One Of America's Best Water Parks Is A Fun Florida Destination Full Of Beaches And Lagoons

If Orlando, Florida, is known for one thing, it's theme parks and family-friendly attractions. While you can skip the parks and follow an itinerary that shows you other parts of the city, what if you could get the best of both worlds? What if there was a theme park that is a suitable alternative to Disney World while offering one-of-a-kind experiences? And what if you could see dolphins up close and get wet without waiting in long lines or fighting through huge crowds? Well, then you might wind up at a place like Discovery Cove.

On the surface, Discovery Cove is kind of a cross between a water park and a zoo. There are animals such as dolphins, birds, and monkeys, but there's also a lazy river, beaches, lagoons, and even a coral reef for snorkeling. But what really makes this place a suitable alternative to Disney is that it's an all-inclusive experience, and you can even add admission to other nearby theme parks like SeaWorld for added convenience.

Finally, while most places in Orlando can get pretty packed during peak travel season, Discovery Cove limits its attendance, so even when it's at max capacity, you won't have to deal with throngs of tourists all day. So, let's break down what you can expect from one of the country's most well-reviewed (ranking No. 1 on Tripadvisor's list) water parks.

One common complaint travelers have with modern theme parks and attractions is that you have to pay extra for everything. In addition to your admission ticket, you have to pay for parking, food, drinks, add-ons, and souvenirs. By comparison, Discovery Cove is all-inclusive, meaning you can dine, drink, and relax all day without paying for something every step of the way. According to visitors on Reddit and Facebook, the entry fee is worth it because so much is included in the price. In addition to food and beverages, you can also get towels, animal-safe sunscreen, snorkeling gear, and more.

Rather than offering thrilling rides and slides, like the water coasters found at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Discovery Cove is more of a laid-back park that features tropical scenery and animal encounters. You may come face to face with flamingos, monkeys, and various birds, especially as you move through the on-site aviary. However, the main attraction is the dolphin encounter, which you can include with your ticket when booking. Reading through online reviews, it's clear that swimming with the dolphins is a fun and memorable experience.

But you don't have to add anything to the included elements to enjoy your stay at Discovery Cove. For example, you can snorkel at the Grand Reef and swim next to tropical fish and rays. Serenity Bay is great for swimming and relaxing, and it has a lagoon with its own cave. If you prefer to float, try the Wind-Away River, which takes you through waterfalls and lagoons. Finally, Freshwater Oasis is a tropical area where you can meet otters and monkeys up close. Best of all, each spot has sandy beaches so you can feel like you're on the coastline, without leaving the city. 

Although Discovery Cove has a lot to offer on its own, you can also bundle it with other nearby attractions for added convenience. With the dual-park add-on, you can visit SeaWorld Orlando (which is just across the street) and Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park. Incredibly, your package includes 14 days of unlimited access along with your day at Discovery Cove. If you really want to boost your vacation, you can even add Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, but keep in mind that it's about 90 minutes west of Orlando, so plan accordingly.

At the time of this writing, standard day-pass tickets with no dolphin encounter start at $189 per person. If you add swimming with the dolphins, tickets start at $249. Again, Discovery Cove limits its guest attendance, so it's best to plan your trip as far in advance as possible to ensure your dates are available. If you happen to live in Florida, you get a resident discount as well.

The best way to get to Discovery Cove is to fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO) or Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), one of the five U.S. airports that don't use TSA for security. When planning your trip, you can book hotel packages through the Discovery Cove website, which searches for rooms in nearby partner hotels. That said, Orlando has plenty of hotel options to accommodate most budgets. Ideally, you can stay relatively close to the park, especially if you're planning on bundling park tickets to maximize your vacation opportunities.