What and where is Discovery Cove

MSTCrow

New Member
Discovery Cove is beautiful and memorable, but overpriced to the point I almost consider it a ripoff. There are two kinds of admission: with or without the "dolphin encounter." We went on our honeymoon and splurged with the dolphin encounter. This is approximately 30 minutes spent in a pool with 10 or so others. You get to touch a dolphin a couple of times, and the grand finale is letting the dolphin pull you a few yards down the pool.

That's it.

The dolphin encounter again was memorable, but very short for the amount you pay. Then you have to consider the absurd prices they charge you for photos. You can't take your own camera into the dolphin pool, so if you want a picture you have to buy it from them at a **whopping** premium--much more than typical theme park markup.

As for the rest, you get to snorkel in a large, pristine pool filled with fish, you get to go down a "river" and see some tropical birds up close, and you get to wade in a pool with sting rays. I loved this part, as it was my first time snorkeling. My wife enjoyed it but wasn't so impressed as she has done "the real thing."

Other perks: a yummy lunch, you get to keep your snorkel, you get a very crummy picture of yourself when you first arrive, and you get admission to either Sea World or Busch Gardens.


Hope this info helps!
 

primetime52

Member
Discovery Cove is beautiful and memorable, but overpriced to the point I almost consider it a ripoff. There are two kinds of admission: with or without the "dolphin encounter." We went on our honeymoon and splurged with the dolphin encounter. This is approximately 30 minutes spent in a pool with 10 or so others. You get to touch a dolphin a couple of times, and the grand finale is letting the dolphin pull you a few yards down the pool.

That's it.

The dolphin encounter again was memorable, but very short for the amount you pay. Then you have to consider the absurd prices they charge you for photos. You can't take your own camera into the dolphin pool, so if you want a picture you have to buy it from them at a **whopping** premium--much more than typical theme park markup.

As for the rest, you get to snorkel in a large, pristine pool filled with fish, you get to go down a "river" and see some tropical birds up close, and you get to wade in a pool with sting rays. I loved this part, as it was my first time snorkeling. My wife enjoyed it but wasn't so impressed as she has done "the real thing."

Other perks: a yummy lunch, you get to keep your snorkel, you get a very crummy picture of yourself when you first arrive, and you get admission to either Sea World or Busch Gardens.


Hope this info helps!

I'm glad you posted this first hand experience. All of the ads and brochures I've seen for Discovery Cove make it seem like it's the greatest place on Earth. It's nice to hear about it from a more realistic perspective.

I've been snorkeling and diving for years and was sort of half interested in checking out Discovery Cove since I enjoy marine life so much. After seeing what you said about your wife not being overly impressed with the snorkeling, I might just invest in a dive trip to an actual coral reef, rather than spending alot of money on the Cove.
 

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
I'm glad you posted this first hand experience. All of the ads and brochures I've seen for Discovery Cove make it seem like it's the greatest place on Earth. It's nice to hear about it from a more realistic perspective.

Another realistic perspective................

DC is pricey BUT numbers are limited so its never overcrowded, Admission includes breakfast, lunch and all snacks and drinks while you're there AND seven consecutive days entry to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens.

In my opinion it is a wonderful place to relax for a day away from WDW.

(We've been 3 times)
 

bassman

New Member
WOW!!!! that place looks amazing!!!!! Now i LOVE my Disney but Id definitelty hit this park before Typhoon lLagoon or Blizzard Beach


me too,i love the idea of the slides going through a tank filled with dolphins,and the tropical fish grotto.

i still do and will always love disney but when this place opens it will be a must see for me.
 

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
I thought it was ok, yes you get about 30 mins in a pool with a dolphin and theres plenty of goodies, but hell youve paid for them.

Definately a must do...................................once.
 

SallyShine

New Member
We went to DC a few years back and really enjoyed it. However, it was a work thing, and someone else was footing the bill. If I had to pay for 5 people to go, I'd skip it. We did get some great family pics with the dolphins. If money is no problem, I'd check it out.
 

SANDKRUSER

Member
My family went around 5 years ago. My husband and son did the dolphin encounter while I took pics and videotaped from the shore. They thoroughly enjoyed it. It was expensive (that's why I didn't do the dolphin thing - I think it was around $80 cheaper for me), but we really enjoyed ourselves. I loved snorkeling in the different areas and along the river. The food was delicious and the experience was great because of the limited amount of people - it was very quiet and a great experience overall. We got a few photos - they were costly, but it's a once in a lifetime thing. And you get a free Sea World pass - that, in itself, was worth something extra. We did use it.

Would we do it again? I don't know :shrug: - now if I won the lottery ... we sure would ... :lol:
 

ImaYoyo

Active Member
Meh, as far as aquatica goes, if it ends up being anything like Atlantis, I won't be that thrilled. Atlantis seemed AMAZING, until I actually visited. It was ok. I prefer TL over Atlantis anyday, but Atlantis over BB. I will of course visit aquatica when it first opens to check it out, but right now my expectations are not too high.
 

hls1023

New Member
Meh, as far as aquatica goes, if it ends up being anything like Atlantis, I won't be that thrilled. Atlantis seemed AMAZING, until I actually visited. It was ok. I prefer TL over Atlantis anyday, but Atlantis over BB. I will of course visit aquatica when it first opens to check it out, but right now my expectations are not too high.

Are you talking about Atlantis in the Bahamas?
 

ImaYoyo

Active Member
Are you talking about Atlantis in the Bahamas?
Yeah. We went in the end of May to see the "New" waterpark. Didn't stay there, we stayed at The Ocean Club instead, but bought the waterpark day pass. We got to see it previously while on a disney cruise too, but only for a brief moment, and didn't get to "experience" it.
 

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