Just Booked DC for June

[kate08096]

Hello everyone!!! My name is Kate and I'm a newbie from NJ. I've actually been looking around the forums now for a bit but just decided to sign up and post.
My family of 4 will be heading to Florida June 28-July 7 and just booked the dolphin package at Discovery Cove. We are super excited and can't wait to visit the park. Can anyone give us some tips on what to expect and also what to bring. Was wondering if anyone knew where I could find menus for dc.
I have a million questions so please forgive me do they let you keep your googles and snorkle and does anyone know if they have prescription googles if I wanted to take my contacts out? Thanks again everyone in advance!

 

[Lynne G]

Welcome. You can read other threads to answer most of your questions. Gina has some great pictures in her trip report from this past year and lots of info in the other threads.

The best thing. About DC is that all you need is a change of clothes, camera, and a comb/hairbrush. They give you towels, soap and shampoo, suntan lotion, wet suit or vest, snorkel and fins and a locker.. I am not a fan of sharing my snorkel and fins, so we brought our own, and they did not mind. They do have prescriptive goggles, but I did not use. you can always call to confirm they have ypur prescrption goggles. No jewelry allowed except for a wedding band. They are strict with that as they do not want to drain the water and searching is not easy either. I felt safe leaving my jewelry in my locker.

With your DC tickets, you also get 14 days admission to Aquadica and Sea World. For an extra 20, you might have also ordered 14 days to Busch Gardens Tampa. If you are planning to hit these other parks, I suggest you call DC and ask for a parking pass to those other parks. It was 25 dollars or so, and it is 15 to park in each of those other parks. Sea World is worth 2days to see all the shows and feeding, Aquadica is a nice water park for a day visit, and BG Tampa is worth a day too.

All food and beer/wine is included in DC. There was a nice assortment of both breakfast and lunch items, no dinner. Also soft pretzels, ice cream bars, and chips bags are also unlimited.

If you want to feed the birds in DC, do that early, as when they are full later in the day, they are not as friendly. Get there early to get an early dolphin time.

Have a great time. We really enjoyed our time there 2years ago, and my DD11 was so happy there, we are going again this December.

 

[sdwrdt]

Your snorkel is yours to take home

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hello everyone!!! My name is Kate and I'm a newbie from NJ. I've actually been looking around the forums now for a bit but just decided to sign up and post.
My family of 4 will be heading to Florida June 28-July 7 and just booked the dolphin package at Discovery Cove. We are super excited and can't wait to visit the park. Can anyone give us some tips on what to expect and also what to bring. Was wondering if anyone knew where I could find menus for dc.
I have a million questions so please forgive me do they let you keep your googles and snorkle and does anyone know if they have prescription googles if I wanted to take my contacts out? Thanks again everyone in advance!

This site might help you out with your food questions:

http://www.orlandovisiting.com/discovery-cove/food

 

[kate08096]

Thanks all so much for your advice and Thanks gina for the link. Loved seeing all the options. Im starting to wonder if my kids will want to swim or eat cake and ice cream all day

 

[SYDCOLEMOM]

The food was great. Lots of variety.

per the Visiting Orlando link :

Breakfast was your basics. You have a choice of hot and some cold buffet options. The hot food mainly consisted of your typical breakfast options including ham , breakfast potatoes, sausages, french toast and scrambled eggs. Lots of drink choices - coffee, juice etc.

Lunch was also great.
Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken
Homestyle Chicken Tenders
Grilled Blackened Tilapia with Fresh Pico de Gallo
Pasta and Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
Hot Dog
Beach Burger
Veggie Burger
Jambalaya
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Kids Mac & Cheese
chocolate cake, cheesecake and carrot cake

snacks included
Assorted Chips
Granola Bars
Ice Cream Bars (Similar to the Mickey ones)
Trail Mix
Crackers
Pretzels (Cinnamon & Salted)

drinks
Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid etc
Frozen White Cherry
Frozen Lemonade
Iced Tea
Sweet Tea
Coffee
Decaf Coffee
Hot Chocolate

adult beverages
Bud (Draught)
Bud Light (Draught)
Land Shark (Draught)
Canyon Road Chardonnay White Wine
Canyon Road Carbenet Red Wine
Frozen Alada Colada
Frozen Island Sunrise




and as far as the Snorkel equipment goes you get to keep with Snorkel and mask they give you. My kids loved being able to keep theirs. Made a nice souvenir.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks all so much for your advice and Thanks gina for the link. Loved seeing all the options. Im starting to wonder if my kids will want to swim or eat cake and ice cream all day

LOL, I am betting you will have no trouble enticing them into the water .

Now, getting them to dry off and go home...........THAT might be a problem!!!

 

[goalie mom]

Hi,
I'm from NJ, too, and am planning our first trip to Discovery Cove and DisneyWorld in January. Discovery Cove looks amazing! My kids are so excited about it. I hope you have a great trip in June. If you think of it, can you post back and let us know how DC was? I'd love to hear all about it!