Each of the parks covered here has its own specialties and special features. It will help your planning to have a basic understanding of what each offers. Here they are in the order that they are covered in this book. I have provided the shortest URL (or Internet address) to get you to each park’s web site, but you will have to do some more clicking to get to the information you want. In addition, all of these parks can be reached via . . . www.worldsofdiscovery.com.
SeaWorld
In many ways the centerpiece of the Worlds of Discovery empire in central Florida, SeaWorld is dedicated to marine mammals, especially the orca (or killer whale) personified by Shamu, the park’s star. The signature experiences here are a series of spectacular shows, starring whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other creatures, presented several times each day in large covered amphitheaters. There is also a small (but growing) selection of thrill rides, but they are more in the nature of an “extra added attraction” than the main order of business. There are some very nice dining options that lure annual passholders for frequent return visits.
www.seaworld.com
Discovery Cove
This upscale theme park limits daily attendance to just 1,000 guests and can best be likened to a visit to a Caribbean resort island, without having to bother leaving the conveniences of Orlando behind. The main lure here is the opportunity to swim with a live dolphin, an experience that’s open to just 750 guests each day. It costs extra and requires booking well in advance. Discovery Cove is unique in that it is not part of any multi-day, multi-park Passport. If you want to come another day, you pay another full day’s admission. For this reason, most guests arrive when the park opens and leave only when the park closes, around dusk.
www.discoverycove.com
Aquatica
The newest Worlds of Discovery park is a water park with a difference that only SeaWorld could provide — marine mammals and tropical fish. Spacious and beautifully themed, Aquatica has fewer thrill rides and better dining options that most water parks, making it especially attractive to families and those who want a “day at the beach” experience but find Discovery Cove a little too pricey. There are two wave pools here, an enormous beach area, and a speedier version of that water park staple, the “lazy river” ride. But the signature attraction is a water slide that carries riders through a salt water pool filled with Commerson’s dolphins — speedy, compact Shamu look-a-likes from Australian waters.
www.aquaticabyseaworld.com
Overview Continued . . .
Busch Gardens Africa About an hour away, in Tampa, Busch Gardens Africa is a theme park that very nicely balances two distinct personalities — world class zoo and world class thrill park. The theme, of course, is the various ecosystems of Africa, from sun-baked Timbuktu to steamy Congo. Here you will find some of the most imaginatively designed animal habitats in the country, along with a collection of roller coasters that will satisfy even the most demanding thrill seekers. There is also a varied menu of stage entertainment, ranging from the amiable to the astonishing. All of this spread out over 355 beautifully landscaped and themed acres. www.buschgardens.com Adventure Island Next door to Busch Gardens Africa is another water park. It is perhaps the most “ordinary” park reviewed in this book, but that’s not to say it’s not a lot of fun. It doesn’t have the super themeing or marine mammals of Aquatica, but it offers more thrills for the teen set (among whom it is highly popular). Unlike Aquatica, Adventure Island is open only in the warmer months. It is the logical choice if a water park experience is on your to-do list and you can’t make it to Aquatica. www.adventureisland.com Putting It All Together In summary, then, the Worlds of Discovery in Orlando — SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica — offer a wide variety of sea-themed experiences, ranging from spectacular shows to hands-on interactions, interspersed with imaginative thrill rides. The dining and shopping options more than hold their own when compared to Universal and Walt Disney World, although with fewer high-end options. Plus, just a short distance away are some of Orlando’s finest and poshest resort hotels, with fine restaurants of their own. Everything, in short, for the kind of all-in-one, upscale themed vacation experience that has long characterized visits to Disney and Universal. And as a sort of bonus, the special fun offered by Busch Gardens Africa, with its collection of amazing roller coasters and exotic animals, is just a short drive away; and Worlds of Discovery will even do the driving!
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