Discovery Cove is one of Orlando’s most relaxed days out, and it’s every bit as magical for toddlers and young children as it is for the grown-ups. With warm shallow waters, gentle animal encounters and a far slower pace than the big theme parks, Discovery Cove with the little ones is easier to plan than you might think!
Some of the park’s headline experiences do come with age and height requirements. The Dolphin Swim needs children to be at least 6 years old and 42 inches tall, Ray Feeding and Flamingo Mingle are also for ages 6 and up, and SeaVenture (the underwater walking tour with sharks) is reserved for confident swimmers aged 10 and over.
That still leaves plenty for the whole family. There are shallow lagoons to splash in, birds to hand-feed, otters to swim alongside and beaches to dig in, all included in every Discovery Cove ticket. Here’s how to make the most of it with young kids in tow!
Quick summary:
- The Grand Reef and Wind-Away River offer shallow, calm water for young swimmers, with life vests provided
- Explorer’s Aviary lets little ones hand-feed hundreds of free-flying tropical birds
- Freshwater Oasis brings kids face to face with otters and marmosets in a gentle, spring-fed setting
- Serenity Bay is a warm-water beach made for sandcastles and paddling
- Children aged 0-2 visit free of charge, and most of the park’s animal areas have no minimum age at all
Age requirements at a glance
Discovery Cove welcomes guests of every age, but a handful of upgraded experiences have minimum age and height requirements to keep everyone safe. Here’s how it breaks down:
Experience | Minimum age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No minimum | Life vests provided for all ages. |
| 6 years, 42 inches tall | Ages 6-12 need a paying adult swimming with them. |
| 6 years | Ages 6-12 need a paying adult swimming with them. |
| 6 years | Ages 6-12 need a paying adult participating. |
| 10 years | Confident swimmers only. Ages 10-13 need a paying adult. |
Children aged 0-2 are admitted free of charge and don’t need their own ticket, so there’s no need to budget for the youngest members of the family.
Water adventures for young explorers
The Grand Reef
The Grand Reef is Discovery Cove’s coral reel lagoon, home to thousands of tropical fish that will swim right alongside you! The shallower edges are perfect for younger children paddling with a complimentary life vest, while older kids can head into deeper water to try snorkelling for the first time.
Keep an eye out for the hidden grottos and bridges tucked into the reef, which make brilliant spots for a family photo!
Wind-Away River
Wind-Away River is Discovery Cove’s answer to a lazy river, winding gently between the park’s key areas. Families can float together through freshwater sections and past underwater viewing windows into the otter and marmoset habitat. There are two small waterfalls along the loop, so it’s worth warning younger or more sensitive toddlers before you glide underneath.
Serenity Bay
Serenity Bay is the spot to slow right down, with soft white sand and water kept at a comfortable 30°C (85°F). Parents can settle into deck chairs while kids build sandcastles and splash at the shoreline, and if you arrive early enough you might spot Discovery Cove’s flamingos making their way past the Laguna Grill courtyard. It’s a genuinely easy area to supervise little ones in, with a gentle, shallow entry all along the beach.
Freshwater Oasis
The shallower, spring-fed waters of Freshwater Oasis are ideal for younger guests, who can wade alongside Asian small-clawed otters and watch marmosets clamber through the treetops of Marmoset Island.
Several enrichment sessions run throughout the day, giving families the best chance of an up-close view. It’s one of the calmest corners of the park, which makes it a good place to regroup if anyone needs a break from the sun!
Land and animal encounters
Explorer’s Aviary
Discovery Cove isn’t only about water. At Explorer’s Aviary, hundreds of tropical birds fly free above a lush, walk-through habitat, and children can hand-feed them straight from a nectar cup at the entrance. It’s a gentle, low-pressure experience with no minimum age, though very young children can occasionally be startled if a bird lands close by, so it’s worth easing little ones in gradually.
Flamingo Point
Flamingo Point is Discovery Cove’s newest habitat, where a flock of Caribbean flamingos wades through a lush, landscaped lagoon. Viewing is included with every admission and makes an easy, low-key stop for young kids who need a breather from the water.
For an extra fee, the Flamingo Mingle upgrade lets guests aged 6 and over step inside the habitat for a closer encounter, with a portion of proceeds supporting Audubon Florida’s conservation work.
Conservation Kiosk
The Conservation Kiosk near Freshwater Oasis is a must for young animal lovers, with sloths, owls and other small creatures to meet up close. It’s also a great chance to learn about the conservation work carried out by Discovery Cove and SeaWorld, making it a nice, shaded pause between water-based activities.
A great rhythm for your day
Discovery Cove runs on a simple, fixed schedule, which makes it easy to plan around young children without over-scheduling the day. Check-in opens at 7:15am, with breakfast served at Laguna Grill and Dolphin Swim or SeaVenture times assigned on a first-come basis. The wider park, including The Grand Reef, Wind-Away River, Serenity Bay and Explorer’s Aviary, opens at 9am.
- Arrive early for check-in, breakfast and the best pick of lounge chairs
- Head to Explorer’s Aviary while the birds are most active
- Try The Grand Reef before it gets busy, using life vests for younger swimmers
- Break for lunch at the all-inclusive buffet
- Cool off at Wind-Away River or Serenity Bay for the warmer part of the afternoon
- Visit Freshwater Oasis and the Conservation Kiosk for a calmer end to the day
- Finish with snacks and more pool time before the park closes at 5pm
Leaving gaps between activities, rather than trying to tick off everything, tends to suit young children best, and it means nobody misses out on an unplanned otter sighting or a second go on the lazy river!
What to pack for Discovery Cove with young kids
Discovery Cove takes care of most of the essentials, so there’s no need to overpack. A few extras will make the day run more smoothly when visiting with the little ones:
- Swimsuits and water shoes or sandals for the sandy, sun-warmed paths
- Swim nappies for children who aren’t yet toilet trained, as these are required in all water areas
- A dry change of clothes for the journey home
- Photo ID for all adults in the group
- A waterproof phone case or camera if you want photos in the water
Strollers are allowed through Discovery Cove, so there’s no need to leave the pram behind for younger toddlers who need a nap between activities.
What’s included in every Discovery Cove ticket?
Every Discovery Cove ticket takes care of the details. Your family can focus on enjoying the day rather than working out where the next meal is coming from. Included in every visit:
- Breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day, plus most beverages
- Wetsuits, life vests and snorkel gear in all sizes
- Animal-safe sunscreen, provided at stations around the park
- Towels, changing rooms, showers and family-sized lockers
- Up to 14 days’ admission to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica around your visit date
We can help build the right Discovery Cove trip for your family, whether that's with the Discovery Cove Day Only Experience, the Discovery Cove Package, or the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package with Free Parking.
Common questions answered
Are there lockers at Discovery Cove?
Yes. Every Discovery Cove ticket includes access to family-sized lockers at no extra charge, so there’s somewhere secure to store bags, phones and valuables while the family is out enjoying the water.
What age is best for Discovery Cove?
Discovery Cove works for guests of any age, since areas like The Grand Reef, Wind-Away River, Serenity Bay and Explorer’s Aviary have no minimum age at all.
Families with children aged 6 and over get the most out of the trip, as this is the age from which kids can join the Dolphin Swim, Ray Feeding and Flamingo Mingle experiences too.
What fun activities can I do with my 2 year old at Discovery Cove?
Toddlers can splash in the shallow, life-vest-friendly waters of The Grand Reef and Wind-Away River, hand-feed birds at Explorer’s Aviary, watch otters and marmosets at Freshwater Oasis, and dig in the sand at Serenity Bay.
Are strollers allowed at Discovery Cove?
Yes, strollers are welcome throughout the park, making it easy to manage naps and downtime between activities.
Why book your Discovery Cove tickets with AttractionTickets.com?
Our Orlando specialists have over 20 years of theme park expertise between them, and they’re on hand seven days a week to help you build the right Discovery Cove trip for your family, whether that’s a single day out or part of a wider Orlando holiday. Every Discovery Cove ticket booked through us includes:
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks and most beverages throughout the day
- Wetsuits, snorkel gear, towels and family-sized lockers
- Up to 14 days’ admission to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica
- Friendly, honest advice from a team who know Discovery Cove first-hand
Ready to plan a Discovery Cove day your family won't forget? Browse our ticket options below!
