Discovery Cove Cabanas?

[Nia20]

Hi everyone!
My mum and I visited last year and I treated her by buying the elite package we had an amazing cabana on the left side overlooking the dolphin lagoon, I still dont know how I got so lucky!
We're coming back this year and have booked another elite package. However since our last trip DC have altered their occasion packages and it seems that only the VIP one will get a view of the lagoon (these also have hammocks, ours didnt last year) will the elite packages be elsewhere? If so, where in the park? Or are there still some on the lagoon?

Thanks if you can help!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi everyone!
My mum and I visited last year and I treated her by buying the elite package we had an amazing cabana on the left side overlooking the dolphin lagoon, I still dont know how I got so lucky!
We're coming back this year and have booked another elite package. However since our last trip DC have altered their occasion packages and it seems that only the VIP one will get a view of the lagoon (these also have hammocks, ours didnt last year) will the elite packages be elsewhere? If so, where in the park? Or are there still some on the lagoon?

Thanks if you can help!

Our cabana under the Elite package for our August 2014 visit was beside the entrance to the lazy river and across from the Freshwater Oasis...but that was by our advance request (I sent an email to their Guest Services in advance of our visit, and they noted our location preference on our reservation).

I suppose you could always request a view of the lagoon, and hope for the best. It never hurts to ask!

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

We are going for the first time this Memorial Day (May 25th). 3 adults and 3 kids (10, 9 and 6). I am leaning hard towards getting a cabana because I know we will get the Discover Photo Package, so I figure that for an additional $170 I may as well splurge for the cabana. Does my logic make sense?

Is there a better area to request a cabana, or is there a not-quite-as-good-as-the-other area to avoid?

 

[Nia20]

We loved our Elite package last year, it was worth every penny (or cent). even though the park is never crowded and there are always beds available it's nice to have your own private place. having a locker on hand is helpful too. we greatly appreciated our host who kept our fridge and snack basket full, we had more time to relax and explore than running back and forth to get drinks (they'll even take orders for alcoholic drinks if i remember). the message on the buoy is also a lovely little extra especially if you have kids and you keep it secret.

I dont know the location of all the cabanas but i think they're not in the back and beyond of the park, there are quite a few around the lagoon. but its hard to spot them sometimes, they are shrouded in shrubbery!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are going for the first time this Memorial Day (May 25th). 3 adults and 3 kids (10, 9 and 6). I am leaning hard towards getting a cabana because I know we will get the Discover Photo Package, so I figure that for an additional $170 I may as well splurge for the cabana. Does my logic make sense?

Is there a better area to request a cabana, or is there a not-quite-as-good-as-the-other area to avoid?

This map:

https://discoverycove.com/en/signature-experiences/

shows the location of the cabanas. They are the little white-topped structures you see scattered about the park.

The park itself is small, so honestly....you can't really go wrong with location for a cabana!

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

Thanks for the info, y'all!

We will be visiting the Sunday to Sunday week surrounding Memorial Day and plan on spending the entire week at DC, SW and Aqautica (maybe a trip to LegoLand?). I picked Memorial Day as our day at DC because I figured that day would have extra crowds at SW and Aquatica. Did I choose correctly for our day at DC or should I move it to another day to avoid the heaviest crowds at SW and Aquatica?

Thanks!

 

[canadiankim]

So if you want to have a cabana but don't want to have the elite package what is the cost of the cabana? I had a look at DC's website but couldn't find out how much it might cost. I think even though we are a group of 8 which is a little larger that the cabana is designed for we are all milky white skin tones and the idea of a permanent shade spot would suit us all especially as we are going in August.

Any help, as always appreciated!

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

I thought I remember seeing in the past that the cabanas are open for reservation without being tied to a package for about $200, but DC doesn't offer them up until close to when you are going. DC's approach is to rent out as many cabanas as possible as part of a package to maximize revenue. Of course I can't find that on their website now I may have seen that in one of the threads on here a while ago. I also remember reading that whether or not the cabanas are available close to your reservation's date largely depends on if you go during a busy time. Hope this helps!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So if you want to have a cabana but don't want to have the elite package what is the cost of the cabana? I had a look at DC's website but couldn't find out how much it might cost. I think even though we are a group of 8 which is a little larger that the cabana is designed for we are all milky white skin tones and the idea of a permanent shade spot would suit us all especially as we are going in August.

Any help, as always appreciated!

Cabana-only reservations are $199 (when available), but they only allow a max of 6 people.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I thought I remember seeing in the past that the cabanas are open for reservation without being tied to a package for about $200, but DC doesn't offer them up until close to when you are going. DC's approach is to rent out as many cabanas as possible as part of a package to maximize revenue. Of course I can't find that on their website now I may have seen that in one of the threads on here a while ago. I also remember reading that whether or not the cabanas are available close to your reservation's date largely depends on if you go during a busy time. Hope this helps!

You are correct....cabana-only reservations open up 3 weeks before your arrival date, when still available. Cost is $199 plus tax.

https://discoverycove.com/en/offers-and-upgrades/special-occasions/

A cabana-only is $199.

The large photo & DVD package is $229.

The Elite Package is $399.

If you were planning on getting the cabana + the largest photo package anyway, its a better deal to book the Elite package. You save $29 plus get the extras....the buoy delivered by the dolphin, the photo frame, plush toy, and sling bag.

 

[afergvip]

If you get the Elite Package and there are 4 in your party. Do you get extensive photos of all 4 in your party or just you and the dolphin that brings you the bouy?? I only ask because we are going with friends. The 2 husbands are not doing the dolphin swims but 2 mom's and 2 daughters are. I just want to be sure that if we split the package then we get as many photos of all 4 of us. Just not 2 of us.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

My understanding from reading the threads here is that DC tries to get groups of 6 for each dolphin swim experience, and they will combine smaller parties of 2, 3 or 4 together to make it more efficient for them. So there may be a good chance that the 4 people in your group may matched with another couple for the dolphin swim experience. if that is the case, then the pics from your dolphin swim experience will have a couple of strangers in them

 

[canadiankim]

Two parts to this then

1. how do they know or why do they care if more than 6 people are in the cabana? It's not like they are providing any more drinks etc as it is all inclusive for food and drink, towels etc.

2. I guess I can just email DC nearer our trip to see if they have any cabana's available?

Thanks

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If you get the Elite Package and there are 4 in your party. Do you get extensive photos of all 4 in your party or just you and the dolphin that brings you the bouy?? I only ask because we are going with friends. The 2 husbands are not doing the dolphin swims but 2 mom's and 2 daughters are. I just want to be sure that if we split the package then we get as many photos of all 4 of us. Just not 2 of us.

Everyone will get individually photographed posing with the dolphin "smiling", swimming with the dolphin, and kissing the dolphin (usually multiples of each pose, 3 or 4). Then they will also do family groups....husband & wife together, whole family, etc. (again, multiples of each). They will take pics of the dolphin delivering the buoy, swimming up, handing it off, etc. For your particular situation, you could ask that they do each mom and daughter together, both moms together, both daughters together, then all 4 of you together. All you have to do is ask and they are very happy to accommodate. If the husbands stand near the shore, they will usually invite any non-swimmers in for a family photo as well (just let the trainer know you would like to have a quick pic with dad when the time comes).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My understanding from reading the threads here is that DC tries to get groups of 6 for each dolphin swim experience, and they will combine smaller parties of 2, 3 or 4 together to make it more efficient for them. So there may be a good chance that the 4 people in your group may matched with another couple for the dolphin swim experience. if that is the case, then the pics from your dolphin swim experience will have a couple of strangers in them

It's generally groups of 8-10, not 6. That said, there will be no one else in your dolphin photos.....they take those individually and by family groups (not dolphin swim groups). We were a family of 4 who swam with a mother/daughter and a mother/father/daughter, for a total of 9. None of our photographs have the other 5 people in them.

Your video is another story. Its a recording of the 30 minute swim/interaction of your group. So unless you are a party of 8, then yes....there will be other people in your DVD.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Two parts to this then

1. how do they know or why do they care if more than 6 people are in the cabana? It's not like they are providing any more drinks etc as it is all inclusive for food and drink, towels etc.

2. I guess I can just email DC nearer our trip to see if they have any cabana's available?

Thanks

I don't know for sure, as we've never attempted to circumvent the rules....however I would guess the answer to #1 would be by how many people are on your reservation. If you have 8 people on the reservation, then they would know you exceed the allowable number of people for the cabana. The cabana attendant may report "over-use", but I don't know.

I would call DC and inquire when you are within the 3 week point. Then you could book and pay right there and then, if there is availability. If you email, even if they confirm availability by return message, it could be gone when you get around to booking.

 

[canadiankim]

Thanks Gina, I appreciate the response. I agree it could be difficult as we have a booking of 8, 4 swimming with dolphins and 4 not. I guess we intend to get there early anyway, we will just make sure we get some seats in a good shady area.