Discovery Cove in Jan?

[Cashmeregal]

I know no one can see the future but how likely is the weather to be decent enough in early Jan for Disvover Cove? My daughter really wants to do it for her 16th birthday on our next trip but is old enough to know it may not happen. We went in Feb our first trip to Disney but that was in 2010 and my mom had just died so I don't remember a ton but do remember we had warm swim weather and cold days. Also I heard Black Friday is sometimes a good time to purchase tickets for Discovery Cove anyone have experience with that? Thanks for any advice.

 

[HopperFan]

I know no one can see the future but how likely is the weather to be decent enough in early Jan for Disvover Cove? My daughter really wants to do it for her 16th birthday on our next trip but is old enough to know it may not happen. We went in Feb our first trip to Disney but that was in 2010 and my mom had just died so I don't remember a ton but do remember we had warm swim weather and cold days. Also I heard Black Friday is sometimes a good time to purchase tickets for Discovery Cove anyone have experience with that? Thanks for any advice.

After going many times in warm weather months took the whole family for Christmas. The staff there had told me that winter was better because the air temp was cooler and therefore the water didn't feel so cold. I didn't believe them but were they right. I was so used to creeping in to the water getting used to the cold but in winter ... was able to just get in and out no issue. My plan from now on is only go in the winter.

 

[moesy4]

We got a New Year's deal crazy cheap. For 4 people with the dolphin package and 1 without plus all 5 of us has the Sea World and Aquatica add on, it was around 750 I believe. I have heard Black Friday can have some awesome deals.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I realize that folks will do DC in Jan/Feb

we have names for them here in the local Orlando area

TOURIST or SNOW BIRD



more power to ya if you can handle the temps .... in Jan the air COULD be close to freezing .......

on the other hand there are folks that like to SCUBA dive under ice . . .

if it rocks your boat .... go for it!

 

[HopperFan]

I realize that folks will do DC in Jan/Feb

we have names for them here in the local Orlando area

TOURIST or SNOW BIRD



more power to ya if you can handle the temps .... in Jan the air COULD be close to freezing .......

on the other hand there are folks that like to SCUBA dive under ice . . .

if it rocks your boat .... go for it!

The difference at Discovery Cove is that the water with fish is 76 degrees, a temperature that I think most, would consider too cold to swim in. So when the air is cooler, that 76 doesn't feel cold at all. Of course that means the "pool" area t 86 degrees feels like bath water.

Also the wet suits help.

 

[Capt_BJ]

long time SCUBA diver who lives in FL

When I go diving in Cayman in the spring ... the water may feel nice but the air when you get out ..... most shiver!

 

[ChanaC]

It's hard to tell, because Orlando does occasionally dip into freezing temps that time of the year, but I've also had very warm winter days as well. It can be really inconsistent. However, winter is the dry season and you'll have a lesser chance of thunderstorms, which seems to happen every day May-Sept in Orlando in the afternoon. The one time I went to Discovery Cove it was either late July or early August and my two big memories was that it was raining during the dolphin experience and thunderstorms closing everything down around 4pm. Rain is honestly fine (you're wet anyway) but of course lightening is taken very seriously. It kind of sucked to have the day cut short but there is only so much you can do.

 

[kathy884]

If you do decide to go in January, I'd recommend booking early in your trip. They let you change to another day if weather is bad.

 

[smwisc]

No advice on the weather, but we purchased tickets on Black Friday in 2018 for a summer 2019 trip. Paid $1060 for five tickets (4 "adult" and 1 child, I think) that included dolphin swim and SW/Aq/BG. I don't remember what the savings was from sticker price, but it was substantial.

 

[Lynne G]

They do have heaters around. Just grab a bunch of towels to keep warm when not in the water. The lazy river is bath like temps, so stay in that if cold. We have gone in January many times due to college kids. It’s nice, because it’s usually not as crowded. And you wear a wet suit, so that helps with the cold too.