Discovery Cove® Orlando

Visitors to Orlando, Florida can be overwhelmed with all the things to see and do, but one opportunity that should not be missed is a visit to Discovery Cove. Located next door to its sister theme park SeaWorld, Discovery Cove is a 32-acre, reservations-only (attendance is limited to 1000 guests per day) adventure park where guests get to experience some of the most exciting underwater animal encounters the state has to offer. Swim with dolphins, play with stingrays, and come face-to-face with sharks and barracudas in this exciting underwater theme park.

After entering the park, guests register and are given a reserved time to swim with the dolphins, the highlight of the Discovery Cove adventure. Everything is included with the price of admission: lockers, food, mask, fins, snorkel, wet suit, swim vest, and towels.

Once inside, visitors are confronted with rocky lagoons surrounded by lush landscaping, authentic-looking coral reefs, and underwater ruins. The pool where snorkeling lessons are taught has cascading waterfalls, and white beaches are dotted with thatched huts, cabanas, umbrellas and hammocks. Exciting encounters with a variety of species of animal are just part of the experience.

What to See and Do

Dolphin Lagoon/Swim

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch, feed, play with, and even kiss a bottlenose dolphin, one of the most social and communicative marine animals in the world. After a brief orientation, guests proceed to the lagoon for a 25-minute visit with these amazing animals. Guests are shown how to use hand signals and positive reinforcement to encourage the dolphins to perform tricks before participating in a one-on-one swim. Near the end of the session visitors will have a chance to swim out to deeper water, catch hold of the dolphin's fin and have him or her pull them back to shore.

Posted by: atlanticcanuck
Posted youTube: October 18, 2007

Aviary

To get here, visitors can walk in from the beach or swim in from the river that meanders through the park by going under a waterfall. The aviary spans both land and water and is populated with over 30 species of tropical birds. Look for attendants who have carts filled with free fruit and birdfeed that you can use to attract the birds. You may even have one land on your shoulder. Make sure to have cameras ready.

Posted by: dicatrierhatna
Posted youTube: July 11, 2009

Coral Reef

Become part of a new world by snorkeling through this authentic looking coral reef, where Stingrays and thousands of tropical fish sail slowly past as you luxuriously float above. Come face-to-face with sharks and barracudas in an artificial shipwreck where panels of Plexiglas provide secure but nerve-wracking protection.

Posted by: hayleyann86
Posted youTube: February 27, 2008

Ray Lagoon

Get some personal interaction with these surprisingly gentle creatures of the sea. Wade in the secluded and majestic lagoon and play with dozens of southern and cow-nosed rays (some up to 4 ft wide). Often, several rays get together and make continuous circles of the pool, so if you stay in one spot they'll continue to glide past you.

Posted by: HassaanAbdeen
Posted youTube: July 24, 2008

Tropical River

The ultimate in leisure. The heated Tropical River runs throughout most of Discovery Cove. River swimmers float lazily through different environments; the sunny beaches, tropical rain forests, an underwater cave, the aviary, and more. The only challenge will be tearing yourself away from it.

Posted by: CanobieFan
Posted youTube: May 22, 2009

Beaches

When you're ready for a break, claim a spot on the beach. Lined with swaying palms, tropical foliage, and quaint thatched huts, this is where you can relax and lie down in the sand. If privacy is what you're looking for, head to the far west end of Discovery Cove. A few cabanas and tents are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and towels and beach chairs are plentiful.

Posted by: DiscoveryCove08
Posted youTube: November 13, 2008

Discovery Cove Tips

• Don't put any sunscreen on before you visit as the price includes Discovery Cove's own "fish friendly" sun protection, the only sunscreen allowed.
• You don't need to be an expert swimmer for the Dolphin swim experience. You will be given a flotation jacket, which must be worn at all times while you are in the pool.
• The Dolphin Lagoon is cooler than the rest of them, so a wet suit will be provided if you feel too cold.
• Make sure at least one person in your group is wearing a watch at all times as it is easy to forget your Dolphin swim time slot.
• If you are planning on visiting Discovery Cove during the summer or near a holiday, you should book your reservation at least one month, preferably two months, prior to your intended visit. These time frames tend to book early so it's important to ensure availability. No matter when you want to go, you must make a reservation.
• Guests should bring their own swimsuits, and, if they choose, water socks or rubber pool shoes, hat, sunglasses and cover-up or dry clothes.
• Discovery Cove guests may not wear jewelry, for the safety of the animals.
• There's a lot to do at Discovery Cove, so make sure to set aside an entire day to fully enjoy the experience. Like with any park, it's always best to arrive early.
• Consider visiting the park during the off-season. Attendance is always limited to only 1,000 guests per day, but if you visit during the off-season, there may be even fewer people.
• If you want to enjoy Discovery Cove on a tighter budget, you have some options. The park offers some early booking discounts, and a non-dolphin package that allows you to enjoy all the park has to offer, minus the dolphin swim.

Discovery Cove is a unique type of theme park that offers visitors an extraordinary family adventure. Packages are offered for swimmers and non-swimmers alike, so every member of the family can immerse themselves in adventure and forget their cares for the day.

See also International Drive | Disney's Animal Kingdom | The Magic Kingdom | Disney's Hollywood Studios | EPCOT Center | The Rest of Walt Disney World | Islands of Adventure® | Universal Studios® | SeaWorld® Orlando | Gatorland | Kissimmee and Lake Tohopekaliga

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