Nineteen nights of MouseFest, Disney and Christmas - THREAD 4 - UPDATED 3/17 About This Page:

[DrDolphin]

Looks like a wonderful start at Discovery Cove! I can't wait to hear about your dolphin swim.

[pparm]

It looks like everyone was enjoying Discovery Cove! Great pictures!

Paula

[mcc0313]

Welcome home....

Your day at Discovery Cove sounded wonderful....it was so cool to see everyone floating around with the Stingrays....

Can't wait to hear about the dolphins....

[mattnkatsmum]

Welcome back, Chez. Can't wait to hear all about Hong Kong.

Loving all the details about Discovery Cove. As soon as Kat is six, we'll be there.

[chezp]

Sunday 16 December – part two: in with the dolphins

Now we last did this in 2002 and this has changed so much since then. For starters, they are a lot more relaxed about any non-swimmers in your party taking photos and you can get quite close. That’s something that they didn’t allow at all last time.

We were in a group of eight with a couple who lived locally. When we went in, it was getting quite windy and there was no sun. I guess, at that point, maybe the temperatures were into the 60’s and yes, it wasn’t that warm, but it was so funny to hear this couple talk abut how cold it was. I will grant you it wasn’t hot, but it was OK, yet they were freezing. Funny how you get used to different temperatures depending where you live.

They so much more interaction with the dolphins now than the last time we were there. There are all sorts of tricks they perform, like the clapping, waving to you and making different noises. You get to use the same signals as the trainers, so it’s a good insight into what they do.

You also get to pet the dolphins a couple of times during your session and the texture of their skins was fascinating. It’s a lot softer than you think it’s going to be. All the time we had with them in the shallow section was magical, much more than last time. The highlights had to be being able to kiss the dolphin, although Hannah didn’t want to do that, no matter how much persuasion we all tried on her. You then get to hug the dolphin as well. All great photo opportunities. It’s perhaps no surprise that we ended up buying the CD afterwards.

Our dolphin was called Natasha and she was the dominant female, so much so that on a couple of occasions, she went off to see what was go on with the other dolphins. Her trainer was Lori, who has worked with Natasha since day one of joining SeaWorld. It seems that they all have their own particular dolphin that they work with most of the time.

Then it was time for the highlight of the interaction, a swim out to the middle of the lagoon and then a ride back on Natasha. It sounds like a very daunting thing to do, but actually it feels like the most natural thing in the world once you’re doing it.





























While we were doing the dolphin swim, I left my camera with Barb, who was looking after Oliver. Although you saw him in a few of the photos (which I thought was really neat of them to involve him), he was too young to take part in the dolphin swim, as you have to be at least five years old. I think she got some great photos during it:



Then it was all over, but it had been worth every penny we had paid for it. We had a look at the photos they had taken of us and there were so many good ones that we decided to get the photo CD. It was $125 and we felt that it would be worth it. It’s also worth knowing that they will add any other photos that the photographers take of you during your day on to the CD – it’s not just the dolphin swim, so we were able to get some added on from the stingray lagoon as well.

Next: exploring the rest of Discovery Cove

[BelmontBelle]

Welcome home from Hong Kong!
I love the pics with the dolphins, all of them are great, but you in particular look like you are having a blast and are so happy!

[BritDisFan]

Welcome back, can't wait to hear all about HK. What a lovely day you had with the dolphins, it looks so much fun!

[elizabeth shannon]

Welcome back from Hong Kong - looking forward to reading about that too.

Fascinating reading about Dolphin Cove - we WILL do this one day. You all look as if you are enjoying it so much.

[lindawdw]

Welcome Back Cheryl! I'm looking forward to reading all about your Hong Kong trip! The pictures from Sea World were just beautiful! I love the one with you kissing the dolphin! Can't wait for more.

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time at the Dolphin Swim Fantastic pictures

[WDWJAMBA]

Great photos of the dolphin swim! And how great of them to involve Oliver when he was too young!

[mestitch]

Wow! I wish they had done the photo stuff back in 2003! I didn't know they had started doing that. How great that they offer that now! Glad you had such a great experience!

[angiek1024]

The dolphin swim looks like so much fun! All the pictures are wonderful!!

Can't wait for more!

[RobDVC]

That Dolphin Experience looks absolutely fascinating!

[jpod523]

discovery cove looks like so much fun! i want to try it sometime!! looks like everyone had a blast!!