Dolphin Lagoon™/ Dolphin Swim Experience Make a friend that will live in your heart forever when you experience the highlight of your day, a one-on-one dolphin encounter. Learn about dolphin behaviour and communication. Wade into the dolphin lagoon. Come nose to bottlenose with one of these fascinating and intelligent animals, take hold of its dorsal fin and hold on for the ride of a lifetime. The highlight of a visit to Discovery Cove is the opportunity to swim with a bottlenose dolphin during a 30-minute interactive adventure. Accompanied by a trainer guests interact with their dolphin in deeper water for an exciting dorsal fin tow ride back to shore. Children must be at least 6 years old to swim with dolphins. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult who also is participating in the dolphin swim experience.
Attractions at Discovery Cove Some of the park’s most popular attractions include:
The Grand Reef
The Grand Reef is one of the Cove’s newest and most breath-taking attractions, featuring palm-lined sandy beaches, mysterious underwater grottos, and an impressive shark-infested lagoon. Visitors can delve into the depths of the reef’s enormous saltwater pool and snorkel with a wonderful kaleidoscope of sparkling tropical fish, eels and rays. You can also upgrade your package and participate in SeaVenture, an exciting underwater tour of the Grand Reef’s hidden coves.
Explorer’s Aviary is the park’s remarkable free-flight aviary. The aviary is home to more than 250 different tropical birds and is one of the park’s biggest attractions. Guests can walk among hundreds of beautifully coloured exotic birds, feeding them out of their hands and watching them soar freely above their heads.
The Wind-Away River
The Wind-Away River is an enormous freshwater river that circles the park and winds its way through many of the main attractions, including Explorer’s Aviary. Guests are free to ride the river’s gentle waves and float dreamily past some of the park’s most beautiful landscapes, including cascading waterfalls, idyllic white sand beaches, and luscious tropical rainforests.
At the end of the river is the park’s enormous freshwater pool, where visitors can relax and enjoy the glorious surroundings of Discovery Cove Orlando.
Dolphin Encounter (Optional upgrade)
One of the park’s most popular and famous attractions is the Dolphin Swim Experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allows visitors the chance to touch, play and swim with the Cove’s resident bottlenose dolphins. The experience lasts 30 minutes and is open to all visitors aged six years and over.
SeaVenture (Optional upgrade) SeaVenture, The Grand Reef’s innovative experience is an underwater walking tour where, while wearing a dive helmet, you’ll feel right at home under the sea.
Private cabanas (Optional upgrade) For an additional fee, visitors to the park can hire a cabana, a private area in which they and up to five others can relax and enjoy the park's surroundings in peace. The cabanas are hidden away among the park's beautiful landscape and comprise chaise lounges, towels, and a table and chairs.
Explorer’s Aviary
Just beyond a spectacular waterfall, you’ll find a series of towering aviaries. You encounter hundreds of tropical birds nose-to-beak while they feed right out of your hand. There are several areas to explore and food is provided so you can get up close and personal with the residents here.
Serenity Bay
Relax in the refreshingly warm waters of this oversized freshwater pool.
Laguna Grill®
Take full advantage of the all-inclusive package and dine at Laguna Grill for breakfast and lunch. Several snack bars are conveniently located around Discovery Cove each serving snacks, chips, pretzels, candy, soft drinks, frozen drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Insider’s Tip: After check-in, stop by the Laguna Grill for the included breakfast, then look for the equipment stations where you can get fitted for a wetsuit or vest and pick-up your swim masks and snorkels. Complimentary lockers are available and towels are provided in the changing rooms. Showers are available with soap and shampoo provided. If you purchased a dolphin encounter or other animal interaction be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before you assigned time at the location specified.
