Tickets For The Highest-Rated Theme Park in America Are 40% Off for a Limited Time
What if I told you about a place in Orlando near it all, but feels like you’ve been whisked to a tropical island? A day destination that’s nestled in between resorts and iconic theme parks but feels worlds away from the crowds and long lines of America’s vacation capital.
It’s not a Florida heat-induced mirage; it’s Discovery Cove, the highest-rated theme park in America, according to a recent study that analyzed Google and TripAdvisor reviews. It provides guests with a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive tropical getaway, and now through May 11, tickets for the rest of 2025 are up to 40% off.
It’s Like a Day Trip to A Exclusive Tropical Island
A place where you can relax and explore rocky lagoons, and reefs teeming with fish, float down winding rivers with birds flying overhead, and stick your feet into soft white sandy beaches amidst lush island-like landscaping. You feel like you’re on a Caribbean vacation right in the heart of Orlando.
Discover a Luxe Bucket List Experience Sheltered From the Hustle and Bustle of Orlando
This unique, all-inclusive, all-day outing offers guests a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, and encounter playful otters—all in a surprisingly stunning tropical atmosphere just 12 miles from Orlando International Airport.
A World Away
Discovery Cove is a 35-acre park, so you’ll think you’re in the Caribbean or another island paradise. So if you’ve dreamed of experiencing the animal encounters at The Atlantis, but a trip to The Bahamas is not in the cards, consider this Orlando getaway with immersive animal experiences and opportunities to relax in a tropical environment.
Beautifully framing it all is a meticulously maintained landscape of lush rainforests, vibrant tropical floral displays, cave, and beach settings, with all the conveniences of an all-inclusive resort.
Leave Those Long Lines and Crowds Behind
If you love Orlando attractions, but don’t like the throngs of people in America’s largest travel destination, book a day at Discovery Cove. It caps ticket sales at approximately 10% of Magic Kingdom capacity, so even during peak travel periods, like our Spring Break visit, you’d never know the city is filled to the brim with tourists.
Reservations are required to keep the park with fewer visitors, and you feel it. It’s not only an utterly relaxing vibe but one that feels exclusive. Long gone are the giant entry lines of other theme parks. Instead, your day starts in a Polynesian-style reception building with a 1:1 check-in. You’ll soon walk down a nature-rich path, spotting animals and hearing waterfalls.
It’s An All-Inclusive Day
And when you’re ready for a meal, snack, beverage, or cocktail, it’s all included in admission. Like a cruise, freshly prepared delicious meals, snacks and drinks are available throughout the day, anytime. Breakfast, lunch, beer, and wine are included with the base ticket option.
It’s An Animal-Lovers Paradise
Visitors can swim with dolphins in a naturalistic lagoon, glide through the water among thousands of tropical fish and rays in The Grand Reef, hand-feed hundreds of exotic birds in the Explorer’s Aviary, encounter playful otters in the Freshwater Oasis, drift through underwater caves on Wind-Away River, and simply relax under the sun and swaying palms on the sugar-white beaches.
And the fantastic part is, you don’t have to choose from the long list of things to do. Their generous hours plus no lines allow you to experience all Discovery Cove offers in one day.
See Animals in Their Home
Discovery Cove is home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sharks, southern and cow nose rays, otters, thousands of brilliantly colored tropical fish, and more than 250 exotic birds. They are dedicated to conservation as well as inspiring others to appreciate, respect, and love animals.
Connecting the outdoor adventures to the importance of protecting these natural wonders and the animals that call it home is part of the Discovery Cove mission. For example, the orientation before a Dolphin encounter includes a brief but powerful educational message that we’ll all remember.
A Once In a Lifetime Experience – The Dolphin Lagoon
The highlight of most visits to Discovery Cove is the opportunity to get up close with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Accompanied by a trainer, groups of seven to nine guests wade into shallow water and become acquainted with a dolphin through various animal behavior demonstrations. Swimming with a dolphin was my young daughter’s dream. So when Discovery Cove invited us for a visit, we jumped at the chance to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Children must be six years old for the add-on dolphin experience, and our kindergartener was just old enough to participate. The trainer and staff were warm and caring about her nervousness and slow acclimation to the lagoon’s cool water.
The Oh So Grand Reef
A below-the-surface world teeming with sea life is at one end of the park. The Grand Reef contains multiple levels of exploration, from shallow waters to deeper swimming adventures for different comfort levels. Our six-year-old, who didn’t want to snorkel, enjoyed wading in the shallow water and having the rays swim right up and around her.
There’s Lazy Rivers and Then There’s The Best Lazy River in America
Crowned home of the Best Lazy River in the U.S., as voted by readers in the prestigious USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Wind-Away River, the serene and scenic centerpiece, earned the No. 1 spot among some of the most iconic water attractions in the country.
This waterway meanders through the park, encountering beaches, palm-covered walkways, and rocky lagoons. Guests swimming through the Wind-away River see different environments, such as a sunny island beach, a dense tropical forest, and an underwater cave. Those who prefer a more relaxing river experience can grab a floatation device.
Don’t Skip The Freshwater Oasis
As you float along the river, remember to stop for face-to-face encounters with playful otters in the cave and curious marmoset monkeys along the river.
Designed with a rainforest canopy above and sparkling clear springs below, guests can see these animals close up. Remember your goggles, as the otters’ cave includes an underwater option where you can watch them dive for their meal. That is, if you can hold your breath long enough.
The Explorer’s Aviary
Is there another lazy river in the world with beautiful birds flying above your head? Well, Discovery Cove’s free-flight space with over 250 exotic birds neighbors the river providing a fun preview of the Aviary. Here you can hand-feed hundreds of birds and interact with some as tall as four feet.
Serenity Bay Beaches and Pools
Take a break; it’s vacation, after all! Laze on Discovery Cove’s sugar-white beaches, lined with swaying palms, tropical foliage, and quaint thatched huts. Thanks to their limited admission policy, sunning lounges and beach chairs are always available no matter what time you’re looking for one. Buckets and sand toys are sprinkled along the beach for kids to enjoy, as well as premium pool noodle-type floats to relax in the water.
There’s No Need To Pick – Try All the Fab Food and Drink Options
Included with admission, guests at Discovery Cove can enjoy unlimited access to a fantastic selection of food and drinks all day. So try a little bit of it all!
- A freshly prepared breakfast is served at Laguna Grill from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From familiar fare to chef specials, all dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients.
- Marketplaces throughout the park offer all-day service, from yogurt and soft pretzels to fruit smoothies and gourmet coffees. When taking a break from the water, grab ice-cold beverages, including bottled water, soft drinks, or adult drinks.
- Blue Bamboo Bar has a fun, island-style tiki bar vibe where guests can hang out on the playful swing seats or pick up unlimited grab-and-go snacks throughout the day. My elementary-aged kids loved getting chocolate chip cookies, soft pretzels, and chips whenever they wanted, right next to Serenity Bay.
- On your way to or from The Great Reef or The Dolphin Lagoon, Hibiscus Hideaway is a chance to sample food, especially with kids in tow. Grab freshly baked pizza slices from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Dole Whip-like pineapple soft serve or vanilla ice cream.
It’s a Luxury Experience; Savvy Shoppers Buy Their Tickets on Sale
As this all-inclusive, exclusive experience like no other includes everything you’d need for the day, ticket prices are higher than other theme parks. However, with some pre-planning and savvy shopping, you can save significantly, helping to bring a day at Discovery Cove within your budget. And right now is a perfect time to secure up to 40% off prices.
If you miss this promotion, consider:
- Visiting outside of peak travel times as ticket prices vary seasonally
- Bundling your ticket with admission to SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens
- Purchasing through AAA, Undercover Tourist, or Working Advantage
- Follow Discovery Cove’s social media to stay abreast of other sales, such as July 4th or Black Friday.
- Use Rakuten or another cash-back app to start your purchase path to stack multiple savings.
READ NEXT: 25 Day Trips from Orlando
Odds are you’re planning or thinking about a trip to Orlando. The most visited tourist destination in America draws 75 million people a year. Despite being known as the theme park capital of the world, there are many other things to do in Florida in and around Orlando.
So whether you’re completely over theme parks or looking to add variety to your next Orlando vacation, consider one of these 25 day trips to Florida’s beaches, parks, historical sites, museums, and nearby towns.
The 17 Best Golf Courses in Orlando (Starting at $24 a Round)
Did you know that Orlando is also The Happiest Place on Earth for golfers? With more than 100 to choose from, golf courses far outnumber theme parks in Orlando.
From world-renowned championship courses to breathtaking resort layouts and family-friendly par 3s, there’s something for every player and every budget. Whether you’re an experienced golfer, just starting, or looking for a course to take your kids, choosing one can be daunting. Take a planning shortcut with our curated list of the best courses in Orlando.
The 17 Best Golf Courses in Orlando (Starting at $24 a Round)
The Top Public Golf Courses in Each State According to Everyday Players
Finding a course one that is accessible, affordable, and stellar is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, Golfer’s Choice lists do all the work spotlighting the game’s best playgrounds for everyday players. Created by recreational golfers, for recreational golfers, find out which greens in your state have been deemed the best by players like you.
