney is this? also how many were in your group/ Sorry to bombard you with so many questions

Sue

[gasmark7]

I too am interested in Swimming with Dolphins. Can you recommend for a non swimmer:blush:

Graeme

[Cinders Mum]

we went to Discovery Cove, we arrived around 8.40...took us around 15 mins from Disney to get there. We checked in and got allocated a 0955 dolphin swim time......we swam round the reef then went to the cabana for the briefing, I'd say we were actually swimming with our dolphin for about 30 minutes (seems so much longer) the rest of the day we swam, snorkelled, sunbathed etc...the day passed very quickly and we left around 4.30pm , although we could have stayed longer....

Non or weak swimmers were well taken care of, there were "floaties" tubes to swim with and also vests to wear on top of the wetsuits....

do it, you won't regret it.

Val
xx

[Diane]

I can second what Val has said....the best day of our whole holiday! :D

Diane

[Anne]

I can third it as well - we did it on Christmas Day last year. Awesome :D

[russy]

SWAM WITH THE DOLPHINS IN SEPT 03 IT WAS BRILLIANT LIKE EVEYONE ELSE HAS SAID .ONE THING NOT TO FORGET IS BUY AN UNDERWATER CAMERA WHEN YOU ARE THERE THEY ARE FAIRLY CHEAP AND YOU WILL GET SOME GREAT SHOTS FROM ALMOST ANYWHERE IN THE PARK ESPECIALLY SAT UNDER A WATERFALL.

[tricky]

It's a great experience at discovery coast:
The actual swim with dolphins probably lasts about 30 minues and you're in a group of approx 8 which is OK and you get equal "experiences" with the dolphin
The pictures/dvd are quite expensive but are high quality
Make sure you take an underwater camera - we took two and got some fantastic shots (BEWARE - YOU CANNOT TAKE CAMERAS INTO THE DOLPHIN LAKE (or jewelery watches etc))
Getting out of the warm lagoon into the cold one is an experience I can tell you...
Stingrays (minus barbs) are just cool albeit a little intimidating at first (been to Clearwater and seen the signs on the beach)
Remember the sun screen or you'll burn on the back of arms and legs where the wet suits end (you can spot those that have been the day before quite easily) - They give you a tub of cream (dolphin friendly) but we found it washed off a little too easy - could have been down to floating around the warm lagoon for 2 hours!!!!

Would I do it again, yes but only because I now have a child and would like him to experience it when he's older - We thought it was a little expensive at the time but it was a great day and the 7 days pass for seaworld meant we could take our time there rather than rushing between shows etc.

[tellsg]

You simply have to go ... book it up now ... its a magical, wonderful day.

:D

[Rio]

Can you buy a video/dvd of your time with the dolphins or is it a still photo? How much are they?
I think I will do it as well as long as I get a vest to keep me afloat, can you touch the bottom with your feet all the time or do you have to keep yourself afloat?I have a problem with deep water as i like to be stood firmly on the bottom!!
Have been looking at a number of places for tickets to get the best price, but as a non driver, how do we get there? If we book with Virgin (out tour operator) will they provide transport for us?
Love Rio
Sorry about all the ????'s!!

[Cinders Mum]

the video was $60. You can buy individual photos, a set number, photodiscs etc...they have loads of different packages, but we were not pressured at all.

Val
xx

[tricky]

Best thing is after the swim you go back to the hut/cabin things and see all the images on screen which is where you select your images and packages. Order them and collect at the end of the day on way out of the park

You used to get a free photo taken on the way in also (don't know if you still do) we found this to be bad quality contrast was out by a mile (although we were both wearing white t-shirts might not have helped!) but the quality from the swim were spot on...

[missbounce]

Do it, do it, DO IT! If you get the chance and can spare the cash, it's an amazing experience. I got to fulfill a child-hood dream this year and loved every minute of it. Discovery Cove is a fantastic 'park' and there is so much to do and see. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! :)

[suechilcott]

Hi Everyone

Thanks to you all so much for your replys I don't think that I cannot go after all your comments. It will be a lifetime dream for myself and i am so excited i want to go tomorrow. Never mind july will come quick enough. Thanks again for all the replys

Sue

[Rio]

Emily LOVES dolphins and we looked into swimmimg with them in California, but no luck, so its a definite must do for her, but i was just a bit worried about doing it though, thanks to all of you for your help, I am now going to do it.
I just wondered about the video/dvd/photo thing as I'm sure she will want a souvenir of the day that she has waited for for years.
love Rio
PS Sue, we will be there the first 2 weeks in July...see you in the water at DC!!!...lol

[suechilcott]

Hi Rio

Yes we fly out 8 july, have a great holiday thanks again

sue