A mom’s view of Dolphinaris Arizona
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It was Saturday morning, and I was on my way to Dolphinaris Arizona on the Salt River Reservation with my youngest daughter.
As a journalist, I was assigned to cover the controversial lagoon habitat of eight bottlenose dolphins from the perspective of kids and families. What is the experience like if you go? Are the lines long? Is it worth the money? Is it educational for kids? That is the lens with which I approached this story.
As metro Phoenix resident, I am very aware of the emotional divide caused by Dolphinaris. I’ve followed the news coverage.
Animal activists have furiously picketed Dolphinaris, saying through multiple protests, a worldwide online petition and an Absolutely No Dolphins in the Arizona Desert Facebook page that intelligent marine mammals shouldn’t be kept captive for human enjoyment. Instagram pictures of elated visitors frolicking with a dolphin draw the ire of the masses, with comments about how the operation’s managers and owners should never have created such an exhibit, and that no self-respecting person should support such a business.
Are they right? Well, that’s for each person to decide. Here’s what I can tell you: Yes, I paid for entrance into the exhibit. Journalism ethics demand that we don’t accept tickets for free.
And yes, I did enjoy the experience. But if it wasn’t for this assignment, I probably wouldn’t have gone — and I don’t think I will be going back.
If you decide to go, here’s a glimpse of what you can expect, both on the positive side, and the negative.
Dolphinaris opened Oct. 15 near Scottsdale. Visitors have four ways to interact with dolphins, depending on how much you want to spend. We tried the fourth and least-expensive land experience, at $59 per person. This is the only option where you do not get in the water with the dolphins. More expensive options, ranging from $149-$399, allow you to swim with the dolphins for 20 minutes to up to an hour. There are no discounts for children.
Our experience lasted 25 minutes from parking lot to attraction exit, but my daughter and I talked about it for hours after. As a mother, I’m sure I’ll be considering the “rightness” of it a lot longer.
Pro: We saw the dolphins
The land interaction delivers a close — and splashy — visit with two dolphins. You lean over a hip-high glass wall to touch them, and they feel slick and smooth, almost like an inner tube. Following a trainer’s sign-language prompts, the dolphins swim in close, dive down, roll over to show their belly button, jump, slap their flippers, blow bubbles, make their signature noises and come up vertically to touch your hand. The trainer fed the dolphins herring, and we applauded.
I was in such awe, I couldn’t speak. The notebook of questions I came with never entered my mind. My 8-year-old daughter could only laugh when I asked her what it was like to touch a dolphin.
Con: The dolphins are not in the ocean
Dolphinaris features 900,000 gallons of saltwater connecting two indoor and three outdoor pools. But although they were all were raised in captivity, the nagging feeling about whether they should be here at all returned as soon as the attraction ends.
Being so close to a dolphin bordered on a near-spiritual experience for me. Would a chance sighting be just as enlightening from the shore of my sister’s Oceanside, Calif., home or sitting atop the ocean in a kayak?
Probably.
Pro: Visitor experience
We went at 11 a.m. on a Saturday, and there wasn’t a wait. Reservations are recommended, but a drop-in group was able to get into the pool area within 30 minutes. Everyone on staff was friendly, all smiles and eager to answer any questions.
The trainers rattled off facts about how many teeth a dolphin has (about a 100), the names of the ones we saw (Kai and Liko), and how long they can stay submerged without coming up for air (about 15 minutes). The viewing area was clean and offered some shade.
In an earlier interview with The Arizona Republic, Dolphinaris Arizona General Manager Grey Stafford said the exhibit is an opportunity to teach children about conservation efforts and marine animals.
Safford said the exhibit benefits the species, adding that they hope to teach visitors about “conservation, education, basic research and that passion that we hope to instill in the public to care about these species.”
Con: Cost
Two of my three girls didn’t go, and neither did my spouse. As the holiday season approaches, we have to watch the budget carefully. But beware: This is definitely a wallet-lightening experience. If we had all gone, it would have cost $300. That buys you 15 minutes with the dolphins. Fifteen minutes for $300!
And then there is the gift shop. There’s always a gift shop. I managed to talk my daughter down from huge, fluffy stuffed dolphin to a $7.99 dolphin necklace with her name on it.
Pro: Amazing photo memories
It’s pretty remarkable. We were only there for 15 minutes, and had only limited touching and interaction with the dolphins but Dolphinaris’ discreet paparazzi manage to capture stunning images that you will likely want to take home. I wanted to purchase 15, but bought two. Which brings me to ...
Con: Photo cost
“Take photos,” my husband yelled on the way out the door to the exhibit. But I already knew you couldn’t take any, from reading the Dolphinaris website. Any object, cameras and smartphones included, are not allowed near the pools for the dolphins’ safety. All of your belongings must be stored in a locker.
And alas, the professional photos are $38 for a single 8-by-10 or $49 per digital image. Dolphinaris photographers also put together a take-home video that was wonderful, but I didn’t bother to ask the price.
Frankly, the neighboring OdySea Aquarium offers families more mileage for the money, with adult daily tickets costing $34.95 and $24.95 for children ages 3-12. Families can linger a while, too. And while professional photographers are on hand, you are allowed to take your own photos at OdySea.
Bottom line: I wouldn’t go back
Then there’s the whole issue about whether it’s morally right to exhibit these curious, breathtaking creatures.
To anyone who asks, I’ll say that being so close to such magnificent animals was a momentous, visceral experience similar to spotting an elk in my Montana backyard or a bald eagle family on a Scottsdale golf course. But, unlike those experiences, when I thought about the dolphins later, it kind of hurt my heart.