Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort in Orlando, FL. Here you can swim with dolphins, snorkel in their Grand Reef with thousands of tropical fish, float down their lazy river, play in the sand, and enjoy unlimited food and drinks (which drinks will depend on your drink package). We have been to Discovery Cove twice and absolutely loved it. It feels like you’re at a Caribbean resort. It is part of SeaWorld Orlando and it is the only theme park attraction my husband has ever left and said he loved it there.
It is a great place to go with kids (and adults) of all ages. My oldest was 6 months old the first time we went and the second time, my oldest was 2 ½ years old and my middle son was 1 years old. The second time we went with my entire family, who were in town for my son’s 1st birthday and everyone had a great time.
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Pricing
Pricing will depend on many different factors. Do you want to swim with dolphins? Do you want to add the premium drink package? Do you want to add an animal experience? In addition to these, day, time of year, and demand can impact pricing as well. If you are a Florida resident, be sure to look for the Florida resident offers. Below I have listed starting points of prices.
- Day Resort Package: Starting at $149
- Signature Dolphin Swim Package: Starting at $199
- 2 and Under: FREE
- Premium Drink Package: $45 (note: I have seen this package included in special offers they have run before)
Cabanas and Daybeds
One of the great things about Discovery Cove is that they limit the number of people that come into the park each day. This means it does not get crowded the same way the other parks do. And there are lots of available chairs and seating that do not cost extra. But we rented a cabana both times we went because I had a 6-month-old the first time and a brand new 1 year old the second time and let me tell you…it was worth every penny.
It comes with a refrigerator that they stock with drinks for you. Your cabana host will start to understand what drinks you like, and she always made sure she refilled those ones. She was great! But with an infant it is also wonderful because I was able to store formula in there and the refrigerated pouches they liked. And if you’re a mama who needs to pump, you would have a safe place to keep your milk before you leave for the day.
Another great benefit of having a cabana with a baby is that I brought our Lotus travel crib the first time we went with our 6-month-old. He was able to nap in there and I had a place I could set him down with some toys that was safe and not on the floor. The cabana comes with chairs that could work too but I liked the fact that I was able to set it up in the shade under the fan (we went in the middle of the summer, and it was very hot).
The second time we went, I did not bring the travel crib (things change when you start having multiples lol). He liked napping in the stroller so that worked well for us. I pushed him around the resort, went for a little walk to explore, and he napped. But I did bring my Hiccapop portable chair, so he had a place to eat and that worked out great. I will say though by my third, if we had brought him at 1, I wouldn’t have brought anything but a swimsuit, extra diaper, and a prayer. We’ll figure out the rest.
Our cabana was near the Grand Reef both times and we loved that location. There is sand at the entrance of our cabana from the Grand Reef, so we brought sand toys with us the second time and the kids loved that.
The cabana comes with a refrigerator stocked with Coca-Cola products and bottled waters, safe, cabana host, snack basket, and towel service.
Cabana Price: The price of a private cabana starts at $299 but they go up depending on seasonality and demand. If you know you want a cabana, the earlier you book, the better. I believe we paid more like $400 or $500.
Another option that seats 2 is a private daybed. That price starts at $129.
If it was just me and my husband there, I would just find an open chair to set our stuff, there are plenty and I do not think a cabana is necessary. But with kids or if you have a larger party, I do think it is worth it to get the cabana.
What Items & Activities are Included in the Price?
Other than paying for a cabana, we have not paid for any of the other upgrades before and we have had a fantastic time. Some of the items that are included are:
- Food – This includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks
- Drinks – Non-alcoholic and select beer and wine (certain drinks are only available with the premium drink package)
- Sunscreen (they use specialized sunscreen that is safe for the animals so you can’t bring your own)
- Snorkel gear
- Wetsuits or vest
- Changing rooms
- Lockers (we had the cabana that came with a private locker)
- Wi-fi
Activities that are included are:
- Swimming or snorkeling in the Grand Reef
- Note: The Grand Reef is chilly, it must be kept a certain temperature for the animals that live there. We went on hot days, so this was not a problem for us, it just took a minute to get used to.
- Wind-Away River – This is a lazy river that you can float down and it is so fun
- Serenity Bay – This is a lagoon that is kept at 85 degrees (so warmer than the Grand Reef) and a place you can swim
- Freshwater Oasis – This has shallow waters you can wade in and animal encounters with otters and monkeys
- Explorer’s Aviary – Hand-feed exotic birds
- Flamingo Point – Observe flamingos as you walk through this area
What Add-Ons Are Available for an Additional Cost?
There are several items you can choose to add-on to your day for an additional cost and they are:
- Premium Drink Package – We have gotten the premium drink package included with our tickets both times as part of a special they were running at that time. So, we did get that but didn’t have to pay extra for it. Whether that is worth it to you is completely dependent on your preferences
- Cost: $45
- Swim with the Dolphins – In this experience, you get to swim with the dolphins! There is a photographer to capture the moment so you don’t have to worry about it. Children must be 6 years old and children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by an adult who is also paying for the experience.
- Purchase the dolphin package with your ticket if you want to do this experience (see pricing section)
- SeaVenture – This is an underwater walking tour in the Grand Reef. Children must be at least 10 years old and children ages 10-13 must be accompanied by a supervising companion.
- Cost: Starting at $41
- Ray Feeding – Join Discovery Cove’s experts in the morning to help feed the various species of rays. Children must be 6 years old and children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by an adult who is also paying for the experience.
- Cost: Starting at $69
- Shark Snorkel – Swim and snorkel with over 20 sharks
- Cost: Starting at $79
- Shark Interaction – Step into the shark habitat with over 20 sharks while Discovery Cove’s experts feed and train the sharks
- Cost: Starting at $135
Overall Thoughts & FAQs
Discovery Cove feels like being at an all-inclusive in the Caribbean but, for our family, we don’t have to travel anywhere. If you are in town visiting the parks, this would be a fun and relaxing day for everyone. The price does feel like a lot upfront but your breakfast, lunch, and all snacks are included with that price plus Coca-Cola products, bottled water, and select beer and wine. And it is just such a different experience than anything else in Orlando. I highly recommend Discovery Cove!
- Where is it located? It is right by SeaWorld and Aquatica but it has its own entrance.
- How much does it cost? I would read through the pricing section above, but generally speaking, a resort day package starts at $149 and the dolphin package starts at $199. Florida residents, be sure to look into any special discounts as they are typically offering them.
- Are children 2 and under free?
- Does parking cost extra? No, parking is complimentary.
- What time is arrival? Check-in and gates open at 7:15am. Recommended arrival time is between 7am and 8:30am. Once we checked in, we went straight to breakfast. After breakfast, someone came to meet us and bring us to our cabana. But I think if you have not reserved seats then you can go grab your chairs after breakfast.
- What time is breakfast service? Between 7:30am and 10:30am.
- What sunscreen should I use? Discovery Cove will provide approved sunscreen as they need to be careful what is used with the animals. You do not need to bring your own. And yes, they have plenty.
- Is a cabana or daybed worth it? If it is just two of you, I do not think it’s needed. There is plenty of seating you can find. Unless you’re feeling fancy that day or celebrating something, you may want to go with the daybed. But if you have young children or a bigger party with you, I 100% think a cabana is worth every penny.
- How old do you have to be to swim with the dolphins? Children must be 6 years old and children ages 6-12 must have an adulting with them who have paid for the experience as well.
- Is there plenty to do without swimming with the dolphins? YES! We have not swum with the dolphins yet and have had a great time. It is a relaxing day, and we spend it snorkeling in the Grand Reef, playing in the sand, floating down the lazy river, or enjoying the cabana.
- What hours is Discovery Cove open? They are open from 7am to 5pm. And we have stayed the entire day both times.
