Discovery Cove Question

[cameron]

I just booked Disovery Cove, and am going in a couple of weeks. There doesn't seem to be too much information on it anywhere. So if anyone that works there/has been there could fill me in.

1. Is there enough stuff to do to take up the entire day?

2. Netither me of my girlfriend has ever been snorkeling before, is this something that someone is going to explain to us, or do we need to figure it out before we go?

3. Is there anything special we need to bring besides our swimsuits?

4. Did I make the right choice, it was either Discovery Cove, or Normal Seaworld...

Thanks for the info,

Cameron

 

[EmeraldDolphin]

Hi Cameron... I don't work at Discovery Cove, but I have been there 2x, and my daughter has been there 3x. Each time we go we spend the entire day. You don't need anything other than your swimsuit and a waterproof camera. They provide the suntan lotion that is safe for the dolphins & other sea life. I had never been snorkeling either, but you really don't need to practice, it just comes naturally. It's very easy to do. We enjoyed snorkeling in the lazy river, and with the stingrays & in the coral reef. The bird aviary was really awesome, and we fed a number of birds. The meal they provide with our park admission was very good also. It's more of a laid back day than going to Sea World, and seeing the shows. But when we bought our interaction at Discovery Cove it included free admission to Sea World anyhow, for either 7 days before or after your day at Discovery Cove. Enjoy your day there and then go to Sea World another day... you can do both!

 

[cameron]

Thanks for the tips. I'm glad to hear the snorkeling thing is easy, as the was my concern that we wouldn't figure it out and waste our money going there.

Good tip about the sunscreen too, we'll know not to put any on that day until we get there and use theirs.

I can't wait for this I think this may be the highlight of our trip.

We did get the 7 days of seaworld access, however I'm not sure that we will have time for both, as our schedule is packed, but I think we made the right choice.

Cameron

 

[EmeraldDolphin]

another thought... if you get to DC early in the day, (before they open) they kind of let you choose your time to interact with the dolphins, so you could ask for an early interaction... then if you're really not enjoying your time in DC... you could leave & go across the street to Sea World. Sea World stays open later than DC anyhow I believe. But I think you're right... it will be the highlight of your trip! Enjoy!! I wish I was going again!!

 

[Beauty and the]

You'll find your day at discovery cove to be the best day you've ever had in the Orlando are it really is that good:sohappy:

 

[Smee]

Just did DC for the first time, it is great and it does fill up an entire day. Everything is provided, take your suit and camera. We bought a 27 exposure UWcamera at DC for $17. The lunch was excellent.

We left DC around 5:00 and went over to SW, parked right at the front entrance. Stopped at the ray tank, rode Kraken2x and Atlantis1x. Then went to Dinner with Shamu for 7:30. Good buffet, enjoyed the Shamu show. (a scaled back version of the main show with more educational info). After dinner went to the Polar exhibit and ride then back to Kraken and Atlantis for more multiple rides. Left after the fireworks at closing.

One of our best days ever in Orlando.

 

[EmeraldDolphin]

sounds like the perfect day to me Smee

 

[cameron]

my visit there

Now that I've been there I should let you know how it went. It's an amazing place to visit. We both considered it to be the second best thing we did on our trip. We got there right away at opening, and did a little exploring before our dolphin experience. We went into the bird sanctuary, this was really nice and we went in there a couple times during the course of the day to feed the birds.

We then went into the river that goes around the park. This was merely ok, well it was nice, it goes from super deep to super shallow really quickly. So your wading for a bit then all of a sudden it feels like you walked off a cliff, then you get used to swimming and you swim into water to shallow to swim in. I stubbed my toes and fell numerous times because of this. It would be much improved if there was a deep part for the entire length.

We then screwed around in the fresh and salt water pools a bit and did a little snorkeling. This is really nice and enjoyable to swim with all the different animal life, and it is densly populated.

We then went to our dolphin experience, and this was incredible. Be warned though, you are not allowed to take pictures. Afterwards they take you to an area where you can see the pictures they took of you and see ridiculous prices on them. It cost me $63 for 3 5x7s, and you have no choice but to buy them, because you've gotta have picture of this.

Then we had a very good lunch, and laid out in the sun for a while and did a bit more snorkeling. We both were ready to go by like 3pm though, as there isn't that much to do there.

For our after activity, we choose to go back to our hotel shower and get dressed up and went out for a nice romantic dinner, took a walk, sat on the beach, etc. Definately plan on doing something after Discovery Cove as it will not take you all day. But it is worth the money and a great experience.