Discovery Cove Vacation Packet "Swim with the Dolphins"  DISCOVERY COVE at a glace General Information  Frequently Asked Questions  Photo Gallery Additional Information

1. Do I Have To Make Reservations? Due to the limited number of People allowed in Discovery Cove each day, it is highly recommended that you make reservations.

2. What Happens When My Guest Arrives At Discovery Cove? After arriving at Discovery Cove and proceeding to check-in, your guest will use their confirmation number to receive an assigned time for their dolphin-swim experience. Each guest will receive a special swipe card good for lunch and purchased credit. The card can be used for miscellaneous charges throughout Discovery Cove. A personal guide will meet each Discovery Cove guest and will take them on a short walking tour and overview of the park's activities and amenities. Guests are free to roam throughout Discovery Cove at their leisure. There are not time restriction except for the pre-arranged time for each dolphin swim.

3. How Long Should My Guest Plan On Saying At Discovery Cove? Discovery Cove will be a full day of adventure. Imagine a place where you and your family can touch and swim with dolphins, wade with mysterious rays, snorkel lazily through a colorful cloud of exotic fish, and come eye-to-eye with sharks and barracuda! You'll want to spend all day.

4. How Long Is The Dolphin-Swim Experience? Each of Discovery Cove's dolphin swims last about 90 minutes. During each session, your guests will spend approximately 30 minutes learning about dolphins and preparing for the swim session; 30 minutes in the water, swimming with dolphins; and 30 minutes talking with the trainers.

5. Do You Have To Be A Good Swimmer To Enjoy Discovery Cove? One of the many great things about Discovery Cove is that you needn't be a good or strong swimmer to enjoy a day full of adventure! However, we do require that each guest wear a swim vest (provided by Discovery Cove) when in water deeper than four feet. Discovery Cove is staffed by certified lifeguards.

6. How Does The Seven-Day Unlimited-Use For SeaWorld Work? Each Discovery Cove guest will receive a seven-day unlimited-use pass to SeaWorld Orlando, adjacent to Discovery Cove. The pass can be used before or after your guests' Discovery Cove visit. Guests who which to visit SeaWorld prior to admission to Discovery Cove will need their Discovery Cove confirmation number.

7. What Are Your Policies On Safety? The safety of our guest is our highest priority. Discovery Cove is designed to be an extremely safe, family adventure. SeaWorld's more than 35 years experience in marine animal care and training allows us to offer this type of interaction with dolphins, birds, fish and rays. As an example, our dolphins are highly trained animals. Each trainer - your guests "coaches" - has developed very strong bonds with each of the dolphins. It is this bond that allows you to spend time in the dolphins' world. Further, guests will always be accompanied by experienced trainers and each guest will receive a thorough briefing on the animals' natural history and Discovery Cove's safely guidelines.

8. What Are Your Weather Policies? We're lucky that Orlando has a tropical climate, year-round. At Discovery Cove, our water will range from 78 to 85 degree, at all times. When the weather is cooler, wetsuites will be made available, free of charge. In the event of weather conditions, such as afternoon summer showers, we will have the ability to reschedule many of the dolphins swim sessions.

9. How Are SeaWorld and Discovery Cove Different? While both Discovery Cove and SeaWorld appeal to families, each offers a very distinct type of vacation experience. SeaWorld is a 200-acre adventure park with guest experience thrilling rides, shows and attractions, while Discovery Cove is a very private and exclusive tropical oasis, teeming with unique one-on-one animal encounters.

10. Will Tickets Become Too Difficult To Purchase? Discovery Cove will be extremely popular with guests and families, but our state-of-the-art reservation system is able to handle large numbers of calls and on-line bookings. We fully expect guests will reserve their Discovery Cove reservation first, then build their Orlando vacation around that date.

11. Will Discovery Cove Replace SeaWorld Orlando's Current Dolphin Interaction Program? Yes, it will. Discovery Cove will allow us to expand the incredible popularity of the current dolphin interaction program with more in-depth, personal interaction and even more varieties of marine creatures.

12. Will My Guests Be Guaranteed A Dolphin Interaction? Yes, they will. Because of our trainers' strong bonds with each of the dolphins, your guests are guaranteed to interact and swim with dolphins. Keep in mind, our animal training is based purely on positive reinforcement. It has been our experience, however, that our animals often seem as curious about humans as we are about them, and will want to interact.

13. In Discovery Cove Accessible To Guests With Physical Challenges? Yes, completely. We can easily accommodate guests with disabilities who are able to maneuver to wading locations, or experience the dolphin swim session with limited assistance or with a personal assistant. We also are exploring specially made outdoor wheelchairs with oversized tires for easy maneuvering on sandy and rocky terrain.

14. What Animals Will You Have At Discovery Cove? There will be Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, rays, sharks, barracudas, more than 300 birds and 10,000 brightly colored tropical fish.

15. Is It Safe To Swim With Rays? Yes, and we think swimming with rays will be one of the most popular adventures at Discovery Cove.

For special keepsake mementos, guests will be able to purchase photographs of their dolphin-swim experience, each taken by a Discovery Cove professional photographer.

The in-depth Trainer For A Day program is available on a limited basis (four people per day). Please call the Discovery Cove Reservation Center directly, 407-370-1280, to book this non-commissionable program.

Merchandise, incidental beverages (including alcoholic beverages) and snacks are available at an additional cost.

We can easily accommodate guests with disabilities who are able to maneuver to wading locations, or experience the dolphin swim session with limited assistance or with a personal assistant.

WONDERS OF THE WATER
-Snorkel down a winding Tropical River scattered with sunken ruins,
or explore a colorful Coral Reef with thousands of tropical fish.

A CLOSER CONNECTION
-Swimming, hugging and playing with dolphins is a dream come true
at Discovery CoveSM in Orlando.

FAMILY GET-TOGETHER
-At Discovery CoveSM, families share the once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with dolphins
in this tropical setting with no crowds and no lines.

UNDERWATER ART
-Snorkelers can explore the remains of a shipwreck, dance with thousands of tropical fish
and come safely eye-to-eye with sharks and barracuda at Discovery Cove'sSM Coral Reef.

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW
-Discovery Cove'sSM sprawling, free-flight Aviary spans both land and water and is home
to more than 200 exotic birds that guests can touch and feed.

UNDERWATER EXPLORER
-Snorkelers drifting down the Tropical River can explore sunken ruins
and hidden grottos scattered throughout the lushly landscaped river.

SWIM WITH DOLPHINS
-The rare opportunity to swim and play with bottlenose dolphins is one of many intimate
animal encounters awaiting guests at Discovery CoveSM in Orlando.

FULL SPEED AHEAD
-The highlight of a visit to Discovery CoveSM is a one-of-a-kind dolphin ride,
the ultimate marine life experience.

AN AQUATIC PLAYGROUND
-Discovery Cove'sSM colorful Coral Reef is the perfect setting for playing hide-and-seek
with thousands of tropical fish or snorkeling within inches of sharks and barracudas.

PLAY WITH RAYS
-Silky, velvety stingrays glide alongside a young guest in the warm waters of Stingray Lagoon.