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When is Discovery Cove open?
Every day of the year, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Why are reservations recommended at Discovery Cove?
Since attendance is limited each day, reservations are the only
way for guests to ensure their spaces at Discovery Cove. Several
dates have been sold out in advance, so guests should make reservations
as early as possible by calling toll-free at (877) 4-DISCOVERY or
visiting www.DiscoveryCove.com
online.
What are the age restrictions?
Guests of all ages are welcome at Discovery Cove and can enjoy the
snorkeling, swimming and beaches. To swim with the dolphins, guests
must be at least 6.
What animals will guests encounter at Discovery Cove?
Some of the most beautiful and intriguing species from water, land
and air reside at Discovery Cove. The most-prominent residents of
Discovery Cove are the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. This group
of more than 30 trained dolphins interact with guests during their
dolphin-swim experiences and can be observed from the Discovery
Cove beaches.
Thousands of exotic fish make their home in the park’s Coral Reef,
where guests snorkel and explore, and hundreds of colorful birds
fly among guests in the Aviary. In addition, guests may meet a variety
of interesting mammals and reptiles on the nature walk that brings
them into the park, or in the aviary.
How much time will it take to see everything Discovery Cove?
Guests should allow a full day to experience Discovery Cove. About
6-8 hours is recommended for guests to explore all of the animal
activities, enjoy the freshly prepared meal included with admission
and relax on the beaches and in the pools.
How long is the dolphin-swim experience?
The entire experience is about 45 minutes long - 30 minutes of that
time is spent in the water with dolphins. It begins with an orientation
by Discovery Cove’s expert trainers and an opportunity for participants
to ask questions before entering the water. Next, groups of seven
guests and a trainer wade into the Dolphin Lagoon for shallow-water
introduction to their dolphin. Then, the group swims into deeper
water with their trainer for a personal interaction with these graceful,
gentle animals. After the water experience, guests can view photographs
of their interactions and talk about their experience with the trainers
and other participants.
Why is attendance limited at Discovery Cove?
By limiting attendance to 1,000 people each day, Discovery Cove
guarantees that guests are treated to a relaxing and highly personalized
experience without crowds or lines.
What is included in the price of admission?
The all-inclusive admission of $219 plus tax covers all activities
within Discovery Cove including a dolphin-swim experience, as well
self parking, a freshly prepared meal and use of beach umbrellas,
lounge chairs, towels, lockers, and swim and snorkel gear. As a
special bonus, the admission also includes a seven-day pass to SeaWorld
Orlando, a value of more than $300. For those who do not wish to
participate in the dolphin swim, an admission rate starting at $119-plus-tax
also is available. All prices are subject to change.
How do Discovery Cove and SeaWorld differ?
Both attractions appeal to families, but there are distinct differences
between the two. SeaWorld is a 200-acre adventure park where guests
enjoy thrilling rides and shows, as well as opportunities to interact
with animals. Discovery Cove, in contrast, is focused on personal,
one-on-one animal encounters in an intimate tropical setting.
What about when the weather turns cold in winter?
Fortunately, Orlando has a tropical climate year-round. But on the
occasional chilly day, Discovery Cove guests will be provided with
wetsuits at no extra cost. Regardless of the weather, the water
temperature ranges from 78 to 85 degrees at all times.
Do guests need to be good swimmers?
Guests who participate in the water activities should be comfortable
in the water, but need not be exceptional swimmers. All guests are
required to wear personal flotation vests (included with admission)
in the Dolphin Lagoon, Coral Reef and Tropical River. Snorkeling
lessons are offered throughout the day at no additional cost. In
addition, lifeguards keep watch over all water attractions.
Do they offer snorkelling lessons?
Discovery Cove offers snorkeling lessons daily from 10 am - 12 pm
in the Resort Pool. If you are interested in learning how to snorkel
outside of this timeframe, please contact a Guest Services team
member or lead for assistance.
Can guests with disabilities visit Discovery Cove and participate
in the dolphin-swim experience?
Discovery Cove has made several accommodations for guests with disabilities.
Specially designed wheelchairs that can move across the sandy beaches
and into the shallow water are available upon request. A special
area at the Dolphin Lagoon is available for guests who can’t enter
the water to get up close and touch the dolphins. For some activities,
certain physical abilities may be required for safety, but generally
Discovery Cove can be enjoyed by all guests.
Are prescription masks available?
Discovery Cove offers special prescription masks in various strengths.
For more information on this, please call 1-877-4-DISCOVERY.
What should guests wear?
Guests should bring their own swimsuits, and, if they choose, water
socks or rubber pool shoes, hat, sunglasses and cover-up or dry
clothes. Discovery Cove provides all guests with swim vests and/or
wetsuits. Participants in the dolphin-swim experience may not wear
jewelry (wedding bands can be worn), for the safety of the animals.
What should guests bring with them?
Discovery Cove provides a mask and snorkel, towels and beach chairs.
Guests may use their own masks and snorkels if they prefer, but
may not bring any other diving or swimming equipment into the park.
Discovery Cove has a variety of toys available that may safely be
used with the animals; these are the only toys that can be used
in the park. Discovery Cove also provides guests with a sample of
specially formulated sunscreen that is safe for use in the animal
habitats. This is the only kind of sunscreen that may be used and
additional quantities may be purchased in the gift shop. Since a
meal is provided with admission to Discovery Cove, no other food,
beverages or coolers are permitted. Guests may wish to bring books
and magazines, a CD or tape player with headset or similar items
to help them relax on the beach, and a camera to catch all of their
special moments.
Are cameras and video cameras allowed?
Cameras and video recorders are allowed at Discovery Cove. Please
keep in mind, however, that most of the activities at Discovery
Cove involve water, so please use caution, as damage to your equipment
can occur. Guests with cameras and recorders are not allowed in
the water at dolphin lagoon, but can take pictures and record video
from the beach.
Can I change my reservation?
At Discovery Cove, we recognize that vacation plans sometimes change.
To accommodate this, we will allow one complimentary date change,
made at least 45 days prior to your visit. Further changes to your
itinerary will be provided for a nominal charge of $50 per change.
If you have to change or cancel your reservation, please contact
the Discovery Cove reservations center at 1-877-4-DISCOVERY. International
guests, please call (407) 370-1280.
Can I cancel my reservation?
A full refund will be given if your visit is more than 45 days away.
A 75% refund of your reservation total will be made if between 30-45
days of your visit. A 50% refund of your reservation total will
be made if between 8 - 29 days of your visit. Because of the unique
nature of Discovery Cove's reservations-only format, no refunds
or cancellations can be made within 7 days of your visit.
How do I get to Discovery Cove?
From the West (Lake Buena Vista/Tampa): Take I-4 East (toward Orlando)
to exit 27A. This is the SeaWorld exit. Bear right onto Central
Florida Parkway when exiting ramp. The entrance to Discovery Cove
is on the right hand side of Central Florida Parkway, past the sign
for SeaWorld Orlando.
From the North (Downtown Orlando, Universal Studios, Sanford, Deland):
Take I-4 East to exit 28 (Beeline Expressway/FL-528/Airport). Once
on the Beeline, take the first exit (International Drive). At traffic
light, turn left. (You will be driving on International Drive.)
At the second light, turn right onto Central Florida Parkway. The
entrance to Discovery Cove is on the left hand side of Central Florida
Parkway.
From the East (Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, Titusville Area): Take FL-528
(Beeline Expressway) west to the International Drive exit. Make
a left onto International Drive. Make a right onto Central Florida
Parkway at the third traffic light. The entrance to Discovery Cove
is on the left hand side of Central Florida Parkway.
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