Discovery Cove in Florida is a distinctive resort offering various animal encounters and all-inclusive amenities, with several unique features setting it apart from other amusement parks. Learn more about this exceptional destination in the following guide.
Discovery Cove Orlando is a unique park that offers a tranquil sanctuary for various marine animals, providing a peaceful getaway immersed in nature without extreme rides or long lines.
Visiting the park offers a resort-like experience in Orlando, known for its exceptional animal care and dolphin interaction. The all-inclusive ticket provides access to various activities for a full day, making it worth the higher entrance fee.
If you are familiar with Discovery Cove Orlando, have a love for animals, and seek a unique experience while visiting Florida, explore all the essential information in this comprehensive guide.
In this article you will find:
- How are the animals at Discovery Cove in Orlando?
- Information about the wildlife at Discovery Cove
- How to find Discovery Cove and directions to get there
- Discovery Cove Map
- When is the best time to visit Discovery Cove?
- Activities at Discovery Cove Orlando are included in the ticket, such as dining experiences with an all-inclusive system.
- Included activities with the ticket
- Experiences with booking accommodations on the side
- Gourmet dining at Discovery Cove with meals included
- Tickets for Discovery Cove
- Midpointe Hotel by Rosen Hotels & Resorts offers affordable accommodation. Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld and Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld provide higher-end options for staying near the park.
- Midpointe Hotel owned by Rosen Hotels & Resorts is an affordable option.
- Hilton Grand Vacations near SeaWorld is pricey.
- Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is a luxury hotel.
- 7) Additional advice for visiting Discovery Cove
- Stay prepared for the moment to access Discovery Cove.
- Mobile Chip designed for Florida
- Traveling to Florida safely
- 4) Items to bring and avoid bringing to Discovery Cove
- Tips for parents traveling with kids
- Photos at Discovery Cove
- Extra advice for visiting Discovery Cove
- Quick FAQs about Discovery Cove
- Also read
- Information regarding the creatures at Discovery Cove
- Experiences that are covered by the ticket
- Booking experiences outside the norm
- Discovery Cove offers a comprehensive dining experience.
- Midpointe Hotel is a budget-friendly hotel managed by Rosen Hotels & Resorts.
- Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld is a high-priced accommodation.
- Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is a luxury hotel ($$$$).
- Stay alert for the moment to access Discovery Cove.
- Florida’s mobile chip option
- Travel to Florida safely
- What items are allowed and prohibited at Discovery Cove
- Tips for parents traveling with kids
- Photos at Discovery Cove
- Additional advice regarding Discovery Cove
How is Discovery Cove in Orlando?
Spending a day at Discovery Cove is akin to reserving a spot at a Caribbean resort, providing a sense of exclusivity with limited daily visitors and efficient operation based on the season.
Arriving at the reception area, it resembles a hotel. It is recommended to arrive around 7:15 a.m., just before the park’s check-in and tour reservations open, in order to secure the best timing before others.
The ticket includes all meals, diving gear, parking, towels, and eco-friendly sunscreen. Additional costs may include souvenirs, photos, and extra tours.
A useful suggestion is to have breakfast at Discovery Cove, where visitors can enjoy a well-prepared meal. Additionally, the park provides lunch and snacks all day long.
The Discovery Cove ticket allows for unlimited access to SeaWorld and Aquatica in Orlando for 14 days.
Information regarding the wildlife at Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a component of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, which includes SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, and Adventure Island parks. These parks are all themed around animals, with a particular focus on bugs in the environment.
Many individuals object to animals being used in entertainment venues for profit, as some locations exploit wildlife in unethical ways to generate revenue.
Discovery Cove, along with other SeaWorld parks, are recognized for their conservation efforts towards various animal species, particularly marine animals.
The insects receive excellent care from the group, which runs preservation initiatives including a veterinary hospital that helps injured animals recover and be released back into the wild.
At Discovery Cove, you can see dolphins, sharks, rays, fish, otters, marmosets, and birds.
chsyys/Flickr
Where is Discovery Cove located and how can I get there?
Discovery Cove is located near downtown Orlando, Florida, less than half an hour away.
Access to the area is easily achieved by taking the I-4 W interstate road southward. Renters in Orlando can simply use a GPS to ensure they are on the right path. 🙂
The park provides a transportation service that takes visitors to and from the bus and taxi point at SeaWorld. This service can be easily accessed using a phone on-site. It may not be necessary since parking is already included in the ticket price.
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Discovery Cove map
Familiarize yourself with the Discovery Cove Orlando map in advance to make navigating the park easier and ensure you can follow your plan and enjoy the attractions when you arrive.
After checking in, you will be given a badge containing your personal details and reservation information, as well as a map for your tour.
When is the best time to visit Discovery Cove?
Discovery Cove Orlando is open year-round and is best visited during the summer due to the water-based activities, as winters are cold even though it does not snow.
Even during the winter season, it is recommended to explore the park as the swimming and recreational areas are heated. Only the section housing animals sensitive to colder temperatures requires thermal diving gear for protection.
If there is a storm or imminent risk during your visit, you can reschedule or get a refund for your ticket at Discovery Cove. It is recommended to plan your trip accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
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Activities to experience at Discovery Cove Orlando
Discovery Cove offers a variety of attractions that are included in the standard ticket price, while additional attractions require separate payment.
Extra activities can be reserved at the front desk upon arrival for an extra fee, with prices differing depending on the activity.
Choose at least one activity to try and avoid making too many reservations, or else you may run out of time to fully enjoy all that Discovery Cove has to offer.
Experiences covered by the ticket
Explorer’s Aviary is home to over 250 bird species, offering the opportunity to feed small birds and engage with larger ones measuring over a meter.
Freshwater Oasis is a designated area for relaxation, offering opportunities for swimming, nature walks to discover the surroundings, and observing otters and tamarins.
Serenity Bay is a peaceful area featuring white sandy beaches, palm trees, cabins, sun loungers, and hammocks for visitors’ comfort.
The Grand Reef is a spacious reef section that replicates the tropical environment, offering opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and observing fish and rays.
The Wind-Away River is a smooth-flowing river with varying depths that runs through most of the park, passing through different landscapes like beaches, tropical forests, and caves.
Experiences with booking accommodation outside the usual channels
Dolphins Swim is the most popular tour at Discovery Cove, where groups of up to nine people can swim and engage with bottle-nose dolphins in a lake for 30 minutes. Children must be at least six years old to participate, and they must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants must be at least ten years old and accompanied by an adult to go on the SeaVenture tour, where they wear special clothing during a dive with various marine species.
Participants are guided by knowledgeable staff to learn about sharks and engage in snorkeling in their natural habitat. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and a minimum age of ten is required for participation.
This tour offers a private experience at the Grand Reef before it is open to the public. Children under six must be accompanied by an adult to participate.
Private one-hour tour called Animal Trek offers an opportunity to explore the park’s behind-the-scenes area, starting with birds before encountering other animals like armadillos, anteaters, and sloths.
This activity includes unexpected elements such as an additional dolphin dive, a private photo session with two dolphins, a behind-the-scenes tour, assisting a trainer, and feeding fish in the Grand Reef, along with other activities.
Discovery Cove offers a comprehensive dining experience with its all-inclusive gastronomic options.
Discovery Cove provides visitors with all-inclusive ticketing, which includes continuous dining options available at various kiosks throughout the park, starting with an American breakfast served at 10:30 and continuing with lunch and snacks.
The only restaurant in the complex, Laguna Grill, may have a small line due to the controlled number of visitors at Discovery Cove. Lunch is available daily from 11:15 to 15:00 and offers a selection of salads, burgers, meats, and desserts.
The park provides a children’s menu with smaller servings and also includes choices for special diets such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan meals.
Besides the two main meals, the establishment also provides a variety of snacks like dumplings, pretzels, and beverages for customers to enjoy at any time of the day. Additionally, they offer coffee, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages for patrons over 21 years of age.
Tickets to Discovery Cove
The Day Ticket at Discovery Cove may cost more than tickets at other parks in the group, but it offers benefits that ultimately make it a worthwhile purchase.
It can encompass parking, meals, diving gear, and bath products, as well as access to other SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment parks for a 14-day period at no extra cost.
The number of available spots is restricted to 1300 individuals daily, so it is advised to secure tickets ahead of time. Prices may increase during peak seasons like summer holidays or US national holidays.
Prices differ based on the selected package, with children under 2 years old not being charged. See the following for estimated costs.
- Discovery Cove’s basic ticket costs between $149 and $180.
- Discovery Cove offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins for a price ranging from 199 to 310 dollars.
- Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Ticket, and Aquatica package prices range from $170 to $200. Prices may vary if you choose to add a dolphin encounter, ranging from $220 to $330.
- Tickets for Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens range in price from 195 to 225 dollars, with the option to include a dolphin swim experience for an additional cost of 245 to 355 dollars.
Refer to the official website for the most recent tariff rates applicable during your travel dates based on the 2019/2020 tariffs.
Ticket prices rise with the addition of extra activities such as additional tours, cabins, or exclusive reservations for special events.
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Where to lodge during your visit to the park
There are several good hotel choices near Discovery Cove and the other SeaWorld Orlando parks, some of which are official partners of the parks, offering certain benefits.
Some partner hotels provide advantages like preferred access, merchandise discounts at parks, transportation services, fast-track queues, and SeaWorld rescue tour access.
We have compiled a list of accommodations we suggest to assist you in selecting where to lodge in Orlando.
Economize by checking out budget-friendly accommodations in Orlando.
Daily rates may vary depending on the season and availability. It is recommended to verify the current prices on the Booking website.
Midpointe Hotel by Rosen Hotels & Resorts is an affordable option.
Good value for money and proximity to Discovery Cove are important factors.
Midpointe Hotel by Rosen Hotels & Resorts offers a convenient and affordable accommodation choice near Discovery Cove, with excellent amenities and proximity to popular American eateries and shops.
The place offers pools, green areas, security, and friendly employees. The accommodations are comfortable and come with cable TV, minibar, coffee maker, and microwave. Additionally, there is a laundry facility available for guests.
Rooms for two to five people are available daily for prices ranging between R$ 190 and R$ 400, including breakfast and parking.
Check prices, availability, and make a reservation instantly by clicking here.
Hilton Grand Vacations near SeaWorld is a pricier option.
A fantastic facility with top-notch amenities for accommodation.
The Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld is a key partner of the SeaWorld group, providing guests with various benefits and well-located, spacious accommodations close to theme parks and shopping areas.
Ideal for groups, this accommodation offers great value with rooms that can accommodate up to eight people. The spacious rooms come fully equipped with kitchen utensils, catering to those who prefer independence while traveling. Additionally, there is a small market available within the complex.
Daily rates range from R$ 390 to R$ 500 for two guests, including breakfast and parking.
View prices and check for availability to make a reservation by clicking here.
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is a luxury hotel with a high price range.
Great view of SeaWorld is a valuable feature.
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is an excellent choice for those seeking a more elegant accommodation option. The four-star hotel is ideally situated next to SeaWorld, with some rooms offering views of the orca whale park, and Discovery Cove is nearby.
The spacious rooms are very comfortable, with double beds and can host groups of four. The hotel also includes a game room, fitness center, water slides, Starbucks, and three dining options. The airport is within a 20-minute drive.
Daily rates for up to four guests, including breakfast and parking, range from R$ 1,500 to R$ 1,800.
View prices and check availability to make a reservation instantly.
View all available Orlando hotel choices for your travel dates at Booking.com for the best deals on accommodations in the US. Booking sooner will result in lower nightly rates.
Additional advice about Discovery Cove
Stay alert for the scheduled time to access Discovery Cove.
Arrive as soon as you can to make the most of your visit, even with the daily visitor limit. This way, you’ll have more flexibility in planning your tours and can fully enjoy your day at Discovery Cove, where time seems to go by quickly.
The park is open every day from 8:30 to 17:30, with check-in beginning at 7:30. During peak season, the park may open earlier, so it is advisable to refer to the official website for updates.
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What items to bring and leave behind at Discovery Cove
Bring swimwear and a change of clothes. You may also want to bring water shoes, although they are provided at the park. Neoprene vests and diving gear are provided at Discovery Cove and are included in the ticket price.
The park provides toiletries such as towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, a hair dryer, and sunscreen for your convenience.
The standard sunscreen is not permitted because it can harm animals. The park uses eco-friendly alternatives. Jewelry is also prohibited to prevent bugs from ingesting it.
The park provides water all day for your convenience. Remember to stay hydrated to enjoy your time with energy 😉
Traveling with kids: advice for parents
Children younger than six years old are not allowed to take part in certain activities at Discovery Cove, like swimming with dolphins or feeding the rays. The minimum age requirement for Sea Venture or swimming with sharks is 10 years old.
A good suggestion for those with infants is to consider renting a cabin for a more convenient experience. The park also offers shaded areas suitable for resting. Parents can bring milk and small portions of food for their babies, but glass containers are not permitted.
The park offers swimsuits in various sizes for children, including infants less than a year old. They also provide a special aquatic diaper for babies.
The Discovery Cove provides a baby stroller with large wheels suitable for sand at no charge.
Photos taken at Discovery Cove
You are allowed to bring your own camera or mobile phone for taking pictures, but you cannot bring the equipment near the dolphin tanks or shark areas due to park security reasons.
You can request another person to capture their pictures in the park’s designated area, but the quality may not be as high.
Discovery Cove offers professional photo packages that can be purchased when buying tickets or upon check-in, with prices starting at $199 and going up to $279, depending on the package chosen.
The least expensive option comes with four printed photos, while the priciest option includes 10 printed photos, a framed photo, an album, digital photo archive, a poster, and a metal printed photo.
Arriving early at the park allows you to get a family photo taken for free, which will be given to you later in the day.
Additional suggestions for Discovery Cove
- Arrive early to reserve tours, particularly the dolphin swim – by arriving when the park opens, you’ll have more time slots available and can make the most of your day.
- Having breakfast in the park is enjoyable and delicious. 😊
- Discovery Cove offers cabins that can be reserved, providing exclusive accommodations for families with children of all ages.
- There is a special VIP package available with a unique cabin and extra benefits, designed for those looking to make a special trip, like a honeymoon or engagement. If this applies to you, it’s worth thinking about.
- Flamingos can be spotted walking in the park once daily for a brief period. Be sure to watch for them during your visit.
- Prefer visiting Discovery Cove during the summer if possible.
- You can ask for a customized diving mask at the park reception if you wear prescription glasses. This specially designed mask will allow you to fully enjoy the underwater sights.
- Ticket prices fluctuate significantly, particularly around holidays or US holidays, so it is advisable to monitor them closely.
- Discovery Cove is an ideal place to relax, making it a great choice for the conclusion of your trip. However, it may be advisable to visit at the start of your trip during the rainy season, allowing you to rearrange plans if the weather is unfavorable.
Quick FAQs about Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove, part of the SeaWorld group, is a park that provides a comprehensive resort experience featuring various animal attractions.
Stay near SeaWorld and Aquatica parks in Orlando, Florida.
Near Discovery Cove, there are several good hotel choices including Midpointe Hotel by Rosen Hotels & Resorts (budget-friendly), Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld (mid-range), and Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld (luxury).
The primary highlight at Discovery Cove is the Dolphin Swim experience, where visitors can interact with dolphins. Additionally, there is an aviary and other water features available on-site.
Tickets for Discovery Cove range from $150 to $355 and can vary based on the season and additional activities available.
Safe travel is not mandatory for visiting Orlando or any other city in the United States, but it is strongly advised.
The standard ticket offers unlimited entry to The Grand Reef, Serenity Bay, Wind-Away River, Freshwaters Oasis, and Explore’s Aviary, along with meals and equipment for groceries.
The schedule is from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm daily with check-in beginning at 7:30 am.
Around 7:15, for more flexibility and choices in planning your activities, keep reading…
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