Orlando offers so many incredible opportunities to its visitors, so you simply cannot go wrong. I preferred the freedom of snorkelling in the Great Reef where I swam alongside giant rays and an impressive variety of tropical fish. Initially I found it hard to relax my breathing but once I did it was a great opportunity to see a wide array of marine life up close. It involved donning an astronaut-style helmet, descending a ladder to a depth of 12ft and then being led on a slow walk along the lagoon bed. My second challenge, SeaVenture, was rather more daunting. I stroked the dolphin’s rubbery skin, fed her fish and then gingerly moved in for the kiss – caught on camera for all posterity. Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive, man-made tropical paradise, which offers guests some unforgettable experiences.Īfter our wetsuit fitting and pre-swim briefing we were led to the lagoon and watched as groups of dolphins soared out of the water, just a few feet away from us.Įverything was perfectly choreographed building up to my big moment. The flume passes through an aquarium containing small Commerson’s dolphins, which look like mini killer whales. The nearby Aquatica waterpark is another standout family attraction.įor instant thrills try out rides, such as Walhalla Wave, Tassie’s Twisters and Taumata Racer.Īnd for something totally different, there is Dolphin Plunge. There is also a real commitment to animal rescue at SeaWorld and we were taken behind the scenes to see some of the patients.Īmong them was a 1300lb pilot whale called 300, who suffers from severe spinal problems.
The park’s premier dining experience can be found at Shark’s Underwater Grill, where visitors can sample terrific food as sharks swim past the windows. Manta and Kraken will blow your mind, while smaller children will enjoy Journey to Atlantis and Shamu Express. SeaWorld is also home to some great rollercoasters. In the meantime check out the dolphin-themed Blue Horizons show and One Ocean at Shamu Stadium, which stars the magnificent killer whales. Work is already under way on Antarctica, which will form a subzero new home for the park’s penguins from 2013. Discovery Cove is a one-of-a kind experience where you can interact with bottlenose dolphins, feed tropical birds, play inches from a family of otters and even walk on the Grand Reef floor-all in one day. The spectacular animated film took us on a turtle’s journey from birth on a beach to the challenges of surviving on the open sea. New this year is Turtle Trek, the world’s first 3D 360-degree dome theatre experience, designed to both entertain and educate. SeaWorld Orlando has built its success on a cocktail of spectacular shows, animal interactions and hair-raising rides. The swim was the undisputed highlight of my four-day tour of Florida’s SeaWorld Parks, in conjunction with Virgin Holidays. Only then are you invited to hold on to its fin so you can be gently dragged along the surface of the tropical lagoon. SWIMMING with dolphins is sure to feature on most bucket lists as an experience to try before you die.īut at Discovery Cove in Orlando there is a catch – you have to kiss one first.
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