Now, from that convoluted trip down memory lane, let's explore the other brand new to me thing this trip: Discovery Cove!
From the first time I heard about DC almost a decade ago, I've wanted to go. I priced a trip for the three of us several times over the years. It always came to more than $500 for a single day and I just could not wrap my head around spending that when we always had APs to other parks and more to do in Orlando than we ever had time to do. This year, deciding to go by myself and catching a great deal on Black Friday sale meant I could finally get that price down to under $150. Even better, my friend M also wanted to do Discovery Cove and this price put it within reach for both of us. I was both excited and nervous, as SeaWorld had been a let down. Could Discovery Cove live up to the hype?
Here's the drive up to the check in building.
Then the walking path
And after a very brief check in, we were past the initial building and into the park. The lush landscaping continued with the meandering path leading to the food, water and fun.
Yes, the waterfall envy continued. Now I want a waterfall and a creek leading to the pond at Standing Pines. One day it will happen! My friend M loves plants and gardening. She enjoyed the landscaping even more than me. I think we could have skipped the water altogether and enjoyed a great day just exploring Discovery Cove.
But, as food was included in the day experience, we did feel obligated to try it. Here's breakfast:
Breakfast was okay. It's a basic buffet, very similar to just about any other good but not great breakfast buffet. I heard one youTube commentator call it cafeteria food. That is perhaps a bit harsh but not altogether inaccurate.
Part of the appeal of Discovery Cove is the limited number of guests. I understand that only 1,500 are allowed per day. Looking at the lounge situation around 10am, I could believe it.
While DC offers a drinks package, I just don't drink enough for that to make sense. Instead, I amused myself throughout the day by combining the complementary basic alcohol (domestic beer and a white wine and red wine) with different frozen drinks from the slushie machines to make my own cocktails. This one was 1/3 chardonnay to 2/3 frozen lemonade if I recall correctly. Granted I have a huge sweet tooth, but it was surprisingly good.
The center of DC contains 3 lagoons for the swim with the dolphins experience. DD and I did this in SeaWorld a few years ago when she did a week long summer camp. It was fun, but not something I wanted to repeat this trip. Instead, I had a ton of fun watching the dophins play in the lagoon with and without humans throughout the day. Often from my canopied daybed with a creative cocktail in hand.
Canopied daybed? Well, yes. I'd considered it on and off since getting the ticket for the day. Ultimately, I decided the roll the dice. If one was available after we checked in, I would get it for the day. If no, no big deal. I checked. There was plenty of availability. I'm glad I checked on the website though. That showed a price of $67, while the team member at guest services quoted me $89 for the day. I showed her the online price. It took her a bit, but ultimately she found a way to match the price. I offered to simply book it online, but was asked to hold because there can be a delay for online purchases to show up in their system. Okay. We were given daybed mini cabana #2. Frankly, for just 1-2 people, I think this is a better option than the full cabanas. The lounges have thicker cushions, canopy, sides and plenty of storage. I may now want to get a few of these as additional rental options for the pool at Standing Pines.
After exploring, drinks, lazy river, animal encounters and enjoying a warm shower to clean up, it was time for lunch. There was no lack of options.
I made my own salad from the burger bar toppings selections and took a little bit of just about everything to taste. It was all fine, but nothing stood out as great. I may just keep it simple if (when) I go again and do the burger bar or at least get some chicken nuggets to go with rice and veggies.
The bar swings looked fun.
It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize the lanyard we were given at check in had mini maps of the park on the back. They echo this larger park sign.
After lunch, M took off for another few rounds of the lazy river. I didn't want to get back into the water, so I explored the Grand Reef by foot.
I saw many empty cabana's over this way. Nice. Maybe a future visit if I wind up coming as part of a larger group.
