DISCOVERY COVE
here’s an overall stingrays, all in one unique and they’re greeted with a sculpture food (including snacks), feeling of relaxation beautiful setting,” said Scott of frolicking dolphins dangling drinks, towels, dolphin- and pampering at DeJesus, assistant supervisor of from the ceiling, a concierge to friendly sunscreen, lounge Discovery Cove, animal training at the park. tell them what to expect, and a chairs and umbrellas, floaties, which is a nice surprise after “When guests get here it’s such photographer. Your photo is and a photo of your group navigating the bustling crowds a surprise for them to be able to put onto badges to wear upon entry are included in usually found in Orlando’s swim and snorkel and get up throughout the stay and act as your admission. Plus, you‘ll other theme parks. Stretching close and personal with so exclusive tickets to all that the receive your choice of two out over 30 lush, beautifully many different types of park has to offer. Well, almost types of wetsuits to wear landscaped acres, Discovery animals. We even have sloths all. while on site and a snorkel Cove only allows in about and anteaters.” You’ll still have to pay for and mask. (You will not be 1,000 people a day. This, along As guests first check in, your own souvenirs, but all allowed to bring your own with the slower pace and its equipment, as it may be all-inclusive design, gives it harmful to the animals.) the feeling of an upscale resort “It’s nice to not have to – one that’s ready to cater to worry about money while your every need. there,” said Terry Mulligan, It’s true that dolphins, and from Clearwater, Fla. “When the chance to interact with you’re walking around in them, are the main draw at this your [wetsuit], it would have pricey park. But guests soon been kind of hard to whip out find there’s more to discover your credit card or money. here. “Discovery Cove is This way contributes to a probably one of the most much less stress day than it is unique places in the world, when you’re in the bigger where you get an opportunity parks. It wasn’t cheap but I to swim with thousands of thought it was worth it.” tropical fish, hand feed exotic As one of the parks under The main draw: interaction with the park's friendly dolphins birds, swim with dolphins, feed the SeaWorld Parks and
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By Deborah Brauser
Entertainment umbrella, the the shallow pools in the price also includes free Dolphin Lagoon, which is admission for 14 consecutive much cooler than the other days at either SeaWorld pools at the park. During the Orlando, Aquatica or Busch half-hour session, a trainer Gardens Tampa Bay. gives demonstrations and “But the very best part leads the guests in feeding, about Discovery Cove is the interacting with, posing for Various groups participating in the dolphin experience. dolphins, of course,” said photos, and sometimes even Lucia Mancini, the 14-year- kissing the dolphin. (These old niece of Mulligan, from photos do cost extra.) Riverside, Ill. “I had never “Every interaction is truly seen one that close before.” unique. If guests have certain Like holding on to a very than 40 dolphins at Discovery requests, and if we can smooth and slick rubber tire Cove. “All are allowed to The Dolphin accommodate it for them and that’s being pulled behind a participate in our interactions Experience it’s safe for our animals and boat. but none are ever forced to There are two main types of other guests, then we can “Every guest at Discovery participate,” said Trainer admission categories. Both certainly provide it,” noted Cove has their own idea of DeJesus. “We use positive offer the same all- DeJesus. what it’s like to actually swim reinforcements and we have inclusiveness, but the pricier The allotted time ends with with a dolphin,” said Steward plenty who seem to really want ticket includes a 30- minute each guest getting a chance to Clark, the park’s vice to do these interactions and are interaction with a friendly and actually “swim” with the president. “When they find trained to do so. However, if very vocal dolphin while the interaction’s star by holding its themselves face-to-face with one decides it doesn’t want to other does not. dorsal fin as it tows you into one of the beautiful Atlantic participate anymore, it’s no big Up to eight people (and one shore. This part is exhilarating bottlenose dolphins at the deal. We’ll just call over dolphin) are assigned to each but also a little scary (like all park, few events can rival the another one and the guests will group. After a short good rides). The swim gives thrilling mix of emotions and get to interact with multiple orientation, the group you a chance to see how strong excitement.” dolphins for a unique members assemble in one of they are. What does it feel like? There are currently more experience.”
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This interaction is open there’s also an area behind through a cave, a forest, and only to those older than six. acrylic partitions that houses by several beach and pool sharks. When underwater, the areas. Flotation devices, or Swimming with Rays, partitions seem to fade away, “floaties,” are provided if Fish, and Sharks?! giving the feeling that you’re needed since there are several The Tropical Reef area of actually swimming close depths throughout the course. the park is actually made up enough to reach over and When you’re ready to take of two pools. The larger Coral touch the sharks. a break, several white sand Reef features a partially “Discovery Cove is a great beaches with umbrellas and submerged ship and 10,000 place for families because it is chairs are scattered throughout colorful tropical fish for such a controlled environment the park, including beside the snorkelers to swim among. here,” said DeJesus. “Safety is Dolphin Lagoon. Some of the For the more adventurous, our number one concern, not dolphins are ex-performers only for our animals but also from the various SeaWorld for our guests who interact parks and still seem to like with them. When it comes to pulling off a trick or two, even snorkeling in the reef, there when hardly anyone is around. aren’t any currents you have There’s nothing like lounging to worry about, yet you get by an un-crowded pool and the chance to see so many watching what feels like an beautiful fish. Plus there are exclusive show by these lifeguards and safety enchanting creatures as they personnel always on duty.” jump and frolic with each For an even calmer other. atmosphere, the smaller Ray For an additional fee, Lagoon is a shallow pool private cabanas are available where guests can wade or with lounge chairs, snorkel while schools of refrigerators, private lockers The Tropical Reef southern and cownose rays and more. swim close by. At certain times, guests can also help Other Animal feed these gentle gliding Encounters giants that can grow up to The free-flight Explorer’s four feet in diameter. Be sure Aviary is home to 250 exotic to ask the aquarist on duty birds, almost all of which can about the feeding times. be hand fed. Carts are set up Another important tip: The with cups of free bird food, as beautiful water creatures in well as ID sheets to help both pools are abundant. So identify the different species. bring along an underwater This is a great place for some camera. fun photos as many of the “I liked that you could birds will walk right up or stay in there as long as you even perch on top of an wanted and it was fun to see outstretched arm. If you want the stingrays that close, to see them to really come towards them float right next to you you, be sure to ask the and you could touch them,” aviculturist on duty if there said Mancini. “They were are any special treats on hand. kind of slimy but soft.” And then get your camera Close to the reef areas is ready. Assistant supervisor of animal the Wind-Away River, a sort Conservation Cabana is a training at Discover Cove, Scott DeJesus. of lazy river that meanders small tent dedicated to through the park, including providing information on
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The Ray Lagoon, where schools of southern and cownose rays swim by close enough to touch.
Some of the many inhabitants of the Explorer's Aviary.
34 • Orlando Attractions Magazine • DISCOVERY COVE ways guests can help with conservation efforts. Kids can touch replica bones of endangered and exotic animals or sit at a small activity desk with informative coloring and activity books. There is also a small area for sending out e-cards to friends back home. Throughout the day, different animals, such as birds, reptiles, or an anteater, are brought to this area or carried throughout the park as Eat up! Several food choices are offered at the park throughout the educators answer guests’ day, including hot dishes and sandwiches for lunch. DOLPHIN questions. FACTS • Since opening more than Space Fills Up Fast and sandwiches. And of open day in your schedule. 10 years ago, more than When it comes to food and course there’s always dessert. “I think Discovery Cove is 20 baby dolphins have drinks, “everything included” “I thought they did this what people have wanted for been born at Discovery means unlimited all day quite well,” said Mulligan. a long time – the opportunity Cove. access to snacks such as soft “They had a nice selection of to get so up close and • They try to ask each of pretzels, yogurt, and cookies, different types of food during personal with so many their 40 dolphins to as well as bottled water, lunch and I was impressed.” different animals,” said participate in at least one juices, sodas, beer, and wine. Overall, DeJesus said DeJesus. “When I was a kid I guest interaction a day, although many seem to Snack stations are located anyone wanting to come to the would go to SeaWorld and like to participate in more. then dream about what it throughout the park. park should make their • Trainers may come in as Meals include a light reservations as soon as possible would be like to be in one of early as 3 a.m. to prepare continental breakfast and as space can fill up months in the shows or be with those the food for the dolphins. several lunch options advance. However, because animals. Discovery Cove is a • The dolphins are including hot offerings such there are cancellations, go place where you can fulfill constantly examined to as pasta or seafood dishes, or ahead and call if you come to that dream in a safe make sure they’re healthy. cold choices such as salads town and find an unexpected environment.”
RATES Standard Package – Regular rates through the rest of 2010 are $199 with a dolphin interaction and $99 without the interaction or for kids between the ages of 3 and 6.
Ultimate Experience–Includes 14 consecutive days of admission at SeaWorld and Aquatica in Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, along with the one-day pass to Discovery Cove. $279
Trainer for a Day –This experience includes three personal interactions and behind-the-scenes time with a dolphin trainer, as well as the standard Discovery Cove package features. Prices start at $398. Those between the ages of 6 and 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. DiscoveryBy Submitted Cove Photo SPECIAL DELIVERIES What better way to say “I love you” than by dolphin delivery? Discovery Cove has been offering several Special Occasion packages for birthdays, Valentine’s Day and marriage proposals featuring the delivery of a personalized message on a keepsake buoy by one of the park’s resident dolphins.
Visit www.discoverycove.com or call 1-877-557-7404 for the latest prices. Online Extras: Video & Photos
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