ORLANDO, Fla. — The Grand Reef at Discovery Cove opened Friday as Central Florida's newest attraction.
This is the first addition to SeaWorld's Discovery Cove since it opened. It's filled with nearly a million gallons of water with about 10,000 kinds of sea-animals.
There are tropical fish, sting rays, sharks and a coral reef. All of this in a million gallon saltwater cove that people can dive right into.
"We brought all of our learning's from all of the other parks and put it together here where we created this amazing environment," said Stewart Clark, VP of Discovery Cove.
It opened Friday and was filled to capacity by noon with people from all over the world.
"It's cool; it's like being in the ocean down there. There are so many sting rays and they're really big and kind of scary," said a park visitor.
But getting into the attraction will cost you, on opening day tickets sold for $289 a person.
Some visitors wondered if the attraction is even worth it.
"Ticket price could be cheaper. But is it worth it? Yes," said a park visitor.
But unlike many theme parks, tickets here include nearly everything, including food and alcohol. They also include admission to SeaWorld, Aquatic or Bush Gardens in Tampa.
The addition comes as Disney World prepares to expand Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.
And it comes at the same time Universal is seeing a major spike in attendance credited to its Harry Potter attraction.
Discovery Cove officials wouldn't tell us how much it cost to build the addition but say it's the most significant investment in their park yet.
Tickets prices do vary depending on the season and are cheaper for Florida residents.
WFTV
