As the theme parks plan to reopen, those plans will include enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements, and temperature screening, as well as a focus on contactless payments. A new online reservation system will also help manage capacity so that guests can enjoy a safe and fun experience while maintaining physical distancing. The phased reopening plan was approved by the State of Florida.

In their announcement, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.’s interim CEO Mark Swanson, thanked Governor Desantis, Orange County Mayor Demings, Orlando Mayor Dyer, The Members of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, Tampa Mayor Castor, and Hillsborough County Administrator Merrill for their support of tourism in Central Florida as they prepare to open their Central Florida Parks.

Over the past two months, we have worked with state and local health officials, third party medical and epidemiology experts, and attraction industry leaders to enhance our strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards. We are committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and animals in our care, and will continue to follow the guidance from health officials as conditions evolve

Mark Swanson interim CEO SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.

Online Reservation System

To help manage capacity to maintain physical distancing within the parks, all parks will require advance online reservations. Guests will be asked to visit the reservation pages of park websites (listed below) where reservations will be required to guarantee entry given anticipated demand. Reservations will be available starting at 10:00AM ET on June 8, 2020.

All guests with existing tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes must make a reservation using this system in advance in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing so you can enjoy your day. They have reserved daily capacity for their valued Pass Members and Fun Card holders. Once you receive your reservation confirmation via email, you must bring that confirmation along with your single-day ticket, Fun Card, or Annual Pass to enter the park.

You do not need to use this system if you already purchased a date-specific single-day ticket.

• SeaWorld Orlando
• Aquatica Orlando
• Discovery Cove
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• Adventure Island

Park Hours

I took a look at all 5 park’s hours for June-August of 2020. What I found is that each park will be closed at least 2 days a week throughout the summer months.

• SeaWorld Orlando 10am-6pm closed Tuesday and Wednesday
• Aquatica Orlando 10am-5pm closed Monday and Wednesday
• Discovery Cove hours not listed closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 10am-6pm closed Tuesday and Wednesday
• Adventure Island 10am-6pm closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Animal Interactions

All animal exhibits will be open at SeaWorld Orlando. Line queues, viewing area, exhibit capacity and guest flow through exhibits may be adjusted or modified to maintain physical distancing. Guests will be able to enjoy presentations with modified seating to follow physical distancing measures; certain schedules and formats may be temporarily adjusted to maintain physical distancing requirements. For a list of temporary changes, please visit the park website.

As part of modified operational plans built into the Discovery Cove re-opening timeline, certain components of animal meet-and-greets will be temporarily modified or unavailable. A special beach side dolphin presentation will be available to Discovery Cove guests with Signature Dolphin Swim reservations in lieu of the fully immersive experience to help maintain physical distancing. 

In all open animal viewing spaces at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, they will add markings to queues to indicate required distancing. Certain animal interactions will be modified and only tours allowing for physical distancing will operate. Some tours and interactions will be restricted to one-party at a time.

When will You Visit a Central Florida Theme Park?

I am not a passholder to any of these 5 parks so, unless there is a media event, I won’t be visiting any time soon. I could really enjoy a day at any of these parks though. I have a work event on June 11th so I wouldn’t be able to be at any of the re-openings any way.

It’s ok though. I am just happy that the Central Florida theme parks plan to reopen in the near future and the travel business is starting to come alive again.

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Discovery Cove Oasis Spa

Guests of the new Oasis Spa enter a special spa cabana that overlooks the peaceful waters of the park’s Freshwater Oasis and indulge in a 25-minute massage performed by a licensed therapist.* The tranquil sounds of nature only add to the experience, and solo and couple’s massages are available to guests ages 18 and older. Spa sessions are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis as guests arrive at the park each morning. A 25-minute session starts at $59, but guests can reserve-back-to-back slots and upgrade to a 50-minute session if they prefer. Massages here are done with a special jojoba oil that has a similar pH to human skin and is non-allergenic. Best of all, though, jojoba oil is animal-friendly, which is essential at a park where the animal inhabitants greatly outnumber their human guests.

Discovery Cove Animal Trek

To get a better look at and a true understanding of many of those animal residents, guests ages 6 and older can join a 90-minute Animal Trek tour with Discovery Cove animal experts, who take participants behind the scenes to interact with many of the park’s birds and small mammals. The new experience includes a private tour of the Explorer’s Aviary, where guests can feed and handle birds, and a special viewing opportunity in the Freshwater Oasis, where participants have a special experience with the park’s family of playful otters. Each tour also includes the possibility of interacting with an anteater and a sloth, two of the park’s most popular small mammals. (All interactions are dependent on the animals’ interest in participating, but in general this tour will be full of great photo opportunities.) Woven into the experience are need-to-know facts about the risks of illegal exotic pet trade, bird longevity and the Species Survival Plan that is so important to Discovery Cove and its sister parks, aquariums and zoos. The experience starts at $79 per person, and guests ages 6 to 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. There will be two 90-minute sessions each day, with each tour limited to just 12 guests.

The Animal Trek is among the new experiences Discovery Cove has introduced in response to guests’ requests for more interaction with animals. Last summer the park introduced Ray Feeding and Shark Swim programs, giving guests the opportunity to spend time in the water with some of the world’s most misunderstood sea creatures. During the Ray Feeding session, which takes place early in the morning just as the park is opening, guests hand-feed playful rays and get a private tour of the Grand Reef, which is home to the rays and thousands of tropical fish. In the Shark Swim program, guests meet with the park’s shark team and get to see the animals up close, learning about their anatomy and the threats the animals face in the wild. As a second part of the experience, guests can join the sharks in the deeper part of their habitat, embarking on an exhilarating snorkel experience that allows them to swim above sharks and sometimes even come face-to-face with them. Discovery Cove donates 5 percent of the proceeds from Shark Swim to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment.

With all that adventure, it’s no wonder that the spa cabana has already proven to be a popular new addition to a day at Discovery Cove. For those looking for a little piece of paradise, the park is introducing 12 spacious daybeds. Starting at $79 and able to accommodate up to four people, this is the perfect place to lay out in comfort and catch some rays with your group. The park also offers private cabanas that come complete with tables and chairs, overhead fan, private locker, fresh towels, stocked refrigerator and – perhaps best of all – a cabana host who ensures your every need is met.

Each of these experiences adds an extra level of exclusivity to a trip to Discovery Cove, which only admits 1,300 guests each day. This paradise of rocky lagoons, tropical reefs, winding rivers, and pristine white-sand beaches is a lushly landscaped park that feels more like a secluded island than an easily accessible attraction in America’s vacation capital. A day’s admission includes breakfast and lunch, unlimited beverages and snacks, lockers, animal-safe sunscreen, snorkel gear, and parking. In addition, guests get unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica for 14 consecutive days around their Discovery Cove reservation. For additional program and booking details, please visit www.discoverycove.com.

I have visited Discovery Cove once, several years ago for the opening of the Grand Reef. Discovery Cove is an amazing and beautiful place. I dream of going back there some day and doing the Dolphin Swim and the Animal Trek. I highly recommend this beautiful oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a typical Orlando vacation.

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Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just getting away from it all, guests can escape to a dinner oasis during Paradise Nights. Attendees will spend the evening in a lush tropical environment including live musicians and up-close encounters with the park’s resident animals. Some of nature’s most fascinating creatures from South America, Australia, and Africa may be found mingling among guests before the meal.

Tropically-inspired and sustainably sourced dishes are featured at the all-inclusive buffet on the beach. Entrées include pan-seared salmon, Hawaiian chicken, and a carving station with herb roasted beef. Beer, wine, and the park’s signature cocktail are also included in the dining reservation.

Just before dessert, guests are treated to a special dolphin presentation – the perfect finale to a night in paradise. Filled with insight from the Discovery Cove training team, the evening session will provide a glimpse into the world of dolphin care. After the session, guests can spark one-on-one conversations with the trainers to learn more about the resident animals.

Offered select nights at the park, the Paradise Nights at Discovery Cove experience can be booked with or without admission to the park. Dining reservations start at $65 per adult and $19 per child (ages 3 to 9 years old). Advanced reservations are required.

To book a reservation and learn more, visit DiscoveryCove.com.

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The awe-inspiring Shark Swim program provides closer-than-ever encounters with legendary predators. While guests have always been able to view park’s sharks, the new program takes them on a daring next step – swimming freely among five species: Pacific blacktip, reef whitetip, nurse shark, zebra shark, and a spotted wobbegong. The immersive session is divided into two unique interactions and begins as guests meet with the park’s shark team and head into the water. Through hands-on interaction, guests learn about shark anatomy and the threats the animals face in the wild. Guests can also join the sharks in the deeper part of their habitat and embark on an exhilarating snorkel experience.

Discovery Cove works to dispel myths about sharks and to inspire guests to learn more about these mysterious creatures. As top predators, sharks play an essential role in maintaining the balance of ocean ecosystems worldwide by monitoring fish populations. Sadly, shark finning and overfishing threaten many shark species and disrupt that natural balance. Guests who take part in the new Shark Swim program will walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for these fascinating ocean ambassadors.

The Shark Swim experience is available to Discovery Cove guests ages 10 and older. The cost is $85 per person. For every shark swim package purchased, SeaWorld will donate 5% of the proceeds to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) in support of shark conservation and research.
In addition to the Shark Swim program, Discovery Cove has launched a new Ray Feeding experience. This exclusive opportunity gives guests the chance to feed the stingrays during a private tour of the Grand Reef. Guided by one of the park’s aquarists, guests ages 6 and older spend their session in the Grand Reef learning all about the species of rays as they hand-feed the incredible creatures. The Ray Feeding program is $50 per person.
The new interaction programs require a Dolphin Swim or Day Resort reservation at Discovery Cove to participate. Space for each program is limited and guests are encouraged to book in advance. For additional program and booking details, guests can visit www.discoverycove.com

I have visited Discovery Cove once, for the grand opening of the Grand Reef. it is an amazing property and I would love to go back and do the Dolphin Swim and the Shark Swim. Which experience would you like to try?

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Discovery Cove Sweet 16 Sweepstakes

To celebrate its own “Sweet 16” birthday, Discovery Cove launched a national sweepstakes promotion at DiscoveryCove.com/Sweet16. One lucky winner and 15 friends will win a trip to Discovery Cove, including roundtrip airfare, two nights’ hotel accommodations, transportation and a VIP guest package.

During their stay at Discovery Cove, all 16 guests will have the opportunity to swim with bottlenose dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, play in a fresh-water river and hand-feed exotic birds in an on-site aviary. The group will have exclusive use of two private cabanas with hammocks, lounge chairs and a well-stocked fridge, as well as complimentary meals, snacks, wetsuits, snorkel gear, towels, lockers and sunscreen. The package also includes tickets to SeaWorld® and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark.

Entry in the sweepstakes is online at DiscoveryCove.com/Sweet16; entrants must be 18 years old and may enter once a day July 1 through August 14, 2016. A winner will be announced on August 15, 2016 via email.

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Discovery Cove Vacations, a new online booking tool, allows guests to design a custom-tailored package that meets their specific travel needs. All packages start with a day at Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive resort park best known for its dolphin swim experience. Once they’ve planned their visit, guests can add a hotel stay in one of 16 partner hotels, many within walking distance.

All packages include unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando® and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, for 14 consecutive days around the date of the reservation, as well as reserved seating at SeaWorld’s inspiring shows, 10% off dining and merchandise purchases in the park, early park access on select days, and one Cup that Cares, a build-your-own personalized penguin-shaped character cup available exclusively at SeaWorld’s Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin. In addition, guests who chose any of the Official Hotels of SeaWorld also receive front-of-line access on rides, complimentary transportation to the parks, and access to the exclusive SeaWorld Rescue Tour, a behind-the-scenes look at SeaWorld’s rescue and rehabilitation facilities. All hotels also offer a fifth night free.

photo courtesy of Discovery Cove

With so many package extras, the average savings for a family of four is as much as $400.

“One of the biggest benefits of booking a vacation with us is the level of trust guests can have in the process,” said Toni Caracciolo, vice president of marketing and sales for SeaWorld Parks & Resorts. “Our partner hotels offer a wide range of price points and amenities, and they all maintain the same level of quality and customer service guests have come to expect from our parks. It’s like having a local friend guide you to all the best places while you’re in town.”

Discovery Cove is a one-of-a kind, highly interactive marine park where guests swim with bottlenose dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, and play in a fresh-water river. The all-inclusive day resort also has an on-site aviary where guests hand-feed exotic birds.

photo courtesy of Discovery Cove

Guests can help themselves throughout the day to freshly prepared meals like sweet Hawaiian chicken, fire-grilled fish and burgers, summer salads and homemade mac-and-cheese. Snacks as well as beer, wine and frozen daiquiris are available all-day to guests.

Wetsuits, snorkel gear, showers and changing facilities, towels, lockers and environmentally safe sunscreen are complimentary. Private cabanas with hammocks, lounge chairs and a well-stocked fridge are available for an additional fee.

To book a Discovery Cove Vacation or get additional information, go to DiscoveryCove.com/Vacations.

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About Discovery Cove

When the park first opened on July 1, 2000, it was an anomaly in the world of Orlando theme parks: a reservation-only experience limited to approximately 1,000 guests per day. At 15 acres, Discovery Cove opened with three signature experiences: guests could swim with dolphins, snorkel with rays and tropical fish, and hand feed exotic birds. During the last 15 years, the park has flourished in size, earned prestige worldwide for guest service and proved its commitment to conservation and animal care.

Grand Reef photo courtesy of Discovery Cove

Some of Discovery Cove’s Milestones

• Rated the “#1 Amusement Park in the World” in the TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice awards 2013 & 2014
• Grew to more than 22 acres
• Expanded to include five signature experiences
• Opened The Grand Reef®, which contains more than 10,000 tropical fish and dozens of rays
• Added SeaVenture®, where guests can experience an underwater guided walking tour
• Opened Freshwater Oasis® with playful Asian otters and curious marmoset monkeys
• Witnessed hundreds of significant animal births and hatchings, from dolphins to birds to sharks
• Pioneered the first C-section on a shark
• Hosted thousands of marriage proposals, birthdays, military homecomings, bucket-list wishes, and more
• Participated in conservation initiatives such as Rising Tide, which helps protect reef ecosystems
• According to guest research, more than 90 percent of visitors have a greater commitment to conservation following a day at Discovery Cove
• To learn more about the milestones visit the Discovery Cove 15 years of Discovery page.

Discovery Cove is a one-of-a kind experience where you can swim with bottlenose dolphins, feed tropical birds, play inches from a family of otters, and even walk on the ocean floor—all in one day. To reserve your all-inclusive day at Discovery Cove visit the Discovery Cove website.

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About Discovery Cove

Recently named the No. 1 amusement park in the world in the 2014 TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year, Discovery Cove makes the ideal place to be awe-inspired with a loved one. Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort experience where couples can enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, rays and tropical fish and hand-feed exotic birds. Discovery Cove is a paradise of rocky lagoons surrounded by lush landscaping, tropical reefs, winding rivers, a resort-style pool complete with waterfalls, and pristine white-sand beaches.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Cove

Valentine’s Day Packages

• Visitors seeking to impress their sweetie with VIP treatment can reserve a Valentine’s Day package, which includes a private cabana with a personal host, planned itinerary, champagne, roses, snack, beverage and towel service, an additional animal encounter and much more. The Valentine’s Day VIP package is $799+ tax and is only available Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 14 and 15.
• Additional special occasion packages start at $159+ tax. All packages require a dolphin swim reservation. For more information, visit Discovery Cove special occasion packages.
• Getting engaged? Discovery Cove is a one-of-a-kind marriage proposal venue, and offers two unforgettable experiences. Playful bottlenose dolphins can be part of a creative marriage proposal, and deliver a personalized “Will you marry me?” buoy. Another option is SeaVenture®, which immerses the couple underwater to explore the sea floor of The Grand Reef®, where guests can propose among thousands of tropical fish and rays.
• Couples looking for weekend getaway can enjoy Discovery Cove’s sister parks. Admission to Discovery Cove includes unlimited admission for 14 consecutive days to SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark before, during or after Discovery Cove visit. At SeaWorld® Orlando, discover the thrills and chills of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and find out what it’s like to fly like a ray on Manta while also enjoying world-class shows and up-close animal experiences. At Aquatica, adventurers can brave Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, a watery free-fall on Orlando’s tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind.
• After a watery-filled day at Discovery Cove, couples can savor the luxurious amenities of partner hotels like the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld®, where Valentine’s Day packages are also available, including dinner reservations and spa treatments. Visit RenaissanceSeaWorld.com for more details.

Is this something you can see yourself doing for Valentine’s Day? It sure is a romantic place to spend the day. I’d love to know your thoughts.

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“We serve millions of guests each year and are committed to provide each a great experience. For families with allergen concerns, we understand how challenging it can be to safely dine out, especially while on vacation,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Our new initiatives ‘serve up’ a family experience that everyone can enjoy.”

The company partnered with the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) to educate and train more than 6,000 culinary employees to assist guests with allergen needs. With more than 22,000 members worldwide, FAAN is a trusted source of information, programs, and resources related to food allergy and anaphylaxis.

The new initiatives include:

• Increased personal attention to ensure the safety of each meal. Park restaurant managers and supervisors will work one-on-one with guests and oversee the preparation of each allergen-friendly meal from start to finish. “Chef Cards,” filled out in advance by guests to outline the foods to avoid, are handed to a chef before the preparation of the meal.
• All park restaurants are equipped and trained to take care of guests with allergen needs.

• More menu options, ranging from gluten-free pizza to an allergen-friendly Shamu-shaped chocolate bar, enhance the experience for dining guests. For those on the go, the parks also provide prepackaged snacks such as cookies from companies that specialize in allergen-friendly foods including Divvies and Gluten Free to Go.
• To help guests plan, detailed information on allergen-friendly services and helpful safety tips can be found online at each park’s web site. Guests can also download the Chef Cards and fill it out prior to their visit. At the parks, in-park educational handouts are available.

“We commend SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment for implementing a comprehensive food allergy training program, which we were pleased to help carry out,” said John Lehr, FAAN’s Chief Executive Officer. “Families often exhaustively research vacation options that will keep their loved ones with food allergies safe. SeaWorld has taken extra steps to educate its employees about the risks that families managing food allergies face on a daily basis.”

For more information on the parks’ allergen-free efforts visit www.seaworld.com, www.buschgardens.com and www.sesameplace.com. For additional resources about food allergies from FAAN, visit www.foodallergy.org.

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Discovery Cove features a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays in The Grand Reef and hand-feed exotic birds in a free-flight aviary. All new is Freshwater Oasis, where guests can relax and explore. They’ll wade and wander in the water-filled trails and discover two new species of animals — marmoset monkeys and playful Asian otters.

Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove

Not only are Florida residents able to experience an unforgettable day at Discovery Cove, but with unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica through January 2013 included, they can also experience incredible family-friendly events such as SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and January’s Just for Kids. Featuring an ocean of Halloween fun, Halloween Spooktacular allows children to trick-or-treat, dance with whimsical sea creatures, catch silly and spooky shows and create sea-themed arts and crafts. And this winter, guests will feel a wave of holiday spirit splash over them at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. With everything from elves to Elmo, and from Santa to Shamu, holiday traditions are made at SeaWorld Orlando. Then Saturdays in January, little ones can sing, dance and play the day away at Just for Kids, featuring live shows from kid-favorite popular artists, our kid-sized rides, and amazing animals.

Just across the street at Aquatica, guests can enjoy high-speed water slides, exhilarating wave pools, tranquil beaches and the remarkable animal habitats that are the hallmark of SeaWorld. Aquatica’s exclusive attractions promise unlimited fun for every age, sending guests on amazing undersea adventures and through breathtaking animal exhibits.

“Dolphin Swim Day Resort” admission for Florida residents at Discovery Cove includes:

• Reserved dolphin experience
• Unlimited access to signature experiences including: Freshwater Oasis, The Grand Reef, free-flight Explorer’s Aviary, Serenity Bay, and Wind-Away River
• Freshly prepared breakfast and lunch plus snacks throughout the day
• Beverages all day long, including sodas, water and alcoholic drinks (for those 21 years and older)
• All swim gear (mask, snorkel and swim vest or wetsuit), towels, locker, sunscreen and other first-class amenities
• All day self-parking at Discovery Cove
• A complimentary photo portrait of guest and their party upon entry to park
• Unlimited admission pass to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica valid after date of Discovery Cove visit through January 31, 2013

Proof of valid Florida residency for each adult is required upon check-in at guest reception. Book online at DiscoveryCove.com or call 1-877-434-7268 for more information.

I was able to visit Discovery Cove last summer and it is truly a boutique travel experience. The admission is capped so that the park never feels crowded. The all-inclusive admission make the day carefree because when you want food or beverage you just go get it and you don’t have to visit the locket first to go get your wallet. I highly recommend the lemon slushie as a cooling treat. I hope to be able to return soon to this fun, relaxing vacation destination.

Discovery Cove is part of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, which operates 10 parks across the U.S. including SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.

The 10 parks play host to 25 million guests each year and employ 26,000 people nationwide. To learn more, visit SeaWorldParksandEntertainment.com or call toll-free 1-888-800-5447. Additionally, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue programs worldwide. Learn more at SWBG-ConservationFund.org.

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