Discovery Cove Review: 5/5
I’ve been to almost every theme park in the Orlando area and maybe the best one is also the smallest. Discovery Cove is a tiny dot in a city of massive attractions, but that’s what makes it work. I hadn’t been to the park in nearly two decades, but it was such a unique experience I have spent much of the intervening years wishing to go back. Well, when I finally got the chance, I was glad to see that the park had lost none of its charm and wonder.
What is Discovery Cove?
There are a lot of things at Discovery Cove that make it hard to slap a common label on, but most famously it is a place where you can swim with dolphins. Their dolphins work with trainers to build skills and are taught to interact with humans. They are the most famous attraction at the park, but not the only one.
A massive saltwater snorkel pool allows guests to try snorkeling in a controlled environment. You can swim with stingrays and even go watch sharks (from behind a think glass barrier). Discovery Cove provides the snorkel gear, so there’s no need to bring your own.
The snorkeling pool, taken at the end of the day at my Discovery Cove review.
If, however, you fancy a more supine experience, a top-notch lazy river, complete with waterfalls, flows through the park. Park supplied pool noodles give you plenty of floatation as you wend your way through the afternoon sun.
Guests can also experience a free flight aviary where birds fly all around you. The park provides a specially prepared food mix and allows guests to politely and carefully feed them. Staff are always watching and paying close attention to guest behavior to ensure the safety of the birds. However, if a bird chooses to land on you, that is perfectly fine – so contact isn’t discouraged, it just has to be on the animal’s terms.
That last part is something that was emphasized over and over again by staff – interactions are on the animal’s terms, not yours. If an animal does not want to interact, they do not have to, including the dolphins. Which was reassuring to see in action.
What is a day at Discovery Cove like?
The park opens at 8AM but check-in beings at around 7AM, which is in line with other parks in the area. Unlike other parks in the area, food and even some alcohol is included. That means you and your family can get breakfast and lunch at the park and you don’t have to fork over any more money.
Having traveled with my much younger siblings, I know how stressful it can be to order food. You need to get them to line up, say what they want (hope they actually want it), pay for everything, and keep it all together while you find a table. Discovery Cove’s all-inclusive approach eliminates much of that stress.
After you grab a bit, you can change make your way to the aviary, which is most active in the morning, and feed some birds. The caretakers will teach you about the various species and you might even have them grace your shoulder.
There are lots of lovely areas to relax in the park.
As the water warms up a bit, you’ll likely make your way to the lockers to change into some swimwear. Then you can float down the lazy river, watch some adorable river otters, or snorkel in the saltwater pool.
If you choose to pay extra for the dolphin encounter or a number of other adventures at the park, those events are scheduled throughout the day, and you will be told when your event is when you enter the park.
The park, though, also recognizes that many people don’t love the water, but they may love people who do. There are lots of comfortable areas to relax in for the day, from lounge chairs and a bar, there are even private cabanas that you can reserve for an extra fee. That means that if a day in the sun, or shade, is more your speed, you can still find something nice for you.
Because the park limits the number of guests, it never feels crowded. I never once waited in line or was pushed in a crowd. This is done not only for guest comfort, but animal safety as well.
By 5PM the park closes for the night and it’s time to head home. It’s a shorter day for a theme park, but the upside is that it’s typically a very active one and you’ll be ready for dinner by the time it’s done.
What, exactly, comes with admission and how much is it?
First, admission prices range from around $180 – $500 per person. Like other parks in the area, demand for tickets goes up in the summer and so does the price. The same holds true over common times off from schools, like spring break or Christmas. The park even suggests buying tickets up to two months in advance.
As I mentioned, food and some alcohols are included. There are no limits on the food, so don’t worry there, eat as much as you want. Soft drinks and water are also included in the admission. Knowing the food and drinks are included in the admission does take some of the sting out of the price.
The bar area in the park was not something I made much use of in my Discovery Cove review., but it was well stocked and well staffed.
You are also provided with swimwear for the day if you want it, but it is advisable to bring your own as well to ensure you have swimwear that fits. Personally, I sunburn as easily as I breathe, so I took them up on their offer of a full, short sleave wetsuit. There are other choices, including a vest and long sleave full coverage wet suits.
The park doesn’t require you to wear their gear unless you are doing an animal encounter, like swimming with the Dolphins. I encourage people to take them up on it though, that way you don’t have wet swimwear back at your hotel or in your bags. Everyone can get lockers for the day and towels are provided as well.
All guests have access to the aviary, the lazy river and other freshwater pools, flamingo point, and the saltwater snorkeling pool. You are also provided with specially formulated sunscreen that is safe for the animals. Dispensers are placed all around the park and you simply take what you need, so reapply often.
What are the addons then?
- Dolphin Encounter – This is the big draw for the park, the dolphin encounter. It cost around $40 per person extra when we purchased our tickets.
- Various Animal Encounters – There are multiple other animal interactions to add on, from feeding sharks to hanging out with flamingos. Each one has its own price and different animals you interact with.
- Cabanas, day beds, premium drinks package – The cabanas looked lovely and are semiprivate, the day beds are just nice to lay out on and have a dedicated space to call your own. If you want more premium alcoholic drinks, they have a package, but unless you aren’t driving later, just purchasing drinks a la carte is probably a better option.
I didn’t get a private cabana for my Discovery Cove review, but they looked quite nice if you wanted to day of relaxation.
- SeaVenture – This looked like a fun option, but I didn’t have time to try it because we had an abbreviated day at the park. The idea is that you put on a dive helmet, with air pumping into it, and you walk underwater and see animals in a unique way.
Photo Packages
Separating this out from other addons was important to me. Although the park encourages guests to bring cameras to capture the special moments of your day, there is one very important restriction.
For the safety of guests and animals, bringing your own phone or camera with you on any of the animal encounters – including the dolphin swim – is prohibited.
That doesn’t mean that someone can’t take pictures of you, they just have to do so from the beach. Which means that someone must sit out the animal encounter if you want your own pictures.
While that may work for some people who aren’t interested in doing the animal encounters, it won’t work for everyone. Children 6-12 are required to have an adult accompany them on several encounters. That means taking pictures of your kid may not be an option for some parents.
The photographers at Discovery Cove know their subjects well. You probably won’t get a shot as good as this one on your own. Trust the experts.
Discovery Cove does have a photographer at these events: Dolphin Swim, Shark Snorkel, Shark Interaction, Flamingo Mingle, Ray Feeding, and Ultimate Animal Experience. They will take pictures of you and the animals.
There are multiple choices for what type of package you want to purchase. They range in price from $109.00 to $299.00. They also go on sale from time to time.
In my opinion getting one is worth it and here’s why. You only get to do this a few times in your life at best, often it’s just once. The photographers are talented and get great results. Buy a digital pack and share it with your family and friends who want to see them.
We purchased a package to see if it was easy to use and quality work. The picture downloads were simple and quick, giving fast access to them. We also received a thumb drive with the photos on it, complete with Discovery Cove labeling. That drive had high-resolution photos, which the downloads didn’t.
You can pay for the park to make prints of photos, but get the digital package instead. If you do, then you can print them as many times as you want.
If you’ve read some of my other work, you may know that I’m a photographer. I can say, with a lot of experience, that your time is better spent engaging in the encounters, being present with your family, and living the moment rather than focusing on getting a good shot with your phone.
Are they a tad pricey? Yes. But really, just get a package.
Who is this for?
If nothing above sounds good to you, then don’t go. This is a place for animal lovers. If you’re a person who likes a little adventure and trying something you haven’t ever done, you’ll love Discovery Cove.
Was it worth the trip?
Absolutely! I loved my day in the park! Nichole and I had a blast swimming with the dolphin, letting birds perch on our shoulders, and snorkeling with sting rays. If you are within two hours of the Orlando area, take a day and spend it here. You’ll be glad you did.
