For households in search of a novel, all-inclusive day resort expertise, spending a day with Discovery Cove in Florida is a good way to do it. Discovery Cove, situated in Orlando Florida is owned by SeaWorld. It affords a high-end, all-inclusive, distinctive expertise, and visitors can select to swim with bottlenose dolphins as a part of the journey.
Disclosure: I obtained complimentary admission to Discovery Cove for functions of assessment. All opinions are my very own. This put up consists of affiliate hyperlinks and click-through and/or buy via certainly one of these hyperlinks (together with on the map) might end in a fee paid to us.
Discovery Cove Evaluate: Swim With Dolphins in Orlando
Vacationers fascinated about visiting Discovery Cove Florida ought to go to the web site early and make a reservation. In contrast to admission to bigger theme parks, park attendance at Discovery Cove is restricted (to somewhat over 1000 folks) and must be booked prematurely.
Select your dates and expertise (with or with out swimming with the dolphins), and then you definately’ll see charges and availability. They advocate that you just e-book at the least two months prematurely in the course of the peak season.
If 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’ll be able to improve to the day on the resort plus the 30-minute dolphin swim for an extra value.
You may also buy a ticket that features a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in addition to tickets that embrace a day at SeaWorld Resort and Aquatica. These may be the most effective worth in case you are already planning on visiting the opposite theme parks as properly. There are additionally packages for Florida residents, and a few that embrace resort stays.
Upgrades to your expertise are additionally out there on the time you e-book your ticket. These embrace the next:
- Cabana rental (consists of snack basket, stocked mini fridge, and towel service). When you assume you’ll desire a “house base” throughout your day, this may very well be a worthwhile choice.
- Elite Cabana (consists of the entire above plus a customized buoy supply and a photograph package deal throughout your Dolphin swim)
- VIP Cabana (together with every little thing 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
- Coach for a day (must be booked with the Dolphin Expertise)
- Shark Swim
- Animal Trek – a 30-minute personal animal tour with a employees member
- Premium drink package deal
- Day mattress – provides you a reserved spot to hang around for the day
- Photograph packages – there are a number of choices out there
Kids 2 years of age and below are free at Discovery Cove Orlando, however they nonetheless want reservations. So, once you buy your tickets and make reservations, be sure you add on any youngsters two and below.
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 fluctuate) to reap the benefits of the full-day journey.
You’ll have a photograph taken to your picture id badge and can be given your Dolphin expertise time at check-in should you bought that improve. Then, you’ll be able to head to the lockers and choose up your complimentary rental gear (wetsuit or vest, dolphin-friendly sunscreen, snorkel, and masks).
When you obtain every little thing, you’ll be able to discover at your individual tempo (aside from particular reservations you could have for the upgraded experiences).
Meals at Discovery Cove Orlando FL
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style on the Laguna Grill and are included in the price of admission. Friends may also get complimentary alcoholic drinks (beer and wine), limitless snacks, and drinks all through the day.
The limitless meals is fairly common – much like what you’d get on a cruise ship – however is served rapidly and effectively. If you need drinks aside from the included beer and wine, a premium drink package deal is obtainable as an add-on.
When you’ve eaten and have settled in, you have got your selection of actions – from the Explorer’s Aviary, The Grand Reef, Serenity Bay, Wind-away River, and the Freshwater Oasis.
Actions at Discovery Cove
On account of 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 somewhat chilly – 77 levels – however as soon as I used to be within the water for a couple of minutes it felt snug.
This tropical reef is the most effective spot for snorkeling and may be a number 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, below the overhead aviary, and thru the park. It’s very sluggish and stress-free however does have some huge drops, so it’s finest for somebody snug within the water.
I at all times love lazy rivers, and this one is a number of enjoyable. There are a number of sandy seashores alongside the way in which, in addition to waterfalls, a rainforest, and an underwater cave.
Friends may also stroll via the Explorer’s Aviary for a extra up-close expertise with the unique birds. You’ll be able to 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’ll be able to see small mammals together with marmosets and otters. The otters are lovely however are behind glass. You’ll be able to, nonetheless, swim proper as much as the glass. The marmosets (very small monkeys) are on an island within the middle of the oasis.
All-Inclusive Expertise
Virtually every little thing is included along with your admission to Discovery Cove, aside from the add-ons. So, you’ll get free locker leases, meals, snacks, drinks, gear rental, towel utilization, reef-friendly sunscreen, and extra. There are a number of reward retailers on website to buy souvenirs.
The Dolphin Expertise at Discovery Cove
At that time, it was time for my dolphin expertise. After a short orientation, I headed to the 72-degree dolphin lagoon. There have been eight of us within the group, and all of us had the prospect to work together with the dolphin a couple of instances. Underwater cameras aren’t allowed within the water, however photographers are there to take your image (picture CDs, DVDs, and prints can be found for an additional cost).
The entire 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 feel we ended up getting about 45 minutes whole with the dolphins – the total expertise regardless of the rain. Whereas we waited, we had been in a position to have drinks and snacks and watch a movie about Discovery Cove and the animals.
Is Discovery Cove Value It?
So, is Discovery Cove definitely worth the value? If you wish to swim with dolphins in Florida, I’d say positively. Even should you don’t add on the dolphin encounter, it could nonetheless be a lot enjoyable to calm down and benefit from the setting 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 amazing concept for an important day.
To be taught extra about Discovery Cove, go to their web site. Or, take a look at the evaluations on TripAdvisor. It can save you $16 on the package deal with the dolphin swim at Undercover Vacationer.
In search of a resort? We advocate the close by Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, which is immediately throughout the road from SeaWorld.
You may also discover different lodging choices on the map beneath.
