Discovery Cove in Afternoon?

[Marthasor]

Hi! We may be going on a cruise the week of Feb. 19 that stops in Orlando and I thought, since the crowds in the other parks will probably be close to capacity that week, Discovery Cove might be a good idea! There are still tickets available (we won't do the dolphin swim with DS4), but here is my question. The boat docks at Port Canaveral at noon, so I'm guessing we won't get to Discovery Cove until around 1 pm and it closes at 5:30 pm. Will we miss something by not getting there in the morning?

My DS4 will probably only last 3 - 4 hours anyway (even if we went in the morning), so I'm not concerned about time wasted/money spent. Just wondering how the day plays out at DC!?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

They only let in 1,000 ppl a day, or so I have read...so if it is a busy time you may not get in. Discovery Cove recommends you purchase your tickets ahead of time for the specific day you want to go, so if you do plan on going make sure you buy your tickets well in advance so you are allowed in.

If you are not doing the Dolphin Swim or the underwater Sea Venture, there is not a lot to do. It's not like a traditional water park where they have slides and things. You can save a lot of money and just have a pool day at your resort really.

 

[Violet Crayon]

If you are checking in for your reservation that late, and it really is busy, your swim time will probably be around 4pm or later. This means you will make your way to eat lunch (stop serving at 3-3:30 depending on season), find a locker and gear station, change, and have maybe an hour to explore the park. By the time you check in at the cabana, and do the interaction, the park will be closed. If you choose to order photos after the swim there is no way around a long wait to pick them up (with a later swim), you also lose the time to collect photos all day to make a photo cd a better value. If you choose a poster or video in your package it may not be possible at that time of day with how long it takes for each item to be produced (1hr or more wait).

That said, many guests do pay the money to eat, swim with the dolphins, and leave. But if you are hoping to do more it probably isn't a good choice.

I also think there is tons to do at the park. There might not be rides, but the river is neat to explore with waterfalls, caves, varying depths, and fake artifacts (takes the average person 20minutes to swim once). The 3 aviary rooms have birds to feed and land all over you, the reef has stingrays to pet in the shallows, peaceful snorkeling in the deeper areas, sharks to observe from the new pathways, and chance encounters with sloths, armadillos, and large birds. Not to mention two full meals (breakfast, lunch) and unlimited drinks and snacks, and a beach to lay out on if you enjoy the sun. DC has some buckets of toys for children to use in the sand. Also, if you enjoy learning all of the animal care staff is more than willing to talk all about their furry or slimy co-workers.

 

[Marthasor]

If you are checking in for your reservation that late, and it really is busy, your swim time will probably be around 4pm or later. This means you will make your way to eat lunch (stop serving at 3-3:30 depending on season), find a locker and gear station, change, and have maybe an hour to explore the park. By the time you check in at the cabana, and do the interaction, the park will be closed. If you choose to order photos after the swim there is no way around a long wait to pick them up (with a later swim), you also lose the time to collect photos all day to make a photo cd a better value. If you choose a poster or video in your package it may not be possible at that time of day with how long it takes for each item to be produced (1hr or more wait).

That said, many guests do pay the money to eat, swim with the dolphins, and leave. But if you are hoping to do more it probably isn't a good choice.

I also think there is tons to do at the park. There might not be rides, but the river is neat to explore with waterfalls, caves, varying depths, and fake artifacts (takes the average person 20minutes to swim once). The 3 aviary rooms have birds to feed and land all over you, the reef has stingrays to pet in the shallows, peaceful snorkeling in the deeper areas, sharks to observe from the new pathways, and chance encounters with sloths, armadillos, and large birds. Not to mention two full meals (breakfast, lunch) and unlimited drinks and snacks, and a beach to lay out on if you enjoy the sun. DC has some buckets of toys for children to use in the sand. Also, if you enjoy learning all of the animal care staff is more than willing to talk all about their furry or slimy co-workers.

Wow! Thanks for all of the information! Our son is only 4, so we are not doing the interaction and don't need photo packages, etc. We just really want to get off the cruise ship and go somewhere relaxing and not hit the President's Day crowds. We would, of course, buy tickets before we get there. I wouldn't chance it otherwise. It actually sounds like there is plenty to do to keep us all occupied, plus we would get there in time to eat lunch. Thank you so much!

 

[ccgirl]

Wow! Thanks for all of the information! Our son is only 4, so we are not doing the interaction and don't need photo packages, etc. We just really want to get off the cruise ship and go somewhere relaxing and not hit the President's Day crowds. We would, of course, buy tickets before we get there. I wouldn't chance it otherwise. It actually sounds like there is plenty to do to keep us all occupied, plus we would get there in time to eat lunch. Thank you so much!

There is plenty to do. We went last Dec. My DD8 and DH did the swim and myself and my DS3 did not. We did the lazy river, bird aviary, sting ray pool. All drinks/snacks/food are included (with the exception of mixed drinks). I would HIGHLY recommend it. We are going back in May. There is an enormous "pool" and they have beach pails and sand shovels so the kids can make sand castles.

 

[bas71873]

Hi! We may be going on a cruise the week of Feb. 19 that stops in Orlando and I thought, since the crowds in the other parks will probably be close to capacity that week, Discovery Cove might be a good idea! There are still tickets available (we won't do the dolphin swim with DS4), but here is my question. The boat docks at Port Canaveral at noon, so I'm guessing we won't get to Discovery Cove until around 1 pm and it closes at 5:30 pm. Will we miss something by not getting there in the morning?

My DS4 will probably only last 3 - 4 hours anyway (even if we went in the morning), so I'm not concerned about time wasted/money spent. Just wondering how the day plays out at DC!?

Thanks for any advice!

Am I missing something in the post? I think DC is awfullly expensive to only plan on spending 3 hours or so there. Plus, I'm not sure you'll get to DC by 1:00 if your cruise ship docks at 12:00. I would think getting off the boat, to a car or whatever transporation and then driving to SW would take a bit more than an hour?

We are planning to go to DC in August and for over $250 per person, we are going to spend every second there we can. I'd just hate to see you waste your money for just a little visit. Are you staying overnight somewhere that night? I'm sure you could plan to just hang at your hotel pool and just chill out?

ETA - oops, I did miss the part where you said you didn't mind wasting time & money. Are you getting back ON the cruise boat that evening? If that's the case, I would say either just hang out in Port Canaveral...Cocoa BEach is about 5 miles away or go over to the Kennedy Space Center. We did both for spring break in 2011 and had a great trip. KSC would be a heck of a lot cheaper than going into Orlando and might be fun for your DS. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at KSC. Just throwing that out there.

 

[tiggspring]

Have you thought of taking him to Gatorland zoo? I went there once when I was little and remember it to this day. My DH lived in Kissamee for a short time and has fond memories too.

 

[tiggspring]

Here is their link

http://www.gatorland.com/