Discovery Cove is Fantastic!

[donnishobson]

My husband and I were on a 40th anniversary trip to WDW, Universal Orlando, Sea World and Discovery Cove. Discovery Cove on Feb 6 was the highlight of the trip - far exceeded my expectations. I thought that we would stand around and wait during the dolphin swim, but we were thoroughly entertained by those wonderful animals the whole time. The Grand Reef is spectacular. I have done some scuba diving and lots of snorkeling and it compares well with every place I have been. We also did Aqua Seas at Disney and Discovery Cove seemed much better to us. We loved the river and swimming into the aviary through the waterfall.

We paid $200 each and it was an excellent value - breakfast, lunch, margaritas, snacks, corrective goggles, wet suit, towels, lockers, dolphin interaction, Grand Reef, lazy river with three aviary rooms and docents to answer questions and provide you with bird food, photo, free parking and up to 14 days at Sea World.

Some advice and comments
1. It opens at 8 for breakfast and all the swimming areas open at 8:30 The ticket said 9 am. Go early.
2. There is some waiting for meals in the cafeteria line.
3. The park is not empty, even in Feb on Superbowl Sunday. There are plenty of folks in the Grand Reef - enough so that I just used my hands to move as I could have easily kicked someone.
4. Bring your glasses prescription for quick fitting of a corrective mask if you need one.
5. I was happy in my wet suit and my husband was a little cold in his vest. It was in the high 70s.

A wonderful day. I am going back with a girlfriend in Dec!! Can't wait.

 

[greenclan67]

Couldn't agree more!!! If you are going again, take a look at buying a season pass for Sw for $119 and it will drastically cut your prices for the day at Discovery Cove! I am paying $69 for a non dolphin swim for 4 people each! If it is only for 1 of you probably not worth it!!
Now I love, love DC, we are going for the 3rd time in less then 3 weeks, but margarittas?????? I love margarittas. I have only had beer and wine while there, they actually have margarittas?

 

[donnishobson]

We had margaritas. They also had bloody mary's.
I will do the math on the season pass when I go with my friend this Dec. Thanks for the tip.

 

[peacelover]

They had margaritas and some kind of lemontea vodka drink in November. They were premixed and pretty weak and sweet. I couldn't finish one.

 

[greenclan67]

So they have vodka in them as well? Good! Don't like anything to sweet, but love having a girlie drink while relaxing!LOL

 

[shera]

So if you have a Sea World Season pass you get a discount for Discovery Cove?

 

[greenclan67]

So if you have a Sea World Season pass you get a discount for Discovery Cove?

Yes you can buy a SW season pass, and get discounts for DC. I would have a passmember check your dates first! We are going in March and paying for a non dolphin swim day $69. It is $169 for the swim. But some months like July and the beginning of August are still expensive even with the discount!

 

[shera]

Yes you can buy a SW season pass, and get discounts for DC. I would have a passmember check your dates first! We are going in March and paying for a non dolphin swim day $69. It is $169 for the swim. But some months like July and the beginning of August are still expensive even with the discount!

That's so helpful,thank you so much!

 

[ccgirl]

They had margaritas and some kind of lemontea vodka drink in November. They were premixed and pretty weak and sweet. I couldn't finish one.

Are these free or did you have to pay for them? I knew beer and wine were free.

 

[anonymouscactus]

When I was there last month they had two frozen margarita flavors that came out of a slush machine that had alcohol in them (Pina Colada and Mango), they also had some sort of straight / non frozen margarita mix, and then some sort of a sweet tea vodka lemonade, that were all included in the price / you could have as many as you wanted. I know a little over a year ago they charged for some drinks / frozen margaritas, but as far as I can tell, everything is now included with no exceptions [whether they got rid of some of the previous options, however, I do not know.]. I do know they offered some beers and wines last month as well, all included. And of course, soft drinks, orange juice, milk, etc. are included (including a home-made blue raspberry [?] lemonade).

Hope that helps!

 

[sunshineNJ]

We are going to DC this Aug for the first time. I'm beyond excited!!! My daughter who is 24 has always wanted to swim with a dolphin. Can't Wait!!! It looks so beautiful!!

 

[XYSRUS]

We leave in 2 weeks for our DC/SW/Aquatica vacation. Cannot wait. It sounds like so much fun!

 

[ccgirl]

When I was there last month they had two frozen margarita flavors that came out of a slush machine that had alcohol in them (Pina Colada and Mango), they also had some sort of straight / non frozen margarita mix, and then some sort of a sweet tea vodka lemonade, that were all included in the price / you could have as many as you wanted. I know a little over a year ago they charged for some drinks / frozen margaritas, but as far as I can tell, everything is now included with no exceptions [whether they got rid of some of the previous options, however, I do not know.]. I do know they offered some beers and wines last month as well, all included. And of course, soft drinks, orange juice, milk, etc. are included (including a home-made blue raspberry [?] lemonade).

Hope that helps!

That does, thanks. Since we went 1 1/2 years ago, they probably weren't included when we went. I thought I missed something. Of course, I was so busy that I only had 1 beer all day anyway.

 

[greenclan67]

That does, thanks. Since we went 1 1/2 years ago, they probably weren't included when we went. I thought I missed something. Of course, I was so busy that I only had 1 beer all day anyway.

That is why I asked as well! When we were there last March, I don't remember seeing these offered,, and had beer instead! I only had 2, because to busy like you said! But I would like nothing more then to sit and have a frozen drink in the sun and DC next Weds!