Discovery Cove - ALL DAY??

[thetbaum]

My wife and aunt are going to Discovery Cove in late July. I see online that you check in early. How long in the experience if you take your time? How long is the experience if you don't? Are the certain places that you get an alloted time and are the places that you can stay as long as you want?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Squirlz]

The only thing that is an alloted time is the dolphin encounter. Total time for that is maybe an hour. Otherwise you are on your own to do whatever you want, whenever you want for as long as you want! It is most definitely an all-day experience. They almost had to drag us out!

 

[HopperFan]

We also stayed open to almost close. Loved getting there early for breakfast and enjoying the peace of the morning. By 4:30 we were ready to go and I think it closed at 5:30. Again other than the dolphin you can spend as much time as you want anywhere. We would snorkel, go in the "resort" swim area (warm water) and do the lazy river (not so lazy since you must swim), then back to snorkel and so on. In between we had lunch and snacks.

It is expensive and so I don't know that I would consider it for a short visit.

 

[DVCLiz]

We loved Discovery Cove and stayed all day. We had a "reserved" time for our dolphin swim, which lasted about 45 minutes, including the movie you see beforehand, and we spent some time looking at the pictures afterward. We ate breakfast and lunch and had snacks throughout the day.

After the dolphin swim, the things we spent the most time on were the regular pool, the lazy river (I had a swimming noodle so I literally sat on it and didn't have to move a muscle - it was wonderful just to drift along!!) and especially the ray pool and the coral reef snorkeling area. I had never snorkeled in my life but found it so fun and easy - I went back about 3 or 4 times!!! Feeding the rays was exotic and great fun - we spent a lot of time with them as well.

I don't know how two adult women would feel, since some of my time was spent watching DD13 and making sure she was having fun, but it was definitely an opening to closing day for us. We loved it so much we're taking big sister back with us this summer!!!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Discovery Cove is not a typical theme park.

It's more like a visit to your own private Caribbean resort. If you think of it that way, you'll understand why for most folks it's an all-day affair.

 

[christinou]

(I had a swimming noodle so I literally sat on it and didn't have to move a muscle - it was wonderful just to drift along!!)

Did you bring your own noodle or do they provide them, I know that my 9 yearl old would probably feel more comfortable with one.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

I'm going to discovery cove in late july too!

 

[Amity 3]

all day? if you're comfortable interacting with sealife, DC is an all-life experience.

 

[birkner]

Did you bring your own noodle or do they provide them, I know that my 9 yearl old would probably feel more comfortable with one.

Everything was provided. Here is a picture of my 11 year old GD during the Trainer for a day program:

 

[marconat]

We had a blast at Discovery Cove, I too thought that I was only going to be there a few hours.... but I was surprised when it was time to leave at the end of the day... I was not ready to go ha! ha! It's a great experience, here are a few pictures of our wonderful day... the dolphins are just great... have fun on your day!

 

[FBandA]

Thank you for the wonderful pictures. My aunt who is 71 did this last year for her 70th birthday, told us we should take DS11 on our next trip so I thought I would look into it. Your pictures have made this a must do this trip. Now I need to talk DH into it.

 

[SharonLowe]

Did you bring your own noodle or do they provide them, I know that my 9 yearl old would probably feel more comfortable with one.

They have them at the beginning of the river. Please note, this is not a lazy river like at the water parks at Disney. In fact, they call it the Tropical River Swim. There are deep parts and places where you do need to work a little. But, everyone will have their vest on (required unless wearing a shorty instead) so it is fine. Also, if you have water shoes, I recommend them - many places to scrape your toes in the river. But, it is very fun and you can stop along the way to feed the birds in the aviaries.

 

[robvia]

DC is an all day event and it's best to get there early so you can get your snorkel bag and wet suit without waiting in line.
Most people leave between 3-4pm.
Unless you're staying across the street at the Renaissance Resort, I wouldn't plan anything afterwards but dinner.
Here's my page with more pictures and a link to another site that has pictures of the food menu.
Discovery Cove

 

[snowbunny]

Nice photos...question: how come everyone is in wet suits...is the water cool?

Edit...never mind, question answered after reading the stickies

 

[Keokagal]

Loved the pics. Was on the fence, now will make ressie.

 

[MouseGirl]

Just wanted to encourage you to go ahead and make that reservation. We spent the day at Discovery Cove yesterday and it was absolutely the highlight of our trip! My husband, who had been grumbling about the cost right up to the time we arrived yesterday morning, turned to me around 10:45 a.m. after our dolphin swim and said "I take back every negative comment I made - this is amazing!" And the rest of the day was just as much fun. We had wondered if our daughters would last through the afternoon, but we were some of the last people out when the park closed at 5:30. It truly is a magical experience, not to be missed.....

 

[englishrose47]

Is the food included in the price or isit oop?

 

[spencem]

Is the food included in the price or isit oop?

Everything except photos (other than the one take when you arrive, which is free) and the stuff in the gift shop is included. Meals, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wet suit, snorkel, face mask, amazing memories, the lot.

 

[englishrose47]

That's great!! Everyone doesnot have to do the swim right??

 

[disneyfreak75]

It is a "free for all". do what you want when you want for as long as you want. I am a Disneyfreak (hence my name) but this was certainly a highlight of my trip.

I wasn't sure how it would work when I we booked but it was nice to just bring us and our bathing suits. You get wet suits, vests, snorkles (which you get to keep), goggles (even ones for those who need glasses), sun screen, food, shampoo/conditioner, towels, soap and of course...all you can eat food.

The price was high but I think it was well worth spending it. We also did the dolphin swim and bought a CD with our pictures. Heck, we figured if we're spending hundreds on going there and doing the dolphin swim (very cool) we might as well splurge on the pictures to prove it.