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Discovering Discovery Cove

February 11, 2009 by Janice

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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A Dream…

I have discovered an absolutely perfect vacation destination — Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida.

Seriously, it is as if Discovery Cove were built to my dream specifications!

Swimming with the Dolphins

I know I am among many when I say it was a dream of mine to swim with a dolphin. (I think almost everyone longs to interact with these incredible animals.)

So if I were to design my dream vacation, swimming with dolphins would be top priority.

Discovery Cove allows this dream to come true!

Not only are we guests allowed in the water with the dolphins, touching their smooth backs and feeding them fish, but a dolphin even takes us for a ride on its back! And the best part is, the dolphins seem to love spending time with us as much as we do with them.

Of course, we want our kids to have the same fantastic experience. So the resort helps facilitate family involvement too.

Children over the age of 6 are allowed to participate with the dolphins and have a ride if they want.

If anyone is uncomfortable with deep water, they simply have the dolphin cross through a shallow area of the pool.

Here is a shot of my son Jackson having the time of his life! I am sure he will never forget the day he rode on a dolphin’s back.

AND for those of us with children who are too young to participate, the park provides FREE babysitting!

This babysitting option worked perfectly for us, since Olivia simply took her nap in the stroller while the babysitter, a sweet grandmotherly woman, took Olivia for a stroll.

White Sand Beaches

I love the beach. Add soft, white sand, and I am definitely in a dream.

At Discovery Cove, they combine the softest, cleanest white sand with a warm, huge, beautiful pool for the ultimate family beach experience.

I loved that I could let Olivia run around in her bare feet and not worry about her stepping on glass or other litter.

I remarked to the staff how impressed I was with the sand and she told me that every night they clean the sand with a machine that sifts through it to catch any objects like credit cards or litter. Incredible.

Professional Photography

Of course when I am having all these once in a lifetime moments that I want to treasure and relive for the rest of my life, I need someone to capture it all for me on camera!

I can’t take pictures while the dolphin and I are kissing!

So to make my vacation perfect, I need someone taking my pictures with the option of me choosing and purchasing the shots I want.

Free Food

To eat and not pay… Oh, it makes the day so much more enjoyable.

All the food and drinks you want are included in the price of admission. So every time you grab for a water, a snack or a meal (breakfast and lunch are available,) you don’t have to reach for your wallet.

My husband was especially thrilled with the free beer! LOL I am not a beer drinker myself, but apparently free beer in frozen aluminum bottles is almost as incredible to my Canadian, beer loving, husband as swimming with the dolphins is to me!

(And in case you might be worried about the risks of free alcohol, I didn’t notice anyone taking advantage and drinking too much. The park was completely family friendly.)

Warm Pools

Jackson was in the pools all day — even though it was an unusually cold Florida day and the lifeguards were bundled up with hats and gloves! (We Canadians got a kick out of that!)

But because the pools were so warm, we were fine to swim and enjoy the day.

The pools with animals are 77 F (25 C) and the large sandy beach pool is a luxurious 86 F (30 C.)

Clean and Beautiful

It is only natural.

We humans love beauty. Scenes of palm trees and sandy beaches and landscaped pools make us breathe in more deeply, with relaxation tingling all the way to our toes.

Discovery Cove has created a gorgeous park, a perfect escape to a tropical paradise.

But not only did I appreciate the landscaping and design, I LOVED how clean the park was.

Even the changing rooms and showers were luxurious and spotless.

For a mom like me, who loathes taking my kids to public restrooms, let alone public showers, the restrooms and showers at Discovery Cove were wonderful. (They even supply Crabtree and Evelyn soaps, shampoos, etc.)

Customer Service

I simply can not rave long enough about the outstanding customer service at Discovery Cove.

Every single staff member we encountered throughout our day was extraordinarily courteous, helpful and friendly.

It is amazing how fabulous customer service effects you… It makes your day better. It turns good into great. It makes the world seems like a happier place — gosh, you may even find yourself smiling more!

Safe and Family Friendly

Vacationing with kids isn’t exactly easy — or even relaxing sometimes! As parents, we are trying to not only calm irrational temper tantrums and keep our kids entertained, we are trying to keep them SAFE!

At Discovery Cove, I was not only breathing in the tranquility of my surroundings and my interactions with nature, I was relaxed knowing my kids were in a safe, family friendly facility.

With lifeguards watchful eyes, shallow pools, and spotless, groomed sand, this all inclusive resort is the perfect place to relax with your kids. I can’t even say who enjoyed the day more — my husband, me, Jackson or Olivia.

We ALL had an incredible time!

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Day at Discovery Cove

If you are considering a trip to Discovery Cove, make sure you give yourself the whole day to enjoy all Discovery Cove has to offer.

Arrive first thing in the morning and enjoy their free breakfast and then get down to the business of play! Discovery Cove is a full day adventure with operating hours of 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m.

Even if your 30 minute appointment with the dolphins isn’t until the afternoon, you won’t be at a loss of things to do!

You can snorkel among thousands of rays and exotic fish, and explore the splendor of coral reefs and grottos. Discovery Cove also has a series of free-flight aviaries where you can touch, feed and interact with hundreds of colorful tropical birds.

And of course, you can relax and soak up the sun or build sandcastles with your kids in the white sand poolside beach.

Also, consider visiting the park during off season like we did.

Attendance is always limited to only 1,000 guests per day at this reservations-only adventure, but if you visit during off season, there may be even less.

No matter when you want to go, you must make a reservation. And if you are planning to go in the summer or during school vacations, book two months in advance.

If you want to enjoy Discovery Cove on a tighter budget, you have some options. The park offers special discounts for Florida residents, early booking discounts and non-dolphin package park admission that allows you to enjoy all the park has to offer, minus the dolphin swim.

Vacation Perfection

As you can tell from this enthusiastic post, my family and I LOVED our day at Discovery Cove.

My son Jackson was literally the last person out of the pool at the end of the day and he begged to come back again.

If I could spend a week at Discovery Cove every year of my life I would be in vacation heaven.

It is vacation perfection.

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About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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20 Comments

  1. vanessa says

    August 16, 2012 at 1:36 am

    Thanks so much for your post!! We booked it and we were so excited! When we started telling our family everyone was telling us how dangerous dolphins can be. It was making me so nervous with my daughter!! Your post put me at ease!!
    I was so upset not to be able to take pictures but your pictures are so wonderful! thanks

    Reply
  2. Joe says

    May 30, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    My family (late 40’s husband, wife and 8 y/o daughter) visited DC earlier this month (5/2012) and I agree with every word you wrote. We had the time of our lives and can’t wait to go back. People actually ask if our pictures are fake. It’s that fabulous.

    My only complaint is that they don’t offer a multi-day package!

    Reply
  3. Stephanie says

    February 17, 2009 at 12:38 am

    It sounds like a wonderful place! I especially love the “all-inclusive” features. I would much rather pay for a higher-priced ticket that includes food and other amenities as opposed to just watching the bill continue to rise throughout the day.

    P.S. That picture of you and the dolphin is too-too cute!

    Reply
  4. BlapherMJ says

    February 13, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    This is one place I’d absolutely love to take my kids! Thanks for sharing all that info!

    Reply
  5. RefreshMom says

    February 13, 2009 at 1:40 am

    Looks like a fabulous trip! If we ever decide to hit the other coast, we’ll have to check it out.

    Reply
  6. Jen says

    February 12, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    How wonderful Janice. That truely is a wonderful vacation. I’m so glad you all got to get away a bit and have some great family fun!

    Reply
  7. Felicia - I Complete Me says

    February 12, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    You are making want to get up and take a vacation right now. This place is beautiful.

    Reply
  8. AmyG says

    February 12, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Wow, that looks like a lot of fun. I grew up in Clearwater Florida, but never had the opportunity (or the money) to swim with the dolphins. And it’s funny to come across this post, because Michael & I were just talking about how fun it would be to swim with dolphins. I’m thinking we might plan a trip to Discovery Cove, next year. 😉

    Reply
  9. Deb - Mom of 3 Girls says

    February 12, 2009 at 3:33 am

    Oh I so did not need to see this right now – I am so tired of winter! We have never taken a family vacation – really haven’t had one at all since our honeymoon almost 9 years ago. One of these days we are determined to make it down to Florida with the girls – and we’ll definitely have to hit Discovery Cove. It looks like paradise! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    February 12, 2009 at 2:30 am

    That sounds way better than my vacation in Hawaii. Here I thought I was in paradise in Waikiki, but it turns out I was missing out on the real paradise trip.

    Reply
  11. momstheword says

    February 12, 2009 at 1:42 am

    We went two years ago and we had so much fun. I didn’t want to go to because I didn’t think I’d have fun but I had a blast. It is just so beautiful and honestly it was so fun and relaxing. I want to go again.

    Reply
  12. Queen-sized funny bone says

    February 12, 2009 at 12:34 am

    I wanna go , I wanna do it all.

    Reply
  13. Upstatemomof3 says

    February 12, 2009 at 12:08 am

    Oh my that seems like a PERFECT vacation. I have always wanted to swim with dolphins. And the whole thing just seems great. I am so planning on looking into going there. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Tiffany says

    February 11, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    I’ve wanted to go there ever since they opened. Maybe one day. I think I have to get my kids to Disney first though, or they might revolt!!

    Reply
  15. little i says

    February 11, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    It sounds HEAVENLY! Thanks for the great idea!

    Now, if you would only have a giveaway for Discovery Cove…..

    Reply
  16. brandy w says

    February 11, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    i’ve always wanted to go. looks like so much fun. we could never afford it though. never been to disney world either

    Reply
  17. casual friday everyday says

    February 11, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    Janice, you’ve got me sold. It is seriously so beautiful there. Has everything anyone could want. Now only if I could make it there…Discovery Cove, want to hook up a Mommy blogger with a free vacation of a lifetime? 😉

    Nell

    Reply
  18. Nikowa says

    February 11, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    I went in the summer of 2007 & loved it!!!!

    Reply

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