Are there any swim-with-the-dolphins programs in Orlando? We'd like to have the whole island experience, but we don't have a lot of time.
You'd probably love Discovery Cove, a theme park that opened adjacent to SeaWorld in 2000. Discovery Cove offers guests the chance to swim and play with bottlenose dolphins, then snorkel through clouds of fish in a coral reef lagoon. Or just enjoy the tropical-island ambience of beach chairs, hammocks, palm trees, birds--and hardly any people.
That's right. The most unique thing about Discovery Cove is what it doesn't have: crowds. This is a reservation-only park which admits only 1,000 visitors a day.
A swim in the dolphin lagoon is the undeniable highlight of the park, but allowed only for guests ages 6 and older. The trainers teach you about dolphin behaviors and then let you interact with the dolphins themselves.
After that, you can have a great first-snorkeling experience in the coral reef. There are plenty of fish for viewing, including barracuda and sharks. Don't panic--the latter are safely behind plexiglass. Kids also like frolicking with the huge and fierce-looking (but actually quite gentle) rays in the ray lagoon.
Another don't-miss is the tropical river that meanders its way through the park, passing several different environments, ranging from a fishing village to an underwater cave. Drift beneath a waterfall and you'll find yourself inside an aviary that houses 200 colorful birds from all over the world.
So what do you pay for this bliss? For one day, it's $229 per person plus tax for the All-Inclusive package. (If you're willing to forego the swim with the dolphins, the price is $129.) Discovery Cove also offers the Trainer for a Day package ($399) that allows guests to help during feeding times and attend behind-the-scenes tours, in addition to the All-Inclusive package offerings. It sounds outrageous, but when you compare the price to other swim-with-the-dolphin programs, it's actually not that much more. The price covers beach umbrellas, lounges, towels, a locker, snorkel gear, and lunch.
For details and reservations--and remember, they're a must--call (877) 4-DISCOVERY or click here.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change.
