Family Adventure at Discovery Cove in Orlando

If you and your family prefer something different from the usual roller coaster rides and noisy amusements in Orlando, then you should definitely check out Discovery Cove, one of the most popular parks in the city. Discovery Cove is located adjacent to SeaWorld and offers children and adults a chance to experience to spend time in the water with some of the most interesting underwater creatures.

Discovery Cove has five major attractions which you will enjoy all day and will keep you coming back for more.

Those who love dolphins should not miss trying Discovery Cove’s Dolphin Swim Experience. You will get the chance to have a one-on-one encounter with a dolphin and learn more about its behavior and its ways of communicating with people. You can interact with a bottlenose dolphin for 30 minutes, with the assistance of an expert trainer. The water is shallow enough to be safe for kids and they will be able to hug and kiss the dolphin. You can even ride on the dolphin’s dorsal fin when going back to the shore.

Explore the tranquil beauty of the underwater and swim with thousands of colorful, exotic fish. Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the coral reefs and understand their value and why there are so many people who dedicate their lives saving the world’s coral reefs. Experience the majestic presence of the stingrays and observe their graceful and gentle motions.

If you want a soothing nature experience, check out the Wind-Away River, where you can ride on the gentle currents and lets you pass through rain forests and waterfalls. The ride will also take you through an underwater cave, which allows you to glimpse the awesome beauty of the crystal-clear waters.

Beyond the waterfalls and the beaches stands the Explorer’s Aviary, a natural habitat created for hundreds of birds, their beautiful colors soaring around and above the aviary. Relax in the relaxing sound of wings flapping gently and melodious chirping. You can get friendly with the birds and let them nibble gently on fruits and grain from your hand.

If you simply want to lay back, soak up the sun and work on your tan, then spend a relaxing day at Serenity Bay. Enjoy the 80-degree temperature and take a refreshing dip at the pristine, freshwater pool.

Discovery Cove offers daily admission packages that are definitely worth your time and money. For those who want to experience everything that the park has to offer, they can get the All-Inclusive Package for USD 289 (plus tax). The rates may depend on the season. For those residing in Florida, they can get the package for only USD 199 (plus tax). This applies when they book from 1 January through 31 March, 27 April through 22 May and 08 September through 18 December 2009.

For those who are not interested in interacting with dolphins and those who are too young to swim with the creatures, they can get the Non-Dolphin Swim Package. Rate for 2009 is around USD 189 (plus tax). For Florida residents, the rate is USD 99, applicable on the dates mentioned above.

If you have the budget to spare and you want to get more out of the park’s dolphin experience, you should definitely avail of the Trainer for a Day package, which allows you more interaction type with the dolphin plus feeding and training sessions.

All of the packages include one meal, free use of swimming vest, snorkel, mask, fins, towels, sunscreen and lockers. You also gain admission to SeaWorld Orlando for seven straight days.

• As much as possible, book your reservations in advance, at least one month before your desired date. This is a must especially if you are planning to go during summer or holidays, during the peak seasons. This will provide you assurance that you can access the park even with so many people wanting to go to the park.
• Guests should bring their own swimsuits, dry clothes and other personal accessories. Discovery Cove will provide swim vests, mask, snorkel, wetsuits and towels as part of the package you availed.
• Guests are prohibited to wear jewelry while inside the pool. This is implemented for the safety of the animals.
• There are complimentary transportations available for guests who want to go to SeaWorld Orlando. Transportation to Busch Gardens Tampa is also provided if admission to Busch Gardens is part of your package.
• Parking is free at Discovery Cove but parking on sister parks is not usually included in the package. You can have parking included in your package by contacting Discovery Cove’s Guest Reservations Center.
• Guests are not allowed to bring food and beverages inside the park since the package provides one meal per person. If you have special food preferences, you can talk to one of the chefs at the Laguna Grill and discuss your food needs. Discover Cove also provides kosher and vegetarian meals for guests.
• For guests with disabilities, Discovery Cove can accommodate them as long as they can move themselves with little help or with the aid of a personal assistant. This is more particular for those who want to take part in the dolphin experience or those who want to go underwater. The park provides specially-designed wheelchairs for disabled guests but assistance is needed in order to operate them.
• Discovery Cove has several Orlando hotel partners where guests can enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free stay. Guests can choose between moderate, deluxe and luxury hotels, so finding accommodations that are within budget would not be a problem. For moderate accommodations, you can check out Residence Inn Marriott at the SeaWorld International Center or the Hilton Garden Inn at Westwood Drive. For deluxe accommodations, you can book rooms at Renaissance SeaWorld or at the Orlando World Center Resort. For luxury accommodations, you can head to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.