I see a few deals online but they are extremely expensive. Can you get  close to the dolphins and other animals with a general admission ticket  or do you have to buy an additional ticket?
Answer :
There are viewing areas that get you underwater with the animals and get  some great pictures. They are located at the end of the dolphin tank  and at the backside of Shamu's tank. Shamu is not always in this tank so  you may have to try a couple of times. The Shark encounter has a moving  sidewalk that goes through the actual tank thea holds the sharks. The  penguin encounter allows you to watch the penguins as well, but you  won't want to stay because the smell is horrible.
  If you want to actually interact with the animals it will cost you  extra money. The Dolphin exhibit allows you to feed the dolphins and pet  them. You might get lucky like the previous poster did and one will  swim up to you outside the "feeding zone". There is a lunch/dinner show  with Shamu but is expensive. The Sea Lion exhibit does not allow you to  get too close to them, but you can feed them. You cannot get close  enough to the Dolphin Nursery tank to really see them so it kinda  stinks. The touch tank for the sea rays does not cost money but I would  recommend spending the $5 to feed them as it is cool how they suck the  food from your hand.
Have a great time.
Answer :
Now i am not sure about every Sea World in the US/world but i know that  in Florida, you can see dolphins really close and if you are willing to  buy special food, feed them. I don't remember the exact price but i  thought it was worth it. plus you can do the same thing with  stingrays...
Answer :
you can get up close to dolphins and manta rays and a few other small  animals at sea world in san diego. you can also get close to dolphins in  the wild in san diego. la jolla beach to be exact. ive been in the  water with dolphins swimming near by a few times
Answer :
When I went to Sea World I didnt get to feed a dolphin, but I did get to  pet one! I just went over to the dolphin tank, patiently waited and  eventually it popped its cute little head out and I pet it! It was  amazing! :)
Answer :
yes! ya he's rite you can feed the dolphins its like $5 bucks i believe  went to seaworld CA this past aug..i wanted to do it..looked awesome!..  didt do it tho didt hav the cash :/