Discovery Cove - Without Water?

[carrieb]

Hi
This is a weird question - can you do DC without setting foot in the water or getting wet?
Obviously this means no swimming with dolphins but the rest of the description of what you can do at DC sounds pretty water intensive.

I ask because my Dad cannot get wet!
No, he's not a Gremlin - in February he had a LVAD (a heart pump) installed, he now runs on electric and water is a big no-no.
He could probably wade to his ankles or maybe mid-calf but he is not able to submerge anymore - Dad was never a swimmer so this wasn't too big of a sacrifice when you compare it with not being here.

He saw the Travel Channel's "Behind the Scenes at Seaworld" and really was taken with the aviary at DC - I saw the show too and have been on the DC website and wondering if he could do it safely without being wet.

Suggestions?

 

[Cindy B]

Hmm--

If I remember correctly from my trip 5 years ago, you have to wade through water to the aviary. I think we walked from the stingrays to the aviary. I don't think the stingrays cove was deep (I didn't get submerged)

I don't know about snorkeling though.

Perhaps you should call Discovery Cove and ask a rep/supervisor what the total depth is for each area.

 

[BroadcastNewsMSU]

You can enter the aviary without having to get in the water. There is a door you can enter and exit through close to the ray lagoon.

Also, the ray lagoon is not very deep, but the water can be waist deep in parts of it.

Your day will probably enjoy the day at DC, but without doing any of the water activites, he may not feel like he got his money's worth.

 

[mickeymel]

I just got back and the aviary is nice, but not huge. It took us all of about 15 mintues to look at the birds and feed them. It may be expensive to do just for that ---I think it is 179.00 for admission without the dolphin swim.

 

[the_princess]

Yeah you can enter the aviary from land side as well as water side. But I wouldn't do DC just for that. There is a lot of other nice stuff to do as well outside the water, so you can still get a great day without swimming...

 

[DVCLiz]

Yeah you can enter the aviary from land side as well as water side. But I wouldn't do DC just for that. There is a lot of other nice stuff to do as well outside the water, so you can still get a great day without swimming...

There aren't any other planned activities, though, are there? I would think after you've spent some time in the aviary, the rest of a non-swimming day at Discovery Cove would consist of eating breakfast and lunch and watching the dolphins or the stingrays from the shore. That and sitting under an umbrella with a book. That might make a nice enough day, but $179.00 is a lot of money for what would essentially be a day at the beach.

I got bored watching the dolphins after 30 minutes, and that was with my own children being part of the group I was watching!!! You just can't stay interested all day. I would think it would be even more boring to watch the ray pool and the reef, because all you would really see would be a lot of people either standing in waist deep water or floating on their stomachs. None of the marine life is really visible from the top of those pools, unless you like to watch the rays put a flipper up occasionally.

 

[the_princess]

There aren't any other planned activities, though, are there? I would think after you've spent some time in the aviary, the rest of a non-swimming day at Discovery Cove would consist of eating breakfast and lunch and watching the dolphins or the stingrays from the shore. That and sitting under an umbrella with a book. That might make a nice enough day, but $179.00 is a lot of money for what would essentially be a day at the beach.

I got bored watching the dolphins after 30 minutes, and that was with my own children being part of the group I was watching!!! You just can't stay interested all day. I would think it would be even more boring to watch the ray pool and the reef, because all you would really see would be a lot of people either standing in waist deep water or floating on their stomachs. None of the marine life is really visible from the top of those pools, unless you like to watch the rays put a flipper up occasionally.

Well, I could spend hours watching the dolphins play, relaxing and walking around enjoying the beautiful scenery. My mum didn't do any swimming and she wants to do DC again, just because it's so relaxed there. They only let in a certain amount of guests, so it's never crowded...

 

[DVCLiz]

Well, I could spend hours watching the dolphins play, relaxing and walking around enjoying the beautiful scenery. My mum didn't do any swimming and she wants to do DC again, just because it's so relaxed there. They only let in a certain amount of guests, so it's never crowded...

Yes, it's a lovely park, isn't it? And I love the limited numbers of guests - later in our vacation week when I was trying to relax by floating around in a concrete ditch with 1000s of teenagers trying to race by in the "Lazy River" at Typhoon lagoon, I thought back to Discovery Cove and how peaceful and wonderful it was.

But, there aren't any other "planned" activities like the aviary, and I didn't want the OP to think there were. If her dad was into walking around all day looking at the scenery or reading on the beach, it would be a great day. But it's still $179, so I know some people wouldn't think it a good value unless you could do the water activities.

Just my thoughts...

 

[the_princess]

Yes, it's a lovely park, isn't it? And I love the limited numbers of guests - later in our vacation week when I was trying to relax by floating around in a concrete ditch with 1000s of teenagers trying to race by in the "Lazy River" at Typhoon lagoon, I thought back to Discovery Cove and how peaceful and wonderful it was.

But, there aren't any other "planned" activities like the aviary, and I didn't want the OP to think there were. If her dad was into walking around all day looking at the scenery or reading on the beach, it would be a great day. But it's still $179, so I know some people wouldn't think it a good value unless you could do the water activities.

Just my thoughts...

ohh yeah it is based on the water activities and I guess it depend on your money situation. It is a lot of money for just food and birds...

 

[pinkypominnie]

Discovery Cove was the best day of my life - I loved it!!! (loved it so much we went twice!) And we actually spent a good couple of hours in the aviary but I am a huge wildlife fan, and really enjoyed getting so close to the birds and touching the deer....(beautiful Luna ) I do agree however that the highlight for me was the snorkelling and the dolphin swim, but there is a large area around the coral reef that is shallow (there is a big drop off the edge of the reef), beautiful beach, fab food and drink, and it is a wonderfully relaxing and indulgent day, I think your dad would certainly enjoy it but it does depend on money as it is very expensive and maybe not "value for money" if you dont do the swimming? xxx

 

[carrieb]

Thanks to all who have responded!
We're not going until May '08 so we're in the planning process and this has been a great help in beginning to figure out whether or not to make this part of our trip.

It is nice to know that we can spend the day without being in the water.
I don't tend to do "relaxing" vacations so the idea of sitting around would probably make me horribly antsy - but it might be a good day off from being at WDW.

I know my Dad - even if the aviary was the size of a small closet he would still spend hours in there! For people who love birds the best part is watching their behavior and getting to interact with them is just an amazing plus.

As for the 'value for money' - according to DC's website the 2008 price would be about $189 -and that does include a pass to either Seaworld or Busch Gardens - but for this trip - the value is the fact that my Dad is actually still here so the money part is not an issue to me.

Thanks again!

 

[Cindy B]

As for the 'value for money' - according to DC's website the 2008 price would be about $189 -and that does include a pass to either Seaworld or Busch Gardens - but for this trip - the value is the fact that my Dad is actually still here so the money part is not an issue to me.

Thanks again!

So sweet! I'd give anything for my departed MIL to go to Discovery Cove with us.

If you think about value, the 7 day ticket to Seaworld included is a great deal.

It's a wonderful day --so great that I am going for my second time next week!

 

[Tigger2252]

When we went last October we spent a great deal of time in the aviary. I have dozens of pictures of my family interacting with the birds. We also spent a lot of time looking at the flora throughout the park. We also did the water activities, but the majority of our day was spent out of the water because it had turned unseasonably cold the day we went. The kids enjoyed the hot chocolate! I really enjoyed photographing the scenery and animals. If your father is a bird enthusiast he will really love the aviary. He can sit on the edging with the food that is made available and the birds will come to him! My mother loved birds and would have loved DC. I wish she had lived long enough to be able to go.

 

[yaytezIOA]

The aviary is awesome, really. The best thing to do with the aviary is to get there early and be there when the park opens. The birds go nuts! They are more like pigs really.
Later in the day, they tend not to eat or interact as much as they do first off in the morning.
Here's my podcast from discovery cove, with pictures:
http://ioacentralradio.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=216260

 

[christinou]

My 10 year old spent hours in the aviary, she really loved it, I spent hours on the stair in the water at the exit of the aviary waiting for her, I think that your dad would truly enjoy the experience, and would probably love watching you swim with the dolphins.

 

[mbatemantx]

I would say definitely go !!!! We thought the Aviary was fantastic, go early in the morning, the birds are much more active. When we were there they had a live band playing for all of the lunch period with shaded areas to sit in. Also I would recommend a spot to set up for the day that offers shade and a bit of seclusion, I did not see any umbrellas when we were there. Where we set up our base was coming from the entrance go over the bridge to the coral reef, and stingray lagoon and immediately turn right. There is a small area there surrounded by trees that provides shade throughout the day, and is a bit secluded.

Other issues may be how well your dad can walk through the sand, as he will need to do that to get to the aviary and to go down the beach to watch the dolphins. Remember you get snacks and drinks most of the day, and the atmosphere is such that I would be happy sitting and reading a book later on in the day.

 

[carrieb]

Other issues may be how well your dad can walk through the sand, as he will need to do that to get to the aviary and to go down the beach to watch the dolphins.

Sounds silly but I never thought about the sand! I'll have to bring that up with him. I can't remember the last time he was on sand.
And thank you for the directions to your 'base camp.' (I wonder who else I'll see there? )

 

[mbatemantx]

They do have some wheelchairs with fat tires that can be used on the sand. Also will he have enough batteries for his LVAD for the whole day? If not I am sure that DC could accomodate him. The staff there were very helpful when we were there.

 

[carrieb]

The batteries are device specific and they last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours so Dad always carries a few of his back-ups with him. [When he was recovering from his surgery a son of a fellow patient warned me that you'll begin to think in 3 to 5 hour increments!]
When I've driven Mom & Dad down to his post-surgery checkups (about 90-minutes each way on a good day -"in Chicago there are two seasons Winter and Construction." ) I make him take his emergency 12-hour backup pack. Just in case!

So for this trip he's going to be taking EVERYTHING! All the batteries, his base charger (that he plugs into when he's not running on batteries and it also charges up the batteries) and the emergency back-up. We couldn't even begin to contemplate going anywhere without all his gear and we couldn't go anywhere that didn't have a hospital that does his particular device.

We'll likely let the LVAD group at that hospital know we're coming when our trip gets closer and I bet they've got a little advice to give us about visiting the Orlando area. Again - thanks for all the help!