Florida Guide > Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove 2012
The idea of going to Discovery Cove had always appealed, it was just the cost that delayed things a bit. Having made the decision to do things while we are still fit to enjoy them we made our trip in November 2012.
We decided to get there early to make the most of the day and arrived just after 7. 30. This was a good decision as we parked very close and there were no queues when we went in.
The whole entrance is like the reception of a large, high quality hotel and you are escorted to a check in desk where your times for any of the special activities, such as the dolphin swim or Sea Venture, are allocated. You are then taken into the park and given directions. First you need to pick up your wet suit or wet jacket, goggles and snorkel. If you want prescription goggles you need to pick these up at customer services. As it was November we decided on the wetsuits, as did most people.
Breakfast was next on the agenda and it was really good with lots of choice through full cooked, fruit salad, pastries etc. The hearty breakfast did not help a lot in getting the wetsuit on. Hint- remember to go to the bathroom before you put your wetsuit on, getting them off can be quite hard work!
By this time my dolphin swim was due but this deserves a whole article to itself. Enough to say that it was wonderful.
A coffee break was then order of the day together with soft cinnamon pretzels. Sipping coffee on a pristine, white sandy beach watching other people having their dolphin experience was bliss.
However, to continue my making the most of the day experience it was then time for my Sea Venture. Again I will write another article about this but it was certainly an experience not to be missed. The others went snorkelling in the same general area and had a different perspective.
The water in the coral reef area and the dolphin lagoon is around 75 degrees as this is the temperature needed for the fish and the dolphins, hence the need for the wetsuit. The temperature in the lazy river and the sites around there is at a much more comfortable 86 degrees. So next on the agenda was to go and have a look at the otters and marmosets in the nice warm water.
All this activity had stimulated our appetites and so lunch was next on the agenda. There was a wide ranging menu that should accommodate most tastes and we enjoyed our meal.
The afternoon period included a walk round the aviary where you can feed the birds. This is a good option first thing in the mornings, if your other activities allow it, as the birds are hungry then. Many of them will feed from your hand.
The lazy river completed our activities for the day – and what a day it was. I found myself with a silly grin on my face throughout our time in the park.
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