After Sea World, my Central Florida experience continued with visits to Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive day resort that features swimming with dolphins, and Aquatica, a high-energy water park that opened in 2008.

Aquatica is North America's first water park to feature side-by-side wave pools, which are adjoined to a man-made white-sand beach covering over 80,000 square feet. The park's signature slide is Dolphin Plunge, where guests fly down a tube that passes right through an exhibit of Commerson's dolphins. My favorites were the racing slides (which feature a 5-story plunge at the end) and Omaka Rocka, which features a series of funnels intended to turn riders sideways or backwards (seemingly at random) as they slide down to the bottom.

Wanna feel like a high roller? The park offers private cabanas for parties of up to eight for a surprisingly decent value. Wild Waves (the only water park in my home area) will always feel like a kiddie place compared to Aquatica.

Discovery Cove is not a theme park - it's a capacity-controlled day resort emphasized on catching some rays while snorkeling with ... umm ... other rays! Limited to 1,000 patrons per day, tickets for Discovery Cove start at $129/day and vary by season. A lazy river float and two snorkeling pools are dotted with beach chairs - this is designed as an oasis of relaxation. Lush tropical vegetation pervades the resort, which has a restaurant and a snack shack to keep the free beer flowing. Hooray free beer! (Who knew? Budweiser Select + Fig Newtons = oddest successful flavor pairing ever!)

The big draw is swimming with dolphins, which fetches a premium of $80-120 (excluding official souvenir photos). Dolphin swims begin with a 10-minute safety briefing and orientation, then swimmers are led to the beach in pods of eight. During the 30-minute encounter, swimmers get to pet, feed, serenade and kiss the dolphin, then they hitch a ride on its fin posing for the cameras. The curious mammals return the love with playful tricks and splashes. (Full disclosure: I did not pony up the cash for the dolphin swim, but I worked as a paparazzo for a couple of my friends and I left nearly convinced the dolphin swim was worth it.)

Discovery Cove one-day packages include unlimited admission to Sea World, Aquatica or Busch Gardens for up to 14 days - or for $50 more, it includes unlimited admission to all three parks for up to 14 days. Complimentary shuttle buses to either park are available from SeaWorld's main gate - other buses also connect multi-day ticket holders with Busch Gardens (60 miles each way) free of charge.