Disneyworld Experts please help?

Question

My Dad has always wanted to visit the US and has dreamed of swimming with dolphins. A few months ago,he was diagnosed with cancer and now I find myself living all those cliches - not putting things off any longer, living for now etc etc. I would like to take him to Florida in 2007 - from the 2nd quarter onwards. We would be a party of 4 and would be travelling from the UK for about a 7-10 day stay.
Please would the experts out there let me have any inside tips on how to do this most cost effectively. I don't have oodles of money, but really want to make this a memorable trip for my dad. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Swimming with sea life can be done at Typhoon Lagoon, I think. Try http://www.mousesavers.com for some deals. You may also want to start listening to the WDW Today podcast (http://www.wdwtoday.com). Sorry about your dad.

Answer 2

For dolphin swiming one option in orlando is Discovery cove a sea world establishment where you can spend a day with dolphins and animals. Also dont miss Sea world park nearby.

As for disney world If you stay on one of they hotels you can bye tickets that include transportation (or maybe its included). Some of their hotels are great! What you should do is to pay for a top class (4 or 5 star) Thats money worth! Also consider buisness or first class flight for the atlantic trip. You will find it much better! Johan

Answer 3

I have a suggestion for you in regards to lodging. I go to Florida often and the BEST thing to do is rent a home. Since there are 4 of you it would be your best bet. Many of the owners that you can deal with live in the UK. You can stay for a week in a 4 bed home with a pool for the price of a cheap motel. Check out the link, the guy that you'll deal with is George.

Answer 4

Write to Disney and tell them your story, they might be able to help with some of the funding, ie park tickets or the hotel. Disney loves survivor and tragic stories. If you get nowhere with that, use a travel agent, they usually can be cost effective. Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 5

Hi
I can tell you that you will save lots of money renting a condo or home instead of a hotel. There are many vacation rental sites that cater to this. a few are listed below. Hope you have a great trip and you are sure to make lots of memories

http://www.disneyneighbor.com
http://www.windsorhillsorlandocondorentals.com
http://www.orlando4starvillas.com

Answer 6

January or February are stable months to nevertheless have stable climate and steer away from crowds. steer away from the week formerly or after Spring destroy, a week with any holiday or each time after Memorial Day and formerly exertions Day. have exciting!

Answer 7

Well, at Walt Disney World you can take this tour called "Dolphins in Depth." It's at EPCOT at the Living Seas Pavilion. They have a couple tours and this summer I did the Seas Aqua Tour where we got to swim in the tank with the sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles. It was an incredible experience and I highly recommend it. Anyway, the Dolphins in Depth Tour gives you a backstage tour of the aquarium, you probably watch a short film about dolphins so you know what to expect from them, and then you'll get into your scuba suit to get into the pool with the dolphins. In this tour you don't actually swim with the dolphins, but you stand in the water with them, feed them, give them signals so they can do tricks, etc. You will get to pet them, give them a kiss on the nose if you'd like, and get a picture taken with them, but you won't be swimming with them. It would still be a great experience, though. But just a note, they don't allow you to bring your own camera into the backstage, secretive areas.

Here's the description from the Walt Disney World website...

"Get face-to-fin with the dolphins in an amazing aquatic encounter that immerses you in the world of the smart and friendly inhabitants of The Living Seas. Create magical memories as you discover and learn about these amazing denizens of the deep through up-close interaction. You do not need to swim or be SCUBA certified to enjoy this program, but you will need to be at least 13 years of age. All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian participating in the adventure."

Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $150 per person

* Theme Park admission is neither required nor included for this event.
* Admission includes a photograph with the dolphin, refreshments, and a T-shirt.
* Expectant mothers are strongly discouraged from participating.
* This encounter is in waist-deep water. No swimming or SCUBA diving is required.
* No cameras are permitted during this program.
* It is the dolphin's choice to participate in the research sessions as well as the interactions.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Call (407) WDW-TOUR [phone]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/tourDetail?id=DolphinsInDepthTourPage

Now, besides that, there's this beautiful place in Orlando near SeaWorld (owned by the same company) called Discovery Cove where you can actually swim with the dolphins. You can also swim with sting rays, other tropical fish, and see a bird aviary. It's a wonderful place and there's a lot to do.

Here's information from the Discovery Cove website...

"Discovery Cove’s celebrated Dolphin Swim is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you and your family to make a connection with these truly remarkable creatures.

The Dolphin Swim gives you a chance to talk, touch, play and swim with our gentle and exquisite bottlenose dolphins. Discovery Cove is home to 35 of these amazing marine mammals. The Dolphin Swim begins with an interactive orientation in our secluded cabanas which includes a brief video presentation on dolphin characteristics, how to use hand signals and positive reinforcement to communicate with your dolphin and various safety guidelines. Next, you and your group of 6-8 guests head to our quaint Dolphin Lagoon where you’ll wade into our shallow turquoise waters to start your exclusive dolphin experience. Here, you will meet and play with a dolphin for 30 minutes, getting to know each other through hugs, kisses, rubdowns and, ultimately, a one-on-one swim together through the lagoon."

* 30 minute Dolphin-swim session
* Snorkeling with thousands of tropical fish in the Coral Reef.
* Wading with the rays in the Ray Lagoon.
* Hand-feeding birds in the free flight Aviary.
* Relaxing in the Resort Pool and swimming along the Tropical River.
* Continental breakfast, sumptuous lunch, plus all snacks and beverages throughout the day.
* Snorkel gear, swim vest or wet suit, towels, lockers, sunscreen, beach chairs.
* All day self-parking.
* Complimentary photo portrait of you and your party as you enter Discovery Cove.
* Admission to either SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for seven consecutive days. Or a combination pass with admission to both parks for 14 consecutive days for $30 more.

The price of admission is $259 to $279 per person.

http://www.discoverycove.com/explore.aspx

Hope I could help! And I hope your father is able to enjoy this amazing experience!

Answer 8

disney is evil. they support the NRA