Disney Feast West & East Day 37 : Discovery Cove

[WileyCoyote]

Today is September 1st – exactly one month ago on August 1st , we looked like this – a week into our holiday and stopping at the Reagan Museum



Here we are a month later – can you spot any differences ?




Yes, definitely a little more tanned and a few more chins on display ….

I had left DC to this late in the holiday so that a] it would give us a treat right at the end and b] by waiting till September , the price dropped into low season.

We had done the dolphin swim on our visit in 2010 and we didn’t feel the need to do it again, but we had such a lovely day there, that the prospect of a day snorkelling and chilling in the tropical gardens really appealed to us. I have made budget provision for us to try the Sea Venture but we are not sure who will want to do it when we get there ( Neither Jamie, Nick or I are very keen )

We arrive at 0830 but check in opens at 0730 ( just a bit too early for us ). There is no queue and we are all checked in within 5 minutes . Its as beautiful as we remembered it






















and with not having to be anywhere at a fixed time, we really can just chill out all day. We bag some loungers in the shade and get wetsuits before having breakfast. This has changed as there is now a hot breakfast and there does seem to be a bit of a wait. But its all very nice when we get served ( except the carved ham, which we all agreed was a bit “odd”.



this gives you an idea where our loungers were



Only Connor is really interested in the SeaVenture but he doesn’t want to be tied to a set time so we decide to give it a miss – another thing for the next time list then !

Unflattering wetsuits donned, the boys shoot off to the tropical reef while Andy and I decide to explore while its relatively cool ( i.e not yet 100 degrees) – we get some lovely pics as its still very empty. We are reminded that waterproof cameras would be a good idea . I think the flooded terrace is a great idea and we will come back here later in the day.

[WileyCoyote]

We also spend time talking to one of the dolphin trainers who is absolutely fascinating and so passionate about his job. He tells us loads about the parks and how they have changed and he also introduces us to the two birds in the cabana. (Gabby and Elmo)













We spend quite a while in the aviary – now, I have to say , I like looking at birds ( as evidenced by the arty bird shot attempts this holiday) but I don’t actually like birds as such – sharp beaks, beady eyes and all that swooping business – frankly, they scare me.





So I am not sure what possessed me to take a cup of bird food – as of course what does that mean – it means they come to find you – in fact several decided they would nest in my hair and were quite persistent despite the totally unflattering shrieking noise that I was making. They have quite sharp claws and limpet like clinging qualities – and they must sense ( like cats and dogs) when you don’t like them because even with loads of people cooing and trying to coax them – they just would not move.



ok, I cant post any other pics of me with the birds as a] I am pulling faces in all of them, especially the ones where I had birds on top of my head and b] you can see the roots showing in my hair - totally unflattering

Fortunately the lovely deer didn’t feel the need to bond with me in quite the same way ……



Of course, we took hundreds of bird pics ……



look, this peacock has no head !







these birds, totally psycho - they started pecking the DC lanyards

[SammyScotland]

Lovely photos Amanda - Discovery Cove looks amazing. We never went there on our two visits to Orlando - didn't know it existed.

[WileyCoyote]

It was a good idea to come here first , its busy as we leave and all the birds will have full tummies and be pooping lots from now on – which we have skilfully avoided by being early

As we leave we come across this chap – who can really move a lot quicker than you would expect





We find ourselves over at the reef and find the boys who are all having bad hair days










and tell us the water is mighty cold. They also feel its very cramped and people bumping into each other a lot – the downside of the re-design. We leave them to it and watch some of the dolphin swims

[WileyCoyote]

hey look, the peacock found its head !



Andy goes off to snorkel in the Ray pool just as the boys come back so I go off with them for a circuit on the lazy river – which is totally misnamed as you do have to walk or propel yourself quite a bit to move along. The otters are out and they are so much fun to watch ( no pics as no waterproof camera) – we do a full circuit and it is really very beautiful

Its about 12 now so time for lunch – a good trick here you see is early breakfast, early lunch and then you can even fit in early dinner before they close at 3.30 !

Its quiet at this time and the food is super fresh- we both opt for pulled pork, which was very tasty but we didn’t really need the bun , the salads ( traditional caesar and a prawn one) are delicious and we both have the cheesecake . The boys go for cheeseburgers or the pasta and meatballs We also have a wine/beer and its just perfect, listening to the music in the sunshine - bliss .









We go back to the loungers for a crafty snooze , which is literally only 40 winks as the boys are soon back .



Connor is tired and he falls asleep so the rest of us go for another circuit on the lazy river . After that Jamie and Nick play some form of American Football on the beach ( any excuse for playfighting I( think) and at 3pm we wake Connor up and have another light nibble from the buffet.

We enjoy some drinks in the flooded terrace area while the boys have a final swim and at 4.30 we all agree to call it a day so we are all showered and changed and leaving by 5 – which is perfect as its just before the mass park exodus.









how come I have to hold the laundry , huh ?



All the sun and water has worn us all out so its lounging about back at the villa with the boys watching TV and me half heartedly packing the cases – we are pretty much all done now with 4 out of the 6 cases all packed up so hopefully there will be no last minute panic !

Andy and I watch the sun set out by the pool with a bottle of wine – a perfect end to a blissful day

[Disney_Diva]

Fantastic pictures x

[Ariel's Mum]

Sounds like a fab day Amanda. We always enjoy our time at Discovery Cove.

[JudyC]

Looks like a lovely relaxing day, it's so long since we visited

[ginger ninja]

What a lovely realxing day, packing is pants!

[WileyCoyote]

Originally Posted by Disney_Diva

Fantastic pictures x

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Thank you - its such a luscious looking place

Originally Posted by Ariel's Mum

Sounds like a fab day Amanda. We always enjoy our time at Discovery Cove.

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It was a totally chilled out day from start to finish , i do love it there

[QUOTE=JudyC;7981104]Looks like a lovely relaxing day, it's so long since we visited[/QUOTE

Such a lovely place and so much to do aside from the Dolphin Swim , it was a lovely end to the holiday

Originally Posted by ginger ninja

What a lovely realxing day, packing is pants!

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Yes it is, and there were alot of pants to pack as well - and socks - and shoes - and shoes - and bags - and shoes - and pants and socks stuffed in shoes in bags ...