Best time/place to get deals on Discovery Cove?

[mshanson3121]

I read somewhere a week or two ago that sometimes they have deals during Black Friday?
And you can get an "early bird" type savings if you purchase before the end of December (for say the following summer)?

Any other savings opportunities? And how much of a savings do you normally get during these time periods?

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

I purchased our Discovery Cove admissions for our May 2016 trip back on Black Friday in November. I paid $219 per person for us for our day, and the same day now is priced at $289--quite the savings!

 

[macraven]

Sweet deal !

 

[mshanson3121]

I purchased our Discovery Cove admissions for our May 2016 trip back on Black Friday in November. I paid $219 per person for us for our day, and the same day now is priced at $289--quite the savings!

Do they only offer the packages with Dolphin swim or can you get them without, too? I'm not sure if we'll do it or not.

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

It had the option to purchase with or without the dolphin swim, but I can't remember exactly how much it was for just the day package

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For the last couple of years, SeaWorld has offered by one, get one free annual passes on their Blue Friday sale (which runs throughout the Black Friday weekend). With either a SeaWorld or Aquatica annual pass, you can get deeply discounted admission to Discovery Cove. There are a few black out dates to consider (spring break, summer) but the balance of the year is generally $169 pp for the dolphin swim day and $99 pp for the day resort admission. Those rates do not include the 14 day admission to both SW & AQ, though, that you receive when booking a non-passmember rate. If I remember, you can purchase up to six admissions with one annual pass, so if admission to the other parks is not a priority, this can sometimes be your most cost-effective bet.

 

[mshanson3121]

For the last couple of years, SeaWorld has offered by one, get one free annual passes on their Blue Friday sale (which runs throughout the Black Friday weekend). With either a SeaWorld or Aquatica annual pass, you can get deeply discounted admission to Discovery Cove. There are a few black out dates to consider (spring break, summer) but the balance of the year is generally $169 pp for the dolphin swim day and $99 pp for the day resort admission. Those rates do not include the 14 day admission to both SW & AQ, though, that you receive when booking a non-passmember rate. If I remember, you can purchase up to six admissions with one annual pass, so if admission to the other parks is not a priority, this can sometimes be your most cost-effective bet.

That all sounded great, until I read the black out dates, lol. We travel in summer.

 

[macraven]

Oh no......!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

That all sounded great, until I read the black out dates, lol. We travel in summer.

Bummer! You may want to watch, then, for Black Friday or New Years offers from DC. I am guessing those will be your best bets as far as pricing is concerned. Be sure you sign up on the DC website to receive their emails.

 

[js]

For the last couple of years, SeaWorld has offered by one, get one free annual passes on their Blue Friday sale (which runs throughout the Black Friday weekend). With either a SeaWorld or Aquatica annual pass, you can get deeply discounted admission to Discovery Cove. There are a few black out dates to consider (spring break, summer) but the balance of the year is generally $169 pp for the dolphin swim day and $99 pp for the day resort admission. Those rates do not include the 14 day admission to both SW & AQ, though, that you receive when booking a non-passmember rate. If I remember, you can purchase up to six admissions with one annual pass, so if admission to the other parks is not a priority, this can sometimes be your most cost-effective bet.

Bummer! You may want to watch, then, for Black Friday or New Years offers from DC. I am guessing those will be your best bets as far as pricing is concerned. Be sure you sign up on the DC website to receive their emails.

I want the five adults in my family to go to DC between Christmas and New Years. Should I wait until Black Friday? I will wait if these dates can get a discount.

Thanks.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I want the five adults in my family to go to DC between Christmas and New Years. Should I wait until Black Friday? I will wait if these dates can get a discount.

Thanks.

You only need one annual pass to get the passmember rate for Discovery Cove (as long as everyone is on the same reservation, and the AP holder is present at the time you check in at DC). Are you also wanting to got to Seaworld and Aquatica on your trip? If so, then definitely wait for the Black Friday deals and purchase the AP's (then book your DC day). If you JUST want a day at DC at the discounted passmember rate, you could by the one AP and 5 DC admissions anytime to secure your desired date.

 

[js]

You only need one annual pass to get the passmember rate for Discovery Cove (as long as everyone is on the same reservation, and the AP holder is present at the time you check in at DC). Are you also wanting to got to Seaworld and Aquatica on your trip? If so, then definitely wait for the Black Friday deals and purchase the AP's (then book your DC day). If you JUST want a day at DC at the discounted passmember rate, you could by the one AP and 5 DC admissions anytime to secure your desired date.

Thank you very much. I really have no clue what I want LOL I want the DC where we can swim with dolphins, is that such a thing?
Is there one without dolphins? I want a nice day with manageable crowds since we are going at a very busy time.
I guess I have to figure out how much an AP costs and see what savings would be is that correct too? Does DC give me admission to Sea World on another day?
Thanks SOOO much!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you very much. I really have no clue what I want LOL I want the DC where we can swim with dolphins, is that such a thing?
Is there one without dolphins? I want a nice day with manageable crowds since we are going at a very busy time.
I guess I have to figure out how much an AP costs and see what savings would be is that correct too? Does DC give me admission to Sea World on another day?
Thanks SOOO much!

Discovery Cove limits their admission to 1300 people per day. That means you should never have a crowded day at DC, regardless of how crowded the other parks are at the time. So....its always a good idea to book your DC day on the day of your vacation that you think the other parks are going to be the busiest. Spend the busiest day crowd-free at DC, and fit your other park days in on the (hopefully) less busy days .

DC offers two different types of admission: one that includes the dolphin swim, and one that doesn't. The inclusion of the dolphin swim is the only difference between the two types of admission, both rates include all the other features of the park: unlimited beverages (alcoholic and non), breakfast, lunch, snacks, snorkeling in the Grand Reef, swimming in the Wind Away River, the Freshwater Oasis with the Asian otters and marmosets, the free-flying aviary, parking, a 6 x 8 photo (one per family), use of wetsuits/snorkels/towels/locker rental/etc. The dolphin swim is really only a small part of the day (half an hour in the water plus your orientation time beforehand), so even a "day resort admission" (ie a DC day without the dolphin swim) is super fun.

If you give me the number of people in your party (and ages), and the dates you would be travelling, I can help you price out your options both with the pass member rates and without. Your biggest decision, then, would be if you plan to visit SeaWorld and Aquatica as well while on your trip, as those two parks are not included with the passmember rate. Regular admission rates include 14 day access to both parks, to be used either before or after your DC day (or a both).

 

[Tmarmac]

I just called Discovery Cove and they were able to help me purchase an Aquatica annual pass for $108 so I could then purchase 4 passmember dolphin swims at the rate of $169 per person. Total cost after taxes was US$841 for the aquatic pass and dolphin swims. Still a lot of money for this Canuck, but the exchange rate was slightly better this week so decided to take the plunge!

Thank you so much to Gina! Her posts and tips have been so valuable!!!

 

[macraven]

The SW pass with free Aquatica for one year purchase special expires on April 24th this year.
This is also a good deal if interested in adding more things for your vacation.