Looking for an insider’s guide to Discovery Cove? You’ve come to the right place!
Did you know there’s a beautiful tropical paradise in the middle of Orlando, Florida?
Yep, in the middle of a bustling city, full of theme parks and tourists, there’s a place where you can relax in quiet luxury, enjoy an all-you-can-eat delicious breakfast AND lunch, and interact one-on-one with dolphins, fish, birds, and other marine mammals while watching your kids exclaim at the wonder of it all.
It’s Discovery Cove: a one-of-a-kind tropical oasis that brings visitors and marine life together in a responsible, sustainable way that both educates and entertains while providing a uniquely unforgettable experience.
My family and I book a day each fall at Discovery Cove for a family get-together – grandparents, aunts, uncles, kids…there’s usually ten of us and we ALL have a great time!
We first visited Discovery Cove years ago when some of our family worked there and we’ve been visiting every year since.
Photo credit: The Traveling Dragonfly
There is so much to see and do at Discovery Cove and the nice thing is that it’s all-inclusive and admission is capped. We’ve never felt crowded or overwhelmed by tons of visitors like in other parks.
It’s incredibly easy to just bring yourself, the kids and swimsuits, knowing that everything else you need for the day is provided for you.
And I mean EVERYTHING ELSE from towels, to sunscreen, to food and drinks. Even the parking is included!
If you enjoy relaxing in a tropical paradise and want to interact with marine life on a personal level, read this insider’s guide to find out everything you need to know to have your best experience ever at Discovery Cove.
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An All-Inclusive Day Resort…what does that mean?
What’s included?
Included in the price of admission is an all-you-can-eat breakfast AND lunch, snacks located at refreshment stands throughout the park, drinks (including alcohol), towels, lockers, sunscreen, snorkel gear, wetsuits, vests, wifi, and parking!
There are even shower facilities with shampoo and soap provided. AND inside the bathrooms you’ll also find bags to carry home your wet swimsuit.
Best of all are the experiences that are included. Here’s a description of what you can expect…
Explorer’s Aviary
Photo credit: The Traveling Dragonfly
One of the most fun experiences is visiting the Explorer’s Aviary where you interact with and feed several different species of birds in their natural habitat.
If you are very still, the birds have even been known to rest on your arm to enjoy a good ol’ head scratch!
Freshwater Oasis
In the Freshwater Oasis, you’ll find a beautiful tropical area where you can watch otters play and chase each other in and out of the water.
There’s even an underwater viewing window to watch the otters swim…just be sure to bring along your snorkel!
A little further on, you’ll come to the marmoset’s island where they climb, play, nap, and eat all day long.
There’s a conservationist at the marmoset habitat to provide information on these curious creatures and answer any questions you may have.
The Grand Reef
While a cool 76 degrees, the Grand Reef is an experience like none other.
Here, you get to swim with hundreds of different beautiful tropical fish and stingrays.
Your snorkel gear is provided along with wetsuits.
If you sit along the shoreline, you’re likely to see a stingray or two swimming by!
Serenity Bay
In Serenity Bay, you can relax in the warm 86 degree crystal clear water, or dig your toes in the sand along the shore.
Whatever your preference, the beauty of the bay will soon find you stress-free and enjoying the warm Florida sunshine.
Wind-Away River
The Wind-Away River is a not so lazy river that you swim/walk through.
It takes you past waterfalls, the Aviary, the otters, marmosets, and even an underwater cave.
Don’t worry though, there’s plenty of swim noodles available to help you float through the tropical scenery if you prefer a more relaxed journey!
Sunken Terrace
Photo credit: J.N. Bobzien
I’m not ashamed to admit that the Sunken Terrace is one of my favorite areas in Discovery Cove.
At the top of the stairs you’ll find a full service snack bar with a very capable bartender so you can enjoy your beverage of choice while relaxing on an underwater chair or bench for two!
Upgraded Experiences
In addition to all the experiences that are included in the price of admission, Discovery Cove offers several upgraded experiences.
These require an extra fee but provide a chance to interact more closely with the marine animals for a truly unforgettable day!
Two of these upgraded experiences even support research projects that benefit conservation and aquarist studies.
SeaVenture
Photo credit: Discovery Cove
The first experience you should consider is SeaVenture.
Here, you’re able to walk along the bottom of the Grand Reef and interact with fish, rays, and get an up close look (through thick glass) at the sharks swimming in their habitat.
You don’t even need any prior experience.
The dive helmet is placed over your head and allows you to breath normally with air piped down from above. Your face never even gets wet!
This experience is a great introduction to the world under the sea and has convinced the kids to become scuba certified!
Five percent (5%) of the proceeds from the admission fee for SeaVenture goes to support Rising Tide Conservation, an organization dedicated to aquaculture research.
Animal Trek
During Animal Trek, an Ambassador leads you on a private, behind-the-scenes tour where you experience personal encounters with birds like Henry (pictured above).
You also get introduced to some beautiful macaws and even anteaters, armadillos, and sloths!
Swim with Sharks
At Discovery Cove, you have the opportunity to learn about and swim with bonnetheads, nurse sharks, black tip reef sharks and zebra sharks!
Your mask and snorkel are provided along with a wetsuit.
And 5% of the proceeds from the Shark Swim go to support the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, an organization dedicated to research and education programs on marine conservation.
Flamingo Mingle
Photo credit: The Traveling Dragonfly
Ever mingled with flamingos?
You can at Discovery Cove.
With the Flamingo Mingle program, you get to personally interact with these curious Caribbean birds and even participate in their feeding.
Stingray Feeding
Have you ever fed a stingray?
Or felt their velvety soft skin?
It’s a unique experience!
With the Ray Feeding Experience, you have the chance to participate in an up close and personal feeding session with Cownose and Southern rays.
You also learn how Discovery Cove cares for and supports these amazingly graceful creatures.
Dolphin Swim
Photo credit: Discovery Cove
The most popular experience at Discovery Cove is the Dolphin Swim.
During your group session, you learn about Discovery Cove’s dolphins and personally interact with them.
The trainer will teach you about their habitats, how they communicate, and even give insights into their individual personalities and behaviors.
We were even able to catch a ride with one of these amazing mammals through the Dolphin Lagoon!
Trainer for a Day
Photo credit: The Traveling Dragonfly
If you or a member of your family is interested in learning more about animals, their care and training, you should consider participating in the Trainer for a Day program.
This is truly a VIP experience as you follow a Discovery Cove trainer for the day and interact with the marine mammals, fish and birds.
You go behind-the-scenes and interact with the inhabitants of Discovery Cove one-on-one while you feed the fish in the Grand Reef, enjoy a personal encounter with TWO dolphins, and even get to meet the otters in a private session!
Private Cabanas
Photo credit: Discovery Cove
Each year during our visit, we reserve a private cabana.
It is such a great addition to the day as the whole family can hang out together in one area with a little more privacy.
It’s also a great option if you have little kids -or big kids!- who need that quiet nap time.
The cabana includes a secluded area away from other visitors with lounge chairs, a hammock, personal concierge service, fresh/dry towels, and a snack box repeatedly filled until you say stop.
There’s also a mini fridge stocked with water, soda, and varieties of the basic beer and wine options.
Personal Day Beds
Photo credit: Discovery Cove
If a cabana isn’t your thing, there are also private day beds available. They give you a more secluded, comfortable experience while you relax and recharge.
Upgraded drink package
While the price of admission includes all non-alcoholic beverages like soda, tea, coffee, water, icees, etc., it also includes basic beer and wine options.
However, if you are interested in more premium options like liquor and cocktails, you have the option of purchasing an upgraded drink package too – $40pp for unlimited premium drinks.
Tips and Useful Information
As part of this insider’s guide to Discovery Cove, here’s several things you should know before your visit…
Don’t bring coolers, food, drinks, sunscreen, flotation devices, or scuba gear – it’s all provided for you.
Do bring a swimsuit, dry change of clothes, and ID/souvenir money.
Because only so many people are allowed into the park per day, you need to make reservations. It’s best to make them as far in advance as you can as there are limited spaces for the upgraded experiences too.
Discovery Cove offers special rates for military and Florida residents too.
Arrive at 07:00 to avoid the check-in crowd. This gives you time to get settled and visit the restaurant for that all-you-can-eat breakfast.
Breakfast is served from 07:30 to 10:30.
The all-you-can-eat lunch is served from 11:00 to 3:30 and features burgers, bbq, salmon, salads, desserts, fruit, and more. Check out the menu here.
The water areas open at 09:00 and close when the park closes.
On your way out, stop and check out the gift shops – they have a great selection of souvenirs, clothing, picture frames, jewelry and more.
Across from the gift shop is a small waterfall to rinse the sand off your feet – keeps the sand collection in your car to a minimum!
If you see a conservationist or aquarist with an animal -stop and meet them. They love to introduce you to their animal friends and share interesting tidbits and facts with you.
At 9:00 be outside the dolphin lagoon to watch the parade of flamingos – they are very photogenic and curious!
The restrooms are huge and very nice with an endless supply of fresh, dry towels. And you’ll even find bags provided to carry home your wet swimsuits!
Did You Know?
As many times as I’ve been to Discovery Cove, it wasn’t until I started talking to more people and doing more research that I found out interesting tidbits of information. Here’s a few that I thought I’d share with you…
Did you know that Discovery Cove collects and harvests the fish eggs that are laid in the Grand Reef? They participate in sustainable fish collection to reduce the impact of wild fish harvests for public and private aquariums.
Did you know that Discovery Cove is a certified autism center? They have trained professionals on staff that help make those with autism be able to visit Discovery Cove and enjoy the day too. Click here for more information.
Did you know that you can reserve Discovery Cove for special occasions including weddings, school field trips, business functions, and more? You can even arrange for special occasion events like birthdays and proposals that involve the dolphins!
As you can tell from this insider’s guide to Discovery Cove, this marine oasis is truly a unique experience for everyone. And if you aren’t necessarily into marine life, the white sandy beaches, and the unlimited food and drink, combined with the serene, tropical paradise feel to the area makes a day at Discovery Cove a treat all on its own.
Comment below and let me know your favorite part about Discovery Cove, or if you have any questions you’d like for me to try and answer. I’d love to hear from you!
I hope you spend a day enjoying all that Discovery Cove has to offer and soak up a little bit of Florida sunshine while you’re at it! And take the opportunity to embrace your inner dragonfly!
Check out these other articles for great places to visit in Florida including Key West and 5 Hidden Gems you may not know!
Do you tip bartenders if you’ve purchased drink package?
Hi Lexi,
We’ve always purchased a cabana that comes with your personal attendant and that person we tip at the end of the day. The individual bartenders aren’t tipped as that too is included in your admission ticket. Have a great time!