5 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Visit Discovery Cove

August 9, 2020 by Carolina Grabova
Meet Carolina Grabova, a travel blogger and photographer that we recently hosted at Discovery Cove. We invite you to read below for more about her experience and see some of the images she shared.

Hi everyone! Yesterday we visited one of our favorite places; we spent our day at the Discovery Cove dolphin swim. The last time I visited was in February, and since then, a LOT has changed. When the attractions here in Orlando begun to reopen, I found a lot of reviews and information about their safety measures, but I haven’t found much information about Discovery Cove, so I decided to go check it out, and believe I have a TON of questions and concerns.

* Thank you, Discovery Cove, for hosting my family. Although my visit was sponsored, this post reflects my opinions.


Swim with Stingrays at Discovery Cove Orlando

1 – SOCIAL DISTANCE IN STYLE

Discovery Cove is a park that kept its capacity low and required reservations. Now the park reduced its capacity even further.

Discovery Cove never felt crowded, but now the chairs are further apart, preventing groups from gathering.

If you are looking to social distance, even more, you will love the cabanas! It is the ultimate social distancing.

Cabanas are an add-on that I highly recommend you guys to take a look at. Discovery Cove cabanas fit six people comfortably, have a water view, and comes with everything you need to have a perfect day. There is no better way to social distance.

Enjoy beautiful beaches at Discovery Cove Orlando

Private cabana areas at Discovery Cove Orlando

Sitting on a hammock at Discovery Cove Orlando with guest blogger, Carolina Grabova

Private cabana at Discovery Cove Orlando

2 – ALL INCLUSIVE

If you never visited Discovery Cove before, you might not know that this is an all-inclusive park!

When I say ALL-inclusive, I really mean it. The base ticket to Discovery Cove includes breakfast, lunch, parking, towels, and even animal friendly sunscreen!

Due to the park’s added safety measures, the day ticket also includes face coverings and hand sanitizer.

There are add-ons you can purchase, like my beloved Cabanas. Still, you can have a phenomenal day with or without spending extra money.

Some of my favorite add-ons are:

Discovery Cove Dolphin Swim

Discovery Cove adapted it’s Dolphin swim, to protect guests and team members.

Face Coverings are mandatory to participate in this activity and groups required to maintain social distance.

You are allowed to lower your face covering for pictures.

Dolphin Experience at Discovery Cove Orlando

Dolphin Experience at Discovery Cove Orlando

Dolphin Experience at Discovery Cove Orlando

Dolphin Experience at Discovery Cove Orlando, guest blogger, Carolina Grabova

Premium Drink Package


It was my first time trying their Premium Drink Package. It costs $40.

Discovery Cove offers beer and wine (included), but if you plan to drink more than that, I recommend the Premium Drink Package.

It includes specialty drinks and more variety when it comes to beer and wine.

Specialty drinks at Discovery Cove Orlando

A visit to Discovery Cove Orlando, guest blogger, Carolina Grabova

SeaVenture – Sea Walk Tour

I am obsessed! It was one of the coolest things I ever done in my life!

It is an underwater sea walk (18 feet deep) while wearing a helmet that made me feel like an astronaut.

I was SO scared to try this activity! I was very anxious because I do have claustrophobia. It took two tries, but I was able to participate.

The team was amazing, and talked me through it. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

You get to some amazing close encounters with rays, sharks, and TONS of fish.

Also important to note, the helmets were sanitized in front of us which I really appreciate.

SeaVenture at Discovery Cove Orlando

SeaVenture at Discovery Cove Orlando

SeaVenture at Discovery Cove Orlando

SeaVenture at Discovery Cove Orlando

Photo Package

If you are planning to participate in any water tour, you will probably want to check their photo package because you won’t be able to take your camera with you, and you will want to bring those memories home.

Buy a photo package of your experience at Discovery Cove Orlando

Dolphin Experience at Discovery Cove Orlando

SeaVenture at Discovery Cove Orlando

SeaVenture at Discovery Cove Orlando

3 – SAFETY MEASURES

When it comes to my family’s well-being, I am VERY strict or as my husband would call paranoid.

I set some rules; if when we see people gathering, we step back.

If there is any activity that we feel uneasy participating in, we won’t go. I also carry Clorox wipes with me whatever we go, and will use to disinfect things as needed.

I’m happy to report that Discovery Cove is doing a phenomenal job. As soon as you get there you will receive a pouch with a face-covering and hand sanitizer.

I saw them cleaning surfaces frequently, and they explained to me how they clean their snorkel equipment which made me comfortable to use it.

Safety measures at Discovery Cove Orlando

Animal encounters at Discovery Cove Orlando

Safety measures at Discovery Cove Orlando

Swim with stingrays at Discovery Cove Orlando

Face Coverings

Face coverings are required on:

• Check-in

• Restaurant

• Store

• Dolphin Encounter

• Aviary


4 – FEELS LIKE A VACATION

Let’s be honest! We have no idea when tourism will resume normally. I always loved how Discovery Cove made me feel like I was on a Caribbean island, and know that this destination is out of my reach due to closed frontiers.

Discovery Cove makes me feel like I’m on vacation, and this is the best feeling in the world right now.

The best part is that you don’t need to pay for any add -on to be able to have this feeling. The base ticket includes lots of fun for the whole family.

Relax at Discovery Cove Orlando

Stingray at Discovery Cove Orlando

Swim with stingrays at Discovery Cove Orlando

5 – DEALS

It is not a secret that our local tourist attractions have been promoting a lot of deals lately, and Discovery Cove is no exception.

I recommend you subscribe to receive their emails, so you are always updated on special promotions throughout the year.

Swim around freshwater at Discovery Cove Orlando

Relaxation at Discovery Cove Orlando

Hope you guys enjoyed this post and make sure to also read 5 reasons why you should include Discovery Cove on your travel plans.

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Carolina Grabova is a guest blog writer for Discovery Cove, you can follow more of her adventures by visiting her blog at CarolinaGrabova.com