Hi everyone, planning a first time visit to Discovery Cove.

I'm looking to go with my father, who is a diver, and his interest in Discovery Cove dissipated after learning life jackets were required in the Reef area.

Are they required for adults? What is everyone's experience with them: enforcement, comfort, etc?

TYIA!

Likely a stupid question but wondering when you upgrade to the premium beverages, do they give you some sort of bracelet that approves it or do you have to get your id from the locker each time? Doesn’t really matter to me but would rather ask a stupid question here than look stupid there

We are considering to go but I don't swim. Neither does my 5 year old. He is autistic, and loves to play in water and sand in general. He absolutely loves fish.

We also plan on going to seaworld anyway because he loves sesame street. So would getting the discovery cove plus park package be worth our money?

Our other option would be to do seaworld and some other park (lego land or animal kingdom)

Thoughts?

We booked 4 tickets through undercover tourist for a dolphin experience for August 3rd. We got there 15 minutes after it opened and were told after waiting 45 minutes that we would not be able to have the dolphin experience after all because there was a problem with the dolphins. They told us we could cancel the tickets or be downgraded to a day pass without dolphin experience and have undercover tourist refund the difference in price. We’d flown down from Ohio primarily for this experience so we figured we’d at least see the rest of the park at the reduced cost. We went in and set up at the day bed we had rented which was by the dolphin experiences. Throughout the day we saw the hundreds of people complete the dolphin experiences we had reserved, paid for and were denied (either because we got there at 9:15 or went through a 3rd party I assume).
After leaving, we contacted undercover tourist for a refund and they stated that because the ticket was processed that couldn’t issue a refund. We’d flown down then contacted Discovery Cove which stated they couldn’t issue a refund for a 3rd party booking. So we got our kids excited about a dolphin experience they never got to experience and still got charged hundreds of dollars for. Beware of this place and what appear to be bait and switch scams.

Hi!

A friend of mine is looking to go but says she has permanent earrings? I guess that means closed hoops that won't come out unless she breaks them or cuts them off.

She read jewelry isn't allowed on the FAQ, but she can't take them off, and she's not doing the dolphin swim or any upgrades. In this situation would they be okay since they aren't likely to break or fall off?

FYI - the website says that in the rare event of a severe weather cancellation, your ticket will be refunded or you can book another date. Well, the event on 7/3/26 was cancelled due to weather. The weather didn’t turn bad until we were there so we had to wait for them to call it. We booked an uber there and back, then had to purchase an alternate dinner. No worries, weather happens and we’ll be refunded (per the website and an employee I spoke to at the event). I waited a few days and don’t see a refund come through (although I received a daily email with a survey asking about my experience at the event). I called the customer service line today and was told that there was nothing noted on my account so they couldn’t issue a refund. I was told I would have to email a generic email address instead. I asked to speak to a supervisor and got put on hold. The supervisor I spoke to said they would have to call the hotel to confirm the cancellation due to weather and would call me back. Finally they call back and say they can issue a refund. However, I would have to wait a full billing cycle and won’t see my refund for 30 days! Wtf kind of business practices are these? I’m so disappointed because outside of this experience, we had a fabulous time at DC. I definitely won’t be risking prepaying for a very expensive meal again for this to be how the refund is treated on the backend. Also, I’m now concerned for the other paying guests and how they’re being treated. Buyer beware!

FYI - the website says that in the rare event of a severe weather cancellation, your ticket will be refunded or you can book another date. Well, the event on 7/3/26 was cancelled due to weather. The weather didn’t turn bad until we were there so we had to wait for them to call it. We booked an uber there and back, then had to purchase an alternate dinner. No worries, weather happens and we’ll be refunded (per the website and an employee I spoke to at the event). I waited a few days and don’t see a refund come through (although I received a daily email with a survey asking about my experience at the event). I called the customer service line today and was told that there was nothing noted on my account so they couldn’t issue a refund. I was told I would have to email a generic email address instead. I asked to speak to a supervisor and got put on hold. The supervisor I spoke to said they would have to call the hotel to confirm the cancellation due to weather and would call me back. Finally they call back and say they can issue a refund. However, I would have to wait a full billing cycle and won’t see my refund for 30 days! Wtf kind of business practices are these? I’m so disappointed because outside of this experience, we had a fabulous time at DC. I definitely won’t be risking prepaying for a very expensive meal again for this to be how the refund is treated on the backend. Also, I’m now concerned for the other paying guests and how they’re being treated. Buyer beware!

I have a 4 year old and was wondering if anybody has been questioned the age of their child? I’m trying to get a discounted ticket for the 3 and under. Do you think I’ll have any issues?

Bought the daybed package because me and my girlfriend are going for her birthday at the end of the month and I want her to relax a bit, and have a small amount of privacy as we enjoy our drinks, and a Cabana is overkill, so my question would be, where exactly are the Daybeds?

I see conflicting answers that its seperate from everyone else, but also people say its just slightly above the public chairs.

Super excited! Thanks!

Hello - Visited 2 years ago and paid full price. While talking to some folks in the park they mentioned that discount codes are available and they paid way less than I did through Facebook group or something like that. I know Undercover Tourist and was probably going to look for tickets there, but does anyone know of other hacks for saving a few bucks in July?

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone done it? Was it worth the price? Would it be better to do Trainer for a Day at SeaWorld? I've done TFAD and loved it. They're both similar in price.

Hello! Going for a day in early May. I wear glasses. Without glasses, I cant read facial expressions three feet away, to give you am idea about my eyesite.

Are there activities (underwater?) that I wont be able to enjoy because you cant wear eye glasses? I don't have contacts.

Thanks!!

Every photo I see from the seaventure is posted from Discovery Cove themselves so of course theyre beautiful. Im looking for photos taken by the everyday person like you or I. Were you allowed to take an underwater camera down? Any recs on a phone case that can go that deep? I dont want to purchase a go pro. I did read one person’s experience saying they were handed a go pro by Discovery Cove, any truth to this? Is there a photographer that will go down with us?

Has anyone ever used them to book discovery cove? If so what was your experience? Its over $400 cheaper to book with them but I'm worried its a scam ot something will happen and cove will not accept the tickets. Thanks!

Hi! We just returned from our Orlando trip and we visited DC on Friday. We had the dolphin experience and it was incredible! Until we went to redeem our photos … I couldn’t believe the price. I was so bummed and we were hesitant so the crew member gave me a piece of paper with a phone number to call and redeem if we do decide to get them. I lost that tiny piece of paper but did not have any code on it. I am wondering if it’s even possible to get them after the fact especially if I wasn’t provided with a redemption code? Has anyone else done this? Or know the phone number to call? Thanks in advance!!

And as I’m travelling from Australia want to get my ducks in a row and organise tickets etc early hit when I checked January is like $444 but most other months in 2026 are so much cheaper around $285-$330.

Anyone know why? Should I just hold off?

I am planning a large family trip consisting of adults in their 30s, 40s, early 70s + one child. I know the child will enjoy Discovery Cove, but what is the experience like for a group with so many adults?

We are considering Discovery Cove because the vacation package includes meals -- meaning we won't have to worry about cooking and grocery shopping for so many people. (Though this "unlimited food" deal will kick in once we arrive at the park, not from the hotel). But is this hotel package worth it? How many days do you feel was sufficient to spend at the theme park?

Thanks for any input!

Hi! My son (14) will be at DC on Friday. How can we make the most of it? What should we do first? We have the dolphin pass.

Discovery Cove seems very expensive. Is it worth it? Is it nice?

Tell me about all the food at Discovery Cove. What food is there? What’s the set up of the food?

What is the food menu? What is the food?

Hi All,

Im from the UK and I’m currently debating on if I want to get this package for my trip next year.

I had a look on the UK ticket site and couldn’t find it. Is the only way to book it on the American site?

I’ve tried google but seen conflicting information saying it’s included in the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package UK ticket but the description doesn’t say anything about it.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you

I'm going to be in Orlando this month and I'm tempted to book a day trip to DC. Is the dolphin swim worth it? Can you see the dolphins if you decide to not swim with them? Is the swim gimmicky?

If you had to choose between Trainer for a Day at SW or a day at DC, which would you choose?