We went 2012, DC 16&14. The following is based on that time, maybe things have changed.
If you’re pushing the boat out cost wise to do the encounter then I’d think again.
By all means go to the park , we really enjoyed it.
Just skip the ‘be drowned by a dolphin ‘ encounter.
Some tips : their sun tan lotion is like treacle ( to stay on all day? ) takes ages to apply. And you have to apply it.
They have private cabanas if you want to treat yourself.
Anywhere you are with fishes ... the water is COLD. It’s at their temperature remember!
There’s a warm lazy river , be aware it’s deep in places 6-8 feet. There’s no rubber rings. There are some of those foam tube flotation things. You are expected to wear their dense foam life jackets if you are not a good swimmer. They are available for all ages. You’re also wearing their wetsuits any time you’re in water. They have different styles of suit, short legged, sleeveless and such.
There’s stalls about giving snacks and drinks all day. Stock up on crisps and stuff throughout the day. Lunch was buffet style.
They only allow a certain number in the park each day. We never felt it was busy. We set down just after the dolphin ponds/pens so saw the encounters all day, you can stand on the side 10 ft from people doing the encounters , it’s out in the open.
So why do I say don’t spend the money on the dolphin encounters?
What we saw just stood at the side was everything the people paying
For the encounter did - the 15 minutes chat from the dolphin handler , the little tricks the dolphin did, splashing the handler (and splashing the line up of ‘encounter’ people ) but we were stood in the dry. Not thigh deep in cold water. If you’re the last in line (usually 6 - 8 people per encounter ) you’ve been stood there 25 mins before you get to ‘swim with Flipper’. I say swim, you’re shown where to hold the dolphin and it then drags you to the other handler, a distance of 20ft. You let go, the dolphin turns around and repeat.
If the dolphin rolls slightly, you get a face full of water for the duration of the drag.
Memories of swimming in the main pool with the manta rays swimming beneath me is still a favourite.
They’d just opened a new feature back then, wearing a kind of scuba helmet and walking in deeper water next to the shark tank, looked popular.
In summary! We all liked it, great time, 5pm came around quickly ( and we were there when it opened up ), personally just think the encounter is a waste of money.