discovery cove? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Florida Destinations Beyond Walt Disney World > Central Florida Attractions: SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-14-2010, 09:01 PM   #1
bsblady01
Community Rank: Explorer
 
bsblady01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: new york
Posts: 9,202

Post Thanks / Like
discovery cove?

we are thinking about going to discovery cove in may of 2012 do you think it is worth the money. we are a family of four.
__________________
Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"

WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
My Countdown Counting down to: fall fun with mickey
family fun with the mouse
My Previous Tripsaug 1997 off site jan 2005 animal kingdom lodger may 2006 pop century dec 2007 pop century dec 2009/jan 2010 pop century 0ct/nov 2012 art of animation resort sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
bsblady01 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 01:25 AM   #2
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Definitely We've been lucky enough to go twice now and the last time was with family members. They loved it so much that they're planning on going back again when they next visit in April 2011. It's a lot of money, but it is an amazing day.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 11:05 AM   #3
modisney
Community Rank: Trekker
 
modisney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 1,969

Post Thanks / Like
We've been and it is a great experience. There's two options, a day there and the day there with the dolphin "swim". You do pay a bit more for the dolphin experience but it was fun. When you're there, it's almost like being on a island for the day. They have everything you need there down to the specially formulated sunscreen that isn't harmful to the sea life. Just show up with your swim stuff and a change of clothes. There's the snorkel area with tropical fish, the sting rays, the natural pool and "river" to swim and snorkel through, the aviary and the dolphins. For the dolphins you go out in groups of 8 at an assigned time and a trainer gets each group member interacting with the dolphin while standing in the water at the edge of the dolphin tank. To conclude the session you walk to the end of the area you stand in/on and get a tow ride back from the dolphin. I think it all lasted about a half hour. Their website has an interactive map and some good info. check it out. It's been a few since we've been and our DDs still talk about that day and "their" dolphin, Capricorn. They of course would love to do it again and we probably will.
__________________
We Luv WDW
My Previous Trips4 M.K. visits 70s/80s, Epcot '88 & '90, M.K. June '04; M.K., A.K., Cont. March '05; M.K. June '05; Epcot, MGM, M.K. Yacht Club March '06; M.K., June '06; Wonder 4 nights, March '07; M.K., Grand Floridian, June '07; M.K., Epcot, Studios, Yacht Club, March '08, M.K. & A.K.L. June '08; the Wonder, March '09, the Poly June '09; G.F. March '10, W.L. '10; W.L. March '11; A.K.L. June '11; Alaska July 2011; W.L., March '12; GF, June '12; Fantasy/Western, March '13
modisney is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 02:17 PM   #4
boo mommy
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
boo mommy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 128

Post Thanks / Like
We swam with Capricorn too!!!!!!! Well worth the money. We had the best time of our life. Yes it was expensive but my boys can make it up in food.
__________________
( 1990/ Disney Cruise/CBR, 1992 Disney Cruise, 2003 WV,2008 WV.
My Countdown Counting down to: Halloween at Disney!!!!!
Yeah!!!!
boo mommy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 07:42 PM   #5
minemoz1
Community Rank: Trailblazer
 
minemoz1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Orlando area via Chicago
Posts: 5,424

Post Thanks / Like
I was just there in May. For me, it was well worth the money spent and we spent 7 hours there. For food, we had a continental breakfast with juices and coffee; snacks which included soft pretzels, chips and fruit. Busch beer/drinks were also included and we had 2 each. Lunch had several menu items to choose from and really good desserts. I snorkled in the coral reef (which is huge and has manta rays over 6 ft long) until I was getting hypothermic. We then swam around the lazy river on noodles. And bring a couple underwater cameras!!

I think that one person in your group has to do the dolphin encounter. It was $259 per person for us in May. If you didn't want the dolphin encounter it was $159.

You can read about my visit here http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...5-16-10-a.html

I uploaded a few picts from the coral reef. (click on the small image to see a larger one)




__________________
Michele

I'm living the dream 20 minutes from Disney! Next trip...tomorrow. Follow me on instagram at ShirtsByShell

Last edited by Jennifer Marx; 07-19-2010 at 11:07 AM.. Reason: fp60
minemoz1 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2010, 10:30 AM   #6
karadisney
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
karadisney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 3,150

Post Thanks / Like
I watched the Kate Plus 8 episode when they went there and wow does it look neat! It really looked like an island. All of her kid's rode with the dolphins along with Kate. Can you believe how much that would've cost! Good thing TLC is paying for it. Discovery Cove isn't hurting with the publicity from the airing of the show either
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsFirst time to meet Mickey @ Disney 1983 WDW March 1998 Coronado Springs WDW Sept. 2008 All-Star Music Resorts 2013 Nickelodeon Suites Orlando
karadisney is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2010, 11:10 AM   #7
Jennifer Marx
Club President
PassPorter Author


PassPorter's Club Passholder
What's this?

Community Rank: Explorer
 
Jennifer Marx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Concierge Level: 10
Posts: 14,552

Post Thanks / Like
I've featured this thread on the PassPorter.com front page!

__________________


Author of PassPorter guidebooks
Webmistress of PassPorter.com
PassPorter Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Google +

My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWalt Disney World (100+ visits from 1983-2018), Disneyland Resort (19 visits from 1996-2018), Disney Cruise Line (21 cruises from 1999-2018), Disneyland Paris (1 visit in 2005), Disneyland Tokyo (1 visit in 1992)
Jennifer Marx is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2010, 11:43 AM   #8
cdnmousegirls
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
cdnmousegirls's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canada
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 651

Post Thanks / Like
We went in January 2010, we were lucky enough to get a prepurchase discount and paid 189 per person with the dolphin swim. By far it was the best day of our two week vacation and coming from a Disney freak that is saying alot. It was relaxing and still an adventure. The food and service was excellent!!! Well worth the money. We would do it again, and pay full price!!
__________________
CDNMOUSEGIRL!!!


My Countdown Counting down to: The next trip to our favorite place!!
Finally home!!!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMany as a kid with Mom and Dad, WDW off site Jan. 2004, ASMovies Jan. 2008, ASS Sep. 2008, POP Jan/Feb 2010, Disneyland Mar/April 2010, D23 & Disneyland 2011, ASS Sept 2011, off site July 2012 for the Disney Cup, DL Mar2013, ASS Sept 2013, POR Sep/Oct 2015
cdnmousegirls is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2011, 01:25 AM   #9
bsblady01
Community Rank: Explorer
 
bsblady01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: new york
Posts: 9,202

Post Thanks / Like
we are going to try and do it when we go next oct
__________________
Heather - "I'm Tinkerbell's biggest fan!"

WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
My Countdown Counting down to: fall fun with mickey
family fun with the mouse
My Previous Tripsaug 1997 off site jan 2005 animal kingdom lodger may 2006 pop century dec 2007 pop century dec 2009/jan 2010 pop century 0ct/nov 2012 art of animation resort sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
bsblady01 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2011, 06:24 PM   #10
007hollie
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
007hollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 84

Post Thanks / Like
Its definatly worth it, its such a beatiful place and pretty good value for money.
__________________
My Previous TripsFirst Trip to Disney ever - May 1995 Disney Villa's, All Star Music Resort July 2000, Quality Inn Plaza August 2003, Spring Hill Suites Marriott June 2008, Old Key West September 2010 Disney's Saratoga Springs November 2013
007hollie is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2011, 04:44 PM   #11
msnewfie
Community Rank: Wayfarer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 113

Post Thanks / Like
we are planning d c this year
I think it will really be worth it since we are planning to
buy the ultimate package and do busch , sea world and aquatica this trip as well
msnewfie is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:28 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger