Discovery Cove and SeaWorld
As you should be aware - the purchase of a Discovery Cove pass entitles the user to 7 consecutive days at either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. We chose SeaWorld (7 days travelling to Tampa is a little excessive).
SeaWorld isn't a theme park, its an educational experience with entertainment. I enjoy SW alot. My major complaint is that Clyde and Seymour (one of them was missing during our visits - is he dead ?) are still Taking Pirate Island - now they've been doing this show since 1999 (at least) and its well overdue for a change.
"Horizons" was good - but its not all Whales and Dolphins (there are birds and acrobatic humans as well) and in my opinion the change from the old shows in The Whale and Dolphin Theatre to this are too extreme.
"Believe" in Shamu Stadium is brilliant. Can't say anymore than that.
We rode Kraken. On Journey To Atlantis we got absolutely drenched, so much so that my mobile phone which was in the pocket of my shorts got wet and had to be given CPR !!! It refused to work for the rest of the day but recovered soon afterwards.
We did Dine With Shamu - a wonderful close up encounter with a great food selection. The secret is to be sat at the ropeside, as some tables are positioned with other guests between you and the water. We've done it twice and been fortunate to sit up close each time - a great photo opportunity - just remember to keep your camera dry.
The other features in the park are excellent - The Manatees, The otters, sharks etc etc. An excellent park - we visited 3 times during our stay.
Discovery Cove has got to be the best waterpark in Orlando. OK, so theres no slides or raft rides. But theres also no overcrowding, just a peaceful relaxing atmosphere, with free food, drinks and snacks. Opportunities to snorkel with fish and see and feed tropical birds.
Oh yeah, you can swim with a dolphin as well.
The dolphin swim is a 30-40 minute experience - mostly in the water but theres a film presentation as well. The experience is interactive and ends with the dolphins swimming back to shallow water with guests holding onto the fins.
We spent a great 2 days here - due to an accident during our chosen day some of the swims had to be reallocated - they wanted volunteers to return a second day - so we got treated to a second day with more free food and drink and got the dolphin swim.
Excellent.
Still to come - the trip photos (I'm still sorting through over 700) I'll post the best ones as soon as I can
As you should be aware - the purchase of a Discovery Cove pass entitles the user to 7 consecutive days at either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. We chose SeaWorld (7 days travelling to Tampa is a little excessive).
SeaWorld isn't a theme park, its an educational experience with entertainment. I enjoy SW alot. My major complaint is that Clyde and Seymour (one of them was missing during our visits - is he dead ?) are still Taking Pirate Island - now they've been doing this show since 1999 (at least) and its well overdue for a change.
"Horizons" was good - but its not all Whales and Dolphins (there are birds and acrobatic humans as well) and in my opinion the change from the old shows in The Whale and Dolphin Theatre to this are too extreme.
"Believe" in Shamu Stadium is brilliant. Can't say anymore than that.
We rode Kraken. On Journey To Atlantis we got absolutely drenched, so much so that my mobile phone which was in the pocket of my shorts got wet and had to be given CPR !!! It refused to work for the rest of the day but recovered soon afterwards.
We did Dine With Shamu - a wonderful close up encounter with a great food selection. The secret is to be sat at the ropeside, as some tables are positioned with other guests between you and the water. We've done it twice and been fortunate to sit up close each time - a great photo opportunity - just remember to keep your camera dry.
The other features in the park are excellent - The Manatees, The otters, sharks etc etc. An excellent park - we visited 3 times during our stay.
Discovery Cove has got to be the best waterpark in Orlando. OK, so theres no slides or raft rides. But theres also no overcrowding, just a peaceful relaxing atmosphere, with free food, drinks and snacks. Opportunities to snorkel with fish and see and feed tropical birds.
Oh yeah, you can swim with a dolphin as well.
The dolphin swim is a 30-40 minute experience - mostly in the water but theres a film presentation as well. The experience is interactive and ends with the dolphins swimming back to shallow water with guests holding onto the fins.
We spent a great 2 days here - due to an accident during our chosen day some of the swims had to be reallocated - they wanted volunteers to return a second day - so we got treated to a second day with more free food and drink and got the dolphin swim.
Excellent.
Still to come - the trip photos (I'm still sorting through over 700) I'll post the best ones as soon as I can
