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Discovery Cove

Theme Park Guy Rating: 333
Date Visited:
December 19, 2007 / December 08, 2008

Review

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 cuddle. The 'Dolphin Swim Experience' is the highlight of the park: it feels refreshingly 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, state that they treat the animals well. I really hope they do, since it must be a tough job to please the crowds all day.

Access is limited to 1,000 visitors daily, which makes the park feel exclusive and resort-like. It's just the exorbitant entry price that 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, offers better value for money.


Discovery Cove aerial view Discovery Cove aerial view

Discovery Cove dolphin pools Discovery Cove dolphin pools

Discovery Cove map Discovery Cove map

Discovery Cove Orlando Discovery Cove Orlando

In the dolphin pool In the dolphin pool

Trainers preparing the guests Trainers preparing the guests

Snorkeling pool Snorkeling pool

Rays that can be harrassed Rays that can be harrassed

Stingrays Stingrays

The stingray pool The stingray pool

Swimming, snorkeling, touching Swimming, snorkeling, touching

Bird collectors Bird collectors

Parrot collectress Parrot collectress

A photo of a photo A photo of a photo

Discovery Cove pools Discovery Cove pools

This park offers way more privacy than its neighbors This park offers way more privacy than its neighbors

Discovery Cove scenery Discovery Cove scenery

Discovery Cove by SeaWorld Discovery Cove by SeaWorld