I am already trying to figure out when we can go back. Let me list the highlights:

- Since it’s a private park, Discovery Cove lets in a limited number of visitors per day.

- Once you pay, everything else is provided: lifejackets, wetsuits, towels, snorkels, sunscreen, shampoo, all food and beverages.

- A huge coral reef to swim in, well stocked with tropical fish and rays (I have snorkeled in Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii and really thought this was on par).

- A rocky beach pool with a large waterfall and cave to explore.

- A 30-minute dolphin swim that includes small groups (4 sets, each with dolphin and trainers in large natural setting pools), feedings, teaching of hand signals, and performance of small and large individual and group tricks, hugs, kisses, photo ops galore, lots of dolphin facts and an individual ride across the pool on your dolphin!

Our family (me, my wife and our 2 daughters (12 and 10) spent a great day at Discovery Cove in beginning of July.

The park is an oasis from the big amusement parks and the three parts that it contains all make it worth it.

1) The Dolphin encounter (30 minutes) is something to remember for years to come.
As the swimming part with the dolphin is very limited, encounter is a more correct defintion) was great. Although brief it was relaxed and you did get the time to be close to the dolphin and touch and feel.

2) The snorkling in the pools with the stingrays and fish was much better than one would think and we kept swimming along for much longer than we thought initially. It never felt crowded

3) The aviary. This was the biggest positive surprise. We spent a good 30 minutes in there checking out and feeding the birds and talking to the people who worked there about the birds

As for practical things:
1) arrive early to calmly try on gear and have your breakfast as part of the all-inclusive package
2) if you are a person who easily get scold when you swim take the wetsuits (2 in our family did) rather than the vests as it relatively cold in the water
3) don't bother with special watersposrts footwear, we all went barefoot when in the wather and saw no reason to do anything else
4) the snacks and drinks are very nice and lunch is quite good, so no need to plan for a big dinner afterwards

Believe all the good reviews ... my husband and I and our two daughter (12 &14) visited on a hot July day, but we didn't mind the heat as every need was met! Beautiful surroundings, good and plentiful food, extremely well organized staff ... and of course the swimming. The dolphin experience was great, educational and a definite highlight.

Extremely valuable was the limited number of people, especially in the middle of summer (busy season for every other park!) There were times when I was swimming in the tropical river that I didn't encounter another person (except quiet, unobtrusive life guards) for ten minutes! It was crazy!

And again, I will offer up the personable, helpful and plentiful staff. The entrance price is very understandable when you look around at the high number of staff available to meet your every need. From administrative people, to the guards, to the trainers ... everyone was just top notch. And in talking to several staff, it seems like a good place to work (as they have been there for many years!)

Book your trip ... you will not be sorry!

What a day! My family of 6 spent a day here during our Rolando trip back in November 2007. (I'm a little slow on my review sorry! That's the life of a mother of four). The cost of this adventure shocked my husband, and it took me a while to talk him into it. He was in awe of the place once there. To this day he still thinks it was well worth it! My kids loved it. We knew going into it that we would purchase the large picture package when there, so budgeted that into our day. We made sure we told the kids this so they made sure they posed lots for the photographers. I think this was they only place where I, the mom actually got into some pictures! My older son would find it hard to say what his favourite part was. He loved the Aviary, loved having birds land on him. His favourite bird was Barbossa a one legged bird. He also spent a lot of time in the tropical fish lake and the sting ray bay. I my self did not enjoy the fish lake only because I have a fear of fish, but I did do it (my son did inform me that when you swear in a snorkel it can be heard above the water! but I swear that was a 40foot sting ray coming to attack me!) I also went once in the sting ray bay, but it was a short visit! My little guys and I just loved floating around the river. My daughter of course LOVED the dolphins. What an experience! Every one got a ride (accept my one son who has a fear of fish (no idea where he gets that) he did go out with the intent of riding a dolphin back, instead rode the instructor back!) All in all we had a wonderful time. My kids want to go back, but I remind them it was a once in a life time experience!