How long to spend at Discovery Cove

[TinkTatoo]

As a birthday treat for DD (paid for by her Granny) we will be getting a limo to DC and planning to arrive about 8:15 to 8:30. I am wondering what time we should book to be collected???

How long do you usually spend at Discovery Cove, bearing in mind we will be traveling with 2 kids aged 7 & 8 and going in August when there could well be afternoon thunderstorms. When we go to Typhoon Lagoon we get there for opening and usually leave around 1-2pm.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
Tink

 

[laudan14]

I would stop till the end. We got there at 8.15 and had a 9.45 dolphin swim and the day just flew over. You have to do the dolphins, snorkle with the fish, go around the river and get out and feed the birds and eat etc. My two 10 & 7 played in the warm pool and in the sand. We had a thunderstorm but stayed in the water in a cave when the rain was at its worst then we snorkled with the fish in the rain. We had bad weather on our holiday and I dont know if it was becuase it was the first sunny day we had for a week but they had to throw us out at the end!!!!! Park closes at 6 and you have to be out of the water by 5.30.

Make the most of it - it costs enough and you may never go their again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We had a rainy day and an early dolphin swim and we stayed until about 4PM. It was excellent fun. The lunch was great and my husband and son loved snorkling around. I just can't get the hang of snorkling, so I spent time on the beach or walking through the aviary or walking around the rays and other fish. Discovery Cove was way fun and we'd love to do it again.

 

[robvia]

Most people leave between 3 and 4pm. On our trip, we stayed until 5pm because our daughter made friends with a fishy in the coral reef lagoon and didn't want to leave. I had to drag her out of there. Plus we fed the stingrays which happens later in the afternoon.
In your case, 4pm will probably work good. You can tell the kids you need to clean up around 3pm. By the time you get all your stuff, turn in your gear, and pet the sloth on the way out, it will be almost 4pm.

 

[snoopy_mom]

Hi Tink - we are also going in August! This is a surprise for my kids (ages 10 and 8). My husband recently passed the boards to become an RN, and this trup is a reward for 3 years of hard work. What day in August will you be there? From everything I have read you should book your dolphin swim early, not only to avoid possible rain issues but also to allow you to relax the rest of the day.

 

[aprincessmom]

We left only because of a thunderstorm at about 3 and had gotten there at 8:30 to get in line for the open and a good dolphin swim time. We could definitely have stayed there 4 more hours if the thunder and lightning had chased us away. It was incredibly relaxing and fun and the dolphin swim was amazing. Have a great time!