Discover "Discovery Cove"!!!

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​With the hottest days of summer upon us, – everyone is ready to “Discover” ways to stay cool—I HIGHLY recommend taking a day to visit Discovery Cove in Orlando, FL. 
 
Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort where guests are able to relax and experience animal encounters in a peaceful, tropical atmosphere. 

​Our family took a break from our usual fast paced Disney / Universal vacation and it was the best decision that we made!! ​

​Here are the Clark’s TOP FIVE reasons to add a day at
Discovery Cove to your vacation!!!!

​#1:  All-inclusive day resort!!! 
When I say “all inclusive” – I truly mean this!  We arrived first thing in the morning (check in and breakfast began at 7:15 am – we got there around 7:30 am) and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.  There were hot and cold items for everyone – everything from French toast sticks and scrambled eggs to cereal, bagels and fresh fruit – tummies were ready for the day’s adventure!
 

​During the day, we were also able to enjoy lunch (again - something for everyone:  burgers, Caribbean fish, BBQ, club sandwiches, cobb salad, chicken tenders, hot dog, pasta), as well as unlimited snacks and beverages (including alcoholic beverages!!)
 
For our stay, we were also provided with snorkel equipment (for the day) and had access to lockers (price included), changing areas (super clean!) and sun screen (specially formulated for the marine life).   There were also life jackets there for “littles”, as well as flotation devices (noodles!)

​#2:  Animal Encounters
Discovery Cove’s water ways opened at 9am and we began our day with the activities that were included in the Basic Package!  

​The Grand Reef – A large lagoon area that has giant sting rays (barbs removed) swimming.  You are able to snorkel with the rays the entire day.  While I do recommend getting there early – be prepared that the water in the Grand Reef is cold!!! 
 
Within the Reef – there is also a Plexiglass wall that you can swim up to and see the sharks on the other side!  I totally did NOT believe my son when he mentioned this – so I swam over and came face to face with a huge shark.  I did freak out a bit – and this has become my kids’ favorite story!

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​EARS TIP:  Visiting Discovery Cove is a great way to teach your littles to snorkel in a non threatening environment.  Our Tyler was nervous about snorkeling in the actual “ocean” – but after a day at Discovery Cove, he was ready for a trip into open waters!

​Explorer’s Aviary  You can enter the Aviary and hand feed varieties of birds (they have cups there to fill with the “preferred” snacks for the bird types). 
 
Fresh Water Oasis – As you swim through the lazy river – you can pop into areas that allow you to come face to face with otters!  Separated by plexiglass, you are able to have above and below viewing of these super cute animals.
 

​EARS TIP:  On the far side of Discovery Cove there is a lazy river that winds around through areas to interact / view animals.   I highly recommend taking your snorkel gear with you as you move around the facility -- you never know when you might need to submerge!

​#3:  Exclusive Adventures
In addition to the included adventures – you are also able to add encounters into your package throughout the day:  Feeding the Sting rays, Shark swim, SeaVenture (underwater sea helmet walk), Dolphin Swim and even a Dolphin Trainer for the day!
 
We added the Dolphin Swim into our day and it was amazing!  Our family was grouped with a few other people and positioned around a lagoon and met our dolphins:   Stella, Hutch and Dexter!  Our trainer taught us some amazing facts about dolphins as we were allowed to feed & take pictures with Stella.   The highlight of the visit was being able to take a ride on Dexter!!  Mackenzie and Tyler talked about this for years after!!

​EARS TIP:  If you plan to add additional packages to your visit -- I highly recommend arriving early in the morning to check in (right when Discovery Cove opens), in order to pick the time you prefer for each adventure!!

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#4:  Additional features!
Another awesome possibility with a visit to Discovery Cove is that the fun doesn’t stop there!  Discovery Cove is sooooooo close to Sea World and Aquatica!  You could even take some time to take a shuttle down to Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay!!!

​#5:  Peace and Quiet
When all was said and done – a visit to Discovery Cove was just what our family needed.  We had spent an amazing week at Walt Disney World and Universal, Orlando and had a great time – but that had definitely been a “get up and go” vacation.  Spending time at Discovery Cove allowed us to take a minute to sit, relax and just “be”.   

When we left, everyone said that this was the best day, ever!  
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Let me know what your family's "Tips and Tricks" for visiting Discovery Cove would be!