Discovery Cove is less of a water park and more of an interactive aquatic zoo experience. Stingrays are there to touch, exotic birds to feed, dolphins to ride. The latter is the highlight of the park, the so called 'Dolphin Swim Experience', and is a real joy. It feels quite intimate being in groups of around ten in the water with these amazing animals as they wave, splash and shake their fins at you before taking each participant on a quick, invigorating ride through the water.
Anheuser-Busch, the owners of the park, claim that they treat the animals well. I really hope so, because it must be a hard job to please the crowds all day.
Access is limited to 1000 visitors daily, which makes the park feel exclusive and resort-like, however, the exorbitant entry price could even wipe a dolphin's smile away. The Atlantis Bahamas resort just one hour's flight from Orlando hosts a similar dolphin encounter, which, given its many other attractions, makes it better value for money.
