Anybody Been to Discovery Cove in Orlando FL?

[jaywings19]

Going to Orlando with the girlfriend later this year. We've been there a lot in recent years, but are looking for something new to do there.

I've read about Discovery Cove... particularly the dolphin swimming and coral reef snorkeling.

Just wondering if anybody has been down there recently. How was it? Cost?

Any other thoughts and information will help.

Thanks in advance.

PS: Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I didn't see a non-tank related forum

 

[jaywings19]

Nobody has been to this place?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

never heard of it; but the moray exhibit at sea world is smegging awesome! just super-creepy (way better than any scary movie). if you can manage to go after dark, all the better

 

[nc_nutcase]

Never been there... but I'll try to go! My girlfriend grew up in Miami and we visit her family down there a lot. She's a certified diver and we've both always wanted to swim with dolphins. Last one there's a rotten egg

While asking random slightly fish related questions. Has anyone ever been to the Riplie's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach? They also have the stingray petting area. They also have the biggest flippin Pacus I've ever seen in my life. I was talking to the freshwater fish keeper in charge (I forget his real title) and he said the smallest one was 39" long (or 1 meter!) Three were 5 Pacus there. If the smallest was 39" the largest had to be 4 feet long.

As beautiful as they were... remembering them makes me not want to feed mine. I can't house a fish that big!

 

[pica_nuttalli]

well, think of it this way...
a 39" pacu will feed a family of four

 

[amazingbioloboydp]

well, think of it this way...
a 39" pacu will feed a family of four

well look at it this way, a pacu has only been known to kill people because of its name sake. Pacu=crazy fish...they get drunk off of fermented berries and jump into boats and onto land. but of course the big ones live off of plants. and by saying the smallest it usually means the others were 40-42'' they can go for about $30 a plate here in the US.

though I dont really apreciate places like ripleys, discovery cove, and Sea world. they are all in it for profit. these are the few profit aquariums left in the country, and are known to not treat thier animals that great. you want a good aquarium check out:Monterey bay, cali, tennesee aquarium, soon to be atlanta aquarium, and the greatest(not ONLY because I work there) New Orleans Audubon Aquarium of The Americas.

PS:we have BIGGER pacus...fun to feed

 

[pica_nuttalli]

man, it has been ages since i've been to the tennesee aquarium... they have the coolest courtyard out front too. if you get the chance, check out the baltimore aquarium -- vaaaary nice.

 

[amazingbioloboydp]

I knew I forgot one...

 

[SailfinGirl]

I went to FL in January this year and it was awesome!

It costs about $250 pp to swim with dolphins and they only let in 1000 people a day, I think its about $180 to go in but not swim with the dolphins but you can swim with everything else. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon has a reef you can swim with little sharks etc in.

Seaworld is awesome too. I went there, and I fed Sealions and seals, dolphins, and stingrays. PLus I inadverytantly fed the seagulls cos they come and swoop the food out of your hand!

I also paid extra $9 and went on a Predator tour where we went above the walkthrough shark tank and saw the cage where you can swim with sharks, and we went on the Saving the Species tour, and we saw the rescued manatees out the back, the rescued turtles and we saw what they are tryting to do at Seaworld to put manatees back. We also got to go into a big aviary and feed handraised birds, and they would come and sit on your head! Big fun!

though I dont really apreciate places like ripleys, discovery cove, and Sea world. they are all in it for profit. these are the few profit aquariums left in the country, and are known to not treat thier animals that great

The animals I saw were all healthy and happy, well fed, with plenty of space. They looked fantastically treated to me.