Good Description Needed

[Upcoming]

I have looked at the Discovery Cove website and navigated around the Internet to try to find as much information as I could regarding Discovery Cove; however, I am still having a difficult time envisioning what a day at Discovery Cove is like. What exactly is there to do? Is it similar to a waterpark, yet more "ocean" like? What types of things do you do all day? I hope this doesn't sound stupid, but I really cannot find a good "picture" of what Discovery Cove is all about (with the exception of swimming with dolphins, if desired). As much detail as possible would be helpful. We are thinking about going when we are on our trip in June. Is it worth it? Will be going with 2 thirteen year old boys. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[sbplayer2410]

I think it is definately worth it, basically there is an amazing "lazy" river, where you can float or swim, there is a place to swim with sting rays (yes you can touch them), a place to swim with tropical fish, you can go snorkeling, swim with dolphins, and there is an aviary, where you can touch exotic birds. DC also has restaurants with amazing food (all food/snacks/and drinks are payed for in ticket price, so eat and drink as much as you want)

 

[mrsklamc]

We just went, so here's my best shot at a detailed description.

You arrive and go through security. Then you go to a check in desk where a picture is taken of you. The picture goes on a plastic ID card which you wear on a lanyard around your neck all day along with a plastic card with a map of the park on it. This lanyard must be tucked into your wetsuit or vest when swimming with the dolphins. At check in you are also told your dolphin swim time.
You take a brief tour and your complimentary welcome photo is shot. Then you are directed to an area where you select either a wetsuit or vest. You get a snorkel bag with a snorkel, mask, and complimentary sample of dolphin safe sunscreen. You get to keep the snorkel but the mask and bag get returned. Before your dolphin swim you go to a cabana for a brief video and instructions. You cannot take anything in the water with you although I recommend aqua socks because it is a simulated lake complete with rocks you can stub your toes on We got to give the dolphin ice and fish and get to know and give her a kiss before swimming out about 30 feet and being towed back. You do this in groups of 8 and there are four groups in the lake at a time. The dolphins do jumps individually and in groups.
In addition to that, there is an aviary with all kinds of birds that are so tame they will come land on you. You can get cups of food to feed them. I think there's a fawn or two also but we didn't see them.
There is a coral reef full of tropical fish in it as well as some huge sting rays. (Their barbs are trimmed of course.) There are also windows you can swim up to and see barracudas and sharks.
There is a ray pool so that you can touch rays.
Additionally there is a large fresh water pool heated to 80 degrees with waterfalls, a cave, and a 'lazy river' that also goes through the aviary.
In addition you can eat and drink all you want. I believe lunch was from 10-3 or something like that. There are a variety of menu options. You can also have snacks all day. They offered a variety of individually packaged crackers, cookies and chips. You can also have all the Anheiser Busch products, pepsi, water, coffee, tea, water, hot chocolate, or pepsi products you want.
You can link your ID to a credit card so you can leave your wallet in your locker if you want, and your ID also indicates whether or not you are 21 for the adult beverages.
The showers contain crabtree and evelyn shampoo, conditioner, and body wash,towels, and even plastic bags for your wet clothes.
There are white sandy beaches w/ beach chairs and even a hammock. Basically, it's a tropical paradise....
Is there anything you still have questions about?

 

[eeyoreforever]

I'm glad you asked this question because I have been seriously debating on whether it is worth it or nor to visit DC. My dd's are 12 and 14 and I know my 14 year old would LOVE to swim with the dolphins, but it really doesn't sound worth it to me. It sounds like you kiss a dolphin and it tows you in and you pay an extra $100 for that?? Am I missing something? We've talked about this for several years and always decide against it.

I just want to clarify that the extent of the dolphin interaction is kissing it and being towed back.

By the way, thanks for the description of your day!

 

[mrsklamc]

It's about a half hour in the water with the dolphin. There is some other touching in very directed ways, which of course is necessary because at heart it really is a wild animal. You may also learn some basic hand commands that they use with the dolphins but the trainer was also using a whistle so I had to wonder if it was more her whistle than our hand signals

We weren't going to go and then were able to get a discount code and reluctantly decided to spend the money. Even the kids rated it better than Disney! (age 8 and 9.)

 

[Magic2000]

Thanks for your description!! Me, my mom, and my DD are thinking about this for our upcoming trip. However, my mom can't swim (really, can't swim at all - sinks to the bottom!); anyway, if she did the non-swim package, could she still watch DD & I? And can she do everything else that we'd be doing?

Thanks!

 

[coasterfiend]

Your mom could watch you in the dolphin encounter without a problem, and pretty well everywhere else, except as you float down the lazy river. As far as being able to swim, you are required to wear a scuba type vest whenever you're in the water, they may have had floatation vests but I can't vouch for that. The water isn't very deep in a lot of the pools - about 4 feet, in the tropical reef pool it is deep, so not recommended without a life vest for the nonswimmer.
We were at DC in 2005 when my son and nephew were both thirteen and they each had a great time! They even enjoyed the aviary - we got lots of great pics of them with birds sitting on their arms, shoulders, heads! I highly recommend it! It's also a great break from all the walking in the parks, etc - sitting on a nice beach chair in the shade, sipping a cold drink and watching dolphins swim . . .

 

[mrsklamc]

Would your mom be comfortable holding a 'noodle' for the lazy river? And if she's brave enough, you might give the snorkeling a shot- you're more bouyant in salt water than in fresh. The resort pool is pretty shallow in most spots though.

 

[Magic2000]

Yes, she'd do fine with a noodle! Thanks for the idea. Do I need to provide my own, or are there any there for the public use?

Thanks!

 

[mrsklamc]

They're provided!