Reclaiming Wonders

In Orlando, Florida, there’s a hidden gem too good to keep secret—Sea World’s Discovery Cove. My husband called it “Disney World for SeaWorld lovers,” and he’s right. It’s the ultimate mix of amazing SeaWorld animal experiences and the Disney-level excellence you expect. The friendly staff guides you through this resort-style all-inclusive experience, and you’ll want for nothing. The more you learn about Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida, the more it becomes next dream destination. It’s a tropical vacation in central Florida.

A one day Discovery Cove pass Like you, I hadn’t even heard of this one-day resort paradise before our Florida family trip! While SeaWorld is famous, Discovery Cove Florida is its quieter, more exclusive sister park. Even when I messed up our reservation date, the staff seamlessly fixed it, making our experience even better.

Before our Sea World Discovery Cove trip, I had so many questions I couldn’t find the answers to and didn’t know what to expect for our day. I hope this guide keeps you from having the same concerns I did. It’s all here!

Affiliate disclosure: When you click and purchase a link in my post, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to only recommend products or places that I have personally want, used, or researched. Thanks in advance for the gallon of gas. 😉

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What is Discovery Cove? 

Discovery Cove resort is a magical one day, all-inclusive resort location for a swim with dolphins in Orlando, relaxing on the sand, and snorkeling in a man-made lagoon with tropical fish and stingrays. It’s like a Cancun vacation without the travel price tag or passport requirements. Located adjacent to Sea World’s water park Aquatica and traditional Sea World park, this park is amazing.

Of all the places my travel family has seen, Discovery Cove is one that comes up often as places to return. It would make a perfect Orlando honeymoon and is always my top recommendation for any Orlando itinerary for adults and kids. Let these Discovery Cove photos convince you of the magic!

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Why Should I Visit Discovery Cove? 

Choosing to visit Discovery Cove over Sea World is like picking the Ritz Carlton over the La Quinta. Both are good and serve their purpose. However, while Sea World is great, it’s sister Discovery Cove is as good as it gets.

This is the ultimate Orlando all-inclusive weekend getaway. There are no extra fees for towel rental or locker rental, and the price includes the use of a wet suit, life jacket, snorkeling gear, and food. There is even reef safe sunscreen available for use that will not harm the wildlife. And most significantly, the number of guests each day is limited so the park will be less crowded than the other Orlando parks allowing for a more elite experience.

~~~> If you’re looking for another day trip from Orlando, head a couple of hours west to Crystal River for some kayaking and manatees. Read all about it: “Explore Florida Springs with a Crystal River Kayak Trip”.

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What to Bring to Discovery Cove

Leave most of your stuff at home when you add Discovery Cove to your list of Orlando things to do. All you need to bring is your ticket and ID to check in, your phone in a floating waterproof phone bag, and sunglasses for when you don’t have on snorkel goggles. If you prefer, wear your swimsuit under your wet suit; we wore normal undergarments underneath for comfort. Don’t go buy a swimsuit just for this – use what you have. With all food, drinks, and snacks included, leave everything else at home.

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What Food is Included at Discovery Cove?

Your Discovery Cove tickets include unlimited breakfast, lunch, and snacks—all high-quality food. Think steak with churrasco sauce, jerk chicken with mango salsa, burgers, salads, desserts, and kid-friendly options. Arrive early for a hot breakfast with eggs, sausage, french toast, fruit, pastries, and more.

There’s one main restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating and minimal lines, except for adults grabbing drinks. Multiple self-serve snack bars throughout the park offer chips, cookies, pretzels, sodas, Icees, and beer, with other alcoholic drinks available for an extra fee. Don’t miss the lemonade Icee—it’s a hit.

Breakfast runs 7:30–10:30, lunch 11–3:30, and snack stations stay open until 5. Arrive early and plan meals to maximize your day. If you time it right, you could eat an early supper even.

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What Supplies are Provided at Discovery Cove?

Wet suits
Wet suits are required to be worn in the water; they let the lifeguards know you aren’t just a rock in the reef! There are different length wet suit options, and you have the option to get a different one if you change your mind. We all got full body suits and were glad we did. If you are prone to being cold, these would be a good option to keep you warmer in and out of the water.

Towels and shower
These changing rooms have full shower with shampoo, soap, and fresh white towels if you want to put on a full fresh change of clothes after your day of fun. It feels and looks like a changing room at a private gym.

Sunscreen
After putting on your wet suit, look for the dispenser by the lockers. This is animal safe sunscreen. You are not allowed to bring in your own.

Life vests
At the lazy river and reef entrances, there are floats which you can just use there or carry with you around the park.

Snorkel and Goggles
There is no need to bring these with you. Get your snorkels and masks from the wet suit supply hut if there aren’t any on your chair. The snorkels are yours for the day, but you get to keep the snorkel. Don’t forget to ask about getting your prescription goggles at the entrance. You won’t want to walk back later.

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What is There to Do at Discovery Cove?

Plan for a full day at at this Sea World attraction. The park is perfect for people who just want to lounge in a beautiful location and for families who want to see all the things. Play in the sand at Serenity Bay, watch the otters play at the Freshwater Oasis, or head to one of many warm pools for soaking.

The Grand Reef

Save it Discovery Cove’s Grand Reef because it’s the best! It’s snorkel in a huge aquarium with tropical fish, sting rays, guitar fish swimming all underneath you. There is even a shark area where you can watch them swimming under the water through glass. This was the busiest area of the park when we were there, but it’s so big that it’s spread out. I highly suggest using a life vest for snorkeling; it isn’t required, but it sure makes it easier and less tiring with your kids.

Explorer’s Aviary

Go to the Discovery Cove aviary early. The kids will want to get in the water first thing, but, once they get in the water, they won’t want to get out. And, as you will be feeding the birds (no additional charge, of course!), they’ll be hungriest first thing in the morning. With a QR code, you can even open the bird identification on your phone and to identify your new friends are as they balance on your shoulder… or head. 

Of note: These birds are used to people and will get as close as possible on your head or arms. This is not the place for those with a hesitation near birds.

Wind-Away River

This Discovery Cove lazy river is deeper than most. Grab the optional floats available at the start of the river or keep on your life jacket. This river takes you through the bird aviary with the option of get off here to visit the birds. At the end of the river is a fun cave and waterfall as it ends at Serenity Bay.

Prepare to stay on this river for a while. Take your snorkels and let the kids get a bit of practice before they get in the Reef. Warning: you will get your head wet as you go through the barrier for the aviary.

Dolphin Lagoon

Plan for this Orlando dolphin swim ahead of time! While this is an added upgrade, it doesn’t cost much more than an individual ticket. If you change your mind and want to add a Discovery Cove dolphin swim, call and ask. At park check in, you will receive an assigned time. Before you head to the centrally-located dolphin lagoon, you will gather for an introductory video. There will be several stations with different dolphins all interacting at the same time in the water. The expert dolphin animal specialists will answer any questions and let you know exactly what to expect.

Finally, you meet the dolphins! One at a time, you will come close and be pulled along while holding the dolphin’s dorsal fin. There are age restrictions due to the depth of the water, so make sure you read before booking. The photographer will take photos, but prepare yourself to pay more than a hundred dollars for these pictures as your leave the park.

Top Tip! If traveling with friends, consider booking separate dolphin encounters. You can take turn standing back and taking photos for each other. They allow you to do this, but most people don’t know to plan.

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What If I Have Little Kids or Am Not a Strong Swimmer?

There is still plenty to do! Serenity Bay is shallow water along a beach with a waterfall and cave to explore. Directly across from this is an area with chairs in the water to sit and enjoy drinks and food. The Wind-Away River could easily be done on a float. To go interact with the animals at the Aviary, you don’t even have to get in the water but just walk through. Even at the Reef, a large portion is a wade-in area and the animals come right up in there. You can experience rays and sharks without ever getting fully in the water.

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What Time Does Discovery Cove Open?

Discovery Cove hours are shorter than most Orlando theme parks due to the type of attractions; you can’t do them in the dark. Go early! Breakfast starts at 7:30. Plan to arrive at 7 and walk right in without a wait.

When you arrive, your group with be directed to your personal attendant who takes your information, prints your badges, tells you what to do, and shows you the Discovery Cove map – as much personal attention as you want. You realize even from the first desk that you’re in for a high-quality experience. You are assigned a time for your reserved animal encounters. If they don’t offer you a map, ask for one. They’re waterproof.

Follow the tiki-torch lit trail through the jungle to be directed to the lockers available at that time. There you will get a properly sized wet suit or vest, swim masks, snorkel, and even animal-safe sunscreen. Change in the fully equipped bathroom and put your clean clothes in the provided locker.

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When Does the Discovery Cove Close?

Discovery Cove Tips and Tricks by a Mom

• Make sure your team knows that the zipper to the wet suit goes in the back. Or prepare to laugh at your husband. (Hypothetically, of course. Ha!)
• Invest in a phone wet case for your phone. You can use it to take photos and keep track of the other members of your party.
• Get a larger size for the wet suit than they recommend. You’ll regret squeezing in the smaller one especially after a potty break.
• Don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen. Even with the wet suit and reapplying twice, our arms still got burned. The SPF on the animal-safe sunscreen isn’t super high. With your arms extended snorkeling for hours, make sure you apply to those forearms.
• Don’t hesitate to grab your beach chairs, and put your stuff down to claim your area. Our favorite attraction was the reef, so we chose chairs in this area for our spot. It worked great because there’s also a snack bar right there. 
• Pick your own locker, but feel free to change to a closer locker your chairs are far away. You just leave the in the locker. Granted, we kept most of our stuff at our chair with no concern.
• Potty breaks. Tight wet suits. Discuss your plan with your family. I’ll leave your plan up to you. 🙂

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Is Discovery Cove Worth It?

This Florida all-inclusive park sounds amazing, and it also sounds expensive, right? It’s not cheap, but, trust me, it’s worth it.

Think about how you don’t have to pay for parking or a locker or food or snacks or haul all that stuff around. And it’s magical. I suggest you talk to a travel agent about getting a good deal. If you need one, please contact my friends at K&R Travel Connect.

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Honestly, this trip is so amazing (and expensive!) as it is, so I wouldn’t worry about adding anything unless you just have your heart in it. We stayed busy from opening to close and could have spent hours more even without extra perks.

Day beds are available throughout the park and have covered lounge chairs, a personal refrigerator, and privacy with a Discovery Cove cabana. These would be ideal if you have a not-fully participating member of the group or babies and toddlers who need a rest. Personally, we hardly sat in our regular chair. 

I hope all this info about Sea World’s Discovery Cove helps you plan and book a trip to my favorite Orlando destination. Let me know if you have any questions!

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What Places Should I Add to this Florida Road Trip?

If Discovery Cove is just one stop as you explore the Sunshine State, check out these other amazing places!

• “Explore Florida Springs with a Crystal River Kayak Trip” – A perfect way to break up the busy of Orlando with a Florida nature adventure.
• “St. Pete: Make Sure to Visit These 4 Fabulous Museums” – Head west for a weekend exploring the very walkable downtown of St. Petersburg, Florida. It’s full of beautiful places and set right on the ocean.
• “The Everglades: How to Plan an Epic Florida Trip” – Keep going to the very southern tip of Florida to see a different side of native Florida.
• “Key West Warnings: Everything to Know Before You Go” – Don’t stop at the Everglades. Key West doesn’t compare to any other Florida destinations.
• “Crescent Fish Camp: Relax at the Best of Florida” – Follow along the east coast of Florida for the ultimate relaxing getaway at this fish campground complete with a rental house, RV sites, and tiny homes located right on the water of St. Mary’s.

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