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5 Incredible Spots to View Disney Fireworks Without a Park Ticket 

Disney World really sets the bar for fireworks spectaculars, and in all honesty after seeing a Disney show, it will ruin you for all other fireworks shows. Sure, the massive fourth of July display in New York may come very close, but nothing captures the heart and delivers a story quite as spectacularly as Walt Disney World. The heart of the story and surroundings set the stage for a night to remember. That certainly sounds like a stretch, but some of my greatest memories with family are of the four of us standing on Main Street or a nearby resort staring up at the sky. It’s a simple joy, but in that moment the worries of life somehow seem to drift away. The music plays, the fireworks explode, and the people around you are happy. In that moment, you can stop for a brief moment and look around you and all you see are smiling faces and amazed looks as guests of all ages peer up at the sky in eager anticipation of the next aspect of the spectacular in the sky. It’s a feeling you can’t explain but one that you’ll never forget. 

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The Contemporary’s Staircase

The Polynesian Beaches 

The Polynesian has become known as a classic spot to watch fireworks among Disney fans. However, after the Bungalows were built a few short years ago, the view was partially obstructed on the waterfront beaches. Today, the viewing window is a touch more condensed but nonetheless one of the very best views and overall experiences you’ll find for watching Happily Ever After. 

As the fireworks burst in the air in the distance, the music is piped in, and the reflections off of the water are truly a spectacular edition to the overall sensory experience. Not only do you see the castle in the distance, but you hear the echo of the fireworks traveling across the water and reverberating all around you, you hear the rushing water of the pool near by, and you hear the voices and laughter of families all around. The experience creates one of those moments where there genuinely is no place you’d rather be. In the moment, everything drifts away and you get to experience the simple joy of being there in the moment. 
     

The Yacht Club and Boardwalk 

As we move away from Happily Ever After locations for a brief moment we take a short journey over to the Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resort area. Believe it or not, you can actually catch short glimpses of not only Illuminations from the Crescent Lake area, but also fleeting glimpses of the shows over at Hollywood Studios.

It is worth mentioning that this isn’t necessarily the ideal view of the fireworks but it is one of the most incredible experiential moments you’ll ever witness on Disney property. That statement seems so contradictory, but at the same time is the only way to describe the feeling you get as you overlook the Boardwalk lights with a snack in hand and the fireworks exploding high overhead. This spot isn’t necessarily the perfect view of ether show (and there are better options for that), but it is a spot that will transform the way you think about nights at Walt Disney World and especially nights without a park ticket.

As I’ve mentioned before, my idea of an ideal night at Disney is an early dinner at Cape May Cafe, a seat by the water to catch a sunset over the Boardwalk, and then a late night ice cream enjoying a view of the fireworks in the distance. It’s the simplest few hours of entertainment but perhaps the most relaxing night you could ever imagine at Walt Disney World.          

Fireworks Cruises 

On rare occasions, it’s nice to trade in a park ticket for a once in a lifetime experience in an entirely different way. Booking a fireworks cruise to watch Illuminations from a pontoon or Happily Ever After from the Seven Seas Lagoon will change the way you view fireworks. At this point in the article, reflections off the water may be a null and void point to make, but this one is a bit different. As you sit there in a boat, even if it’s a free shuttle back and forth to the resorts that you time at just the right moment, the view changes your perspective of fireworks. 

One of my all time favorite moments was a boat ride we timed just right (by pure luck) on one of the small open sided resort shuttle watercraft. As we left the Magic Kingdom dock, our boat driver intentionally took an incredibly long time to leave the no wake zone, and just as we left the dock the early bursts of Wishes went up in the distance. For what felt like minutes, we watched as the show took on an entirely new feel as we heard the music in the distance, and the bursts seemed to line up perfectly with the Main Street Station. It was and is a surreal moment I’ll never forget. As we traversed the water, the driver paused to let one of the ferries pass and we sat there for minutes on end staring at a view that has remained unchanged for years. It’s an amazing experience and truthfully one of my all time favorites on this list. 

Sure, you can book a paid fireworks cruise but somehow that moment of sheer luck developed one of the greatest views I’ve ever experienced of the show.              

The Grande One Yacht 

Your Thoughts

Ready to Plan?

25 Disney World Hacks to Improve Your Vacation Experience 

1. Think Before Buying the Dining Plan – Some guests are “die-hard” Disney dining plan fans and that is perfectly okay, but if you’re looking to save money, consider a quick service dining plan instead of the standard plan or skip the dining plan entirely. You will have to factor additional costs into your budget for food rather than having everything paid for when you arrive but for most guests the dining plan is a “nice to have” rather than a “need to have.” Foregoing the package may save you a little bit of money depending on what you order at each dining location you choose to eat at during your stay. 
2. Avoid Buying Water Bottles – For some reason water bottles tend to be a “hot-button” issue for many guests, but it’s an avoidable cost. Water bottles in the park are absurdly expensive (and drinks in general are – see tip number 3). If you want a water bottle, that’s wonderful and great in my book but don’t buy them in the parks or at the resorts. If you’re driving to Orlando, bring a case of water with you. A bottle in the parks can cost upwards of $4 so the savings vastly outweighs the inconvenience in my opinion. If you’re flying, you have a few options still. Some hotels sell cases of water, but the best way to save money is to catch an Uber of Lyft to a gas station or nearby grocery store when you arrive or on your way to the resort from the airport. The ride may cost you a few extra dollars to make the stop, but $3 for an entire case of water is more than worth the slight inconvenience to save you tons of money during your stay. You could also even have water delivered by grocery delivery companies Orlando. 
3. Drink Water When You Can – If you’re at a counter service restaurant or any other meal that doesn’t include a drink in the cost of your meal, ask for a cup of ice water instead of a fountain drink and save $3-$4 per guest in your party. The savings adds up quickly and a cup of ice water is completely free in the Disney parks. All you have to do is ask. However, be sure you ask for a cup of water or you may end up paying for a water bottle if they misunderstand your request. Additionally, if you don’t want to carry a water bottle around all day, stop by any counter service location in the parks with a fountain drink machine for a free cup of ice water. 
4. Leave Your Refillable Mugs in the Room – If you choose to buy a refillable mug or you get one with your dining plan of choice, do not take them to the parks with you. It blows my mind when I see guests with backpacks and 4 or 5 refillable mugs hanging off of them. The mugs are essentially just Disney themed plastic cups in the parks. The refillable mugs are only usable at quick service locations at the resorts, so save yourself the headache and leave them in the room unless you know you’ll be dining at another resort throughout your day.
5. Take a Break Mid-Day – If you’re short on park days or taking a shorter trip than normal, many guests feel the need to spend sun up to sun down in the parks. Do yourself a huge favor and take a break in the middle of the afternoon and head back to your resort or go relax in the lobby of a nearby Disney resort hotel. No matter where you are on property, a Disney resort is a short bus ride, monorail journey, or boat trip away. If you are staying on property head back to your resort hotel (fair warning: you can only use your resort pool unless you’re a DVC member) and spend some time at the pool to cool off in the warmer months. You may feel like you’re missing out on a few attractions but in all reality you may give up two to three attractions in the peak crowd times of the afternoon and the break will refuel you to stay out late! It’s well worth the slight tradeoff. 
6. Consider Buying an Annual Pass – For many of you, I know this may sound insane, but if you are going to make two trips to Orlando during the same year, you may be better off buying an annual pass and saving yourself money! We broke down the thought process in our Disney Annual Pass: When Is It Worth The Money? post. If you’re a Florida resident, it’s an even better idea because the cost is somewhat less in some scenarios!
7. Get the Free Buttons! – This one sounds a little crazy if you’re not a returning guest to the parks, but if you want a little extra recognition during your day, be sure to pick up a button on your way into the park if you’re celebrating any kind of special day. If it’s your first trip to the park, an anniversary, a birthday, or anything else you choose to celebrate, tell guest services or almost any merchandise location in the parks/resorts and they’ll give you a free button to where. Throughout the day, cast members will pick up on it and you may be surprised by what special things can happen during your stay as a result. 
   

8. Consider Ticket Bridging or Ticket Upgrading – A little while back I did an article including a practice called ticket bridging. It’s a super neat practice for saving money on Disney annual passes. It’s not the easiest thing to accomplish but can save you a fair amount of money towards the purchase of an annual pass. Check out the article linked for the full details. Additionally, if at any point during your stay you feel like upgrading your ticket to an annual pass, you can apply the money you’ve already spent on your packaged ticket towards an annual pass as an “upgrade” to your current ticket. It must be done before your stay and park ticket ends but is a great way to save a little money if you think you may be coming back in the near future.
9. Book On Bounce Back Offers – If you know you want to return for another vacation in the not so distant future, call the reservations number before you check out from your resort hotel and ask about a “bounce back” offer. The booking offer can save you hundreds of dollars on a return vacation and is the only way we could make our villa stay in the Boulder Ridge Villas as affordable as possible.  
10. Book Tickets in Packages to Benefit From Cancellation – Every once in a while you may feel the desire to buy your park tickets independently of your resort reservations. Something you should be aware of is that if you buy tickets in a stand alone manner, the ticket is non-refundable. However, if you book your tickets in a package, the tickets are refundable by the same guidelines outlined for the package. Packages are refundable if cancelled at least 30 or more days prior to guest arrival. For other cancelation details see: Disney’s Site.
11. Learn How to Pick Up a Galactic Hero Sticker – Similar to the buttons mentioned above, if you max out your score on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, you can pick up a special sticker to commemorate the occasion for the day! Learn how to max out your score in our How To Become A Galactic Hero at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin! article!
12. Visit the Boardwalk For Free Entertainment – I am notorious for recommending guests visit the Boardwalk resort area. If you get a little extra time during your stay, head over to the Boardwalk for some stellar views, a budget friendly pizza window, free live entertainment at night, and an incredible few hours of the best that Disney has to offer! The view alone managed to make it’s way onto our list of top places to catch a sunset at Disney!
13. Debate the Park Hopper Option – If you’re a first time guest to the parks consider passing on the park hopper. If you’re a consistent reader here on the site (Thank you!) you likely know that I am a huge proponent of buying the park hopper add on for longer stays. I honestly believe it affords you far more flexibility than a one park per day ticket. At the same time, if you’re new to the parks you’re likely to spend an entire day in each park if you want to try to see and do as much as possible. The park hopper does afford you the opportunity to go back to another park to revisit a favorite attraction or see a favorite show again, but it certainly has it’s pros and cons, with the largest downside being price.
14. Always Go to the Left – This is a tip that is becoming more and more main stream and known, which is sadly making it a little less reliable. At the same time, if you’re ever facing a split in a line or long park opening lines at the gates, it’s a good bet that the lines on your left will move a bit faster and tend to be a bit shorter. Most people are right handed so the natural inclination is to move to the right in most situations. Fight the instinct and head left, it may work in your favor! 
15. Consider Non-Disney Transportation – I know it sounds counter productive, but if you have to be somewhere fast and happen to be in a time crunch to make a reservation or other scheduled event, consider hailing an Uber or Lyft. Sure, it’s going to cost you $8 or so, but sometimes it’s well worth it in a time crunch! For other situations, make full use of Disney’s free transportation. It’s excellent most to the time! 
16. Consider Getting Planning Help – If you’re new to Disney travel, consider buying a travel planning book. One of the better ones is Birnbaum’s 2019 Guide Book. I wrote my own guidebook a few years ago called The Adventurer’s Guide to Walt Disney World, but things change rather quickly at Walt Disney World so the Birnbaum tends to be a more up to date option.
17. Cut Through the Emporium – The Emporium on Main Street is the ideal way to get down Main Street on a busy day. The entire store is connected from the very front corner to the exit of Casey’s at the very end of the street. At peak times, this single tip will save you a surprising amount of time entering and leaving the park, but also getting around in general. Use the stores throughout the parks to your benefit. Most of them have multiple entrances and it’s a nice blast of AC while moving from one location to the next. 
18. Go Early and Stay Late – The earlier you get to the parks the better off you tend to be. The crowds tend to build at around 10:30-11:30am on an average day, so make the most of that first hour and you may be shocked at how much you can get done in a very short amount of time. If you need a few tips to make the most of that early time in the parks, use our How to Ride 6 or More Attractions in 90 Minutes or Less: With Only 1 Fastpass+! article to make the most of your time early on in the day. Staying late can yield similar results after the fireworks end for the night and guests slowly start to filter out of the park. Attractions tend to have shorter wait times near closing time and it’s well worth staying to the very end to catch the Kiss Goodnight! In my opinion, it’s the very best way to end a day in the parks. 
19. Take Ponchos With You – If you don’t want to get wet, consider taking a small and lightweight packable jacket with you in your park bag. Ponchos are incredibly overpriced in the parks and if you’re willing to stop by a dollar tree before your trip or make a quick order on Amazon, ponchos can be had for as little as $8 for a 6 pack to cover the whole family! It sounds crazy but you’ll appreciate this tip when the Florida rains come rolling in!   
    

20. Try A Water Park – If you’ve not been to a Disney water park, give it a shot. The tickets are a little cheaper than a day in the theme parks and the experience is wonderful for guests of all ages. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have a little something for everyone and Disney really sets the bar for clean and family friendly water parks! 

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21. Send a Post Card Home – Sending a postcard sounds like a tip from the 80’s and 90’s, but it really is an experience to try in the parks. Pick up a cheap postcard at a gift shop, write a friend a note or even self address the card, and you can send them via a mail box on Main Street or basically any resort hotel on property. The mailboxes are location specific and themed, but work just like a real mailbox. The mail may take a few days to reach it’s end destination, but the whole process can be a ton of fun for kids and adults alike. It may be old fashion but it’s a hidden gem and a piece of the magic that largely gets overlooked.  “Hidden Disney” – The Functional Mail Service Within The Disney Parks!
22. Come With a Plan But Don’t Overplan – For today’s Disney vacations, it’s inevitable that you will have to plan a few things to at least cover the very minimum. While I personally suggest going with a plan for at least what parks you’ll visit on what days and what table service meals you’d like to reserve ahead of time, avoid planning every little detail. Too many guests go into a Disney trip with either no plan at all or an over-planned attraction by attraction and minute by minute plan. Somewhere in the middle tends to be the optimal strategy. 
23. Pack For a Variety of Weather Conditions – Florida is unpredictable. It can be 95 degrees in December or 95 degrees in August. It can also be 40-50 degrees in December if you catch an odd week. Be prepared for both and pack for both if you’re going at questionable weather times. Obviously, you’re not likely to need a jacket to keep warm in August (no seriously…. leave it at home!), but you never know what to expect in the “winter” (Or at least what Florida calls winter…). In the summer, trade that jacket for warmth in for a jacket for the rain and you should be set! 
24. Try Something New – Strive to try something new each and every trip to Florida. Book a new tour or try a new dining location. Step out of your comfort zone or try something you’ve always wanted to try. You can never see and do all that Walt Disney World has to offer so always strive to do something a little different. A great place to start is the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot or a stop at Teppan Edo for some hibachi! 
25. Eat at Strange Times – You’re on vacation, eat at a time that isn’t all that typical. Not only can you secure hard to get reservations by doing this but it mixes up your daily routine and allows you the opportunity to avoid the peak afternoon crowds with a late lunch or early dinner. A late breakfast at a Table service location is a great option as well and allows you to make the most of the lighter crowds of the morning hours and then you can sit back and relax for a nice meal as the crowds start to build.      

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Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

5 Underrated Disney Attractions That Desperately Need An Update 

Tom Sawyer Island is my “soap box” for so many different reasons. It is a place in the parks that is so vastly under-appreciated it blows my mind. Right now, it is the perfect escape from the crowds and a near ideal place to feel like you’re in the Magic Kingdom that existed years ago before the crowds grew to the levels that they are at today. 

The hidden spots to explore and the story the island holds is more impressive than guests expect at a first glance. To me, the ideal way to bring more life back to the island is to bring back Aunt Polly’s with a real menu of food. 

I’ve been asking for this dining location to reopen for years on end. Will it happen? Probably not… due to all kinds of logistical nightmares. In my onion, if you could open the restaurant with real counter service food rather than the grab and go style food that popped up in 2015,  it could be a huge hit with guests and drive a ton of foot traffic to Tom Sawyer Island. 

In an ideal world, I could picture a quaint waterfront table service dining location tucked away on the second island (which currently holds Fort Langhorn). The Fort is the ultimate hidden gem of Magic Kingdom but the last four of five times I’ve been on Tom Sawyer Island, it hasn’t even been open. If Disney could find a way to make it feasible and transform that area into a quaint table service dining location, the reservation wait list would never end! The views would be incredible for waterfront dining on all four sides and if built carefully you could fill the island and create a spectacular nighttime experience. Is this wishful thinking? Absolutely!    
             

3. The Monorail 

Once again, I don’t think I’m alone in thinking a Monorail update is way overdue. The update should be coming sooner rather than later, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that automated Monorails could be a part of the update if they can work out the kinks. 

As many of you are likely aware, the Monorails are quite literally falling apart and have done so with guests aboard quite a few times in the last year alone. 

Lastly, you may have noticed I call the Monorails an attraction. In the most basic sense they aren’t, but to so many guests they have become a must do part of every Disney vacation. You see the smiles on guests faces every time you ride the highway in the sky, and in the most basic sense, it’s the true representation of everything an attraction should be. 

If an update does arrive, I personally hope for two things: 1. Keep them relatively classic – 2. make them slightly futuristic. Those two points represent an oxymoron at it’s finest, but the classic Monorail design has always looked like the future that never quite arrived. At first, Monorails were though of as transportation of the future. Today, an updated design could meet and exceed even the most lofty expectations. If Imagineering could implement an LED lighting design, similar to a “Tron-esque” light cycle glow, the new Monorail could be mind blowing while retaining that classic look and feel. New Monorails may never arrive, but their development could make all the difference!   
           

4. Sea Base Alpha 

Sea Base Alpha, better known as the Living Seas Pavilion today (or even as The Seas with Nemo and Friends) is in need of a subtle refurbishment. The blue-ish green walls, the drab carpet, and typically broken escalators aren’t the best way to promote an ideal guest experience in my opinion. A drastic update isn’t necessary but adding in a few new touches, new experiences, or even a slight face lift could make all the difference. 

The tanks and aquatic life are truly incredible and guests who learn about all the pavilion has to offer tend to return time and time again. You could literally spend hours in the aquarium portion of the pavilion on a warm summer day. If you’ve never been, be sure to take a few minutes to make the journey up the stairs to view the massive circular tank (which in the mid 80’s was the largest saltwater tank in the world!). You wont be disappointed!     

   

5. Philharmagic 

I will be the first to admit, when Philharmagic first opened, it was mind blowing. The effects were spot on, the glasses were brand new, and the 3D technology built into the show was well before its time. Fast forward to 2018 and unfortunately it’s not near as impressive as it once was. The scents, water effects, and lighting effects aren’t always working well and overall it simply needs some help. 

I understand that sounds like a nit picky complaint but I don’t intend for it to be that way. Even with 3D becoming far more mainstream than it once was, Philharmagic is still consistently a “must-do” attraction for us. It’s a show I think every guest should see at least one time and with a typical wait time of less than 15 minutes, it’s well worth your time! 

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

Need a Travel Planner?

If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.

Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way. 

Collin’s Disney Parks Wish List for the Next Two Years! 

The Disney Parks are in a period of construction unlike anything we’ve really ever experienced before. For the guest, that means two things. First, expect construction and “not so pretty” scenery at times. Second, new and amazing things are coming and coming sooner than you may realize! In about a year we’ll have Star Wars Land and Epcot will be in the heart of it’s largest update in history! It’s a great time to be a Disney fan.

At the same time, it’s going to be a time of changes and expansions that may or may not all be positive for those of us “stuck in the past” and those that are the nostalgic Disney fans. Almost ironically, I’m falling in between both opinions at this point in time and truthfully look forward to the changes but also remain a bit skeptical of what could be next and what could change along the way. Over the last few years my trust in Imagineering and it’s design concepts has changed rather aggressively. At one point I was a skeptic of Pandora and that changed drastically after the project debuted. The main lesson learned in all of this was to trust Imagineering even despite whatever IP may be tied to the project that is announced or has been announced. Imagineering will exceed expectations. They’ve been shocking us for years and hopefully these changes will be no different. 

On the other end of the spectrum there’s always been and likely always will be things that I would love to see arrive in the parks or changes that I would make if given the opportunity (which will never happen lol). That’s what today is all about. I want to share some thoughts on what I’d like to see in the next two years at Walt Disney World both in a literal sense and in a “wishful thinking” perspective. Some of these are going to be personal goals, but for the most part these are what I’d like to see unfold in the foreseeable future.      

       

1. Let There Be More to The Tron Expansion 

2. Find A Way to Disneyland 

3. Announce A New Pavilion For Epcot

Do I anticipate a pavilion announcement? If you asked me 4 months ago I would have responded with an astounding yes. Today (August of 2018), I have to say a pavilion would fall in the maybe category. We’re getting a new Ratatouille attraction, a new space themed restaurant, and a Guardians themed coaster. I don’t think Disney will be taking on any more projects or announcing anymore changes until at least the end of the year. Could it be sooner? Absolutely. I would love to be wrong about this one! Either way, I don’t think it would be (or will be) completed within the next two years.           
  

4. Figure Out What is Happening With Figment 

It doesn’t look like Figment is going anywhere with his newfound presence as the “mascot” for the Epcot festivals, and truthfully I think we’ll see a day when “festival times” are all the time at Epcot!                   

5. The Replacement for Illuminations

I have strongly mixed feeling about even adding this to the list. It is inevitable that Illuminations or at least the current version of Illuminations is on it’s way out. When the final show will be, we really have no definitive idea at this point. We’ve made it through the summer without an announcement but it could arrive any day now. Documents were filed last month for some modification that likely relates to the show, and rumors exploded back in March about what was going to happen. So far, nothing has become of either piece of information/rumor but the announcement will happen at some point before the end of the year if I had to guess right at this moment.

What’s next? Again, if I had to guess, I have four expectations for this show. 1. Drones will likely be a part of the show. Intel has released videos with scaled performances that could astound guests over the World Showcase Lagoon. After the small scale test at Disney Springs around Christmas (a while ago) was so well received, I see it as an inevitable addition. 

2. Water elements should be a part of the experience. Disney has done spectacularly well with World of Color in California. Personally, a World of Color scale performance was what I excepted of Rivers of Life, but this is actually a more fitting option. 3. Obviously we’ll see fireworks. The fireworks, in my opinion, will be something next level. Pyrotechnic technologies have come a long way in the last few years and I would love to see them implemented here. Additionally, I expect and hope for a show with multiple launch sites to surround the showcase in a new way. 4. Projection mapping should arrive! Epcot is the only park we’ve yet to see a real use of projection mapping in and to me it would be the ideal location. Light up the countries with projections and every single country presents a slightly different fireworks experience. It would be spectacular and rather than one main event there would be 11 different perspectives! Again, likely wishful thinking. Disney has to do something big with the show. It’s been a staple and a part of guests lives for nearly 20 years and it will be tough to replace it in so many different ways.               

6. Experience the Skyliner

7. Update Carousel of Progress

8. Fix the Peoplemover

I’m not entirely sure if this is just my bad luck or if it’s a growing trend, but inevitably the PeopleMover has broken down, stopped, or had issues nearly every time I’ve ridden it in the last year. On top of that, the line is getting more and more bogged down, likely due to the functionality issues. This attraction really needs some TLC. Don’t change anything, but get it back to a more reliable form like it once was. 

This list only scratches the surface of what I’d like to see next and truthfully I may have to do a “part 2” of this article to cover a few more details and things I’d like to see unfold in the parks in the coming years. 

If you were calling the shots, what would be the one thing you’d try to develop in the next 2 years? Inevitably Star Wars is on our list but at this point we know a good deal about what is going to be debuted with that project. I’m really looking forward to the Cantina, but more than anything I’m looking forward to the things that have yet to be announced. Here’s to the next two years and all that those two years could debut! 

Your Thoughts

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way. 

If you’ve followed along with our posts or simply stumbled upon our site, you’ve likely noticed that we’re “crazy Disney people.” Of course that’s never a bad title in our book, but as a slight change to a our typical vacation to the parks, we recently took a day to explore all that Discovery Cove has to offer. 

Personally, we had never even taken a second look at the park which is owned by the Bush Gardens and Sea World organization. However, we thought it looked like a really neat experience and decided to give it a shot and see how it turned out. 

So, in a shocking move, even for us, we took a one day break from our time at Walt Disney World and made the short drive up I4 to this surprisingly unique park. Before arrival, we made a special effort to really learn the details of the experience and even enlisted the help of a travel agent to help everything go smoothly. 

Despite all the research, we really didn’t know what to expect once we got there, and in all honesty it was an outstanding experience. Throughout the day we kept looking at each other and asking the same question, “Why has Disney not purchased this park?” Of course, the crowds would probably grow astronomically if they did, but the experience was truly Disney quality (which is saying a lot from us).

For those of you who may not be aware, Discovery Cove is a “park” where guests can interact with various animals in a very unique setting. On each given day, Discovery Cove welcomes a set number of guests into the park (typically around 1,000) to explore 4 different “pool-based” environments. 

First and foremost, you have Wind Away River. The river is essentially a really unique lazy river type environment. As with 99% of your time at Discovery Cove, everything you need for the experience is provided with your cost of entry. In this particular area, pool noodle type floats are provided as well as life jackets for both adults and children who would like to use them. Upon entry into the park itself, every guest is fitted for a wet suit or vest suit which is required to be worn anytime you are in the water for your safety. After spending the day there, this safety practice is easily understandable. In just this section of the park, the depth of the river reaches over 8ft at multiple points and the identifying black and yellow suits really help guests stand out for the safety crew. Beyond the surface guests can enjoy impressive water falls, real-life birds, and a variety of little areas to explore. To my surprise, we spent a great deal of time just exploring the river and relaxing our way around the long path of the warm water. 

In addition, two more fresh water areas called Serenity Bay and Freshwater Oasis allow guests to relax and take in the environment complete with otters behind glass that flows down into the water creating the feeling of actually swimming with the animals. Just around the corner from the otters is an island built specifically for guests to enjoy Marmosets without ever having to leave the water! If animals aren’t your thing, casually walk or swim through the clear freshwater area with quite impressive “natural” surroundings! 

Last, but certainly not least, they have what is called the Grand Reef! In our experience, this really was a highlight of the day and the main reason we will likely go back in the not so distant future! The Reef is an artificial coral reef built into a very large pool where guests can freely roam and snorkel with fish and rays. This part of the day really blew away all of my expectations. From the surface, it simply looks like a few rays shuffling about, but once you breach the surface of the water, you are truly surrounded by many different varieties of aquatic life. It really puts into the “ocean” in a way that is completely safe of dangerous sea life. Even beyond the physical experience, the Discovery Cove staff really goes above and beyond to explain the animals and many of their mannerisms. 


Of course, Discovery Cove offers their namesake Dolphin Swim in Dolphin Lagoon. Unfortunately, we did not pay the extra fee to do the Dolphin swim considering the price jumps from $200-$250 dollars depending on the season to around $350+. In all honesty I don’t feel like it is a “requirement” for the Discovery Cove experience, but rather something that would be great for a special occasion. 

As an added bonus, all food, drinks, and snacks are provided by the park throughout your day. To my surprise this was truly unlimited food as well. At breakfast and lunch, if you didn’t like something or simply wanted more of a particular item all you had to do was jump back in line and they would give you whatever you wanted. Your breakfast included bacon, eggs, sausage, french toast sticks, a biscuit (gravy if you wanted it), fruit, and a few other offerings that I’ve likely overlooked. For lunch, the same setup was utilized, but this time you had a variety of meal choices ranging from chicken, burgers, and french fries to some more not so typical offerings such as a chicken and rice. The meal was also unlimited and it was great to try a few different offerings as well as a few desserts! All of the food was really good, especially the bacon cheeseburger (of course, if there’s a cheeseburger offered, I always have to try it!). 

Throughout your day and between meals, a few select snack areas are scattered throughout the property and are also free of charge. My personal favorite offerings were the unlimited icees in various flavors (try the white cherry, it’s delicious!) and the unlimited soft pretzels! Many other choices are also available including various beers, chips, cookies, and even ice cream. All in all, the food was a great part of the experience! 

Overall, while the price is quite high for a days worth of entertainment, I would highly recommend you give it a shot if you haven’t done so already. It really is hard to compare anything to the Disney parks and resorts, but this experience really did come quite close. The feeling of the day was very similar to staying in a very high end resort, but one with very creative pool areas. Everything across the park was really first class and as an added bonus, admission includes “free” time at both Sea World and Aquatica during the 14 days surrounding your Discovery Cove day with unlimited admission to those parks. If you do take advantage of that deal it makes the price much more reasonable than if you simply go to Discovery Cove on it’s own. 

With all things considered, we had an excellent experience and would really like to return at some point in the future. Just recently, the park announced some new offerings including a shark swim and a ray feeding that look great as well (each of these require an additional fee).

Well, there you have it. I know this probably sounds like they paid us to say these things and talk up the park, but in all honesty we payed our way for the day with a group of four adults total, and loved every minute of it! If you have any questions about our day there, feel free to let me know! 


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Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

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Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.