dkodigital / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

Everyone’s heard of SeaWorld. What a lot of people haven’t heard of is Discovery Cove.  It’s less of a ‘thrills’ theme park. For example you won’t find ‘The Kraken’ rollercoaster here! If you are like me and the thought of high rides make you feel a bit sick – this is definitely the place for you. It’s different among sea parks as it is ‘a unique reservation-only, all-inclusive park.’

Here is a little guide for anyone thinking of stopping off here while holidaying in Florida. The park is found in Orlando – the theme park hub of America. It’s a more intimate park with only 1,300 guests at a time which – according to their website – provides ‘a more intimate’ experience. Like SeaWorld there is lots to offer:

• 30 minute Dolphin Interaction
• Snorkelling with tropical fish
• Wade beside the marmosets and otters
• Hand-feed the exotic birds (it’s not all ocean based!)
• Laze by the resort pool
• Swim along a tropical river

Discovery Cove offers a wider variety of activities than other resorts. However the two aren’t mutually exclusive. With the Discovery Cove Day Resort Package you receive unlimited admission to SeaWorld, Aquatica (SeaWorld’s water park), and you can add Busch Gardens for a little extra.

Sea Venture

Sea Venture may be the highlight – at least for me. This is a guided underwater tour. Put on your diver’s helmet and enjoy. You’ll encounter sharks (kept behind a safe glass wall); schools of fish and  velvety rays. Not all of them are kept behind glass – you have the opportunity to touch and engage with the fish.

Travelling Pooh / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

Dolphins! Dolphins! Dolphins!

Chances are your children will care about one thing: dolphins. Accompanied by a trainer you get the opportunity to swim with and interact with our underwater mammalian friends. One at a time guests are invited to wade into the centre of the pool where they interact with the dolphin before grabbing hold of the dorsal fin and being taken back to shore on your own animal taxi.

Special Occasions

Discovery Cove provides great packages for paying visitors. The Celebration Package – anyone’s birthday, anniversary? This package among other things includes a dolphin delivered buoy featuring a personal message.

You could also try the Elite Package, which is described on the website as the ‘ultimate pampering experience’ which includes your own private cabana. A bit pricier than The Celebration Package but worth the money in my opinion. There’s more information on their packages on their site.

Accommodation

Where to stay? Well luckily for you Discovery Cove is in partnership with some great hotels in and around the Orlando area. When staying at one of these hotels you receive bonuses such as: complimentary transport to some of the major theme parks; get to the front of the SeaWorld queue; 10% of dining and merchandise purchases at select parks. For these tickets to make your Florida holiday truly special go to the Discovery Cove and Florida Tix web sites.

Florida isn’t just about the rides and thrills, the unsung heroes of the animal parks are great. Kids love them just as much and they can really make a family holiday special. On my trip to Florida it was the trips to the animal parks that I remember more that the thrills of the big theme parks.

Author: This blog post was written by Evelina Boggs who is a family woman and enjoys holidays with her children.