Discovery Cove - Yes or No

[Goseethemouse]

I have most of our trip (this August) planned but am completely stumped about our one week stay in Orlando. We (me and two sons, 11 and 8) will have seven days there and definitely will spend some time at Universal. We really enjoyed Universal Studios last time and the boys are into Harry Potter at the moment so IOA is a must. At the moment, we are booked for seven nights at a Universal hotel.

Older ds also wants to go to Aquatica and as he will celebrate his birthday during our stay it is rather hard to say no. Anyway, I read all the glowing reviews about Discovery Cove and made reservations but am not sure whether we should cancel. It IS rather expensive (yes, going to Seaworld and Aquatica makes it more reasonable but we really don't have that much time to take advantage of it). We are definitely not doing the dolphin swim but only the rest.

Also, I do have some reservations:

Older ds is a pretty good swimmer but has no experience snorkeling etc. Younger ds is just starting to swim. I think he will be able to do so by the time we get there but he definitely won't be a strong swimmer.

I am not into birds (actually I have a slight bird phobia). I did think the kids would enjoy feeding the birds but have now read that you feed them dead mice (or something similar). I thought it would be fruit nectare. While I realize that animals eat animals I know my boys will be upset/will refuse to do it.

Not sure whether the boys will get spooked by the rays etc.

As our reservation is in late August, thunderstorms etc. are a concern. What happens if there is lightening for a good part of the day etc.?

Also, we are going on a cruise at the end of the vacation so will have another opportunity to snorkel, enjoy the beach, etc.

Given how expensive this day is, I know I will be upset if everyone hates it (or just doesn't enjoy it at all). On the other hand I love the idea of a relaxing day with unlimited snacks, drinks, etc. And it seems that almost everyone loves their time at DC.

So what would you say? Should we keep the reservation or cancel and do something else (alternatives include Gatorland, Legoland, Wonderworks, Airboat Ride, etc.)

 

[Lynne G]

Everyone has their own opinions, and I'll say mine, but it's still up to you.

I really liked DC. I took my kids when they were 10 and 13, and we did the dolphin and my kids loved the rays and birds. We spend the whole day there the 29th of August 3 years ago. It did rain later in the afternoon, but since no thunder, no one really got out of the water. The food was good and it was a very relaxing day. When we fed the birds, it was only seeds and fruit, no dead/live animals. Not sure if that is what is now.

If it was me, and we did a 7 night Disney cruise last year, I'd skip DC and do Legoland or other things. For a decent price, you can get an annual pass to Aquadica or the Disney water parks. That may be a better fit, if DS wants to go to a water park. We really enjoyed Aquadica, and both of Disney's water parks.

Have a great vacation. We always go at the end of August due to my kids school schedule. I like Orlando when it is hot, and most of the time, the rain does not last long. Last year, we were in Orlando at the end of August, and it did not rain that much.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Everyone has their own opinions, and I'll say mine, but it's still up to you.

I really liked DC. I took my kids when they were 10 and 13, and we did the dolphin and my kids loved the rays and birds. We spend the whole day there the 29th of August 3 years ago. It did rain later in the afternoon, but since no thunder, no one really got out of the water. The food was good and it was a very relaxing day. When we fed the birds, it was only seeds and fruit, no dead/live animals. Not sure if that is what is now.

If it was me, and we did a 7 night Disney cruise last year, I'd skip DC and do Legoland or other things. For a decent price, you can get an annual pass to Aquadica or the Disney water parks. That may be a better fit, if DS wants to go to a water park. We really enjoyed Aquadica, and both of Disney's water parks.

Have a great vacation. We always go at the end of August due to my kids school schedule. I like Orlando when it is hot, and most of the time, the rain does not last long. Last year, we were in Orlando at the end of August, and it did not rain that much.

Thanks so much. We have actually been in August as well but I am just wondering what happens if there really is lightening i.e. they close the attraction.

We are doing Disney (including the water parks) earlier in the trip, but ds really liked Aquatica last time we were in Orlando. Just getting an annual pass for Aquatica might be easier.

If anyone else knows more about the bird feed I would appreciate it. I originally also thought it would be fruit/seeds but read somewhere that it is baby mice (or something like that). Definitely not something the boys would enjoy.

I am sure we will have a good time but this decision is so hard because a) everyone raves about it and b) it is so expensive.

 

[Fuhnuh]

We have been to DC the last three Augusts. DD12 was apprehensive about the rays at first but love wading around them and eventually swam out with them. She did not snorkel as much. We have done the Dolphin swim each time and will be doing it again this summer, but I don't think it is necessary to have a great time at DC. Two of our trips were interrupted by a half hour or so of lightning. They moved us under cover and then we continued the day as if the storm never happened. I am sure that the storms sometimes are long enough to close the park, but in our experience at Orlando waterparks, we have only had half hour or so interruptions. Usually, for us, thunderstorms have come mid-late afternoon, but last time it happened before 12 during our dolphin swim.

It is expensive, but if you feel comfortable with the cost it paradoxically has a lot to do and is very relaxing (lack of lines helps). We have fed the birds in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and have never encounter anything but fruits, leafy greens, and nuts. We also enjoy aquatica a lot. I don't know if there is a waterpark area I enjoy more than the ROA rapids.

 

[Goseethemouse]

We have been to DC the last three Augusts. DD12 was apprehensive about the rays at first but love wading around them and eventually swam out with them. She did not snorkel as much. We have done the Dolphin swim each time and will be doing it again this summer, but I don't think it is necessary to have a great time at DC. Two of our trips were interrupted by a half hour or so of lightning. They moved us under cover and then we continued the day as if the storm never happened. I am sure that the storms sometimes are long enough to close the park, but in our experience at Orlando waterparks, we have only had half hour or so interruptions. Usually, for us, thunderstorms have come mid-late afternoon, but last time it happened before 12 during our dolphin swim.

It is expensive, but if you feel comfortable with the cost it paradoxically has a lot to do and is very relaxing (lack of lines helps). We have fed the birds in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and have never encounter anything but fruits, leafy greens, and nuts. We also enjoy aquatica a lot. I don't know if there is a waterpark area I enjoy more than the ROA rapids.

Thanks, the more I think about it the less likely it is that they would really feed dead animals - surely my boys wouldn't be the only ones grossed out. It might be the way of nature but hardly what one wishes in a tropical paradise... So one thing less to worry about.

We really did enjoy Aquatica last time, especially ROA rapids. Originally, I was planning to do DC,SW, Aquatica and skip Universal on this trip. But then the boys really got into Harry Potter and now we have to go to Universal. Discovery Cove sounds great but I am not sure if we are trying to squeeze too much into the week (ie Universal, SW, DC, Aquatica). It will be a long trip and we definitely need some downtime and also want to do some other stuff.

 

[Maus]

Sounds like you have a full program already with Disney , Universal and Aquatica, I would find it stressful to pack more into seven days. That said I loved DC, specially the dolphin swim, would not do it without it. You don't have to be a strong swimmer , however, since it is so special and expensive I would not do it with my kids if they would not ask for it. Your boys ages are great for the adventure so. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Sounds like you have a full program already with Disney , Universal and Aquatica, I would find it stressful to pack more into seven days. That said I loved DC, specially the dolphin swim, would not do it without it. You don't have to be a strong swimmer , however, since it is so special and expensive I would not do it with my kids if they would not ask for it. Your boys ages are great for the adventure so. Have a wonderful trip.

The boys aren't going crazy for the dolphin swim so I booked without. While I am sure it would be neat I think the regular resort day would be fine.

Actually, we won't be doing Disney during the week - we are spending ten days there earlier in the trip. Still, it is a lot of parks and I think we will need some time to just hang out, play miniature golf, go shopping, relax at the pool etc.

Right now I do tend to think it might be best to cancel and do DC on a different trip...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am a huge lover of Discovery Cove. We have been twice....once with the dolphin swim and once without. Once with a cabana rental and once without. Once in the winter (New Years Day) and once in the summer (last week of August). Both awesome, amazing and incredible experiences.

That said, I have also done an airboat ride (at Wild Willy's in St. Cloud). And Gatorland. And the Outta Control Dinner Show at Wonderworks. All excellent attractions and tons of fun as well.

DC is expensive, its true. If you don't use the included components (admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica) it seems even pricier than it is. But for me, we have still found it good value (for the unique opportunities) despite the cost.

If the rays might cause fear, you have no interest in the dolphin swim, and you don't want to visit the birds (though they were not feeding them dead mice on either of our visits) then maybe its not the attraction for your family. You know your loved ones best! There certainly are lots of other worthy non-Disney attractions in Orlando to fill your time instead.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

My family loved Discovery Cove. And they have NEVER fed animals to the birds. They give you little cups with fruit and seeds in them and you can get the cup refilled as often as you run out. Feeding the birds early in the morning gets you better interaction with them.

For your child who is not a very strong swimmer they have life jackets you can use for the day free.

It's all you can eat food, drinks and snacks included with your price.

And actually doing the day without the Dolphin swim is not very expensive at all considering your Sea World and Aquatica tickets are included. But we also paid $299 per person for 5 ppl to go for the day and do the Dolphin swim. That one day cost us $1600. But it was totally worth it. I would not have wanted to go if we weren't doing the Dolphin swim but now that I have been there I would absolutely go back without doing the Dolphin swim.

We even paid the $20 per person more to upgrade to Ultimate tickets and went to Busch Gardens.

I don't think you are trying to do too much but that is how our family vacations.

We do a park or activity every day. We do not take down days or days devoted to shopping. We usually do Disney and Universal parks as well as Sea World, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, Typhoon lagoon, Disney Quest, Cirque Du Soleil, Blue Man group.

We pack as much as we can into our vacation.

So my vote is to keep your Dc day.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thank you everyone - still struggling with this.

I also prefer having an activity every day. However, we will be in Florida for six weeks so knowing my kids we will need some down time (there is some beach time scheduled in). We would all be interested in the dolphin swim but with it it is definitely more than I am comfortable paying on this trip. Without it the cost is reasonable if we use Seaworld/Aquatica. I think the kids will enjoy feeding the birds (it is just me that hates the idea).

I guess part of the problem is that we are planning to stay at a Universal hotel for the week. So either we rent a car (fairly costly due to parking charges both at hotel and parks) or use shuttles/trolley etc. I wouldn't mind the later if it wasn't in August with either heat or thunderstorms.

Also, I am wondering whether the experience is similar enough to excursions during our Caribbean cruise that we could skip it.

We still have a couple of weeks until we have to cancel so I will just have to think it over a bit more.

 

[Miumiu4me]

I'm a terrible swimmer. I still loved DC. I just got a life jacket and floated through things. DH and I did not do the dolphin swim and we had plenty to do though out the day. It's so pretty and relaxing there.

The bird feed is just fruit and seeds.

I love Gatorland, but it's a half day thing. Lego land is good for little kids, but not adults. Wonder works is dead boring.

 

[Goseethemouse]

I'm a terrible swimmer. I still loved DC. I just got a life jacket and floated through things. DH and I did not do the dolphin swim and we had plenty to do though out the day. It's so pretty and relaxing there.

The bird feed is just fruit and seeds.

I love Gatorland, but it's a half day thing. Lego land is good for little kids, but not adults. Wonder works is dead boring.

Thanks for letting me know about enjoying DC as a not so great swimmer.

I am still unsure - we will have seven days and don't want to rush too much. I am assuming two days Seaworld and one day Aquatica (I know you can do it in less but I am assuming we would want to take breaks etc.). Three days Universal. Leaves only one day and we definitely want to go to Gatorland, play miniature golf, kids REALLY want to go to Chuck E Cheese etc. I know we can make time for DC but I think we could fill the time easily without going there. And given that we will go on a cruise soon after it might be best to keep DC for another visit...

As far as Legoland is concerned, I think if we ever want to do it now would be the time exactly because it is more for little kids.

 

[Miumiu4me]

The only further thing I would say is you may actually end up saving $ if you plan on 3 days at SW/Aquatica. I believe you get a two week pass to those places included in your DC admission.

I love Gatorland, but it's brutally hot there in the summer. There is very little AC.

 

[1974]

My son (who is 10) and I just got back. We did Discovery Cove on the 4th of July. We had an amazing time there.

We fed the birds - they did not give us mice or any other alive or dead animals- though there was a worker who was feeding the carniverous birds small mice and she didn't make a big deal or even offer the information (My son and I were the only people in that room of the aviary so we noticed and talked to her about it ) but you could definitely avoid that and she didn't let us have the mice to feed the birds.

We saw all sorts of kids in the grand reef snorkeling with life jackets on and not all were good swimmers. Some stayed up the near the beach where they could stand and some were floating with their parents next to them.

We watched the marmosets for a while and watched the sea otters play, we floated along the lazy river a few times, and watched other people's dolphin encounters after we did ours. My son made friends with a few random kids througout the day whom he played with and such.

We also went to Sea World one day and hit up aquatica after a miserable day at Magic Kingdom.

The food was good and plentiful, the drinks flowed if you wanted them, the facilities were amazingly clean and well kept and i thought the staff was great.

I thought for what I paid and what I got out of it it was a much better value than our one day at Magic Kingdom and our one day at Disney Quest (Now that's a waste of money!!!)

 

[wiigirl]

The only further thing I would say is you may actually end up saving $ if you plan on 3 days at SW/Aquatica. I believe you get a two week pass to those places included in your DC admission.

I love Gatorland, but it's brutally hot there in the summer. There is very little AC.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I love Gatorland, but it's brutally hot there in the summer. There is very little AC.

Our Gatorland visit was on Boxing Day 2012, but I thought that it might be an okay place to visit in the summer. They have a fun looking splash pad:



and the Swamp Walk is pretty shaded (probably way more so in the summer months when the leaves are all on the trees):



Perhaps not much air conditioned opportunities here, but definitely some places to get out of the sun.

 

[Miumiu4me]

Our Gatorland visit was on Boxing Day 2012, but I thought that it might be an okay place to visit in the summer. They have a fun looking splash pad:

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/th...0129orlandochristmas0044_zps296c19b2.jpg.html

and the Swamp Walk is pretty shaded (probably way more so in the summer months when the leaves are all on the trees):

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/th...0129orlandochristmas0026_zpsc5203b72.jpg.html

Perhaps not much air conditioned opportunities here, but definitely some places to get out of the sun.

We are local and I've been in the summer. It was too much for me. It's typically in the 90s or higher in August and almost all of Gatorland is outdoors. The splash pad is good for little kids, but not so great for older kids and adults.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thanks for the Gatorland pictures! We have actually been once before but the boys barely remember it (they were almost 3 and 5). I do really want to go there this time and have it scheduled in for the day we leave Orlando to go to Cape Canaveral.

Still struggling with the decision but at the moment tend to think I will cancel. I am sure DC is great but:

a) we will have a chance to enjoy "tropical" surroundings on our cruise
b) I am afraid my expectations will be too high due to the high price. Not so much expectations of DC (think I have a pretty good idea what it is like), but about how much the kids should like it. I know it is silly but I will be quite upset if they complain about boredom, heat, etc. there.

Given the above, I think it might be better to wait until they are a bit older. That will give us a new experience to look forward to on a future trip...

 

[Jules123]

I was just there in May with my two DS, 11 and 8. We did one day at DC, one at Aquatica, one at SW, and three at IOA/US. My boys LOVED the day at DC. They were a little intimidated by the stingrays at first but after a little bit, they started having contests to see who could touch more of them LOL. We did the dolphin swim and they loved that too. I loved that it was such a relaxing day. We loved the other parks too but it was nice to have a day that was not rushed and we could take our time with NO LINES and NO WAITS ))