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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Discovery Cove

16 replies

MrsSnape · 02/06/2008 22:20

Is it worth the money? I've heard good and bad things about it but I'm sure my youngest DS (animal obsessed) would be in heaven there...especially with the dolphin swim.

Really need to watch the money so could be doing without any extra expense really but this keeps coming back to my mind, it's unlikely that we'll get back to Florida for years after this trip so should we book it or leave it and enjoy the rest of Orlando?

OP posts:

bellavita · 02/06/2008 22:23

We are going there in - our day is booked for the 27th July.

This is our third trip to Orlando and only the first time to Discovery Cove.

We have done different things every time.

BossyBritches did Discovery Cove a few weeks back - might be worth talking to her.

wannaBe · 02/06/2008 22:36

how old are your children.

Children must be 6 years or over to swim with the dolphins

bellavita · 02/06/2008 22:42

Good point wannabe.

But MrsSnape, if you really wanted to do it, I would book it now whilst the dollar is still good against the pound.

There are lots and lots to do in Orlando, a dolphin swim is just one of them.

Last year we went out to Clearwater and went looking for dolphins out on a boat that was really fab.

You really need to pace yourself when you get over there as it is very tiring.

We do park one day, pool the next and so on.

Some people get all the parks out of the way the first week and then relax the 2nd.

If you are on budget, then I would seriously pick and chose what you really wanted to do.

Original poster

MrsSnape · 02/06/2008 22:49

DS will be 8 when we go.
Eldest DS will be 10 but he is terrified of most animals so I'm not sure how he'd react to a giant fish staring him in the face so he might not even like it. DS2 thought would absolutely love every second of it.

We have the Orlando Flexi tickets though so we'll be seeing universal studios, the two water parks and sea world...considering taking DS2 to Gatorland ... One thing I don't want to do is spoil the entire holiday by having "too much to do" where we all end up getting too tired and the activities become a bit "Over-kill" where the kids no longer find stuff amazing IYSWIM?

You can have too much of a good thing, can't you?

Plus, I'm hoping to be able to take them back 3 years or so after this trip and do stuff we didn't do the first time around so we could maybe do that?

OP posts:

bellavita · 03/06/2008 07:52

You can get up close to the dolphins at Seaworld and you can buy food for them and literally hand feed them.

Timing is key to this though as they open the food shack at certain times and the queue can be quite long.

Mine will be just 11 and 8.5 this year when we go.

First year we did all the Disney parks, Universal, Seaworld, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon (which are waterparks).

Last year we did Universal, Islands of Adventure - twice, Wet n Wild (did not like), Seaworld, went to Clearwater for the weekend (has beach) and went out on a boat looking for dolphins which was successful.

This year we are doing Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Cape Canavaril. We may go back to Universal only because the boys want to do the new Simpsons ride if it is open.

With regards to Discovery Cove - although you get a full day at this park, you only get half an hour with the dolphins. There is only you can decide really if it is worth it or not.

wannaBe · 03/06/2008 15:55

we are doing mainly the disney parks this year and staying on disney property.

We will do seaworld as well but imo ds (5) is still too young for universal.

mamablue · 03/06/2008 16:38

We did Discovery Cove last year. It was amazing! Not only the Dolphin swim but swimming with the sting rays and fish too. The dolphin swim is over very quickly though leaving you the rest of the day to do a lot of swimming. I would not recommend it for those not good in deep water as all the pools are deep and cold. Be aware though that the weather can change everything my sil and family went this time last year and it rained all day they were at the cove. The cove staff stopped all the dolphin swims because of a storm risk and they were left hanging around for 3 hours before having a long arguement to get their money back. We had a great time on our trip but we are not planning to go back when we visit this year as it is a little expensive to do every time.

deanychip · 03/06/2008 16:40

AHHHHHH DO IT DO IT DO IT

you cannot go to Orlando and not go, it is abslute heaven on earth and worth every single penny.
we have been twice.

the whole day is superb, we have always been and NOT done the dolphin swim, tis wonderful

foofi · 03/06/2008 16:42

Agreed Mamababe - not to be done every trip as too expensive, but definitely a lovely day. We have been to Florida three times and only went to Discovery Cove once, but I'm glad we did it.

Discovery Cove is not just dolphins - there are birds and great snorkelling with beautiful fish too. However, we were lucky with a great day weather-wise, and if the weather isn't great I think it could be a disappointment.

Starmummy · 04/06/2008 15:34

Loved it!!!!! DS was 9 and we had a blast. We still talk about Bossa our dolphin even though he is nearly 13 (OMG).

Highly recommend it. Dont fall for the hard sell with the phots/dvd etc. It is actually quite a relaxing day.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/06/2008 06:58

If you do go to Discovery Cove you will need to take some photo identification with you. The registration process can be slow.

FloridaKbear · 05/06/2008 13:01

I just go home from Florida and sat and watched the dvd of our day at Discovery Cove, two weeks ago. It was AMAZING. Worth every penny. Loved it.

mamablue · 05/06/2008 17:22

Hi floridakbear. I remember your thread from before you went. Did you have a great time?

FloridaKbear · 05/06/2008 17:47

I had the most fantastic time thanks - it was all fab, I am now jet lagged and looking at four suitcases full of "stuff" to sort out!!

bellavita · 05/06/2008 17:50

Hi FloridaKbear - glad you had a fab time - we visit DC on 27th July.

Come back to the thread when you have time.

The key is not to sleep today, but just to go to bed early tonight.

meadow6 · 06/06/2008 13:47

If you can, go to Discovery Cove. We are going again this year as it is just a really nice relaxing day. We have done the dolphin swim for the past 2 years so not doing it this year as we now have 2 under 6. Having said that you have to have at least one member of your party doing the swim to get into the park at all. To save any arguing I have volunteered to do it!!!

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