Wednesday, April 29, 2015

I Swam With DOLPHINS!!- Discovery Cove Recap!

Happy hump day folks! Sorry I have been a little MIA lately. It usually isn't like me to go a week without a single post but I have been unbelievably busy! I have had all my standardized exams this past week and I had quite an exiting weekend celebrating my sixteenth birthday at.....
 
 
... DISCOVERY COVE! For those of you who don't know, Discovery Cove is a day resort owned by SeaWorld where you get to enjoy a relaxing day while snorkeling and swimming with exotic sea creature including.. well, yeah... A DOLPHIN! I have wanted to swim with dolphins since I was little and it has been the only consistent thing on my bucket list for years. When I turned sixteen, I told my parents that I didn't want to have a party or any gifts, but that I wanted to swim with a dolphin. Best day of my life.
 
 




 
If you have never been to Discovery Cove but you have heard about it or think you might like it, all I can say is GO! The people that work here are SUPER nice and the area is kept SO nice and clean. They only allow a certain amount of people there at a time by reservation so it is never crowded. There are no lines for anything and you aren't shoulder to shoulder with anyone either. This is nothing like a water park if that is what you are picturing. Once you have paid for your time there, all the food is included and the workers practically wait on your hand and foot. It was awesome! The food there was DELISH!!!
 
 



 
 
Our nice cabana was located right in front of the Grand Reef where you can snorkel right beside colorful fish of all different sizes and Manta Rays larger than my body. You can reach right out and touch them. You can swim right up to a glass also where you can come face to face with some massive sharks. The grand reef was something I took advantage of quite a bit. Swimming through there and seeing all the neat fish and creatures made me realize how creative God is. Words cant describe how beautiful it is!
 
 
Another great feature to this place is the Fresh Water Oasis where you can swim right up to the little Otters and Marmosets. It is a trail of water that you can wade in or swim through under a rainforest canopy making you feel like you are in a tropical island.
 
 
Probably a favorite among my parents was the Wind-Away River. This is basically a lazy river on steroids. It feels as if you are just floating along a gorgeous river where tropical birds linger along the edges of the stream and fly right above your head. Super relaxing.
 
 
Next up we did the Explorers Aviary. This didn't feel like one of those zoo exhibits where you walk through a door feed a few birds, and walk out. This felt just like you are walking through the jungle when all of a sudden beautiful birds land on your shoulder or head. It was beautiful!
 
 
And of course the Dolphin Swim Experience! This was of course the high light. You first sign the wavers and watch a quick video. You then walk out into the dolphin pool area and you and your group of 6-8 people are automatically greeted by a few dolphins casually swimming around. I think I was too excited to freak out about the fact that an enormous sea creature was less than a foot away from me. We first did a few hand signals with the dolphins where they do tricks and make fun noises. After that everyone takes a cute picture with them, I of course had to plant a kiss on it :) You then take a ride on the dolphins back and that usually concludes the experience.
My parents however planned a little surprise. The trainer called me down in front of the dolphin to do a "new training method". I thought it was just my lucky day. That it was. She told me how to hold my arms and then she said the dolphin was going to go fetch a white buoy to bring back. I was pretty excited to see what it said on it!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quite a way to finish off the dolphin swim. I was so surprised by the message and that white buoy will forever be sitting right about my bookshelf along with the thousands of photos I have framed. Truly one of the best experiences of my life. 
If you ever get to chance to go to Discovery Cove here in Orlando Florida, do it, Do It, DO IT!!!
 
Whatever Wednesday
 
I hope you have a fabulous week and I will see you all on Friday for some fashion! Comment below or email me with any thoughts or questions!
 
 
 

6 comments :

  1. It looks like you had so much fun! I love dolphins ♥
    Amy xx

    Little Moon Dragon

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  2. What an adorable dolphin! I would love to do something like that someday :)

    xx
    Ana Leote | Meet Me @ 2 am

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    Replies
    1. If you ever get the chance do it because it is incredible!

      xoxo,
      Juliana Grace <3

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  3. I would love to swim with dolphins! Happy 16th birthday!

    The Velvet Black // UK Style & Beauty Blog

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    Replies
    1. Thank you :) It was amazing!

      xoxo,
      Juliana Grace

      Delete

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