RllngRckBrw
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2006
Just back from vacation and we were at Discovery Cove on June 23. First, I have to say our experience exceeded all expectations. It really is a special place.
I did not go into DC expecting to be disappointed but the what I thought to be the important things going I turned our to be wrong and the overlooked details ended up being the highlights.
First thing, is I expected the day to be all about our dolphin experience and everything else would just be “filler”. First, not only was I wrong about the other attractions but the stingray pool was a much better experience than the dolphins. I couldn’t understand why people said that you could book a DC day without doing the dolphins, I now know.
Second, I wanted desperately to get our cabana (which was awesome but we could have lived without) on the dolphin pool. We ended up getting placed on the stingray pool and it couldn’t have been better. We had our own private access and while the water was available to everyone, the shallow area in front of us remained largely empty of guests all day, giving my son plenty of area to play with the rays.
Finally, I only booked this day to replace our excursions on our cruise, but wasn’t sure it was worth the nearly 2K (including the elite pacakage for dolphin pics and cabana) that it cost our family of 4. It exceeded all expectations. Despite 3 separate thunderstorms in the afternoon, we had one of our best family days ever. I can’t see any way that I wouldn’t do it again. Discovery Cove truly is a special experience. I am so glad we decided to finally go for it.
I did not go into DC expecting to be disappointed but the what I thought to be the important things going I turned our to be wrong and the overlooked details ended up being the highlights.
First thing, is I expected the day to be all about our dolphin experience and everything else would just be “filler”. First, not only was I wrong about the other attractions but the stingray pool was a much better experience than the dolphins. I couldn’t understand why people said that you could book a DC day without doing the dolphins, I now know.
Second, I wanted desperately to get our cabana (which was awesome but we could have lived without) on the dolphin pool. We ended up getting placed on the stingray pool and it couldn’t have been better. We had our own private access and while the water was available to everyone, the shallow area in front of us remained largely empty of guests all day, giving my son plenty of area to play with the rays.
Finally, I only booked this day to replace our excursions on our cruise, but wasn’t sure it was worth the nearly 2K (including the elite pacakage for dolphin pics and cabana) that it cost our family of 4. It exceeded all expectations. Despite 3 separate thunderstorms in the afternoon, we had one of our best family days ever. I can’t see any way that I wouldn’t do it again. Discovery Cove truly is a special experience. I am so glad we decided to finally go for it.
Last edited: