Discovery Cove Dolphin swim, worth it?

[matty]

Well, I did the whole dolphin experience about 4 years ago, and i have to admit found it very 'OK'. Nothing amazing like swimming with dolphins is meant to be.

What do other people think who did it? Is it all its cracked up to be???!!!

[Claire44]

We loved it when we did it 3 years ago and have booked to do it again this year. Thought the whole day at Discovery Cove was something special.

[matty]

Yeah, i also thought that discovery cove was great, the reef was fantastic, i just thought the dolphin experience was not what its all made out to be. Anyone else?

[fionagee]

It would really have to be something special - at over £500 for our family fo 5 to spend the day there!!! I am interested to see what people think as we are considering it for our next trip - want to do some different things and also thinking of airboat rides and hot air balloon trips.

Fiona

[Cinders Mum]

we did it last year, and my hubby wasn't too bothered about doing it, whereas our daughter and myself were really excited about doing it.

On the day however our daughter had a ball and it was everything she wanted it to be. Hubby was blown away by the experience and was really pleased to have done it, I however felt a little disappointed. I had fractured my wrist in the summer and it was still very weak when we went to DC so I do think this hampered my experience.

I would do it again.. but not for a couple of years ..... don't want to take away from a very special day

Val
xx

[Bob_and_Dawn]

Originally posted by matty
Well, I did the whole dolphin experience about 4 years ago, and i have to admit found it very 'OK'. Nothing amazing like swimming with dolphins is meant to be.

What do other people think who did it? Is it all its cracked up to be???!!!

I agree with you.

The creatures themselves were awesome but the whole feel about the dolphin swim was very artificial and not a patch on seeing them naturally in the oceans.

Bob

[lesley1960]

I loved DC but i didnt rate the dolphin swim , when we go back we will do the non swim day while my son and his GF do the swim

[Sue]

We enjoyed our swim at the Dolphin Reseacrh Centre in the Keys a whole lot more.
A more natural environment - longer interaction and a non-profit making organisation to boot.
DC is great for the space, the other water attractions and the chill factor, but I agree that the swim is just "OK"

[wilma-bride]

Originally posted by fionagee
It would really have to be something special - at over £500 for our family fo 5 to spend the day there!!! I am interested to see what people think as we are considering it for our next trip - want to do some different things and also thinking of airboat rides and hot air balloon trips.

Fiona

To me, a balloon ride is one big, huge waste of money - at least, in our experience and several others I have since spoken to. My advice would be, if you are going to do one then research it very thoroughly and don't believe the hype (ie, if they tell you that you will fly over Disney World, take it with a pinch of salt). We were very disappointed that our trip was nothing like we'd been promised.

As for DC, would gladly pay £500+ for it. It was worth ever single penny we paid. We had a fantastic time and it was easily the best day of our entire holiday.

[matty]

Its interesting to hear peoples views, the keys research centre sounds a much better experience, alot more 'Natural' compared to the very 'structured' DC experience.

I am not too keen on doing it again although my partner really wants to, guess i'll have to fork out for it again!!

[fionagee]

Wilma Bride - thanks for your views. We really haven't decided what we're doing yet - heck we dont go till Oct 06 but we are trying to think of other things to fill our days. We want just a couple at WDW and more at Universal/IOA this time round and thought of the Balloon rides etc. We have not been to DC but I am very interested to read peoples opinions of it. Not flying over WDW would not be a great dissapointment to us. A balloon ride has always been something I would like to try and the kids are up for it, but I think I will do a search here and get some other opinions on it. Who did you go with? Maybe they are to be avoided? Thanks anyway for the input.

Cheers,

Fiona

[highlander447]

u also have to take the fact of 7days entry to SW into cost thats worth a few £, as for the exp this will be our third trip in 18 months this time I'm doing non swim while rest of family swim that being said last time was DD birthday and this time its DW birthday, I think its worth the expense so long as u view the experience for what it is, me I take it as a day I really don't need to feel guilty about doing nothing for me thats priceless:beer:

[loadsapixiedust]

We really enjoyed our special day at DC. The swim experience was just amazing. My DS has special needs and we never imagined he could do this, but the trainers were wonderful and helped him to live his dream. The look on his face was worth every penny. It was the highlight of our holiday. I'm not sure I would do it again, I'd be afraid it wasn't as good as the first time.
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/photopost/data/532/4598CD_005.jpg

[JudyC]

We loved our day at DC. I must agree about the dolphin interaction being rather short and a bit disappointing. The snorkelling was brilliant though and more than made up for this.

If we go again we'd just do the non dolphin swim option, though I'm glad we did it the first time if that makes sense.

[Elouise]

We didnt swim at DC in April, as we had done this in the natural surroundings in Cuba and Mexico. However we did a balloon ride with Orange blossom trail. We really enjoyed this. We did fly past WDW and got some good ariel shots, though dont think for security reasons you can fly over the castle.They do some videoing for you of the take off and landing if you want for no extra charge with your own camera, though we kept ours so we could video when "up".... Its so quiet and smooth like how a bird is flying!!!. We did this early in the morning, whee up about 45 minutes and then had cham b fast in a hotel and taken back to our villa by 11am. I woulod do your research on internet first or look on other Florida boards for more info. What ever you decide have a great time. We go back Oct 7th 2006 too, for 3 weeks... cant wait!!!

[mac]

We were at DC 10 day's ago and I can honestly say it was the best day of our holiday. the whole Day was relaxing and well worth the money (£139 each). The dolphin swim was better than I had expected, got back this morning and had a quick look at the dvd (which I said I wouldn't buy:blush: ).

[sam_b]

We have been to DC twice and love the park and the reef. We haven't done the dolphin swim as it always looks exploitative and artificial. I just don't like the idea of those lovely creatures having to drag tourists around.
:(
But I know that others like it, and, to each their own.

Re balloon flights, I haven't done one in Florida (got cancelled twice earlier this year, fingers crossed for Oct) but I have done one over Napa in California. IMHO it doesn't matter where the ballon goes, it's being in the balloon that is the amazing experience. The balloon is also at the mercy of the wind, so they wouldn't be able to guarantee what you will see and where you will fly.

[Rio]

We had a fantastic day at DC and feel that it was worth every penny (cent), it was the highlight of our holiday.
We bought the keyrings, photos, DVD as it was such a lovely day and we wanted to take the memories home with us.
I don't think we will do it again as Orlando has been the only place we have been to where we could do it. I agree with Loadsafairydust that it would take away that specialness if we did it again.
In my opinion it was well worth the money and the swim was very special.
Love Rio

[ChrissyG]

We've done it once and it was brilliant. I too was concerned that the dolphins were having to "perform" and "drag" us through the water, but as the trainer explained, if the dolphin didn't want to do it, he wouldn't!

We had a wonderful day and it was worth every penny. If I could afford it, we'd go again.

Christine

[Flo]

How good a swimmer do you need to be to snorkel in DC or do the dolphin swim.

Is it somewhere where you could spend the whole day.

[Flo]

Can you book DC without any dolphin swim?

[Karen_Mitchell]

Just got back from DC, and can honestly say it was fantastic, we all experienced more than we hope for, and would do it again, staff where fantastic, the surroundings brilliant, best part of the holiday.

Hot tip, when we booked to do the DC, we also booked to go to Sea World and Bursh Gardens, but once you have been to DC, and you have your ID card, this will give you free access to Sea World, so it might be worth not buying tickets for Sea World before you go, if you are planning to go to DC.

We also went on a hot air balloon ride with Orange Blossom, what can I say, again fantastic, it all interactive, so you are they acually setting up the balloon, from unloaded to help fill the balloon, and the sights where out of this world, and what a great bunch of staff, had a good laugh, and envolvement.

[Karen_Mitchell]

I have never snorkeled, and found it easy, another tip, don't take any towels/shampoo/conditioner/hairdryers, as this is all provided, all swimmers are provided with either a wet suit/vest, and this helps keep you afloat.

One more tip, buy water proof camera's before you go there, as they are abit pricey at DC.

[Bob_and_Dawn]

Originally posted by Flo
Can you book DC without any dolphin swim?

Yes you can book without the dolphin swim as we have on our last couple of visits.

Dawn:D