Discovery Cove-- anyone been?

[Abharmagic]

My daughter watched Wheel of Fortune last week with me WOF was at Sea World Orlando. One night they did a piece on Discovery Cove-- the place where, among other things, you can swim with dolphins. She fell in love and has not stopped talking about it since.

I looked it up online and it looks really nice. From what I can tell, you have several package options ranging from staying there over night, a day only package with dolphin swim, or a day only package with no dolphin swim. It appears all the packages are all inclusive in that food is included during your visit.

The price is a little steep, but included in the price is a 14 day pass to Sea World and Bush Gardens Tampa.

Anyone been? Anyone stayed there? Very curious. I saw you have to be 6 to swim with the dolphins, but our next trip is planned for May 2011, at which time she'll be 7, so that's not an issue.

Fill me in on what I need to know/do-- I'm a planner, and I'm thinking 2011 already

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

hey buddy here is the Seaworld/Discovery Cove board :

there are some report trips and pictures that people talk about their experience, I am going may 14th for my 5th anniversary wed.. just me and my hubby. I'll have video up also. .. i heard its a dream park.. .. I cant wait!!

here's the thread tell me about Discovery cove: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=169631

 

[Abharmagic]

Thanks... I thought I was looking/posting this in the right place as this was Orlando Hotels and Attractions..... oops!

Off to check out your links, and HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

your welcome and thank you for the well wishes, dont you worry I;ll have video also..

 

[roxannex]

You'll get more responses at the other board, but we have been twice.

I didn't know you could stay there...I'm not sure where. It's a theme park, not a hotel.

The first time we went we did the dolphin swim. The second time we did not do it. I think it's a bit of an oasis in the middle of Orlando. It really does feel like a beach and it's very laid back. Our favorite part is actually the aviary where you can feed all of these different kinds of birds.

The dolphin swim, for us, was kind of a let down. It's very staged. There is a heavy emphasis on pictures. I also have heard some not nice things about keeping dolphins captive in general, so maybe that weighed on my mind. It's not that it isn't what it's advertised, but maybe we're just not kids so it doesn't have quite the same magic.

I think Discovery Cove is worth a visit, especially if you're doing other parks and want a relaxing break in the middle.

 

[iman]

My wife and I did Discovery cove with the dolphin about 3 or 4 years ago. It is really cool (although very expensive). I wouldn't do it every time I went to Orlando, but I think if you have never done it, definately worth it.

 

[TnTWalter]

Thinking of treating kids to a day at DC but with a family of 5, we'd skip the dolphin discovery. It sounds like that would be ok to do, but wanted to throw it out there...

Love that you can save $50 if book early.
So $139 for each or $239 with dolphin swim.

also we would not do aquatica, would this be a bummer for kids? It comes with the seaworld tix.

Thanks.

Trish