Discovery Cove

[jpeppers]

I spent 2/24 at Discovery Cove with my daughter and it was by far our best theme park experience ever. The excellent treatment they provided started the minute you walk in the front door. We were given a Dolphin swim time of 11 am.....I was actually hoping for later since it didn't get over 65 degrees that day but it worked out great. We headed to the resort pools and initially went into the tropical fish lagoon and wondered how we would get through the day as the water was quite cold but then we made it to the resort pool and it was incredible, very warm. During the day we made so many laps around the river that I couldn't come up with an accurate count. The Dolphin swim was incredible. The interaction was priceless as was watching your childs excitement. My daughter told me I was the best father any kid could have so that was worth the price of admission to me. The food was fantastic as was the Michelob Ultra that I was drinking but I always thought a wet suit would be easier to get out of as the day goes on but I was wrong. By the end of the day I could have used the jaws of life on my frequent trips to the restroom to get rid of the Ultra. My daughter decided she didn't like the Rays but did fine with everything else. I had my first experience with snorkeling and it was awesome the tropical fish were incredible and I have to admit I wasn't real fond of the Rays that were my size. I almost had to drag my daughter out but we were able to get out by closing and get all our pictures......very expensive but very high quality. If I had any idea how to share pictures I would do it. If you want to have a great and relaxing day in Orlando it is Discovery Cove!

 

[DISNEYMOUSEFAN]

Thanks for the info. I am looking into going and all of your review really helped!

 

[cswtmom]

Glad you had a great time . I don't remember how to load photos here but maybe someone else will tell us how to . I would love to see them . We are going to Discovery Cove on April 22 and we can't wait

 

[scootch]

Thanks for the review.. taking my girls(who will be 10 and 7 at the time) this november... can't wait!!!

 

[greenclan67]

I have some great pics from DC as well, but don't know how to do it eithier!
I will say it was the best park we visited as well. You felt like you were in some oasis. It was very relaxing, and the dolphin swim was just an added bonus. We loved it!

 

[scrappinmom]

Thanks for the great review!!!!

As for posting pics...the easiest way to do it it to go to a photo sharing site...like photobucket dot com and upload them there and then in you message post a link...

I'd LOVE to see pictures! We;re going on March 27th!

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

im going May 14th with my hubby for the very first time.. Im excited Im bringing three camera..lol two for pictures and one for video..or is it the other way around...lol either way this board will be bombarded with photos..lol

 

[czycropper]

It sounds like fun. I'm considering going when I got to visit my Dad with my DDs.

How expensive were the photos taken by the onsite photographer?

 

[cswtmom]

It sounds like fun. I'm considering going when I got to visit my Dad with my DDs.

How expensive were the photos taken by the onsite photographer?

Check out this post:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2086547

Hi all,
I just got this from Discovery Cove and I wanted to share with everyone

Dear Peggy, Thank you for contacting Discovery Cove. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you with planning your adventure.
Your dolphin interaction will automatically be photographed and videotaped and you needn't worry about asking anyone for this service. Following the interaction, your photographer will accompany you to a viewing cabana where they will show you your photos and a DVD segment and explain the packages available. The DVD includes the entire 30 minute interaction of the group of 8. You may see random photographers in the Aviary or Tropical River and these photographs can be added to your CD as well.

The photo package prices and individual prices are:

Adventure Photo Package - $139.00 / $148.04 including tax

(5) 6 x 8 Prints

(2) Key chains with choice of print

(1) Digital Photo CD

Basic Photo Package - $59.00 / $62.86 including tax
(3) 6 x 8 Prints

(2) Key chains with choice of print



Additional Items With package / With Tax or A la carte /With Tax

4” x 6” and Wallets $10 $10.65 $20 $21.13

6” x 8” Print $10 $10.65 $20 $21.13

16” x 24” Poster $25 $26.63 $35 $37.28

24” x 36” Poster $35 $37.28 $45 $47.93

Interactive DVD $50 $53.25 $75 $79.88

Digital Photo CD $75 $79.88 $125 $133.13

Marble Tiles $39 $41.55 $59 $62.84

* All prices are in USD.

Thank you for your interest in Discovery Cove and we look forward to having you visit us in the near future. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any ad di tional questions.

Best Regards,
Cheryl Rutherford
Guest Relations
Discovery Cove

I hope this will help everyone, Peggy

__________________

 

[czycropper]

Thanks so much!

I think it will be worth it just to see my younger DD's expression when she's swimming with the dolphins - she absolutely LOVES dolphins.

I just booked it and included my Dad, who I'm sure will find a lounge chair and read all day but at least he'll be there with us

 

[Tigger0624]

We're booked for 3-31- just me a DH taking a day in what seems to be a small slice of paradise for ourselves (my parents will be with us for the week and seriously- who can afford for 8 people to go to Discovery Cove??? Evenwith FL resident pricing...) But I cant wait!!! Dolphins are one of my favorite creatures in the world and to get to swim with them and share it with my Hubby!!!! I cant wait!!!!!

 

[Stinasmom]

Hey jpeppers!
Glad to hear you and family made it all the way from our great state of Washington to Florida and Discovery Cove!
I totally get what you said about getting in and out of the wet suit! I didn't mention that in my trip report as no one else in my family had any trouble... they're all skinny!

I loved the rays that were as big as an adult! I have often told the story of swimming above the big ones with my arms out to see if my "wing span" was as wide!

Was the beer still included? (no extra charge?) Seems fair since this is not an inexpensive day... but as you said every thing is such high quality, it really is worth the price.

With all those laps around the lazy river, did you stop at the aviary? Did you investigate some of the underwater "sunken treasures" and artifacts they place along the way? The detail of this park is wonderful.

Thanks for posting your experiences!

 

[jpeppers]

We did finally make it to the Bird aviary but it was late in the day before I could finally coax my daughter out of the water and in there and of course once I got her in there it was hard to get her out. The beer is still free and I did take advantage of it although with all the swimming we were doing the Beer really didn't have much of an effect on me. I really thought Discovery Cove would be a once in a life experience for us but after doing it I know I'm wrong.......we will go back and maybe soon. I talked to my daughter and she thought it would still be fun to skip the Dolphin swim next year and just do a day in the park. I will do the Dolphin swim again some day though.......it was incredible. Aquatica was also awesome.......so much better than I would have thought, we spent 8 hours there and still didn't want to leave.