ORLANDO, Fla. – Tucked away in the heart of Orlando is an immersive experience where tropical beauty meets marine encounters.
On Tuesday, Discovery Cove kicked off its 25th anniversary celebration. Since opening its doors on July 1, 2000, the all-inclusive day resort has welcomed more than 8 million guests from 164 countries.
The park has grown into a sanctuary for over 235 species, including beloved bottlenose dolphins, tropical fish, majestic stingrays, exotic birds, monkeys, and otters. Guests have the chance to interact closely with these animals, creating memories that last a lifetime.
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[WATCH VIDEO: Explore Discovery Cove animal encounters]
Discovery Cove has also been a backdrop for countless special moments, from proposals and weddings to gender reveals and family vacations.
“We have unwrapped 10 million snorkels and delivered them to our guests over the years,” said Brad Gilmour, Park President of Discovery Cove. “Over 6.5 million pounds of restaurant-quality fish have been fed to our dolphins, over 34,000 gallons of Coca-Cola have been served at our restaurant, and 3,000 tons of white sand have been delivered to our beaches since we opened in 2000.”
Beyond guest experiences, Discovery Cove is deeply committed to conservation and environmental responsibility. Nearly $1 million has been donated to programs supporting marine life protection. Partnerships with organizations such as the Guy Harvey Foundation, Audubon Florida, and Rising Tide enable guests to actively participate in preserving the planet.
“As we look to the next 25 years, our promise remains the same: unforgettable experiences in a place where nature and connection thrive,” Gilmour said.
Recent accolades include:
- Highest-rated theme park in America, based on a study of Google and TripAdvisor reviews
- 2025 Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award, for the second year running
- No. 1 best lazy river in America (Wind-Away River), by USA Today’s 10 Best
- No. 2 best animal encounter in the U.S. and No. 1 in Florida, in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards
To thank its fans, Discovery Cove is launching a month-long Instagram giveaway packed with weekly prizes.
Starting Tuesday and running through July 27, fans can enter by following @DiscoveryCove on Instagram, liking the weekly contest posts, and tagging two friends.