Discovery Cove vrs DW water parks?

[hourfromdisney]

I've tought about doing DC. Has anyone ever done both DC and DW Typhoon Lagoon? It seems to me, except the avairy and dolpin swim, that Typhoon lagoon would be just as good, depending on the crowds. Typhoon Lagoon has snorkling with the fish/sharks. And it has the lazy river thing. The two other things that I see on DC website is the avairy, and the dolphin swim. Not being the biggest dolphin fan, probably wouldn't spend the extra $100 or more for the dolphin swim. I love theme parks and want to do the most for my money. Not sure DC is worth it compared to DW.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The biggest difference between the two is the number of people. Discovery Cove limits their admission on any given day to a relatively small number of people. Tyhpoon Lagoon can have some fairly long lines at times.

Another difference is the food. The Discovery Cove ticket includes food and drink for the day.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Considering the Non Dolphin swim at DC is 179.00 right now and one day at TL is around 44.00, I would buy my own food and go to TL.

 

[Inkmahm]

Our favorite part of DC is swimming with the stingrays and feeding them later in the afternoon. The aviary was very cool, too. I'm not a water park fan at all so it's DC for me.

 

[HopperFan]

They are two completely different adventures and I see no way to compare them. Not even the snorkel experiences are close enough to compare. It sounds like the experience at DC is not for you, so I would just go to a water park.

 

[mdrob214]

I've tought about doing DC. Has anyone ever done both DC and DW Typhoon Lagoon? It seems to me, except the avairy and dolpin swim, that Typhoon lagoon would be just as good, depending on the crowds. Typhoon Lagoon has snorkling with the fish/sharks. And it has the lazy river thing. The two other things that I see on DC website is the avairy, and the dolphin swim. Not being the biggest dolphin fan, probably wouldn't spend the extra $100 or more for the dolphin swim. I love theme parks and want to do the most for my money. Not sure DC is worth it compared to DW.

They really don't compare. On our last trip we did both DC and both Disney waterparks and I loved both TL & DC. THe dolphin swim is an incredible experience--even if you aren't a dolphin fan they are amazing creatures. While at DC we did the dolphin swim first thing and then thought we'd be out of there early afternoon, but we were enjoying ourselves so much we stayed almost until closing. It was FABULOUS!!! If you can swing it cashwise, go to DC and give it a try. Continental breakfast and a nice lunch are included, as well as all the drinks and snacks you want during the day, including Anheuser Busch products: beer, wine-cooler type drinks, soda, slushies, etc. The aviary was really great--I was surprised by that since I didn't think it would interest me. One of our favorite experiences was snorkeling in the coral reef--it truly was fun (I'd never been snorkeling before so it was great to me!) The beach pool and lazy river were also great fun. After we finished at DC we headed over to SW--you get 7 consecutive days' free entry to either SW or Busch Gardens (in Tampa) with your DC admission, so if that was on your schedule, it is a good deal. You can go for an hour (like we did--just to ride the Kraken) or for a few hours each day.

TL's completely different, even though it also has snorkeling: water slides are fun and the wave pool is AWESOME!

Have fun!!!

 

[DOOM1001]

As others have said they're different things,some in my family would love to swim with a dolphin,sting rays and get the service you get with smaller crowds in the relaxing setting of Discovery Cove,I on the other hand rather spend my time on water slides and floating in the lazy river.So it depends what you like to do,some people might see it as a bargain to pay $280 to do the DC thing,I look at it that for $100 I can get an Annual Pass to both Disney waterparks and that's like $100-$180 less than it would cost me to do DC,which I would do but I know I would be happier in a waterpark.maybe you can wait and do Aquatica the new Sea World waterpark opening this spring that while it won't have Dolphin swims,will have some slides that drop you in clear slides through areas with dolphins and will definitely have an admission about the same as the other waterparks in the area.

 

[Capt_BJ]

DC and TL vet here

The TL 'snorkel' was a MAJOR disappointment....after standing in a long line one gets in at one end of the pool and snorkels approx 20 yards .... "no stopping, don't stand up hurry along please" get out, you're done....

TL is otherwise an average waterpark with water slides & tubes et al....and a better than average wavepool (IMHO)

DC....other than the 'dolphin experience' which is scheduled and short....you are on your own to do what you want as long as you want. Want to spend all day in the reef snorkel area? go for it. 3 hours on the lazy river .... no problem. And no crowd because they limit the number admitted. But, yes, this does come at a premium $$$$. Lunch and snacks included, but no slides or waves.

But if the snorkel thing is your decision point, don't go to TL for the snorkel gig.

Consider tho that for what you'll spend for 4 people on a day at DC, you may be able to rent a car, drive to Key Largo from Orlando, stay overnite and take a boat out to a REAL reef.....

http://www.pennekamppark.com/snorkeling.html

 

[DOOM1001]

The Typhoon Lagoon shark reef snorkel is not a big deal,as all the sharks swim at the bottom and you have to stay at the surface,but it's still cool to see them and to be able to brag about how you SWAM WITH SHARKS!!I also enjoy the 65 degree water,it's a little difficult to get in at first,but once you're in it feels really good and when you get out you feel invigorated!!But it's not something I'd wait 30 minutes for unless it was your first time and you wanted to give it a try.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've done both TL and BB many times and as of Sept. we did DC. We love them both-and like others have said, they are completely different experiences.

For me, and my DD8, the Dolphin swim was amazing. And well worth the extra $100 each (only $50 however by using AMEX special deal-I got $50 back on each of us). My DM and DSis didn't do the swim but also had a great day. In fact, they thanked me for having us do it!

All food and beverages are included. DD7 really liked being able to get all the frozen lemonades she wanted. The Coral Reef was awesome as were the Ray Pool (no swimming with them, but feeding them was really great).

We went on a Sunday in Sept. and we overhead that the park was just at capacity that day (a little over 1000 people) The low crowds were really cool. We also heard that mid-week, there were only about 400 a day. Next time I will pick a mid-week day.

As far as TL goes, it's our fav. Disney water park. And yes, how often can you say I Swam with Sharks. We took my adult DNiece there for the first time in Sept. and she really enjoyed the Shark Reef. She and I did it a few times in a row with only about a 5 min. wait. We took our time going through-in fact the next group of swimmers passed us by. As long as you don't turn around you can take your time. However, it doesn't compare with being able to dive down with the fishes like at DC. There their sharks are behind glass but you still get the effect of almost swimming with sharks.

For us, DC was a great experience and I hope to do it again in a few years. However, we do do TL and/or BB each trip (as long as the weather is good) and always have a wonderful time. DC is definitely a more relaxed feel-they are no rides, etc. just a great way to spend a day being with your family and ocean creatures.

If you can only do one or the other, and rides, etc. are more important than snorkeling, etc. then I would do TL. And yes, it is substantially more to do DC.

Have a great time either way you choose.

 

[Dopey420]

No comparison.

At DC, the lazy river is 8 feet deep in places! It is awesome! There are lots of "surprises" in the DC lazy river. It is by far worth every penny.

Even if the DC food SUCKS. And it does.

 

[snowbunny]

Even if the DC food SUCKS. And it does.

Not any more than theme park food throughout Orlando...

 

[christinou]

Even if the DC food SUCKS. And it does.

We actually thought the food was very good.....

 

[mickeysaver]

During our last trip we did DC and BB. Trust me WDW water parks are not the same sort of experience. I have a major desire to return to DC again, BB....not so much. Yes, I enjoyed BB, but DC was just so much more relaxing and it was so much less crowded. Also, the lazy river at BB was so shallow that I found myself scratching up my knees and toes quite a bit. Overall, it sounds like you are like I was before the trip....trust me, if you have the means, DC is worth every penny....and contrary to one of the other posters, I believe the food was quite good overall.....especially for a theme park. Maggie

 

[mm6mm6]

We enjoy Typhoon Lagoon much more than Blizzard Beach so we go to TL every time we're at WDW.

We spent one vacation doing the SeaWorld/Discovery Cove/Universal-IOA "Orlando" trip to see how it was compared to Disney.

Discovery Cove and Typhoon Lagoon are (as many otheres here have stated) are like comparing oranges and homemade apple pie ala mode.

Discovery Cove is truly an "experience" for an entire day. TL is a water park. A very fine water park, but just a water park all the same.

DC is stunning. We still talk about it. When we talk with someone who has been, we get all excited just thinking about it.

It does sound to me like you would be better off at TL though....