If you are visiting Kissimmee during a busy week, consider taking a day off from the hectic theme parks and spending an all-inclusive day at Discovery Cove. Included with admission is unlimited food, snacks, and drinks including alcohol. The Laguna Grill restaurant is centrally located in the park and serves breakfast until 10:30 and then lunch until 3:30. There are also several drink huts throughout the park offering drinks and snacks. Free animal-safe sunscreen is provided along with locker rental, towels, wet suits, souvenir snorkels, and masks. A complimentary group/family photo is taken as guests enter the park and can be picked up as guests leave. Attendance is limited to around 1200 guests per day.

Guests can purchase their ticket as either Day Resort Package or Day Resort with Dolphin Swim, which is more expensive but worth it to try at least once.

There are special upgrades that can be purchased including Trainer For A Day and SeaVenture.

 Freshwater Oasis

This is the newest addition to Discovery Cove. The Oasis water is kept nice and warm in this exhibit where you swim through tropical rainforest and view marmosets and sea otters. There is an adjacent drink hut with in-water seating for when guests really want to relax.

Wind-Away River

This is similar to a lazy river, but it’s warmer and has a stronger current. The river varies in depth so it’s a good idea to bring a noodle or wear a life vest so you can float and relax if you feel like it. You will travel through the rainforest and go through caves, past waterfalls and rock formations, and even under a waterfall as you enter the free-flight aviary. (tip: Wear a hat or goggles if you don’t want water in your eyes.)

Explorer’s Aviary

This free-flight aviary hosts hundreds of birds from around the world. The zookeepers hand out small cups of food so guests can feed and interact with them. Often they will perch on your arm or shoulder.

Grand Reef

Grand Reef has colder water than the oasis and river, so make sure to wear your wet suit. This is where you can snorkel and interact with hundreds of tropical fish and rays. A glass wall separates guests from sharks, which can also be viewed from the walkway above.

Dolphin Swim in the Dolphin Lagoon

Perhaps the most noteworthy experience at Discovery Cove is the dolphin swim. Guests are scheduled a dolphin swim time upon check in. At the allotted time they watch an instructional video and are then taken to the dolphin lagoon where their experience begins. Professional photographers are in the water taking photos, which are available for purchase. The photo package can be purchased before arrival or the same day. The cost is per family and includes quite a bit including photo cd, photo frames, photo album, 4×6’s, and more. Check with park for more package info. There are also places along the lagoon where a family member/friend can take photos for you.

 

• Time Required: 1 day

• Parking: free.

• Hours vary depending on season and day of week.

• Ticket prices: Discovery Cove prices vary widely by date and season. 14-day admission to Aquatica and SeaWorld is included with your Discovery Cove ticket. Busch Gardens + free parking can be added on for $25.

• Park website

• Discovery Cove map

Discovery Cove and all SeaWorld parks are opposed to drive hunts in Japan and elsewhere. No animal in our collection is from a drive hunt. The overwhelming majority of marine mammals in our parks were born in our parks. In fact, it is a violation of U.S. law to bring an animal collected in that manner into the U.S. To learn more about what zoos and aquariums are doing to stop this practice, visit http://www.actfordolphins.org/ and to learn more about SeaWorld® and Discovery Cove® visit http://seaworldcares.com/.