Discovery Cove Orlando is an all-inclusive day resort where you can snorkel with tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, float through tropical waterways, relax on sandy beaches, and encounter animals in a quieter setting than Orlando’s traditional theme parks and water parks.
The experience is reservation-only with limited daily attendance, and the all-inclusive admission model covers many of the amenities you’d normally pay for separately at an Orlando attraction. A separate Signature Dolphin Swim package adds the park’s signature dolphin experience.
Discovery Cove Quick Facts
- Location: SeaWorld Orlando area
- Experience: All-inclusive day resort
- Reservations: Required
- Parking: Included
Dolphin Swim Experience
Swimming with dolphins is Discovery Cove’s signature experience. The encounter takes place at Dolphin Lagoon and is available with the Signature Dolphin Swim package rather than standard Day Resort admission.
During the experience, guests enter the water for an interactive encounter with the park’s dolphins and trainers. Participation requirements apply, particularly for younger children, so families should review the current requirements before booking.
If swimming with dolphins is important to your visit, make sure you’re booking the Signature Dolphin Swim package rather than standard Day Resort admission.
The Grand Reef & Animal Experiences
Animal encounters extend well beyond Dolphin Lagoon. The Grand Reef is a large snorkeling habitat where visitors can swim among tropical fish and rays, while Explorer’s Aviary offers the chance to walk through free-flight habitats and hand-feed exotic birds.
Freshwater Oasis combines swimming with viewing areas for otters and marmosets, while Flamingo Point is home to Caribbean flamingos. Additional animal encounters and upgraded experiences may also be available.
Swimming, Floating & Relaxing
Discovery Cove is as much about slowing down as it is about animal encounters. Wind-Away River carries visitors through tropical environments, caves, waterfalls, and sections of the aviary, while Serenity Bay offers warm water and sandy beach areas for swimming and relaxing.
White-sand beaches, lounge chairs, and landscaped areas throughout the resort provide plenty of places to relax between swimming and animal experiences.
What’s Included With Your Visit
The all-inclusive format is one of the biggest differences between Discovery Cove and most Orlando attractions. Day Resort admission includes access to the resort’s main waterways and animal habitats along with:
- Breakfast and lunch
- Unlimited snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- Select beer and wine for guests 21 and older
- Parking
- Lockers
- Towels
- Wetsuits and snorkel gear
- Animal-safe sunscreen
- Lounge chairs
- Changing rooms and showers
Optional animal encounters, cabanas, premium beverages, and other upgrades may cost extra.
You can pack lighter than you would for a typical water park. Discovery Cove provides towels, snorkel equipment, wetsuits, lockers, and animal-safe sunscreen as part of your visit.
Planning Your Visit
Discovery Cove requires advance reservations and limits daily attendance, so this is an attraction to book before your trip rather than leave as a last-minute option.
Plan to make Discovery Cove the focus of your day. The combination of swimming, animal experiences, meals, and time relaxing around the resort makes it better suited to a full-day visit than a quick stop between other Orlando attractions.
Optional experiences may have additional participation requirements, so review the details before adding them to your reservation.
Do You Need to Be a Strong Swimmer?
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy Discovery Cove. Beaches, the aviary, animal viewing areas, and other experiences don’t require extensive swimming, and life vests are available for the waterways.
Water depths vary between areas, so visitors who aren’t comfortable in deeper water can choose experiences that match their comfort level.
Accessibility
Discovery Cove offers accommodations for guests with disabilities, including accessible facilities and specialized beach wheelchairs for navigating sandy areas. Accommodations are also available for service animals.
Accessibility and participation requirements vary between animal and water experiences, so visitors who need specific accommodations should review the resort’s current accessibility information before their visit.
Looking for More Water Parks?
Explore our Orlando Water Parks guide for more aquatic attractions, including traditional water parks with slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and family play areas.
Planning a Multi-Day SeaWorld Visit?
Discovery Cove is close to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando, and multi-park ticket options can make all three a natural fit for a longer stay in the SeaWorld area.
Nearby Things to Do
Discovery Cove is also convenient to several attractions around the International Drive and Convention Center area. Nearby options include Andretti Indoor Karting Orlando, Topgolf Orlando, and ICON Park.