Discovery Cove tips

[Miffy2003]

In a moment of sheer I-don't-know-what-just-came-over me, I just booked a day at Discovery Cove for my family (2 adults and 2 children aged 7 & 10, both goodish swimmers)

I have always been put off before by the high cost of admission and the fact that I wanted my DDs to be very confident in the water before doing this. As they now are, and as we are likely to not have a Florida trip for the next few years I thought I would bite the bullet and do it!

It's very unlike me to do things without a lot of advance planning, so please help me out with all your tips to get the most from our day here

What time swim would you recommend?
What should we not miss?

Thanks to you all

 

[KayleeUK]

OMG!!! How fab!

 

[florida sun]

Woo hoo Karen, You Jon and the girls will love it.

Vicki and I were there early in the morning and had one of the first swims with the dolphins. It was truly a magical experience(well apart from trying to get in and out of the wetsuit ) We then spent the rest of the day, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. It is like a little piece of tranquility in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the parks.

You get a free photo taken on the way in and then professional photographers film and take photos of you while you are with the dolphins which you can purchase later.

You get lunch included with the price as well, which I have to say was really good.

Be prepared for the water to be on the cold side even in August as it needs to be at a lower temp for the dolphins I believe.

They provide you with all you need such as the snorkeling equipment and even their own sun lotion which is friendly to the dolphins and fish.

If you need to know anything else please just ask, you will have a wonderful day, its worth every single penny.

Enjoy!!!! Oh by the way our dolphin was called Capricorn

 

[Deedee]

We have done DC twice the first time our dolphin was roxy the second was Akai. Its totally different to the other parks its so relaxing and laid back. We got there early and had the swim about 11.30am you can go in with the sting rays see birds swim with other fish and from someone who hates being out of their depth in water i found it ok. one tip is don't go for the full length wet suit they look hideous go for the half one!!!! you can put a life jacket on to go in the water if you need one for extra confidence. The main thing you need to do is take plenty of cash the jewellry gift shops are great!!!! Have a great time

 

[sharon78]

O WOW Thats great..so pleased for you.Are you going to tell your DD's, or wait untill you get there ?

 

[Miffy2003]

O WOW Thats great..so pleased for you.Are you going to tell your DD's, or wait untill you get there ?

We are going to keep it a huge surprise

 

[Frances999]

What wonderful news Karen!

We always like to have our swim before lunch, so about 11am is our preference time, but we obviously have to take what we are given. My main tip is to arrive EARLY - the first time we went we turned up about 5 minutes after opening and were in line for about half an hour and ended up with a swim at about 3pm. Another reason for trying to secure a morning swim is so that you can hopefully avoid the thunderstorms -- especially in the summer! The lines for lunch can build up too - so we usually wait until about 1.30pm to avoid the mad rush. There is a nice bar beside one of the lagoons which serves the most incredible smoothies ever - absolutely delicious! Not included, obviously, but really refreshing.

You will all have an amazing time!

 

[sharon78]

Thats wonderful Karen.Hope you all have a magical experience

Sharon

 

[Frances999]

Just thought of something else - don't forget to take some water shoes if you have them. Some of the surfaces are a little uncomfortable on the feet!

 

[Miffy2003]

Just thought of something else - don't forget to take some water shoes if you have them. Some of the surfaces are a little uncomfortable on the feet!

Good plan Frances - we always do to the WPs but I wouldn't have necessarily thought to here!

Deedee - noted, half wetsuit it will be Thanks!

 

[irishnewbie]

does anyone know if you can book an additional swim with the dolphins. my husband, myself and our 4 daughters are going and only one of them is over 6. both my husband and i would love to do our swim with her but someone will have to stay with the younger kids,anyone ever heard of someone buying an additional swim so my daughter could swim with me first and then my husband!!!silly i know but hoping!

 

[arieliwish]

Hi,

We did DC 2 years ago with just DD (then 9) doing the dolphin swim. our original day was postponed due to hurricane frances, and the only day we could reschedule for was our final day, so we arrived very early to ensure an early swim. It was a fantastic day! Very relaxing day to end our holiday.

Yes the food was fab, it never felt crowded, and I opted for a wet jacket instead of a suit!!

If anyone in your party wears specs (like me) find out what their prescription is, as they will loan you a prescrip mask for free, they just need a swipe of your credit card in case you don't return it!

DD's dolphins were CJ and sharky!

 

[steve_rob]

Actually, I much preferred the look of the suit to the vest - each to their own I suppose. I think I've got a picture of me in it (and DW in the vest) in my Discovery Cove pictures somewhere if you want a look.

Agree on the need for water shoes. I actually bought a pair at DC and now wouldn't go to a water park without them - they're great!

 

[xmasinorlando]

Get there early.

We went December 2005. Tried to keep it a secret as xmas pressies for DC 16,12,9,8, but couldn't do it. Arrived after 10am (problem with transport)and had a 4.30 swim which we didn't mind, but the day just went far too quickly. Would love to do it again.

Have a great time

Karen


Just started planning for 2008

 

[jna]

from someone who hates being out of their depth in water i found it ok.

Glad to hear that. I can't swim at all - the rest of my family can, but I'm going to go in as well, wear whatever I need to float, and ask the dolphin kindly to not let me sink! Couln't bear to buy a non-swim ticket.

 

[kieras nana]

what time does DC,actually open then & what time is early? we are so looking forward, to our visit in nov.are there plenty of sun beds for everyone,as would prefer to have a base,for the day.
can't wait
tracy

 

[jna]

It opens at 9.00 a.m. and when I asked a while ago about when to turn up in order to get an early swim slot it was suggested up to an hour before opening time.

 

[Ware Bears]

Karen, you will have a wonderful time. This was the highlight of our holiday!

does anyone know if you can book an additional swim with the dolphins.

Yes, you can provided there is availability. Speak to them when you check-in. One of my DDs and I were going to do it when we went but in the end we were having so much fun snorkelling with the rays that we decided against it.

 

[AnitaCB]

Just thought of something else - don't forget to take some water shoes if you have them. Some of the surfaces are a little uncomfortable on the feet!

Where do you get these from and are they expensive!?!

Thanks.

Anita

 

[Frances999]

Where do you get these from and are they expensive!?!

Thanks.

Anita

You can buy them at Discovery Cove itself - that's what we did - but they were very overpriced and you can get them much cheaper. I believe you can buy them from shoe shops over here too, maybe someone else will be able to help?