Discovery Cove has a variety of accessibility options throughout the park, including wheelchairs, service animal accommodations, and more.
Discovery Cove can accommodate guests with disabilities who are able to maneuver themselves with limited assistance (or with the aid of a personal assistant) during their dolphin experience and in the various wading locations. Discovery Cove also offers specially-designed outdoor wheelchairs with oversized tires for easy maneuvering on the beach. The wheelchairs are not self-maneuverable and guests will need assistance operating them. Wheelchairs can be reserved by calling 407-513-4600.
Service Animals at Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove welcomes service animals. According to federal and state law, a "service animal" is defined as a dog or miniature horse that is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under state or federal law. Service animals may access all areas of Discovery Cove with the exception of the Aviary, Grand Reef, Serenity Bay, Wind-Away River, Freshwater Oasis and Dolphin Lagoons. Service Animals are prohibited from entering these areas due to safety reasons, the nature of these attractions, and the presence of other animals. However, attended service animals are welcome to wait at least 30 feet from the water's edge of these areas. Service animals are the responsibility of the owner and cannot be left unattended at any time. Discovery Cove Team Members are not permitted to take care of, supervise, transport or take custody of service animals at any time. As another option, those guests wishing to do so may utilize the boarding facilities that are available at the Pet Care Center at SeaWorld for a minimal fee. Guests are responsible for maintaining control of their service animal at all times. Service animals must be leashed, tethered or harnessed at all times, unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the guest's disability prevents the use of these devices. In which case, the guest must be housebroken and waste cleanup is the responsibility of the guest. Please advise the Discovery Cove Team Member at check in upon arrival if an Animal Rest Area is needed for access throughout that day. If a service animal poses a direct threat to the safety or well-being of other park guests, employees or animals, or if a guest is unable to maintain effective control of a service animal, the guest may be asked to remove the animal from Discovery Cove. On these very rare occasions, the guest may board his/her service animal at the SeaWorld Pet Care Center (or make other off-premises arrangements) and may continue to enjoy Discovery Cove without the animal.
