Discovery Cove newbie! I have some questions

[dreamisawish]

Hi guys! So I’ve never been to discovery cove or any sea world property before but my friend has said she really would like to go to discovery cove for a day.

I’ve been watching some videos on YouTube and reading some things online so I have a general idea how it works but I have some more questions.

How much is it to buy pictures from the dolphin swim experience? I believe I read somewhere that it was quite expensive.

Who would you suggest we book with?

Is it definitely worth going?

Any other advice or things we should know about? What are the best activities there, in your opinion?

[mickeyspal]

Yes it's definitely worth going it's a great day. You get your food and drinks included as well as seaworld and aquatica ( and Busch gardens if you pay a bit more ) it's limited to 1000 people a day so it's never crowded. Book directly with discovery cove that way is it's cancelled because of bad weather then it's easier to reschedule. Book for early on in your holiday too. Because if you do have to reschedule it, you will have time left to do it.
Wetsuits towels etc are provided
The photo package is really expensive. We got it about 11 yrs ago and it was $300 Then but we went as a group of 10 from a few families and split the cost and copied them. If one of you aren't doing the swim you can take photos from the rocks at the edge of the pool but you can't go in the water

[DisneyYoda]

Photo packages are pricey and its the only way to get photos as cameras are not allowed when doing the dolphin swim. It’s about $100 for the basic 4 photos then $50 to add a dvd or bluray. Then there are photo albums etc. Think the top bundle was about $250 for bigger photos, album, dvd, photo frame and all digi photos.

It is a top experience though and well worth the entry fee. Great for a weekend cos the other parks are busier and discovery cove has a fixed capacity. It’s not the usual Orlando busy ever!

My biggest tip is don’t get your breakfast as soon as you enter (as staff recommend!) go straight to the beach and put your towels on a seat with an umbrella! Then have breakfast. Last time we went straight for breakfast and there were NO umbrellas left. And you definitely want shade in discovery cove!

[show_the_magic]

Everything you need is provided; wet suits, snorkel kits, towels, sun cream, shower gel, shampoo etc..
All food and drink is provided throughout the day. I cant remember how much the full photo package is but I got it and remember thinking it was quite ok I was happy to pay it. This was in May 2014. I second the above comment - book direct and early on in your holiday incase of needing to reschedule.
Was a fantastic day, only part I didnt enjoy was the lazy river as it is very shallow in some parts and deep in others, was an effort to get through it!
The snorkelling was awesome, swimming with fish and rays was a great experience and the dolphin swim was emotional.
If you can do it, do it.

[Orlando 2004]

Originally Posted by DisneyYoda

Photo packages are pricey and its the only way to get photos as cameras are not allowed when doing the dolphin swim. It’s about $100 for the basic 4 photos then $50 to add a dvd or bluray. Then there are photo albums etc. Think the top bundle was about $250 for bigger photos, album, dvd, photo frame and all digi photos.

It is a top experience though and well worth the entry fee. Great for a weekend cos the parks a busier and discovery cove has a fixed capacity. It’s not the usual Orlando busy ever!

My biggest tip is don’t get your breakfast as soon as you enter (as staff recommend!) go straight to the beach and put your towels on a seat with an umbrella! Then have breakfast. Last time we went straight for breakfast and there were NO umbrellas left. And you definitely want shade in discovery cove!

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I think they've stopped doing the DVD.
I think 4 photos was $99 in December.

[SMAX]

They no longer do a video of the dolphin swim.

I was there yesterday. They also now offer day beds as a cheaper option than cabanas. They are a round bed with a wicker canopy over and two loungers too. Located on the beach in front of the dolphin swim areas. Not sure of the pricing but they said it was on the website.

[DisneyYoda]

Originally Posted by Orlando 2004

I think they've stopped doing the DVD.
I think 4 photos was $99 in December.

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That’s a shame cos that was really well done. And I was able to rip it and insert it into our holiday montage video. That was 2015 though. Didn’t do Dolphin swim last time we went.

[dreamisawish]

Shame the dvd isn’t offered anymore but at least the temptation to spend more has been removed from me!

Now I’ve done some more digging I’m pretty much sold on going, it looks so idyllic and peaceful- might be our only truly peaceful day as well, you can never guarantee the water parks won’t be crazy.

How wet does it need to be to have the day cancelled? Does it have to be lightning or just rain? I’d actually rather if it was cancelled for rain because I’d hate to spend the whole day being rained on, but it must rain for them a lot.

Thanks for all the answers and advice so far, totally wouldn’t have considered booking it early in the holiday to have time to reschedule, nor the tips about breakfast!

I will also look into the day beds, see how much they are. If anyone knows then that would be a big help!

Thanks

[SMAX]

With rain the dolphin swim continues but if there is lightning then it will be postponed. If there is no longer enough time left to reschedule the swim they will rebook you a free day up to 2 years later.

[cornishfrogboy]

As with all the above and invariably our no1 day in Orlando. We don’t do the Dolphin swim any more, though.

As regards photographing the Dolphin swim, we had to buy a small package.

Photo packages are expensive. In some ways, you are better served by buying a really good underwater camera such as an Olympus tough and then using it in a pouch on your belt loop or in your trunks for the whole vacation. You can drop it, submerge it and generally forget it except for when you want to use it. We have had some great shots in DC, in the water parks, on rides and in many places where we would never have risked a DSLR (or even be allowed to carry one).

Ours is currently a TG-4 , but there are many others by Olympus (and rivals) that come in way below in price.