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One Perfect Day at Discovery Cove (cont.)

This takes place in a grass-roofed gazebo and it is here that you meet a trainer, such as 29-year-old Gina Riley.

Gina is a senior animal trainer with Discovery Cove in Orlando working with the dolphins and facilitating the guest's interactions with them. Her tasks at Discovery Cove also have her working the small mammals that include a two-toed sloth and tamandua, a member of the anteater family.


As with most trainers at Discovery Cove, Gina has always had a love for animals and began her career as an educator in Sea World Orlando's education department. She earned a degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology form the University of New Hampshire.

For those who are here to listen to the environmental message, having access to young, dynamic people, such as Gina, who are so ready and willing to share their knowledge, is priceless.

“I think when people come in, it is for a once in a lifetime experience, an amazing experience,” said Ms. Riley “We try to show them, before they get into the water, the world they are going to enter. That these animals in the wild are always in danger due to environmental concerns – from pollution to man’s encroachments on their environments.”

A film and briefing on the animals, how to touch them, or not – stay away from the eyes and blowhole, for example and it is off to the cove to meet your dolphin.

Your group, or pod of eight or so people, is not alone in the water. There are other groups situated in the man-made inlets enjoying their experience. Behaviorists are there, watching the animals and photographers stand waist deep, ready to capture your awe.

During our encounter, Dexter the Dolphin comes up to the group, swimming by for a first meet and great. The animal presents itself to the guests so that you can see their softer hued pinkish underbelly, feel the strength in the dorsal fin, inspect their teeth as he presents a wide opened smile.

All the while your trainer is sharing with you facts and information. Why is the belly so light and the top so dark? It is camouflage: a predator looking up sees the white of the sky, looking down the dark of the sea bottom.

“The animals are all invited to come out and interact with the guest,” said Ms. Riley. “If they don’t want to, they don’t have to, we will ask another one to come out instead. But, they usually enjoy the interactions.”

The crowning moment, the moment you will never forget, comes when you are singularly invited to the deeper water where Dexter waits to give you a tow back to your group. As you are pulled along, your body next to Dexter, you see and feel just how magnificent and strong these animals are.

And to hopefully go back home with a desire to change your life, and the world, for the environmental better.

Visitors are encouraged to make Dolphin interaction reservations in advance; once your are in the park there is little chance to make a last minute decision to join in on one. There are two different options -- the Trainer For A Day package ($468-$488) or the Dolphin Swim package ($269-$289).

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