Discovery Cove with an adult non-swimmer

[Caroian]

I've decided that I would really quite like to experience Discovery Cove. Everyone raves about it and says it is a great day. Our son - soon to be 7 - can swim well (and will obviously be better still by next year) and I don't think will have an issue.

The only problem is that my husband doesn't swim at all. In fact, he doesn't do water at all - he will not step in to water deeper than a shallow bath - so about 6 inches would be the max. He has a real and genuine fear that I won't try to persuade him out of. However, does it completely rule out DC? I know there are a few non-water areas, but honestly, is he going to be completely bored? He usually brings his laptop down to the pool when we swim on holidays, but I'm getting the impression this wouldn't be the done thing at DC?

I'd really love to do the Dolphin swim with our son, but it's obviously a pricey day and I'm just not sure if I'm being sensible. Spitting up for the whole day isn't really something we'd want to do either, as it is a family holiday and chance for us to spend time together - although I guess even if we do go we'd be abandoning him for much of the day doing water based things. It is just the three of us for this trip (although we may meet up with others I don't think we'd be able to pin people down to do DC together).

WWYD?

[Stardust5]

Hi, my mum doesn’t swim but really enjoyed her day at DC, she came down onto the beach and watched the Dolphin swim that we did. When we went snorkelling with the rays she came into the water just up to her knees, the rays do come right up into the shallows. We all done the aviary together, near the aviary are some shallow pools with seats so we all sat and relaxed on those. Before the lazy river there is a pool, again you can just stay in the shallow end as the pool slopes down. I think he would enjoy the day, you also have many sun loungers etc to rest and relax. Hope this helps.

[Taffy1959]

I’m a non swimmer and we did DC a few years ago.
I did go in up to my waist and then waited by the rocks where the dolphin came to me and took me back to the shallow water.
It’s a lovely day and you and your son can do the swim and your DH can watch.
Plenty of sunbeds around the park where you can sunbathe plus it’s all inclusive so you get breakfast lunch drinks and snacks for the day.

[ally1966]

We are doing Discovery Cove for the first time in February. DD and I are doing the dolphin swim but DH is a complete non swimmer. He is looking forward to a relaxing day of all inclusive food and drink and I’m hoping that he’ll capture some good photos of the dolphin swim so that I don’t have to pay a fortune for the official ones!

[Rescuer]

My Dh doesn’t swim and we’ve been twice. He didn’t do the Dolphin swim but took photos of us.
He surprised me a little by putting his face in the water with the snorkel on in the great reef. He was never out his depth and his feet were never off the floor. Ds and I kept him right about where it got deeper.

[Caroian]

Thanks everyone - good to not get immediate responses that it would be daft and selfish! The thing is that several of you mention going in to the water part way but my husband wouldn't even be able to do this. At a beach he'll walk back if water starts washing up towards his feet. He cannot even get in a hot tub. Would you still say it's worth him coming?

[Merryweather]

As a non-swimmer I would say yes, it is worth it! They limit the number of people so it is a great way to relax away from the crazy theme parks! I sat on a sunbed, or on a rock in very shallow water and enjoyed the peace, the sun, the drinks and snacks and spent some time in the aviary with my son-in-law (my DD doesn't like birds) - really enjoyed it!

[orlandonewbie]

We were there yesterday with my mum who doesn’t swim. She sat and read a book on the beach and took photos of us meeting the dolphins. She also made use of the all inclusive breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks. She loved it and I don’t think she needed her swimsuit with her for how wet she got!

[toonarmani]

Why not discuss it with him? He may be more than happy to sit on the side and watch you both experience it and then take part in things he’s comfortable doing.

[minniemouse]

I'm also a non swimmer and have enjoyed a day at Discovery Cove in the past. I will 'paddle' but also sat on the beach and read and enjoyed the free food. I was able to film the dolphin experience of the rest of my family from dry land. Whilst I love to watch them from a distance, I have no desire to be that close to a dolphin (or any other sea creature) so it suited me fine.