You’ll love Discovery Cove’s all-inclusive experience with gourmet meals, dolphin swims, and snorkeling with rays—all limited to just 1,300 guests daily! You must book reservations in advance since walk-ups aren’t allowed, especially during summer. The park’s owned by United Parks & Resorts, focuses on conservation education, and includes access to SeaWorld and Aquatica. Located just 9 miles from Orlando airport, you can upgrade to shark encounters for extra thrills and unforgettable memories ahead!
- It’s an All-Inclusive Day Resort Experience
- Daily Capacity Is Limited to Maintain an Uncrowded Environment
- The Dolphin Swim Experience Is the Signature Attraction
- Multiple Animal Habitats Offer Diverse Wildlife Encounters
- Premium Upgrades Include Shark Interactions and Behind-the-Scenes Tours
- It’s Owned by United Parks & Resorts and Has Won Multiple Awards
- Advance Reservations Are Required Due to Limited Availability
- The Park Emphasizes Conservation Education and Animal Welfare
- It’s Conveniently Located Near Orlando International Airport
- The Sum Up
It’s an All-Inclusive Day Resort Experience
When you step through the gates at Discovery Cove Orlando, you’re entering a tropical paradise where everything’s included in one amazing price! You’ll get gourmet breakfast and lunch daily, plus unlimited snacks and drinks throughout your adventure. Free snorkel gear, wetsuits, towels, and even animal-safe sunscreen are all yours to use.
You can explore amazing habitats like Wind-Away River, feed birds at Explorer’s Aviary, and snorkel at The Grand Reef without paying extra. Lockers, showers, changing rooms, and parking are totally free too! Whether you choose the basic Day Resort Package or upgrade to include dolphin swims, you’re getting incredible value.
Everything’s designed to let you focus on fun instead of worrying about costs! Your Discovery Cove admission also includes length of stay access to both SeaWorld and Aquatica parks.
Daily Capacity Is Limited to Maintain an Uncrowded Environment
Unlike crowded theme parks where you’re packed shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of visitors, Discovery Cove caps daily attendance at just 1,300 guests to create a peaceful, resort-style atmosphere! This strict limit means you won’t find turnstiles or chaotic crowds here.
Instead, you’ll enjoy intimate access to lagoons and waterways where you can set your own pace without waiting in lines.
Because of this capacity restriction, Discovery Cove operates on a reservation-only system. You’ll need to book tickets online well in advance, especially for summer visits and holidays when you should plan two months ahead. If you’re booking more than 6 weeks in advance, you can secure your spot with just a £25 deposit per person.
When dates sell out, that’s it – no walk-up admissions allowed! This first-come, first-served approach guarantees every guest enjoys relaxed, personal animal encounters in a truly tropical paradise.
The Dolphin Swim Experience Is the Signature Attraction
This intimate setting sets the perfect stage for Discovery Cove’s crown jewel – the incredible Dolphin Swim Experience! You’ll start with a 10-minute orientation where expert trainers teach you about dolphin safety and behavior.
Then you’ll wade into the shallow Dolphin Lagoon with your small group for 30 amazing minutes with bottlenose dolphins.
You’ll get to touch, play, and even receive dolphin kisses! The coolest part? Each person grabs onto a dolphin’s dorsal fin for an exciting 12-foot tow through deeper water.
Don’t worry if you can’t swim – life jackets keep everyone safe, and the water stays shallow enough to stand. The Dolphin Lagoon maintains a comfortable temperature of 76-77°F year-round for optimal swimming conditions.
Professional photographers capture every magical moment, so you’ll have incredible photos to treasure forever!
Multiple Animal Habitats Offer Diverse Wildlife Encounters
Beyond the dolphin lagoon, you’ll discover five incredible animal habitats that showcase everything from stingrays to sloths! You can snorkel with thousands of tropical fish and 40 rays in the massive Grand Reef, then wade through Freshwater Oasis to watch playful otters tumble underwater.
Don’t miss Explorer’s Aviary, where hundreds of colorful birds will land on your hands when you offer them treats! You’ll spot bright macaws, sun conures, and cockatiels flying freely around waterfalls and streams. Arriving early increases your chances of having birds landing on you during your visit.
At Flamingo Point, you can observe pink flamingos doing their synchronized dance moves. Behind-the-scenes areas house sleepy sloths, armadillos, and rescued owls that serve as animal ambassadors.
Each habitat connects seamlessly, creating an amazing wildlife adventure that complements your dolphin experience perfectly!
Premium Upgrades Include Shark Interactions and Behind-the-Scenes Tours
While Discovery Cove’s standard admission creates incredible memories, you can supercharge your adventure with premium shark experiences that’ll make your heart race! The Shark Interaction upgrade lets you feed and train over 20 amazing sharks including Pacific blacktips, nurse sharks, and bonnetheads.
You’ll start on a shallow platform learning cool shark facts, then snorkel in deep water alongside these magnificent creatures for 15-20 minutes.
If you’re 10 or older and a confident swimmer, you’re ready! Kids 10-13 need an adult participant with them. The experience costs around $169 per person and teaches you awesome shark biology while busting scary myths. With only 16 spots available each day, you’ll want to book your shark encounter well in advance.
Your adventure supports ocean conservation through the Guy Harvey Foundation, making your unforgettable day help protect these incredible animals too!
It’s Owned by United Parks & Resorts and Has Won Multiple Awards
Discovery Cove belongs to United Parks & Resorts, a powerhouse entertainment company that operates 13 incredible theme parks across the United States and Abu Dhabi! You’ll find Discovery Cove nestled right next to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica at 6000 Discovery Cove Way, creating an amazing three-park destination cluster.
The company recently changed its name from SeaWorld Entertainment to United Parks & Resorts in February 2024, but don’t worry – Discovery Cove kept its beloved name! You’re visiting what the company proudly calls an “award-winning” and “world-class” park that’s part of their prestigious portfolio.
Discovery Cove stands out as their special reservations-only marine life park, offering you intimate animal encounters that perfectly complement the thrilling rides and water slides at their neighboring parks. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PRKS, having switched from its previous SEAS symbol when it rebranded in 2024.
Advance Reservations Are Required Due to Limited Availability
Since Discovery Cove limits its daily attendance to just 1,300 guests, you’ll need to make advance reservations to secure your spot at this exclusive paradise!
This cap guarantees everyone enjoys a peaceful, uncrowded experience with the animals and attractions.
You must book reservations for all visitors, regardless of age. While kids 2 and under get free admission, they still need reservations.
Plan ahead – book at least two months early for summer visits or holidays. August and other peak times fill up super fast, so the earlier you reserve, the better! You can make one free change to your reservation up to 48 hours before your visit date.
The Park Emphasizes Conservation Education and Animal Welfare
Beyond the fun and excitement, Discovery Cove operates as a “Paradise with Purpose” where every splash and animal encounter connects you to important conservation work! You’ll discover that your visit directly supports marine animal rescue operations – they’ve saved over 42,000 sea creatures!
The park’s accredited by top organizations like AZA and USDA, ensuring world-class animal care standards.
During your dolphin swim or ray encounter, trainers share fascinating facts about each species’ natural behaviors and conservation needs. The massive Grand Reef habitat mirrors real ocean ecosystems, while behind-the-scenes tours reveal how veterinarians care for rescued animals. The park limits daily capacity to around 1,300 guests to maintain environmental integrity and ensure authentic wildlife interactions. Your entrance fee helps fund these rescue missions and educational programs that inspire the next generation of ocean protectors!
It’s Conveniently Located Near Orlando International Airport
When you’re flying into Orlando, you’ll love how close Discovery Cove sits to the airport – just 9 miles away! You can get there in under 30 minutes by car or rideshare, making it super easy to visit on the same day you arrive.
The drive’s really straightforward too. From Orlando International Airport, you’ll take the Beachline Expressway west, exit at International Drive, then follow the signs to Central Florida Parkway. Discovery Cove sits right near SeaWorld, so you can’t miss it!
Since you’re so close to the airport, you’ve got lots of transportation options – rental cars, rideshares, or taxis all work great. If you’re traveling with a larger group, consider booking a Lyft XL which can accommodate more passengers than a standard ride.
Plus, you’re right in the heart of Orlando’s tourist area with tons of hotels and restaurants nearby!
The Sum Up
You’ll absolutely love Discovery Cove’s amazing animal adventures! Don’t forget to book your visit way ahead of time since spots fill up super fast. You’ll get to swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish, and maybe even meet some sharks! Pack your sense of wonder because you’re about to have the most incredible day ever. Get ready to make memories that’ll last forever at this awesome Orlando paradise!
