For households in search of a singular, all-inclusive day resort expertise, spending a day with Discovery Cove in Florida is an effective way to do it. Discovery Cove, situated in Orlando Florida is owned by SeaWorld. It provides a high-end, all-inclusive, distinctive expertise, and visitors can select to swim with bottlenose dolphins as a part of the journey.
Disclosure: I acquired complimentary admission to Discovery Cove for functions of evaluation. All opinions are my very own. This submit contains affiliate hyperlinks and click-through and/or buy by means of one in every of these hyperlinks (together with on the map) could end in a fee paid to us.
Discovery Cove Review: Swim With Dolphins in Orlando
Travelers fascinated with visiting Discovery Cove Florida ought to go to the web site early and make a reservation. Unlike admission to bigger theme parks, park attendance at Discovery Cove is proscribed (to a bit over 1000 folks) and must be booked prematurely.
Choose your dates and expertise (with or with out swimming with the dolphins), and then you definitely’ll see charges and availability. They advocate that you simply ebook a minimum of two months prematurely through the peak season.
When you buy your admission ticket, you’ll have a couple of choices. You should purchase a daily ticket, which incorporates entry to the resort. Or, you may improve to the day on the resort plus the 30-minute dolphin swim for an extra price.
You may buy a ticket that features a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in addition to tickets that embody a day at SeaWorld Resort and Aquatica. These might be one of the best worth if you’re already planning on visiting the opposite theme parks as effectively. There are additionally packages for Florida residents, and a few that embody lodge stays.
Upgrades to your expertise are additionally obtainable on the time you ebook your ticket. These embody the next:
- Cabana rental (contains snack basket, stocked mini fridge, and towel service). If you suppose you’ll need a “home base” throughout your day, this may very well be a worthwhile possibility.
- Elite Cabana (contains all the above plus a customized buoy supply and a photograph bundle throughout your Dolphin swim)
- VIP Cabana (together with all the things within the Elite cabana plus a cabana host, reserved seating at Laguna Grill, a Dolphin Lagoon view, and an animal encounter).
- Seaventure – a underwater expertise using a dive helmet to see tropical fish and extra
- Trainer for a day (ought to be booked with the Dolphin Experience)
- Shark Swim
- Animal Trek – a 30-minute non-public animal tour with a employees member
- Premium drink bundle
- Day mattress – provides you a reserved spot to hang around for the day
- Photo packages – there are a number of choices obtainable
Children 2 years of age and beneath are free at Discovery Cove Orlando, however they nonetheless want reservations. So, while you buy your tickets and make reservations, be sure you add on any youngsters two and beneath.
Arriving at Discovery Cove
Arrive at Discovery Cove as early as doable (throughout my journey, check-in began at 7:30 am, however that would differ) to reap the benefits of the full-day journey.
You’ll have a photograph taken to your photograph id badge and will likely be given your Dolphin expertise time at check-in in the event you bought that improve. Then, you may head to the lockers and choose up your complimentary rental gear (wetsuit or vest, dolphin-friendly sunscreen, snorkel, and masks).
Once you obtain all the things, you may discover at your personal tempo (apart from particular reservations you could have for the upgraded experiences).
Food at Discovery Cove Orlando FL
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style on the Laguna Grill and are included in the price of admission. Guests may get complimentary alcoholic drinks (beer and wine), limitless snacks, and drinks all through the day.
The limitless meals is fairly common – just like what you’d get on a cruise ship – however is served rapidly and effectively. If you need drinks apart from the included beer and wine, a premium drink bundle is obtainable as an add-on.
Once you’ve eaten and have settled in, you’ve your alternative of actions – from the Explorer’s Aviary, The Grand Reef, Serenity Bay, Wind-away River, and the Freshwater Oasis.
Activities at Discovery Cove
Due to my flight arrival time, I didn’t get to Discovery Cove till lunchtime. My dolphin swim time wasn’t till after 3 pm, so I began on the Grand Reef, the place I snorkeled for a bit. The water on the Grand Reef is a bit chilly – 77 levels – however as soon as I used to be within the water for a couple of minutes it felt comfy.
This tropical reef is one of the best spot for snorkeling and might be plenty of enjoyable. I returned to the Grand Reef after I did another experiences at Discovery Cove Orlando as a result of I felt I had far more exploring to do among the many coral reefs.
Then, I headed to the Wind-away River, which is analogous to a lazy river. After grabbing a float, I headed down the river, beneath the overhead aviary, and thru the park. It’s very gradual and enjoyable however does have some large drops, so it’s finest for somebody comfy within the water.
I all the time love lazy rivers, and this one is plenty of enjoyable. There are a number of sandy seashores alongside the way in which, in addition to waterfalls, a rainforest, and an underwater cave.
Guests may stroll by means of the Explorer’s Aviary for a extra up-close expertise with the unique birds. You may even feed them and watch as they arrive proper as much as you.
After the Wind-away River, I checked out the Freshwater Oasis, the place you may see small mammals together with marmosets and otters. The otters are cute however are behind glass. You can, nevertheless, swim proper as much as the glass. The marmosets (very small monkeys) are on an island within the middle of the oasis.
All-Inclusive Experience
Almost all the things is included together with your admission to Discovery Cove, apart from the add-ons. So, you’ll get free locker leases, meals, snacks, drinks, tools rental, towel utilization, reef-friendly sunscreen, and extra. There are a number of reward retailers on website to buy souvenirs.
The Dolphin Experience at Discovery Cove
At that time, it was time for my dolphin expertise. After a quick orientation, I headed to the 72-degree dolphin lagoon. There have been eight of us within the group, and all of us had the possibility to work together with the dolphin a couple of occasions. Underwater cameras aren’t allowed within the water, however photographers are there to take your image (photograph CDs, DVDs, and prints can be found for an additional cost).
The complete expertise takes about half-hour, however we skilled a thunderstorm throughout our swim and had to return to the cabana and wait it out. I believe we ended up getting about 45 minutes complete with the dolphins – the complete expertise regardless of the rain. While we waited, we have been in a position to have drinks and snacks and watch a movie about Discovery Cove and the animals.
Is Discovery Cove Worth It?
So, is Discovery Cove definitely worth the worth? If you need to swim with dolphins in Florida, I’d say positively. Even in the event you don’t add on the dolphin encounter, it may nonetheless be a lot enjoyable to chill out and benefit from the surroundings and marine life. It’s a really distinctive expertise, and the reservation system means it’s by no means too crowded. It’s additionally an important thought for an important day.
To be taught extra about Discovery Cove, go to their web site. Or, take a look at the opinions on TripAdvisor. You can save $16 on the bundle with the dolphin swim at Undercover Tourist.
Looking for a lodge? We advocate the close by Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, which is straight throughout the road from SeaWorld.
You may discover different lodging choices on the map under.