Discovery Cove

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If you are looking for a once in a lifetime opportunity to come face to face (or fin to fin) with marine life, then look no further than Discovery Cove. This innovative, total immersion park is owned and operated by Sea World, but the experience is much more up close and personal than a typical day in the Sea World theme park.

About Discovery Cove:

Discovery Cove is designed to offer a one of a kind immersive experience for visitors. The headlining attraction is a “Swim with the Dolphins” experience, which allows each guest some hands-on interaction time with the aquatic mammals.

Discovery Cove is also home to other swimming areas and animal experiences, and has a heavy focus on education and environmental conservation. Expect to snorkel with colorful tropical fish, hand feed some of the park’s exotic bird species and relax on pristine white beaches.

This is an ideal park to visit for adults, couples and families with older children and teens. Consider Discovery Cove to be a luxury trip; from the fully equipped locker rooms to the all-inclusive snack and meal options, a visit to the cove is a high-end vacation experience. Daily attendance is capped at 1,000 guests, adding to the exclusive and private feel of the park.

Admission Information:

You’ll need to book a reservation at Discovery Cove in advance, and the price will vary depending on the time of the year you visit. You’ll also need to decide if you want to swim with the dolphins during your visit; tickets are available with or without the dolphin experience. As of 2011, admission rates for Discovery Cove begin at $199 per person per day. Skip the dolphins and you’ll save about $70 per person per day.

Is Discovery Cove worth the cost?

The answer to this question is “Maybe”. At a hefty $199 per person per day, the cost of a trip to Discovery Cove can quickly add up for a family group. The experience is certainly worth the cost, if you enjoy meeting animals and want a quieter, more luxurious place to spend the day.

Head to Discovery Cove if you love animals or have school-aged kids who yearn for a hands-on animal encounter. Discovery Cove offers the type of interaction you won’t find elsewhere, in a comfortable and soothing environment.

Bypass Discovery Cove if you are squeamish about animal encounters; dolphins are lovable but very large. If you don’t like interacting with animals, you won’t enjoy the full Discovery Cove experience.

If your party has kids of various ages and interests, split up for the day; the animal lovers can head to Discovery Cove while the rest of the group (including children under the age of 6), head to one of the Orlando area's traditional theme parks or water parks. This approach will allow everyone to have a great time, and save you hundreds of dollars in admission costs as well.

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