An early alarm signalled Discovery Cove Day, though as usual, I was awake before it went off. No breakfast was needed, as the resort is all-inclusive — another reason we wanted to get there early and make the most of the food on offer.
By 7.30am we were pulling out of the drive, slightly apprehensive. The forecast was for a cooler day, not ideal when your plans involve spending it largely underwater. Karen naturally declared that, had she known eleven months ago, she would have booked a different day. Alas, no such luck.
It was noticeably cooler as we got out of the car and went through the check-in process — familiar territory on what is now our fourth visit.
We headed straight for the dining area and, for the first time ever, actually sought out a table positioned perfectly for the rising sun. Breakfast was fine, considering they’re feeding up to 1,300 people, though the scrambled eggs didn’t score highly.
We found some sunbeds near the dolphin lagoon and set up base camp. Having done the dolphin swim before, we skipped it this time but still loved being able to see and hear them. With the combined entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica included, today’s ticket actually works out as one of the cheaper days out in Orlando — something you don’t often get to say.
Before settling down, we headed to the bird aviary, figuring (correctly) that the birds would be keener to feed earlier in the day. One promptly landed on me, digging its claws into my arm as it tucked into the food cup. Quite special — if slightly painful.
As in life, there were big birds, small birds, pretty ones, and some really ugly ones. We fed them all and had a good laugh. Well, Neil and I did. Karen kept her distance, unconvinced by the whole idea.
One persistent bird took a shine to a poor bloke and kept landing on his head no matter how many times the keeper removed it. I was just glad it wasn’t me.
Back at our sunbeds, Karen collected herself a margarita — just because she could — and it wasn’t even close to midday. Neil went off to the Lazy River, something Karen and I vowed never to do again after last time. The water was far too deep in places for her liking and far too rocky and shallow in others for mine. We were perfectly content on our sunbeds — though I knew I’d struggle to get up off them again later. The sun had come out, the temperature was comfortable, and life was good.
When Neil returned, he dried off, grabbed a beer, and we all went for lunch. There was a good selection — I went for coconut-crusted salmon and pulled pork, which was surprisingly decent, washed down with a nice cup of tea.
After another lazy spell on the beds, we headed for the Grand Reef. Karen and I donned our “wet vests” and lifejackets, venturing in waist-deep while Neil went off snorkelling. Even at that depth, enormous rays circled us, one brushing against my legs as if asking for a stroke — which, of course, I obliged. Then came a six-foot shark-like ray who also seemed keen to say hello, though I decided not to push my luck.
Karen grabbed another margarita on the way back (it seemed to have become a theme), while I treated myself to a banana shaved ice. Neil soon reappeared before disappearing again on another loop of the Lazy River.
After eight hours in the park, we were ready to call it a day. The weather, while never hot-hot, had been just right. Staff told us the previous day had been a washout with constant rain, so we counted ourselves lucky.
Discovery Cove always prompts mixed feelings. We were told the fish, sharks, and rays in the Grand Reef are all rescues that can’t be released back into the wild. The dolphins, though, are a more complicated question. They looked happy enough — playful, curious, and very interactive. They swam close to shore, chattering away as if inviting us to join them. Neil, of course, suggested they had other motives.
When the trainers appeared, the dolphins visibly lit up — leaping, twisting, and playing with toys like overgrown Labradors. Most were born in captivity and know no different, but still, it raises questions. Whatever your view, they remain utterly beautiful creatures.
Back at the villa, we boiled up the last of the fridge eggs and had them in rolls before heading out to Disney’s Boardwalk. Parking there can be tricky these days, but my new tactic — telling security we were “hoping for a walk-in reservation” — worked like a charm.
We hadn’t counted on the temperature drop, though, and I ended up wearing three layers just to fend off the chill. What’s normally a leisurely wander turned into a brisk march to keep warm. There weren’t too many people about, and it was disappointing to find some shops and restaurants had closed. I joked that unless they found new tenants soon, it’d have to be renamed The Anglia Square Boardwalk.
We ducked into the Beach Club and Yacht Club Hotels for warmth before heading back. Once in the villa, I checked (in vain) for a message from Norwich City offering me an interview for the vacant manager’s job. Karen and I finished the last of the wine before turning in, ready for an even earlier start tomorrow.
