Discovery Cove®, Orlando’s premier all-inclusive day resort, has been named Newsweek’s No. 1 Best Theme Park in the Summer Travel category of the publication’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, placing the Orlando destination among the country’s top summer travel experiences as voted by Newsweek readers nationwide.
Discovery Cove offers a unique, limited-capacity experience centered on relaxation, personalized service, and immersive animal encounters. Guests can swim with bottlenose dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, and unwind amid white-sand beaches, winding waterways, and lush tropical landscapes, while enjoying freshly prepared meals, beverages, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and parking — all included with admission.
“Being named Newsweek’s No. 1 Best Theme Park is an incredible honor because Discovery Cove was intentionally designed to offer something fundamentally different,” said Brad Gilmour, Park President of Discovery Cove. “Guests come here to slow down, connect with nature, and share meaningful experiences together. These awards are a reflection of the passion our ambassadors bring to creating those moments every day.”
The recognition comes as Discovery Cove continues expanding its guest experience with the recent launch of Paradise Nights, a new, separately-ticketed summer evening dinner show featuring beachside cocktails, Caribbean-inspired cuisine, animal ambassador appearances, and a live entertainment production with aerialists and fire performers after the park closes for the day.
Additional recent enhancements and premium add-on experiences include:
- Flamingo Point, featuring up-close flamingo encounters
- Shark Interaction and snorkel, an immersive guided shark experience
- Ultimate Animal Experience, an exclusive behind-the-scenes half-day adventure
- Animal Trek, a guided rainforest exploration featuring birds and small mammals
- SeaVenture, an underwater walking experience among tropical marine life
As Florida’s only all-inclusive day resort, Discovery Cove continues to distinguish itself through its combination of personalized service, intimate animal experiences, and resort-style atmosphere.
The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards recognize standout businesses, brands, and experiences across a wide range of consumer categories. Winners are determined through a public voting process in which readers select the companies and organizations they believe deliver exceptional quality, value, and customer experience.
The 2026 program highlights leading companies and destinations across numerous industries, including the Summer Travel category, Best Theme Park, where Discovery Cove was awarded first place.
“Each year, the Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best of the best, as chosen by the people who matter most — our readers,” said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham “We’re proud to recognize those organizations that continue to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and customer experience.”
About Discovery Cove
Recently named a 2026 Good Housekeeping Travel Award winner for the third consecutive year, the “Best Theme Park” by Newsweek and ranked “Best Lazy River” in the U.S. by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Discovery Cove® provides guests with a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive tropical getaway. From pristine white-sand beaches and winding rivers to vibrant coral reefs, visitors can relax and connect with nature while enjoying unlimited food, drinks, and swim gear throughout the day. For more information, visit DiscoveryCove.com.
About Newsweek
Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.
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