Discovery Cove - totally immersive experience?

[stevenpensacola]

Question for you Discovery Cove veterans from a Florida native and resident who's been to WDW and SW numerous times, but never to DC.

The recent announcement of the new additions to SW and DC have piqued my interest in DC.

Is a visit to DC a totally immersive experience...akin to visiting a tropical island?

We're big fans of water parks...and realize that DC is no water park per se...so will we be bored?

I really enjoy snorkeling, especially if there are things to look at.

Do you feel you get your money's worth?

Thanks for your input.

 

[wdwluver]

I've been to DC twice and am about to go a third. So, here's my take.

It's not akin to visiting a tropical island. That being said, it's still a wonderful, totally different from any other orlando amusement park experience.

The first time we went, I paid full price. Expensive - it was just under $900 at the time and it was before DC provided unlimited snacks and a continental breakfast along with lunc. Being the first time there, I thought it was well worth the cost for a 'one-time' experience for my family. We had a ball, were totally relaxed and were there until closing.

We wanted to go back, but just couldn't justify the price anymore. the second time, we went, I got a SW passholder discount of $129 per person for the non-dolphin swim. I felt we hit the jack pot and gladly signed up for a second experience. This was about three years ago (I think) and then it was all inclusive. This seemed well worth the cost.

This third time, I am the only passholder and they have a new discount - $59 per person for the non-dolphin swim. Weighing the cost agaist going to maybe seaworld or aquatica, paying an entrance fee for the rest of my family and meals. It's no contest. DC won. I polled my family and they said, SW - a couple of fun rides and a few shows. Aquatica, yeah, it's a water park, but I'd rather snorkel, see fish, enjoy the pool, lazy river and aviary - oh and all the food I can eat!

So, my children preferred DC to SW or Aquatica. No lines, lots of relaxing.

Sorry for such a long response to your short question. But we do love DC!

 

[Zim]

I agree with the poster above, summed up quite nicely.

It's a great relaxing day. You never feel like there are a million people around because of the per day limit. It's quiet, and if you love interacting with animals, that alone is priceless. Feeding the stingrays while you wade in the water with them is my favorite. My dad loves the lazy river that takes you into the three exotic bird areas where you can wander around and feed them. It's actually the only "amusement" park my dad ever liked because it was casual with no lines, crowds or commercialism.

My daughter went when she was 8 or so and has been wanting to go back ever since. I'm not sure exactly what it is that makes it so enjoyable, as for the price it doesn't sound like you get a lot. But we really enjoyed it, it was a nice break from the craziness of the amusement parks.

 

[crazylena]

My husband and I went this past August for the 1st time to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are also big WDW fan's and have been to both Sea World and Aquatica.
Yes this is a very expensive day and when my husband had 1st heard what it was going to cost us I think he thought I had lost a few marbles but after going even he came away feeling it was well worth every penny.

1st of all if you compare the cost of getting into the other parks and then your meals and extra's it really isn't that bad. Because not only do you get the entrance into DC but you get the extra pass into either SW or Aquatica as well.
From the minute you walk in the door all your meals are paid for and you can have anything to drink and snack all day as well.

I am someone who will go out of my way to avoid crowds and long lines and our whole day was just so peaceful and relaxing. There are a few spots that's it's a little crowded but not to the point that you get frustrated. One big thing I noticed was that everyone around us seemed so relaxed and you could tell they were just really having a nice time where on the other hand I saw numerous meltdowns and tantrums from both adults and kids at the Disney Parks.

We went the whole deal and rented a Cabana and did the Dolphin Experience. The Cabana made it feel like we had our own little owasis and the cabana attendent made us feel like we had the VIP treatment.

The food was good and you could have as much as you want.


This coming June our dd is getting married at Clearwater Beach and when we come back down we are hoping to again come and visit DC. I'm not sure if we'll be able to afford the whole package again but I'm going to attempt it because it's worth it. If our budget doesn't meet the amount needed then we won't do the Dolphin swim and will skip the Cabana which makes it more reasonable.

If you decide to do this make sure you get there early and plan to stay the whole day to get your money's worth. We got there around 7:30 and we were one of the 1st in the door.

Kim

 

[GypsyOBRN]

My DH & I love snorkeling & have been to all over the Caribbean to do so, its a retreat we do as a couple & not as a family. We enjoyed Discovery Cove very much. Our DD & DS, ages 15, 13, had never been snorkeling & thought that the Grand Reef was the best part of the 8 days we were in Orlando!

Busch Gardens & Seaworld coming in tide for second place. I think you will love Discovery Cove, our family did!