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Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Florida Destinations Beyond Walt Disney World > Central Florida Attractions: SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens
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Old 02-21-2002, 03:40 PM   #1
Steve Harper
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Discovery Cove

Has anyone been on the Discovery Cove day at Seaworld? Is it worth the money? [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]
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Old 02-21-2002, 03:46 PM   #2
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Re: Discovery Cove

First of all WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!
[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I havent been there but I had info sent from there and decided not to do it until my son got a bit older. I wanted us all to go into the dolphin pool but he wouldnt be able for a few more years! I hope that if anyone does know the answer to this will let us know! I wanna gooooooo!!! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
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Old 02-21-2002, 03:58 PM   #3
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Re: Discovery Cove

Haven't been, Yet [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] . But some close friends went last year and are visiting again this week with their 6 and 8 year old children. They thought it was awesome. Also, Fortissimo wrote a report in 2000 that covered at day at Discovery Cove that was very good. She might be able to point you toward her report. -HiddenMickey
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Old 02-21-2002, 05:16 PM   #4
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Re: Discovery Cove

I'm going on a limb here and voting a thumbs down on Discovery Cove. DH and I went to check the place out last summer. They gave us a mini tour and we decided it just wasn't worth the money. Other than the dolphin interaction, there is not much else to do there. And the time spent with the dolphin is minimal, about 30 minutes. They also mentioned there is no guarantee the dolphin would be willing to be playful on any given day. Just my thoughts.
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Old 02-21-2002, 07:22 PM   #5
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Re: Discovery Cove

My Daughter and I went in Dec. It was a 72* day not to warn but sunny. The ray pool was cold we just waded. We did snorkel alot in the heated river. It went in to the bird place and we hand fed a baby deer. Pet him too. The food was very nice. The day was very quite and not crowded at all. They took pictures of everything you did and tried to sell them to you.

As for the Dolphin experence. It was a 30 min group experence. You wear the wet suits they give you and spend time near shore w/whole group and then your party spends time w/dolphin off shore. You get to kiss, pet, shake hands and tell them to do a trick. They take your picture.

It was a great day. This was our first Dolphin experence and even tho it was short it was nice. My Daughter is 12 and loves Dolphins. This park is very mainstream. Not a wholistic experence. Daughter did learn that while she loves Dolphins she does not want to see them again in captivity. But she is 12 and has not swam that much in the ocean.

We spent alot of time snorkelling and enjoying the day. I did buy pictures. $15 each and they make me get teary eyed. My Husband and other
Daughter went rollercoaster riding. I liked our day. The price was worth the privacy but not during a crowded season.

Susan
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Old 02-22-2002, 05:44 PM   #6
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Re: Discovery Cove

Welcome!

Discovery Cove, in my opinion, should not be missed. Swimming with the dolphins was worth every penny we paid.

As hiddenMickey stated, I wrote about my experience in my trip report. Here's the link: http://www.mediamarx.com/cgi-bin/ubb...;f=15;t=000009

It's not a NASTEE report, but it gives you an idea about our adventure to Discovery Cove!
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Old 02-23-2002, 12:03 AM   #7
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Re: Discovery Cove

Fortissimo -

Thank you so much for the thumbs up. I just paid off our reservation for 11/30/02 and we are all looking so forward to this day to start of the trip. Even if I only had 10 minutes with a dolphin for us the rays, birds and river would be worth the price. I'll have to share our thoughts when we get back.
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Old 02-23-2002, 08:34 AM   #8
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You are going to love the river! Snorkeling here is great. Keep your wetsuit on and you can float. It is deep and and there is a place to see sharks behind glass of course.

Susan
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Old 02-23-2002, 09:54 AM   #9
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Re: Discovery Cove

Fortissimo, I have read the NASTEE report and I just finished yours. It was every bit as excellent as the NASTEE (imho)!!!! I have printed it out for all of the wonderful tips for our next trip (unfortunately not until next year [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] ). Our last visit was in October 2001 and I never wrote a trip report. I am so inspired by yours and NASTEE that I think I will give it a try. I will try to post it sometime this evening. It's hard to schedule time on the computer as both of my sons have hockey games scheduled all weekend. (BTW, we were psyched when the AV's won the Cup with our boy Ray Bourque on the team! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ).
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Old 02-23-2002, 05:04 PM   #10
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Re: Discovery Cove

Steve - It is expensive but I really enjoyed the day. Not crowded and not that much to do but the dolphins made it worthwhile. You also got passes for sea world which is worth a visit!

I have since seen something at Disney where they have a Dolphin encounter which if Dolphins are the key may be better.
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Old 02-23-2002, 05:17 PM   #11
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Re: Discovery Cove

I went to Discovery Cove last August and loved it.
I wish I knew that the cost for Discovery Cove also includes admission to Sea World. If I do it again, I will book my dolphin experience in the AM so I could head over to Sea World in the evening.
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Old 02-23-2002, 06:23 PM   #12
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Re: Discovery Cove

The Sea World Pass that comes with it is good for 7 days. As many visits as you want for 7 whole days. Nice.

Susan
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Old 02-24-2002, 12:37 AM   #13
Steve Harper
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Re: Discovery Cove

[img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] Thank you to everyone for replying. I think we are going to take the plunge and book a day at Discovery Cove! Thanks again from the UK! [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]
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