Discovery Cove

[ccgirl]

we were just at Discovery Cove on 9/23.
it is AN ALL DAY THING
we checked in at 745 and were given a 1030 dolphin time.
we ate breakfast, got our gear, got our locker.
then we swam at the Grand Reef with the fish and sting rays until 1000.
swam with dolphins, then ate lunch.
then did the aviary, lazy river.
then my husband and i got margaritas and layed under a umbrella. ate soft pretzels.
everything (food, drinks) is included!!!!
i shopped, he did the grand reef some more, and we left at 4. we could have stayed later but we went to MNSSHP that night and needed a nap before that!
but its great. dont rush it!

Margaritas were included too? I thought it was just beer and wine??

 

[morehousemommy]

My husband and I will be going on May 22. We are taking our 3 kids (13,12,9) and my mom on a Disney Cruise and then going to Sea World and Discovery Cove. My dream is to swim with dolphins. I absolutely can not wait to spend the day there. We will get there as early as possible and stay as late as possible.

 

[Violet Crayon]

A storm was heading through about 4:00 and you could see lightning in the distance. They had every evacuate the water. Within just a few minutes they were under a "code red" as they called it and forced everyone into the gift shop.

This was the beginning of the frustrating end to our afternoon. The employees I believe did not handle the situation well, and in turn, the guests did not. At one point, the employees of Discovery Cove told us that we were not allowed to leave. Even if we ran out of the gift shop and got to the reception area, they would not let us to our cars. Now that part did concern me because I had a Mears shuttle scheduled and it was the last one of the day. Anyways, to be told we were "trapped" did not go over well with guests and there was a lot of ignoring direction and complaining and yelling. This went on for about 45 minutes. At one point one of the employees said that lightning was within 1 mile of the park, but we did not get a lot of rain.

So it turns out that 3 weeks ago, lightning struck a cabana and some guests were injured. That is why they reacted to the lightning so aggressively. I realize that they have to have a plan in place, but I find it hard to believe that this is the first situation in the 11 years they have been open. I do not think they gave their employees the correct tools/instruction on how to handle the situation appropriately either. Hopefully, it will get better.

Not only have many employees and guests been zapped or injured from lightning over the years but a water safety employee died after being struck at Busch Gardens' water park a few months ago. The old system of suggesting people stay under cover was clearly not working so now it is treated seriously (aggressively) as annoying as it might seem. The new plan is not only from the parks but from the State of Florida who determined after recent events (and media pressure) it was not safe.

Florida has more lightning strikes than almost any place on the planet, and most people are struck by making the choice to run from one location to the next (mall to the car, or car to the house...) The only suggestion I can make to anyone who does not want to experience this at DC is to head out as soon as the waterways evacuate (code silver or white) because within five minutes they will probably call "red."