Discovery Cove: Best Theme Park Vacation EVER

Author: J Brust
Date of Trip: May 2006

From the time you arrive at Discovery Cove, you are treated like a true guest, not a customer. You first enter in a room more like a resort than a line for tickets and entry. This theme park is all-inclusive. Your tickets are prepaid so you don’t have to bring any money. You are treated to all-you-can-eat breakfast throughout the park.

You are then given a wet suit or vest, snorkeling gear and towels. There are numerous secure lockers for personal items. You are free to wander throughout the aviary, float down the tropical river, pet the rays in the ray pool or swim in the coral reef with thousands of real saltwater fish.

There are snack huts in the park where you can get food or drinks (including Anheiser Bush products) for free all day. There is also a restaurant open in the afternoon where you get your choice from a very extensive menu. They even have baby foods and juices for the little ones.

Everywhere you go in the park the staff is extremely courteous and friendly. There are no long lines at this park since they limit the number of tickets sold each day. The price is more than your average theme park, but for the price you get food all day, a complimentary picture of your group as you enter the park, outstanding service, and seven days at Sea World for free.

I haven’t mentioned the dolphin encounter yet because that is an extra charge, but if you have any interest at all in this extraordinary animal, I highly recommend this part of the attraction. Your encounter will be unforgettable. My husband and I went in May and plan on going back near the end of summer because we enjoyed it so much.