We made reservations well in advance and then prayed that a) the weather would cooperate, b) the kids would still want to swim with dolphins when that date arrived and c) that the staff wouldn't realize Alexia was still one month short of meeting the minimum age requirement (10).
Fortunately it all worked out perfectly. We couldn't have asked for better weather, better attitudes or better customer-focused staff.
At the designated time we checked in with the Dolphin Interaction center located in SeaWorld, just behind the Blue Horizons amphitheater (where the new dolphin show is held... pics from that will be in a future post). A short while later the kids were led away by a SeaWorld staff member to don their wetsuits - necessary to keep them comfortable in the dolphin friendly temperature water.
A short while later, the kids emerged all decked out in their SeaWorld suits and were paraded through the park to a special dolphin pool located a short distance away.
Already the smiles and excitement were evident. Even my continued attempts for a clear picture of the two of them didn't dampen their smiles.
The next half an hour was spent in the water with the dolphins while parents and park visitors watched, photographed and took videos.
Here are the best of the best pics that I managed to shoot. Notice the smiles. It made the whole vacation a total success.
Girls, I'm glad you genuinely enjoyed this opportunity. It was priceless.
~E
