Are you looking for a destination where you can experience the beauty of nature, swim with dolphins, and have a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Then look no further than Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. This hidden gem, part of the SeaWorld brand, is a secret paradise that any family, road tripper, or travel blogger should add to their bucket list.
With its stunning landscapes, interactive exhibits, and up-close animal encounters, let’s explore why Discovery Cove deserves a spot in your Orlando itinerary.
What is Discovery Cove?
Experience a captivating escape at Discovery Cove, where every step welcomes you into a mesmerizing world. This all-inclusive oasis envelops guests in a tropical paradise with palm trees, waterfalls, and serene sandy beaches. With a limited number of visitors allowed each day, tranquility awaits to offer an unparalleled experience.
Discovery Cove embodies the essence of a Caribbean island, ideally situated amidst the vibrant city of Orlando. This all-inclusive day resort transports you to a tropical oasis adorned with water activities, fascinating marine life, blossoming flora, and an atmosphere of ultimate relaxation.
The park only allows a limited number of visitors daily, ensuring a more tranquil and peaceful experience.
Need a hotel for your Orlando visit? We’ve got several lodging great choices for you in this post.
Unforgettable Encounters
You can swim and play with beautiful bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat at Discovery Cove. These gentle creatures love interacting with their human friends – they’ll circle you, swim alongside you, and even give you a ride on their dorsal fin.
This interaction is an optional add-on and requires an additional fee, but it’s undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime.
Take the chance to meet some of Florida’s most breathtaking wildlife. From armadillos and sloth to anteaters and exotic birds, there are many encounters to be had. In the stunning Coral Reef exhibit, you can also snorkel with tropical fish, rays, and even sharks.
SeaWorld and Aquatica are in the same family as Discovery Cove. Some packages allow multi-day use of Discovery Cove, along with admission to SeaWorld & Aquatica Orlando, or all those plus Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and free parking. See the website for more details.
Fun for the Whole Family
There’s something for everyone in Discovery Cove. Families can spend the day lounging on the beach, floating down the lazy river, or playing volleyball. Kids will enjoy the Explorers Aviary – a hands-on exhibit where they can feed and interact with birds from around the world.
And for those looking for some relaxation, there’s an adults-only oasis away from the park’s main hustle and bustle.
Life vests (in every size imaginable!), kid’s pool toys, and sand buckets are all included in your entrance fee. Discovery Cove even offers free swim diapers!
Park Upgrades
For an extra fee, enhance your ticket with the following animal encounter upgrades: Trainer for a Day (interacting with dolphins), Ray Feed, Animal Trek, SeaVenture (a 20-minute underwater tour in the Grand Reef while wearing a dive helmet, encountering sharks, fish, and rays), and Shark Swim.
Please note there are minimum age requirements for animal experiences.
Elevate your day with a cabana rental: a perfect spot to relax, beat the heat, and enjoy highly attentive service. With chaise lounges and a table with chairs, our cabanas accommodate 6-8 guests. Prices run $299 for this option.
For the ultimate experience, consider Discovery Cove’s Elite Cabana Package at $599, including personalized buoy delivery, a photo package, and all the regular cabana amenities.
All-Inclusive Prices and Accessibility
Discovery Cove stands out with its all-inclusive pricing, offering various packages that cover everything needed for a perfect day. Admission includes snacks, drinks (including select beer and wine), equipment rental, and meals.
The range of activities available is impressive, including swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, floating, enjoying the beaches, playing in waterfalls, interacting with stingrays, feeding exotic birds, playing with otters and marmosets, exploring underwater caves, and relaxing in hammocks or beach chairs.
With admission, you can access towels, shower amenities, lockers, wetsuits, animal-friendly sunscreen (available at all restrooms), and all-day parking, minimizing unnecessary hassle.
A ticket grants admission to Discovery Cove, featuring select areas like Wind-Away River, Explorer’s Aviary, The Grand Reef, Freshwater Oasis, and Serenity Bay. Prices range from $150 per person to around $179 for a ticket with the Dolphin Swim option.
The park operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with check-in beginning up to two hours earlier. Discovery Cove offers accessibility options, including wheelchairs and service animal accommodations, and is certified as an Autism Center.
This is a cashless operation.
Discovery Cove’s Food and Drinks
Discovery Cove offers exceptional dining options with a delicious tropical-inspired breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Enjoy freshly prepared meals, including gourmet options, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, all catered to accommodate dietary needs.
An assortment of beverages is also available, including gourmet coffee, refreshing cold drinks (Coca-Cola products), and a selection of beer and wine (for guests aged 21+).
The Laguna Grill breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:30 A.M. Menu includes chicken & Belgian waffles, a variety of eggs, sausage links, breakfast potatoes, French toast sticks, seasonal fruits, pastries, yogurt, cereals, milk, coffee, and orange juice.
For lunch, choose from signature entrees such as burgers (including veggie burgers) and fries, coconut-crusted salmon, jerk chicken, Jamaican pepper steak, cold wraps, salads, ceviche, and desserts.
Kids have their own menu options, including Mac and cheese and chicken tenders. Lunch hours are 11 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Hibiscus Hideaway Pizza offers a variety of flatbread pizzas, soft serve ice cream, fruits, Icees, chips, bottled water, and tea from 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
In addition, Discovery Cove features the all-new Blue Bamboo Bar, offering snacks like chips, soft pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, and more.
The Premium Drink Package allows you to enhance your park experience for $40 in addition to the basic park ticket.
My Noteworthy Experience
During my visit to Discovery Cove, along with fellow travel writers, we were provided connecting cabanas to enjoy for the day. Unfortunately, I sustained a severe back injury a day before the trip, impairing my mobility. This greatly hindered my ability to appreciate the activities at Discovery Cove fully.
Nonetheless, I found solace in my comfortable and shaded cabana, observing families interact with rays and enjoy snorkeling.
To my pleasant surprise, the cabana attendant noticed my difficulty walking and promptly arranged a scooter, enabling me to explore the vast Discovery Cove property without limitations. This act of exceptional customer service allowed me to discover and appreciate aspects of the park that would have otherwise eluded me.
It served as a true testament to the level of service provided at Discovery Cove.
Discovery Cove Will Amaze You
The awe-inspiring beauty, meticulous attention to detail, and impeccable cleanliness of Discovery Cove have left a lasting impression on me. Despite being part of the SeaWorld family, Discovery Cove stands out as a unique attraction in its own right.
The park has been open since 2000, but I only learned about it a few years ago. I am thrilled to share this Orlando hidden gem with you. I assure you that a trip to Discovery Cove will be filled with fun and relaxation, offering an unparalleled and unforgettable experience.
My visit was sponsored by Discovery Cove and Mediavine as part of the “We Grow Retreat 2018”. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% my own and unbiased
Check out our Florida posts:
Zenful Bon Tower Gardens in Central FL
How to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
Read more about Discovery Cove from our friends:
Discovery Cove Guide: Everything You Need To Know from Kim of The Savvy Mama Lifestyle
The Ultimate Guide to Discovery Cove from Sarah of Savoring the Good
Lara Dunning
Friday 7th of December 2018
I would so be one of those people with the floaties just hanging out. :) Looks like a fun place and I like that the cabana attendant went out of his way to help you!
Astrid Vinje
Thursday 6th of December 2018
I don't usually do all-inclusive resorts, but Discovery Cove seems like it would be a fun getaway. Swimming, snorkeling, and playing in waterfalls sounds like my cup of tea! The price still seems pretty steep for our family, but considering all the activities you could do, I suppose you get a lot of value for your money. Thanks for sharing this!
MelodyPittman
Tuesday 11th of December 2018
I'm with you. This is only a day activity (not a resort as I think of them with accommodations), but my first time doing all inclusive as well. I'm always worried that the quality of food and service would suffer but it certainly didn't disappoint at Discovery Cove. Thanks for reading!
Joanne
Thursday 6th of December 2018
We've visited Orlando 8 times but incredibly we've never visited Discovery Cove. I had no idea there were so many activities you could do there! This can definitely be a full day activity.
Michael Hodgson
Thursday 6th of December 2018
We don't even live there and I had heard about Discovery Cove -- but always assumed it was just another theme park playground. You have corrected that assumption. Seems like it might be a nice place to hang for a day, if hanging in Orlando is the goal. Will keep it in mind and would not have even considered a visit were it not for your reading your post.
MelodyPittman
Tuesday 11th of December 2018
Thanks so much! I love hearing that. It's so nice when things literally in your backyard (in my case) throw you for a loop like Discovery Cove did me. ;)
Jenn and Ed Coleman
Monday 3rd of December 2018
Sorry to hear about your back. We hope you get well soon. We are always torn about Discovery Cove but I think this puts us over the fence and we would go if an opportunity presents itself. It looks like there is so much more to do than just swim with the dolphins. I didn't know that meals were included. We were just down thataway the other day for Magic Mushroom Pizza.
MelodyPittman
Tuesday 4th of December 2018
See, even you knew about it and you just moved here. LOL Thanks Jenn & Ed. ;) Yes, I was pretty shocked at all of the things there were to do at Discovery Cove and that food and drinks were included. Show me an unlimited Diet Coke fountain and I am sold! LOL