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Discovery Cove

Contents

• Park Info
• Tips
• General Information
• Highlights of the Park
• Dining at Discovery Cove
• Tickets
• Coming Soon

Park Info

Discovery Cove Orlando invites guests of all ages to take part in an unforgettable experience. Here, at this exclusive and all-inclusive day resort, you can intermingle with animals that, in the wild, would do anything they could to avoid you.

The number of visitors to Discovery Cove each day is strictly limited to 1000 people, ensuring no crowds, no turnstiles and no chaos. Serenity and relaxation are the order of the day here.

In this wonderful environment, you can drift along a scenic river, hand-feed colourful tropical birds in their free-flight aviary, snorkel in crystal-clear waters amongst exotic tropical fish and rays, relax on pristine, white-sand beaches and touch, swim and interact with bottlenose dolphins – amongst the world’s most loved and intelligent creatures.

Tips

Operating Hours

Discovery Cove operating hours are between 9.00am to 5.30pm daily. Check-in starts at 8.00am.

Busiest Times

Because visitor numbers are limited to just 1,000 people per day, Discovery Cove doesn’t get anywhere near as crowded as the Florida theme parks, even in the height of summer when there is greater chance of the park being full.

Discovery Cove is popular with visitors the year round because the pools and lagoons are kept at a regular temperature. If you plan on visiting in the cooler months, a wet-suit will help ensure you don’t feel chilled.

Water Temperature

The water temperature at Discovery Cove remains constant throughout the year:

• Serenity Bay: 86 F (30 C)
• Wind-away River: 86 F (30 C)
• Dolphin Lagoon: 77 F (25 C)
• Tropical Reef: 77 F (25 C)

Parking

There is complementary self-parking at Discovery Cove for all guests. Discovery Cove’s address is:

6000 Discovery Cove Way
Orlando, FL 32821

The Aviary

Make sure you arrive early, no matter what time your Dolphin Swim is booked for. If you’ve managed to get through the check-in process before 9.00am and can enter the park when it opens, head straight off to breakfast. Then, after breakfast, before changing into swimwear, go to the aviary.

If you’ve timed it right, there will be very few people there. Most folks wander around a little before breakfast and then change into swimwear before exploring.

Your early arrival at the aviary will help ensure that the birds are still hungry enough to swoop down and eat from your hand.

Money

There is no need to take money with you, as once you’ve purchased your Discovery Cove tickets, everything you’ll need whilst there is included.

There are three exceptions to this. The first is if you choose to purchase photos of your dolphin swim experience, which are taken by Discovery Cove’s own photographers.

The second is if you choose to rent a cabana, furnished with table and chairs and suitable for up to eight people, in which to relax when not exploring the park. And finally, if purchasing anything from the gift shop.

Taking Other Items

• You must, of course, take your own swimsuit. Optional items you can take include rubber pool shoes or water socks, sunglasses, hat, dry clothes and a cover-up.
• You can take a camera or video camera into Discovery Cove, although filming or photographing the Dolphin Swim is not permissable.
• You can take in other necessary personal items. For safekeeping, they can be kept in a locker.
• To see what is not allowed into Discovery Cove, see the ‘Leave it at Home’ section.

Lockers

Lockers at Discovery Cove go quite quickly, so try and ensure you reserve one sooner rather than later.

Cameras

Although you can’t take photos of the Dolphin Swim, you can use your camera elsewhere in the park. However, if you don’t already own one, consider purchasing a disposable underwater camera – it will prove worth it.

General Information

Showers

There are hot showers available at Discovery Cove, with which you can use at any time throughout the day. Toiletries and towels are provided free of charge.

Complementary Items

Wet-suits, swim-vests, masks and snorkels are provided free of charge. The snorkel is a complementary gift and is yours to keep.

Discovery Cove also provide guests with a complementary souvenir photo as a reminder of their day.

Those that have chosen entry to Busch Gardens as part of their ticket package can make use of free transportation between Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa.

Leave it at Home!

• Taking your own food and drink is not permissable, both are provided free of charge throughout the day.
• You may take your own mask and snorkel into Discovery Cove if you prefer, but because all other necessary items are provided, no other diving or swimming equipment is allowed.
• Discovery Cove has a very strict policy regarding the use of sunscreens. Only a specially formulated, animal-friendly sunscreen, samples of which are available free of charge, is permitted for use in the animal habitats.

Highlights of the Park

Discovery Cove Attractions

• Dolphin Swim Experience
• Explorer’s Aviary
• Serenity Bay
• Wind-Away River

The Grand Reef

In celebration of their 10th Anniversary, there is now a new area to explore at Discovery - The Grand Reef.

Here, in crystal-clear water, families can wade, swim or snorkel amongst more than 10,000 exotic marine species including tropical fish, sharks, rays and barracuda. Even though you can swim alongside sharks, lionfish, barracuda etc, they are kept behind a glass barrier for safety reasons.

You, along with the rest of the Grand Reef inhabitants, are free roam where you please. There are plenty of paths and bridges over and around the reef, waterside trails to explore, delightful beach areas complete with palm trees in which you can sunbathe and relax, and many hidden grotto’s and secret areas to explore whilst in the water.

Dining at Discovery Cove Orlando

Breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks such as cookies, ice-cream and crisps, are free throughout the day as part of your Discovery Cove ticket.

Both vegetarian and Kosher needs are catered for in the restaurants.

Tickets

Discovery Cove tickets are available from FloridaTix in two types – Choice or Ultimate Adventure Swim or Non-Swim. The swim or non-swim element means you can choose whether or not you’d like to swim with dolphins whilst at Discovery Cove.

The Choice ticket allows you 14 days unlimited admission to either Seaworld or Busch Gardens and the Ultimate Adventure ticket gives you 14 days unlimited admission to Busch Gardens, Seaworld and Aquatica.

Discovery Cove Tickets – What do they Include?

Discovery Cove ‘swim’ tickets include the following:

• A 30 minute dolphin swim experience
• Unlimited access to the Grand Reef, Wind-Away River, Explorer’s Aviary and Serenity Bay
• All inclusive food
• Continental breakfast, plus snacks throughout the day.
• Three course meal for lunch
• Non alcoholic drinks for everyone, selected alcohol for over 21’s.
• Snorkel gear, swim vest or wetsuit, lockers, beach chairs, towels and sunscreen

Discovery Cove ‘non-swim’ tickets include everything except the 30 minute dolphin swim experience.

Coming Soon - Freshwater Oasis

2012 sees the arrival of a new attraction in Discovery Cove; Freshwater Oasis. Guests will be able to wade down a lazzy river through a habitat of otters and marmosets. Keep an eye open for this great new attraction coming soon

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