THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN Beach time in Orlando
Posted on 08/17/2016 | About Orlando, Florida
I wasn’t sure if SeaWorld could pull off a beach resort 10 minutes south of downtown Orlando and a 15 minute drive from the airport but they did - in spades. Discovery Cove offers the best of a beach vacation with swimming, snorkeling and picnics under beach umbrellas but without having to pack all of the items that go with that type of holiday.
When Discovery Cove describes itself as ‘all-inclusive’ that goes beyond admission, food and drinks. Guests are provided with wet suits, snorkels and towels - and sunscreen is at the change room locations.
Everyone is asked to wear swimming vests making it easier for lifeguards to distinguish guests from staff and to see people in the water. It’s also another layer of protection from the hot, burning rays of the sun.
The park has a limit of 1,300 guests so there are enough lounge chairs for everyone and it doesn’t feel crowded.
Breakfast and lunch are served daily and I was happily surprised to see grilled fish and salads on the menu. Coffee and cold drinks are always available as are wine, beer and daiquiris for those aged 21 an older.
Huts on the property supply snacks and ice cream, which guests can enjoy on the beach or use as sustenance for an adventure. There are a number of adventure options.
Freshwater Oasis
Freshwater Oasis offers a wading experience and face-to-face encounters with otters and marmosets. It is designed with a rainforest canopy above and sparkling-clear springs below.
Wind-Away River
I had heard about the Wind-Away River with guests commenting on the tranquility of the experience. When I got to the entrance there was a staff member who cautioned me about continuing without a floatation device. He said that the water levels changed along the route.
I am not a strong swimmer so went back to the beach to get one. It was necessary.
You follow a current that mimics a tropical river as it winds past sandy beaches, through a dense rain forest, and in spite of my intent to keep my hair dry you float beneath the rocky terrain of cascading waterfalls.
You have an option to walk around it, to avoid a wet head, but it was great fun to go under the falls and I appreciated my floatation device all the more.
The ride goes through an underwater cave and ends at a free-fly aviary.
Dolphin Lagoon
There are activities that are in addition to the entrance fee - the most popular being a 30-minute interactive adventure with bottlenose dolphins, where guests wade into shallow water, accompanied by a trainer and become acquainted with a dolphin. The activity ends with a dorsal fin tow ride back to shore.
SeaVenture
SeaVenture is The Grand Reef experience, where guests wear a dive helmet and take an underwater walking tour to discover schools of fish swimming among them.
Further out in the reef, stunning habitats create the feeling of swimming right alongside sharp-toothed reef sharks safely behind glass.
In spite of its location in the theme park capital of the world, the property is adorned with lush landscaping and soothing waterfalls, with no hint of a coaster in sight, save for the one under my Island Sunrise-Mango and Rum frozen daiquiri.
