Well... I've never really seen anyone do a Discovery Cove TR.. Might as well do one myself.

About a month ago I got the chance to spend a "long weekend" down in Orlando.. And on top of that... I got the chance to do Discovery Cove, for free. (It would have been around $300 a person had I had to have paid!)

So yeah.. This whole place is really fancy/classy.. It doesn't feel anything like Aquatica or SeaWorld.. Yet its right next door.


This is the entrance to the park. It feels more like a hotel than the gate to an amusement park. No lines, no turnstiles, just a little "check in" area where your photo ID is taken.


Park Map


Walking down into the park you pass the Tropical River (animal less)


The park is really pretty... And outside of being able to see the SkyTower at SeaWorld in some places.. You kinda forget you're 50 feet from 2 B&Ms.


Parrots? Some of the many birds just.. chillin' in the park.


The park has a limit as to how many people they let in day... So no matter where you are, you'll feel like you have the place to yourself.


The biggest draw to this park.. is the Dolphin encounter/swim... I didn't want anything to do with it.. So this is the only Dolphin photo I have.


Like I said in the before, its about $300 to get in.. But once in, everything is free. Life vests if you want them.. Snorkels, sunscreen, towels, all the drinks you want...., And beer (if you drink)
I enjoyed an Ice Tea.... shocking, I know.


Oh yeah... And all the food you can eat!


As you can see.. I'm a healthy eater...


And before getting to the whole.. Water part of the park. I took a walk around the aviary and looked at the birds and stuff.. I guess there is also a deer but I never saw it.


The peacock was very agitated..


So.. yeah. Onto the water.. The park pretty much as the most badass river ever.. No tubes.. You can just swim in it.. Or get a life vest and float around.. or find fun-noodles and use them to float. The river also goes from just a foot or so deep.. to over 8 feet... And also had this cool cave area with a little nook area, unsupervised.... That I'm sure inappropriate things have happened in...


Next to the Dolphins pool is a ray pool. Where you can walk around and have rays swim up to you and all around your legs and feet.


I made sure to keep 3 to 5 feet.. And a person between me and the rays....


Having done the river, like 8 laps in all... And the Ray pool.. It was time for the reef swim. (swimming with rays and fish and stuff) I used my old digicam and an underwater case to take some photos.. Although they arnt that great.. its better than nothing I guess.

Barracuda?


Lots of fishy


Big ray


More fish


And a lovely photo of myself underwater.


I also put together a few video clips from the park on youtube -

Hi Taco

__________________
SWOOSH - MidwestInfoGuide.COM

Seems like you had a good time James, good to hear..it is very relaxing there and I always enjoy going.

__________________
Life is a journey....enjoy the ride....