Swimming with Dolphins

[GaryNorris777]

Does anyone know of a place to swim with th dolphins apart from Discovery Cove.......although this place seems really good it is quite expensive when there are 4 of you.....I have been told of a place near Key Largo but that maybe a bit far from WDW! I really enjoy waching Dolphins and sea world is going to be visited on more than one occasion. Thanks to anyone who knows anywhere different!!

Gary
Travelling from 20.10.04 - 6.11.04 Staying in Kissimmee

 

[xfkirsten]

Does anyone know of a place to swim with th dolphins apart from Discovery Cove.......although this place seems really good it is quite expensive when there are 4 of you.....I have been told of a place near Key Largo but that maybe a bit far from WDW! I really enjoy waching Dolphins and sea world is going to be visited on more than one occasion. Thanks to anyone who knows anywhere different!!

Gary
Travelling from 20.10.04 - 6.11.04 Staying in Kissimmee

Disney actually has a program like that of their own, at EPCOT! It's called "Dolphins in Depth" and it's great! It's $150/person, I believe, which is fairly standard for any dolphin swim program. If I recall, it's 3-ish hours. They tour you backstage at The Living Seas, and teach you about the research and animal care there. Then you get in the water with one of their dolphins! Each person gets to give the dolphin signals for behaviors - making noises, splashing, occasionally a jump. And of course rubbing the dolphin down and getting a photo. The price includes a photo of you with the dolphin (you can't use your own camera because it is backstage), refreshments, and a t-shirt.

I much prefer Disney's to SeaWorld's, anyways. IMHO at Disney you get a much more educational experience out of it. SeaWorld's has an eductaional component as well, but it tends to be "This is a dolphin, it breathes air. Okay, let's play with it!" whereas Disney spends more time teaching you about the research and conservation. In the end, you spend about the same amount of time in the water at Disney as you do at SeaWorld. Disney just gives you a lot more for your $$$, and does a better job at teaching. SeaWorld's program is like herding cattle through the swims, where at Disney it's more personal.

Another option, which is farther away, is the Dolphin Research Center down in the Keys. They have a variety of dolphin prgrams there. It is also non-profit, with all the proceeds going to support the facility and back to their research and conservation. This is a pretty highly-respected research facility. For more information on that, you can go to: http://www.dolphins.org

The only ones I'd really avoid are any of the open ocean, swim-with-wild-dolphins programs. Studies have shown that those kinds of programs are harmful to the dolphins.

Hope that helps!!

 

[rosebud's mom]

They aren't dolphins, but they are amazing creatures found primarily if not only in Florida - manatees. You can swim with them at BlueSprings State Park which is not far from DisneyWorld at all. I've only gone to see the manatees, and the only fee for that is a couple of dollars per car to park. They do have all the diving equipment if you want to dive down to the mouth of the spring. People do just swim with the manatees with no equipment. It's a pretty unique experience.

 

[saltmom1]

Thanks for mentioning the fact that swimming with dolphins in the wild is harmful. The dolphins at Sea World are there because they were either born in captivity or were rescued and are unable to return to the wild for some reason. Dolphins in the wild are healthy and it is important to minimize human contact with them so that they do not become dependent on humans or become too tame. We as humans don't want to impact their natural lives.

 

[AkiraRaptor]

When my wife and I wanted to do a dolphin interaction a few years ago, I started the internet research up to find out what was available.

I found all the normal ones around the keys and such, plus the one Disney offers. Then I found Discovery Cove, it had just opened a few months before.

For the money it seemed to me the best choice. Most Dolphin swims run $150-$250 per person.

From all the trip reports I've read about the Disney one, it was very low on the interaction, compaired to all the other ones. One reporter even said they were told if they reached for the Dolphin and not let the Dolphin come to them, Disney would end the session.

I love Disney tours, been on most of them now, and doing the Segway in a few weeks, but for my money, we decided to do Discovery Cove.

And, we were so excited about it, we spent the additional cost and did the Trainer For A Day program, that gave of 2 Dolphin swims and a interactive training session with the Dolphins, one of one with the Dolphin.

It is still, to this day, my wife and I's most memorable vacation we've ever done. It was an experiance that will never be forgotten.

Have fun in whichever one you choose, Dolphins are good fun! :wave:

 

[Sharon L]

I have done the Dolphins in Depth at Epcot, and while I respect the program, I was a little disappointed with my experience. The two dolphins at Epcot are being used in several research studies. Thus the interaction program is secondary to the research going on. They allow the dolphins to decide what they will and will not do on any given day. I was not able to witness a research session, as both dolphins refused to participate that day. Then only one decided to participate in the interaction portion of the day. The other swam close by, sticking close to his trainer.

While I can respect them allowing the dolphins' participation to be voluntary, it is disappointing to not get to spend the time with them that you pay for. Disney does not refund any portion of the fee, no matter what happens. The dolphins at Discovery Cove have probably been trained for the purpose of interacting with people, so they probably do not refuse to participate like the Epcot dolphins. Also, you get to actually swim with them at Discovery Cove. At Epcot you just get a little one on one time, but you are just standing or kneeling by the dolphin with the trainer.

Hope my information is helpful.

 

[xfkirsten]

They aren't dolphins, but they are amazing creatures found primarily if not only in Florida - manatees. You can swim with them at BlueSprings State Park which is not far from DisneyWorld at all. I've only gone to see the manatees, and the only fee for that is a couple of dollars per car to park. They do have all the diving equipment if you want to dive down to the mouth of the spring. People do just swim with the manatees with no equipment. It's a pretty unique experience.

Yup, that is a wonderful experience! The manatees are gentle giants. The only warning here is that, by law, you are not allowed to reach out and touch them.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Dolphins

Gary,
This information is lifted from the Virgin Holidays Florida & The Caribbean brochure, Jan - Dec 2005, Premiere Edition :-
Swim with Manatees - Price includes transport, 2 hr boat trip, breakfast and lunch, mask & fins and a trip to a wildlife park. £69/£57 adult/child. Sounds like only a short swimming period
2 Day Dolphin Adventure Price includes transport & overnight accomodation (Orlando - Key Largo is about 360 miles). The actual dolphin swim is only 30 mins, there are other activities included for your money. £194/£181
Discovery Cove Price includes gourmet meal. snorkelling equipment & wet suit, towels, lockers, complimentary parking AND 7 days unlimited admission to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens (not both). Swim time is about 20mins and the rest of the day is spent either swimming or relaxing on the beaches. £164/£104 - March - Sept '05. Non swim prices are cheaper but there must be one swim ticket purchased.
Tickets direct from Disc Cove on the web are slightly cheaper $259 + tax.

As you say that you plan to visit SeaWorld on more than one occasion, then I would recommend a visit to Discovery Cove :-
1) Its nearer than Key Largo,
2) You are able to interact with the dolphins (You can't with the manatees and you're not even guaranteed a sighting),
3) You get seven days admission to SeaWorld included - just pay parking. If you reckon that a single days admission to SeaWorld is about £32, it makes a lot of sense.
I know, I've done and I will be doing it again.

 

[GaryNorris777]

Thanks everyone that is really good information, I didn't realies the discovery cove also got you 7 days admission to Sea World that seems really good and worthwhile!!!!!
I think that has made my mind up!!!!!