Discovery cove elite or vip packages

[Mr & Mrs chimp]

Hi all,

Has anyone used these packages? The DC website asks you to call for more info.

Background is that my wife will be 23 weeks pregnant and we're taking our daughter who'll be 16 months when we travel. It'll be my wife's 30th and I like the idea of surprising her with a cabana at DC for the day.

Can anyone shed any light on what either package includes and whether it's worth the extra cash?

My wife and I did DC on a previous trip and it was a highlight. I know the dolphin swim is out but the setting is as good as you'll get for a birthday treat.

Liam

[specialmum]

we did the VIP package last year. Mainly because we wanted a cabana and all the packages were sold out except the VIP package.

For the package you get your own member of staff to literally cater to your every need! Which was very un-nerving for us at first. But she really looked after us. She helped get wetsuits. When we were swimming she would wait and when we were coming out of the water she would be there with heated towels... which were a godsend as we went in a chilly November.
She did all of the paperwork for us for the dolphin swim we just turned up!. Again when swimming she held/looked after our things we'd forgotten to take off (necklace etc) and again had warm towels for us when we came out of the water.
She sorted out our package of swim photos and had it ready for us when leaving.
We got extra little surprises throughout the day - visiting animals to the cabana - we got to go to the staff area and 'pet' sharks and got a private talk about the sharks.

I can't remember what else we got but it really did make for a special day. Our son has ASD and can be a handful to manage at times and she really did lend a hand anyway she could.

The cabana you get is in a fabulous location. Overlooking the dolphin swim area which meant we could view the dolphins swimming all day.
She stocked our cabana according to our needs so when she discovered that our son only liked a certain brand of crisps she went and found lots of them. She also brought us hot chocolate etc whenever we wanted rather than collecting it ourselves. Which meant for us we could spend more time as a family rather than one person disappearing off to get what we needed.

we also got a personalised bouy which I managed to keep a secret and was given to the person by a dolphin - which they made out to be surprise to that person (they ask if its a surprise).
I don't know if any of that is any good. We were glad we did it as a one off - but we don't expect to go to discovery cove again so it made it that bit more special.

[Mr & Mrs chimp]

Wow - that sounds great, would be a great way to celebrate I think.

I like the idea of the cabana and the buoy would be that extra special touch.

I'd agree with the member of staff being strange, not sure how I'd react to that - would add to the occasion though - I want to make it special for her.

Thanks for the info

[tina&co]

This sounds lovely, can I ask the difference in price from the normal ticket

[specialmum]

you pay for your tickets as normal and the VIP package cost $800 extra. Which is a lot but that included a photo package and video and poster etc., member of staff, buoy, the extra surprises... and more that I can't remember!

I'm sure the cabana is for up to 6 people (I think)?

discoverycove/en/offers-...ial-occasions/
(link to package page)

VIP Package $799
The VIP Package is the ultimate Discovery Cove experience, and includes:

A buoy with personalized message delivered by a dolphin*
Discovery Cove Signature Tote Bag
Deluxe photo frame and plush toy
A private cabana overlooking one of the Dolphin Lagoons ($199 value)
Dedicated personal host / hostess for your group only
Comfortable seating for up to 6 guests
Private and stocked refrigerator
Private locker
Snack, beverage and towel service
Hammock in cabana
Dolphin Views vary and cannot be Guaranteed
Discovery Photo Package (valued at $229 including an assortment of photo prints, digital photo CD, Dolphin Interaction DVD, poster, photo frame and a photo album)
Reserved seating at Laguna Grill
Planned itinerary escorted by dedicated host / hostess
Additional up-close animal encounter

[Aearin]

Originally Posted by specialmum

we did the VIP package last year. Mainly because we wanted a cabana and all the packages were sold out except the VIP package.

For the package you get your own member of staff to literally cater to your every need! Which was very un-nerving for us at first. But she really looked after us. She helped get wetsuits. When we were swimming she would wait and when we were coming out of the water she would be there with heated towels... which were a godsend as we went in a chilly November.
She did all of the paperwork for us for the dolphin swim we just turned up!. Again when swimming she held/looked after our things we'd forgotten to take off (necklace etc) and again had warm towels for us when we came out of the water.
She sorted out our package of swim photos and had it ready for us when leaving.
We got extra little surprises throughout the day - visiting animals to the cabana - we got to go to the staff area and 'pet' sharks and got a private talk about the sharks.

I can't remember what else we got but it really did make for a special day. Our son has ASD and can be a handful to manage at times and she really did lend a hand anyway she could.

The cabana you get is in a fabulous location. Overlooking the dolphin swim area which meant we could view the dolphins swimming all day.
She stocked our cabana according to our needs so when she discovered that our son only liked a certain brand of crisps she went and found lots of them. She also brought us hot chocolate etc whenever we wanted rather than collecting it ourselves. Which meant for us we could spend more time as a family rather than one person disappearing off to get what we needed.

we also got a personalised bouy which I managed to keep a secret and was given to the person by a dolphin - which they made out to be surprise to that person (they ask if its a surprise).
I don't know if any of that is any good. We were glad we did it as a one off - but we don't expect to go to discovery cove again so it made it that bit more special.

See more...

Wow i hope you tipped!

[hunnycat]

we have booked the elite package.$399 you get :

A buoy with personalized message delivered by a dolphin*
Discovery Cove Signature Tote Bag
Deluxe photo frame and plush toy
A private cabana
Host / Hostess
Comfortable seating for up to 6 guests
Private and stocked refrigerator
Private locker
Snack, beverage and towel service
Cabana locations vary and cannot be Guaranteed
Discovery Photo Package (valued at $229 including an assortment of photo prints, digital photo CD, Dolphin Interaction DVD, poster, photo frame and a photo album)

we were buying the photo package anyway and the cabana is usually $199 alone so it was cheaper to do it this way with little extras

[coggie]

Originally Posted by Mr & Mrs chimp

Hi all,

Has anyone used these packages? The DC website asks you to call for more info.

Background is that my wife will be 23 weeks pregnant and we're taking our daughter who'll be 16 months when we travel. It'll be my wife's 30th and I like the idea of surprising her with a cabana at DC for the day.

Can anyone shed any light on what either package includes and whether it's worth the extra cash?

My wife and I did DC on a previous trip and it was a highlight. I know the dolphin swim is out but the setting is as good as you'll get for a birthday treat.

Liam

See more...

I would just order a cabana... whilst you can't normally book them until about 3 weeks from your day I would email them and explain the situation with your wife being pregnant and I am sure they will book one in advance for you, Personally I would go for a cabana by Sea Venture that overlooks the Grand Reef as this has a really nice private beach in front for the little one to play on throughout the day

[specialmum]

Originally Posted by Aearin

Wow i hope you tipped!

See more...

we did!

[specialmum]

Originally Posted by hunnycat

we have booked the elite package.$399 you get :

A buoy with personalized message delivered by a dolphin*
Discovery Cove Signature Tote Bag
Deluxe photo frame and plush toy
A private cabana
Host / Hostess
Comfortable seating for up to 6 guests
Private and stocked refrigerator
Private locker
Snack, beverage and towel service
Cabana locations vary and cannot be Guaranteed
Discovery Photo Package (valued at $229 including an assortment of photo prints, digital photo CD, Dolphin Interaction DVD, poster, photo frame and a photo album)

we were buying the photo package anyway and the cabana is usually $199 alone so it was cheaper to do it this way with little extras

See more...

That was the package we wanted to book - but when we tried they were all sold out. It really is a good package isn't it!