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    Discovery Cove

    4.1 (707 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Paul G.

    Discovery Cove was so much fun! I've been trying to get here for years, and I finally made it. I found a great deal that was 30% off and drink package included, so I jumped on it right away! It was well worth it! It was early October, so still in the rainy season. It did rain early in the day, but then the weather cleared up and became perfect! We started with breakfast, which was fine. A little bland, but we brought some scotch bonnet hot sauce to set things off right. The other food options through the day were much better. Then again, I'm not a big breakfast person. But the food is included, so go wild and see what you like. I don't tend to buy many extras, but I made an exception for the SeaVenture experience. I bought two tickets, but the friend I brought with me doesn't swim. I was easily able to get a refund at the registration desk for the unused ticket. The best way to describe it is that it's like being inside an aquarium. Walking around took some getting used to. The guides communicated to us using cue cards, so you have to pay attention, or you'll miss some cool facts about the things you'll see down there. Snorkeling might have been my favorite activity. SeaVenture was great, but I like the freedom of swimming around among the fish in the lagoon. It's a nice large area with lots to see. Just don't dip your head down too far unless you like the taste of saltwater, lol. I didn't get to try the lazy river, but I suppose it's like any other. And although I didn't pay for the dolphin experience, you can get close enough to watch others enjoy it. All in all I had a wonderful time here. Not sure that I need to do it again, but I highly recommend it to anyone.

    Nancy W.

    Discovery cove has been around for 25 years and I finally made it here.! My girlfriend got us all half price tickets. She works at SeaWorld. Unfortunately we got a late start so we missed breakfast. But made it for lunch and it was delicious lots of to choose from. Chicken fingers hamburgers sliced steak and pork vegetables salads dessert coffee all kinds of Cokes and ices cookies pretzels chips You won't go hungry! You get your choice of wine and beer. The beer is Bud Bud light and yuengling and Michelob ultra. I really enjoyed the snorkeling and the bird area. The lazy river is more like walking It doesn't really push you along. The only thing I didn't like is the bottom it has fake rocks and you bust your toe from time to time so be careful. Overall great relaxing day for the price we paid can't be beat $65. I'm not sure I'd pay the $150 to come here there's not a whole lot to do I am more of a thrill seeker and enjoy the water slides. Great place to bring the kids to learn about animals and swim with the dolphins.

    Covering up their mistake how low can you go no 36 into 31
    Chef Pedro R.

    The staff made a huge mistake that caused our stuff to get stolen and the staff tried hard to cover up. Thanks to Andy a female supervisor who tried very hard and was diligent on trying to find our stolen things and make it right A manger at the main entrance who i explained the whole situation to rudely said to me so what are you looking for. I was ready to just say fu?$ it at that point knock hos a$$ out but thanks to Andy the young lady de-escalate everything and took us awY from that idiot. Took my wife to the gift shop to try to replace the items but my wife just picked $20 sun screen to r lace $150 items Because of their negligence my medication was stolen and my sugar level was all over the place i even had to let my wife drive when we got a few blocks away. The way everything was handled by the other employee was extremely like shit. I have put a pic of me so the higher up can look and id me and the manager in the front in the green shirt that i was talking to and id him and taking action for his despicable way of treating guest a guest Take my advice it is a very beautiful park and they do have some good employees some The way our stuff got stollen was the employees issues us and another person the same day bed and we went to the pool and the low lives put their stuff at the daybed we were issued And stole our things The employees that made this mistake tried to cover it up and couldn't care less of our stuff . I put to piccs of the id we were given and how they changed the number of daybed on my wife id entree Take my word for it they dont care The amount of money we paid to get in is insane to be treated like shit!! They got our money and their mistake caused us to get our stuff stollen But that one manager in the main entrance at the desk had a fat mouth his attitude as a coward exceeds him. Very brave when he spoke to me! The position went to his head Not worth it !! Friend not worth it !!! LMAO !!! ? Do not take any personal item worth money or car keys and leave them on a chair or day bed covered. There are low lives that will rob your stuff put everything in the locker I just realized something i looked at the bad reviews not one apology whats so ever from a manager So that tells they dont care i will not ever recommend. A business like this to no-one wow how arrogant not one apology Very poor business practice no apologies to not one bad review That show how much they care

    Aviary
    Stacie G.

    This was our first experience at Discovery Cove. Check in was swift and pleasant. The food overall was plentiful, and there was a massive variety. That being said, the food was mediocre at best and the kitchen staff should be paid more to smile. The animal care team was great. Every animal ambassador out of the water was incredibly knowledgeable and pleasant - our favourite was Maggie at the Marmoset island. The massive annoyance that we had was the sheer arrogance of the water-based "personnel" at the snorkeling area of the grand reef. In addition to the arrogance, please educate your lifeguards about the wildlife!!!! I was "corrected" by a teenage "lifeguard" while talking to my kids about a shark in the grand reef - and it made my head explode how stupid he was. The "lifeguards" / water safety techs should have training about the wildlife in the park so they don't come across as idiots. Last point was that we didn't bring our own sunscreen as we thought it would hurt the wildlife. We get there and the only available sunscreen is 30SPF. I HIGHLY recommend the park to offer higher options like 50 for the fair folk - if they don't, then we will bring our own sunscreen so avoid the sunburn in the future.

    Patron Margarita
    Lisa M.

    This was the 3rd or 4th time we have been to Discovery Cove. We have always had a fantastic time and would highly recommend it to anyone. It is an absolutely relaxing day especially since once you are there you don't have to open your wallet for anything. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, Icee's, sodas, beer and wine are all included with your day pass. For an additional charge of only $45pp if purchased in advance you can get the top shelf liqueur package which we opted for and it was well worth it. Discovery Cove has greatly upgraded their food offerings in the past couple years and we found breakfast and lunch much more enjoyable this visit than on previous visits. At lunch I enjoyed a Shrimp Cesar salad that contained huge fresh shrimp and a Jerk chicken breast that had great flavor but was unfortunately very dry. My boyfriend really enjoyed the pepper steak. They also now have a pizza stand that we did not indulge in but it looked good and it was very popular. Another thing we greatly appreciate about Discovery Cove is that it is by reservation only and they highly limit the amount of guests they allow in the park each day making it an uncrowded and relaxing experience for all.

    Huge cove and lazy river.
    Zach D.

    This place is incredible and kind of hard to know what to truly expect until you experience it. The lazy river takes over a half hour. There are to many coves to discover. The snorkeling was awesome. I got to pet massive stingrays that gently swam by. Just be aware it's cold, even in July. The food was actually decent with healthy options. Worth the high price.

    Irina D.

    Overall experience was great, day that we chose was cold and windy but good. Everything is clean and well kept. Animals seem relaxed and not too stressed but it's still sad to see them in small spaces. However i can say that ask interactions i saw were pleasant. Maybe give them little mouse space if possible to roam around, lots of kids are chasing those little rays and it seems a bit chaotic.

    Gayle B.

    Discovery Cove is hands-down one of my all-time favorite places to visit! It's pure relaxation from the moment you arrive. We always book a cabana on the reef and spend the whole day soaking in the views --it's 100% all-inclusive. Your admission covers everything: food, drinks, towels, sunscreen--you name it, it's there. The cabanas even come with snacks, a safe for your belongings, lounge chairs, sometimes a fan, and occasionally a hammock. Honestly, it's the perfect spot to just unwind and enjoy the scenery. The lazy river is hands-down the best I've ever been on--it's amazing. And for a little extra adventure, you can swim with the dolphins , which is unforgettable. They take tons of photos so your memories are captured forever. We also loved seeing the otters and even got the chance to pet a sloth ! The food was tasty, the gift shop was cute, and the staff were super friendly. We've been many times and make it a point to go at least once a year. Discovery Cove is the perfect mix of fun and relaxation--a day there is always worth it!

    Anthony S.

    My family went here while on vacation. It is a fun place to go to. This was my second time ever going here. The employees are friendly and professional. The food and non-alcoholic beverages are unlimited. A few of the activities they have are a lazy river, an area where you can swim up to a small island with small monkeys on it and a reef. In the reef you can swim with some different fish including stingrays. There is also an area for a dolphin encounter which costs extra. Once again these are only a few things that they have. There is also small birds and other wildlife that roam about. It is on the pricey side and you have to buy tickets in advance because they only allow a certain amount of people in each day. You also need to go regardless of rain or not because they do not offer refunds unless it is a hurricane. With that being said, my family enjoys going here and we will go again. They draw crowds of visitors from around the world so it is a popular place. If you plan on going make sure you plan a head.

    Entrance to Discovery Cove stand in this spot, Lines 1/2
    Laura W.

    Still one of the best parks in Orlando. Who wouldn't want to spend a day in an incredibly long swimmable lazy river with 8ft drops (floats optional). Swimming took 18 minutes to get around. Absolutely amazing. Snorkeling with Rays and gorgeous tropical fish. Adorable animals and Dolphin swims. There is always a rush in theme parks. Here there is no rush. Get here before 8:30 and enjoy a leisurely breakfast till 9:30. We then like to get our wetsuits and snorkel gear and just store them in our locker for when we need them. We then like to do laps in the lazy river and have drinks in the lazy river lounge. One thing I have always advocated is the Premium drink package. I have got to say guys, this has gone down a lot this year. I actually watched the pour of alcohol (as a splash, think tablespoon) I ended up switching to beer because I was done with sugar water. Is the extra expense worth it? Do you like sugar water, then yes, if you want something stronger... you will not get it here. Guys with the 5/ 6 beer options and wine that's included.... Cuts costs where you can and stick to the freebies. Btw... the food was even better this year than last year!!!

    Just walk up to them. The experience isn't worth it.
    Amanda B.

    This park is truly one of the most beautiful. Everywhere you look is breathtaking. It's definitely not as organized as you would think. Everyone was told to walk across the park and get lockers from that area. We walk all the way over to employees rudley announcing that they won't open the lockers until afternoon and to find another area. Everyone spent a good twenty minutes walking back and forth because the employees weren't communicating with one another. Breakfast was a good variety but it was basic. The drinks are all overly sweet. I recommend the drink package. If you don't have the drink package you can't order half the drinks. Watch your food closely or a bird will swoop down and take your whole plate! After breakfast we wandered over to the aviary line. The employees weren't communicating once again and not once did any of them smile. I don't know why the park lets everyone in so early if they don't open anything! People just stand around awkwardly for an hour wondering what's the hold up. Communication is key. Someone should say " we don't open the aviary until blank time.... Grab a snack... or check out the park, you can also wait here if you would like" Everything is a money grab! If you want to take your go pro into the sharks or underwater thing they won't let you. You have to spend an additional nearly 300.00 for them to take lousy photos!!!! For almost 1,000.00 on packages you shouldn't have to spend that much on photos!!! You also don't get to schedule your times. They booked our dolphin swim, shark tank, and helmet thing basically back to back to the point we didn't get lunch. We had to make do with the terrible pizza and devour bags of chips. The only employee that was awesome was the bartender. I believe his name was Raul. The dolphin swim was worth it as well as the underwater helmet. The shark swim was boring and I wouldn't recommend it. Everything is about 20 minutes except the sharks. I think that was maybe 10 minutes. They only had half the lazy river open. I also think that more umbrellas would be nice. It's Florida and rains non stop. Everyone was pushing kids out of the way to get under the umbrellas. It definitely needs more covering. I heard people mention the cabana's weren't worth the giant price tag because your so busy running to your excursion's you don't have the time to enjoy it. The flamingo experience was also not worth it. The best part was the reef snorkel and that's included in admission. I would go back, skip the excursions, rent a cabana , and spend the entire day in the reef. I would possibly do the underwater helmet again but your basically just going in a small circle.

    Ashley B.

    I've had my Platinum Pass at Sea world for almost five years, and I hadn't been to Discovery Cove. They were doing a deal for pass members to get in for half off, so I booked in February. It had gotten cold right before this date so I almost rescheduled. But I read online the water was supposed to be warmer than the air outside of it. So I went. I booked a dolphin swim also. From the moment I set foot in the park, I was swept away by the serene beauty of it. It looked totally natural. Like man was hardly in there. When you first enter, it's lush greenery. They definitely but a lot of work into their plant husbandry here. There are hidden speakers broadcasting animal voices of the animals that are actually there as you explore more of the park. You definitely have to see it to believe it. I changed into my swim suit once I got there since it was cold. Everything is included, so I had a locker to store my belongings. I was able to eat breakfast since you have to be there at 7:30-8:30. They had Gluten Free options available for me. I walked around the park and swam in the different areas they had. You could snorkel. There were waterfalls. Finally it was time for me to go swim with the dolphins. It was a lot of fun, even as a solo traveler. They do special poses for solo people also. When you swim with the dolphin, you hold it's dorsal fin and side fin and they swim with you to the other side. You get photos taken also. I ended up buying swim shoes since I cut my foot a week prior and didn't wanna risk anything further damaging it. I didn't know I could use my discounts in the park because the website is confusing and makes it seem like you don't get discounts. I later found out that I do when I was purchasing clothes for souvenirs. I snorkled with sting rays and manta rays also. They're so docile and cute. There were employees in the water talking to people about them also. They have alcohol for additional charges, so you can also buy that. But for whatever reason, there are thousands of bees by the bars and that's definitely something to be mindful of, especially for people allergic to bees. My only issue was that there weren't more photos taken of me with the dolphin to choose from. The photographer wasn't always paying attention so they missed my shots with me swimming with the dolphin. So I chose a photo from the poses. I know the photographers are third party, and it's not a Sea World employee. It still bothers me though. I was a former photographer with Wet n Wild and I always made sure to take as many photos as possible. All in all, it was a good day, and I definitely would return in the future.

    Lazy river
    Alexa D.

    Absolutely fantastic! I felt like I was interacting with nature but also had all the amenities of a resort. Started the day with breakfast, then got lockers and wetsuits and put on complimentary sunscreen. The lazy river is incredible! It's about a mile long and you can either use a floatie or swim the whole thing. I did it probably 6 times! It goes through the bird habitat and is a hop away from some otters and marmosets. Lunch was pretty good, I'm gluten free and pescatarian and was able to find options. Then we did the dolphin encounter which was magical! The trainers and the dolphins all seemed happy and that made it so wonderful. The beer and wine included is pretty basic, and the wine was fine. We loved the soft serve around the park! Definitely recommend the otter feeding. We had a blast here and already want to come back!

    Entrance view

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    Discovery Cove Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Discovery Cove

    Can I see recent feedback on the VIP experience?

    Yes, review recent Yelp reviews that mention VIP

    Is it included in admission to swim w/ dolphins or additional fee. I saw $350 pp but wasn't sure if that was for everything or just admission? Are time slots given and how long is interaction w/ dolphins :) thx

    No it's an add on , so are other things like deep diving

    Has anyone done the Trainer for a day at Discovery Cove? Would you Recommend it? Thank you

    I did not but spoke to some that did. While Pricey, they said they had a great time and enjoyed some behind the scenes access.

    Are there umbrellas for shade?

    Yes, but they are first come, first served unless you get a private cabana.

    Are beers/wine already included in the day admission or you have to get the Premium Drink Package?

    Very basic beer and wine options are included like Chardonnay, Merlot, and Bud Light. Highly recommend upgrading to the Premium Drink Package, which includes full bar and specialty cocktails -- totally worth it!

    Do you get a locker or does the locker only come with a cabana?

    Lockers are provided for all Guests at no additional charge.

    Price to swim with dolphin?

    It all depends on the day and how far in advance you book it. That said, it's all inclusive so it's definitely worth the price you pay.… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Discovery Cove

    We did not add on the dolphin swim this time, but chose to do a cabana since it was reasonable split between all of us.

    Mentioned in 143 reviews

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    There are Super cool balloon artists making balloon outfits in various places around the world the park this kid had a pirate sword and bird
    There are Super cool balloon artists making balloon outfits in various places around the world the park this kid had a pirate sword and bird
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    2.6 mi

    Super Nintendo is definitely our favorite portal all around! It feels like you are a real player in…read morea video game! The views here are unmatched and feel out of this world! It's so hard to choose which ride is our favorite but Mine Cart madness is high in my list! The game plan wristbands are such a fun added layer and are worth purchasing in my opinion.

    Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe is the kind of place that delivers on a premise that should…read morenot work as well as it does. I walked through the warp pipe entrance and into the land, and that was a genuine moment. The colors, sounds, and scale of everything around me hit immediately in a way that was hard to prepare for even though I knew what to expect. The attention to detail was remarkable, and the music threading through the entire area kept the immersion intact as I moved from one section to the next. Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness is the ride to prioritize and the one that generates the most excitement in the land. I arrived at park open and went straight here, which was the right strategy as the wait times built quickly. Mario Kart is the other major attraction and delivers on the concept, with the Power Up Band integration adding a competitive layer that makes it more than just a passive ride experience. The Power Up Band is worth purchasing before entering the park if I want the full experience. It unlocks interactive elements and mini games scattered throughout the land that let me collect coins, hit question blocks, and track my score on the app. Without it I could still enjoy the rides and the theming, but a meaningful portion of what makes the land special is tied to having one. At around fifty dollars it is an added cost on top of an already expensive day, but for a Nintendo fan it justifies itself quickly. Weekday visits made a noticeable difference in wait times and gave me more room to engage with the interactive elements without feeling rushed. The land rewards people who slow down and explore rather than just moving through it as efficiently as possible, and there is enough packed into the space that I could spend a solid chunk of the day here without feeling like I had exhausted it.

    Photos
    Portal at night
    Portal at night
    Super Nintendo World
    Super Nintendo World photo ops at Universal Epic Universe

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    Super Nintendo World photo ops at Universal Epic Universe
    WonderWorks

    WonderWorks

    3.5
    (498 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    This is our second time here. Our first time was celebrating our son's birthday a few years ago…read more This time was with our extended family and when we walked in we were greeted by Shona. She was wonderful!!! She had great energy and really started us off on a fantastic foot. My son ended up losing his phone and when we went back to the front desk to ask, the manager was very helpful and we were very lucky that it had been turned in! Thank you to him as well! I could tell between his energy and the energy of Shona that it is a good culture which always makes the feel of a place somewhere you want to come back to! We will always recommend wonderworks!

    The last day of our vacation (May 18). Arrived and was warmly greeted by the cashier. Moved about…read morethe facility and it was mostly Ok. Unfortunately - Laser Tag not operating - the primary attraction we came for. Unfortunately, only one of two "Wonder Coaster" Simulators were operating (with only two kids going for each turn). Being annoyed, I timed the pace of the line. It took 3 minutes 40 seconds for the operator to get two kids weighed, strapped in, and the simulator started. Total time from weighing one group to the next was 7 minutes, 34 seconds ... ... again, that's for only two kids. Extrapolate that - only 16 kids get on each hour. Unfortunately, we went back to do the Ropes Course a second time, but it was either closed or not staffed.

    Photos
    Earthquake simulator
    Earthquake simulator
    Space suit
    Space suit
    Experience weightlessness

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    Experience weightlessness
    Universal Epic Universe

    Universal Epic Universe

    3.1
    (442 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    The positives first, the park is well thought out, travel between each portal was easy. The visuals…read morewere stunning and we had an overall good experience. However, the waits were extremely long. We planned our stay for 2 days strategically to allow ample time to see it all while keeping a 10 and 9 year old in good spirits without pushing them past their limits. The express passes are way over priced and the limits placed on their use devalue the purchase. For the four of us it would have added an additional 1200 to our stay. Not what I call "family friendly." The staff was not well informed which to me was a shock. We received comments like: "I'm not really sure but.." or "I think you can..." and these were simple questions about park navigation. The most egregious encounter with a staff member was at the "How to Train Your Dragon" show entrance. It was 99 degrees that day and we were looking forward to seeing the show to get a break from the sun. As we approached the entrance the attraction had already closed despite us arriving before the stated time. When I asked about entrance she was not only rude, she went as far as to talk about me so loud I could hear her when I walked away. Not at all what I would expect. If Universal is in competition with Disney, they have a long way to go. I walked away with a "wow" and not in a good way. The photo package was not what I expected. The photographers were not easily visible or present at all portals as suggested. A big disappointment as we paid for a service we expected to be delivered as promised. We were told from one of the photographers that they are only present at "certain times" of the day. If that is the case then it needs to be stated in the information before the purchase. We were given incorrect information on multiple occasions. When asked how we could access our pictures we were told we had to visit the photo shop at the entrance of the park. I specifically asked if we could access them online and she said no. Finally we found out that was not accurate, that the photos were available online. The worst experience(as far as photos) was at park close. We were so excited to actually see a photographer at the entrance. We got in line to have our photo taken only to be told, Im sorry but after this person(the people in front of us) we will not be taking any more photos. I was stunned that they were not going to take our picture. We had stood in that line only to be told something we paid for was not going to be delivered. I just stood there in disbelief. Another photographer walked up and I asked him to take our photo and told him what the other guy said. He apologized and said he would take our photo. There is really no good excuse for poor customer service. Honestly, we receive better customer service from our local theme part at home, a small local experience: "Kentucky Kingdom." Epic has been open for a year now, I would be more understanding if the park was brand new. This is a leadership failure that needs to be addressed. The staff should be informed to answer basic questions about park navigation. As well as, be taught how to deliver excellent customer service. Truly we were disappointed at how uninformed and neglectful the staff were at times. And I didn't even mention the low visibility of the park characters. Not at all what I expected for the price as well as service. The bar is set very high based advertising and promotion. It was not delivered in our experience of "Epic" Universal.

    We had a great time and great set up of the different theme sections with the carousel in the…read moremiddle of the park. I appreciate the cooling stations but it would be nice to have more coverage for long lines and rain. It rained periodically and was hot and humid most of the time for the summer.

    Photos
    From Grog & Gruel: PB&J Cone. Decided to go with this one after seeing someone else's. Exceeded my expectations.
    From Grog & Gruel: PB&J Cone. Decided to go with this one after seeing someone else's. Exceeded my expectations.
    The DK Banana Pineapple Crush Float. A LOT going on here, but it works, and it is SO good! I will get this every visit!
    The DK Banana Pineapple Crush Float. A LOT going on here, but it works, and it is SO good! I will get this every visit!
    Super Nintendo World

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    Super Nintendo World
    Dezerland Park Orlando

    Dezerland Park Orlando

    3.5
    (136 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Dezerland Park in Orlando is a really fun spot to spend a few hours, especially since it's free…read morejust to walk around and check everything out. There's a great variety of activities like bowling, arcade games, go karts, and even an impressive auto museum that's worth seeing. It's easy to find something for everyone, whether you're going with friends or family. The only downside is the food situation. While there are a few options, it would be nice to see more variety or even some food trucks to give visitors more choices. Overall though, it's a cool place with plenty to do, and definitely worth a visit.

    Shoutout to the businesses still celebrating kids doing good in school We stopped by due to…read morerecieving an Orange County Public Schools student voucher and honestly had such a good time! My AB students were SO excited to use their reward and felt super proud of themselves the entire visit. Sadly the jump area had already closed down, BUT the staff handled everything so kindly and made sure my other child still got to enjoy. One child did go-kart round and my other child got 2 hours of arcade time. That alone turned what was disappointment into a really fun family outing. The employees were patient, friendly, and genuinely nice the whole time -- which matters so much when you're out with kids. There's honestly a ton to do, the atmosphere was fun, and my kiddos are already asking when we're going back Definitely will be back again!

    Photos
    Dezerland Park Orlando
    Dezerland Park Orlando
    Dezerland Park Orlando

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    Discovery Cove - amusementparks - Updated July 2026

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