Discovery Cove About This Page:

[kadterp]

Hi everyone! Im not sure if this is in the right area or not, if it isnt please feel free to move it to where it needs to go!

Anyway, my question is...has anyone been to Discovery Cove? We are thinking about doing it and wanted to see if anyone has done it and if it is worth the money.

Thanks!

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I've only heard wonderful things about it. I can't wait til DD is old enough to go!

[Tink and co.]

It was absolutely worth the money, and I'm so glad my family and I got to experience it! We still talk about it often, and we went almost 2 years ago. The dolphin experience was absolutely amazing, the other animal interactions were incredible, and even the pool/river area were the best I've ever encountered. The grounds were lush and beautiful. Even the food was good! My only complaint was that it isn't Disney, so no Mickey bars were served[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I consider it one of the best days I've ever had. Hope you get to go! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

[thedarksyde]

We will go one day, we just missed it this time.

[Disneynutinlondon]

It was one of THE BEST days we've EVER had. Well worth the money. If you're wondering whether or not to go my advive is "DO IT, you won't regret it"

[tigger-mad]

We did Discovery Cove, In May this year and it was AMAZING!!!!

It was worth every penny and more.

Here are a few highlights of our trip that made it extra special:
1.Once you arrive and check in, everything is included except aouvenirs, even your sunscreen.

2.I wear glasses, and rather than missing something, they issue you free of charge, presciption diving mask so that
you can see underwater as well.

3.The food is really good and there is a lovely selection.

4. The interaction isn't rushed, and you are in groups of 8 so not too crowded.

5. the video they take of your interaction is amazing and really worth the money.

6. The addmission is restricted so there aren't too many people for sun loungers etc.

The only downside:
Its not Disney!!!!!!

I hope this helps your decision, and you will have a trully wonderful time at Discovery Cove.

[mccartygirl]

We went 3 years ago, DH got me a trainer for the day package and I loved it! We have many dolphin interaction plus other animal interactions. It was such a nice place and we're waiting for DD to be old enough to take. We loved it there.

[lbarnes]

We went in October 2005 and absolutely loved it! We planned our day for the middle of our Disney vacation, and it was perfect. So relaxing! In fact, the epitome of relaxing! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] The dolphin interaction, while too short (HA) was amazing. You just don't get to do that every day and it is a memory we hold dearly. The park itself it clean, quiet, friendly and so unique. We also really enjoyed the ray lagoon, and spent a lot of time in there touching and feeding the rays.

You get a locker for your stuff, and they give you a plastic necklace-thing that has your credit card scanned on it (if you want to provide it) so you only have to keep the waterproof necklace with you all day to make purchases etc. Everything was so convenient. All the pictures/video we bought were great! GO ... HAVE FUN!

[modisney]

It's really worth every penny!!!! We did it 2 years ago and my kids beg us to go back. Some crticsize the dolphin encounter because it's not really swimming with the dolphin like some of the excursions in the Bahamas but we really enjoyed it. If I'm not mistaken, Sea World admission is included in the Discovery Cove admission and it's a wonderful park too. We go every year and I never feel rushed there. They have a Dine with Shamu buffet that requires advance resos which is good. There's also a nice restuarant at the shark pavillion called Shark's Underwater Grill. At Discovery Cove the buffett lunch was delicious too. It's not commercial feeling at all. There's only 2 places to get souvenirs. They provide everything including a speically formulated sunscreen by Panama Jack which is safe for the sea life. All you do is show up with swimsuit in hand. They have your choice of swim vests or short wet suits. They have the snorkels (which you get to keep) and masks. There lockers for your belongings and shampoo, soap etc. in the shower area. They even provide plastic bags to take home your wet stuff. Bring your own under water cameras though, theirs are pricey. Enjoy!!!

[lbarnes]

Yes ... when we went in October, our Discovery Cove ticket included admission to SeaWorld for the 7 days prior to or the 7 days after our Discovery Cove day. And, I believe you could go to SeaWorld all 7 days if you wanted (but you might want to double-check this). We only went one day.

We also did Dine with Shamu at SeaWorld. It was fun, but we were a little disappointed because the whales were across the pool most of the time. They only swam by the tables once or twice, and the trainer didn't talk for too long. But, the food was good, and we were closer to them than during the Shamu shows, so we had fun.

And, I agree ... the food at Discovery Cove was top notch with lots to choose from!

[Eeyoresmom]

We were there last Friday (we were supposed to go last Wednesday, but I called and moved it because Ernesto was to hit Orlando on Wednesday). It was the highlight of the trip - I absolutely loved it.

We swam with Hutch, and he is quite the lady's man - he had all the female trainers wrapped around his little fin.

Besides our time with Hutch, I especially enjoyed the aviary. A few birds even decided that DH's head looked like a good place to sit - it was quite comical. The birds are beautiful and quite tame.

Food was quite good, I was very impressed. The whole day was amazing! I bough the DVD so I could re-live our time with Hutch.

You also get a free photo (I think it's a 5x7) taken of your party shortly after entering the park.

[marisag]

I went a few years ago and absolutely LOVED it!! They sent me a postcard recently with a discount code for return vistors to use or share with their friends. I don't remember the code but I think it was RETURN. If you book tell them about it and I think you receive $50 off. If I remember correctly it is good until the end of Dec 2006.

[lbarnes]

We swam with Hutch too!!! Love the picture we got of my DD13 kissing him!

[ljjri]

I have done it and it was worth it. My Ex didn't want to go but even he ended up have a good time. We loved swimming with the dolphins and I loved the stingrays. I think it is worth it. You don't feel rushed and at least when I went it wasn't the crowded.