Discovery Cove is adding a new kind of evening escape this summer with Paradise Nights, an all-new separately ticketed after-hours dining experience featuring island-inspired food, tropical drinks, live entertainment, and optional animal encounter upgrades.
Running Friday and Saturday evenings from June 5 through August 8, Paradise Nights invites guests to experience Discovery Cove after sunset with a limited-capacity event designed around dining, atmosphere, and entertainment. The evening begins with a welcome cocktail or mocktail before guests make their way through the lush pathways of Discovery Cove toward Serenity Bay at golden hour. Along the way, guests may also encounter some of the animals that call Discovery Cove home.
From there, the night continues at Laguna Grill, where guests will enjoy an open-air buffet dinner under the stars. The entertainment portion of the evening is built around four themed acts inspired by Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, blending music, movement, and live performance into what Discovery Cove describes as a sensory journey.
What’s Included with Paradise Nights?
Each Paradise Nights reservation includes:
- Complimentary parking
- A welcome cocktail or mocktail
- All-you-care-to-eat buffet dinner
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Beer and wine for guests 21 and older
- Live dinner show performance
The event is currently listed with special pre-sale pricing starting at $117 for adults ages 10 and up and $53 for children ages 3–9, with gratuity included. Children under 3 are free, but they still require a reservation. Capacity is expected to be very limited.
Paradise Nights Event Schedule
Discovery Cove lists the approximate evening itinerary as:
- 5:30–6:00 p.m. — Check-in at Discovery Cove’s Reception Center
- 6:00–6:30 p.m. — Happy Hour at Serenity Bay and Blue Bamboo Bar
- 6:30–9:00 p.m. — Dinner and Paradise Nights performance
That makes this a compact but full evening experience, especially for guests looking for something beyond a standard dinner reservation.
Paradise Nights Buffet Menu
The included all-you-care-to-eat buffet leans into island-inspired flavors with several stations and kid-friendly options.
Menu highlights include:
Paella
- Chicken and andouille paella
- Seafood paella
Sizzle & Savor Flat Top Creations
- Chicken asada with sautéed bell peppers and onions
- Arroz con gandules
- Shrimp Creole with cheesy grits
Island Grilled Cuisine
- Churrasco steak with chimichurri
- Maduros
- Yucca fries
Just for Kids
- Chicken tenders
- Fries
- Macaroni and cheese
- Mini corn dogs
Desserts
- Tres leches
- Pineapple upside-down cake
- Chocolate cupcake
Non-alcoholic beverages are also included, featuring assorted Coca-Cola products, bottled water, coffee, and tea. Beer and wine are complimentary for guests 21 and older.
Premium Drink Package
Guests looking for more than the included beer and wine can add the Paradise Nights Premium Drink Package for $25 per guest.
This package includes an unlimited selection of signature cocktails, premium spirits, craft beer, and premium wine. Signature cocktails listed for the event include drinks inspired by the same elemental theme as the show: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
That $25 add-on could be a solid value depending on how much you plan to enjoy the cocktail side of the evening. Just remember, this is still Discovery Cove, not your cousin’s backyard luau. Pace yourself.
Optional Sloth Encounter Upgrade
Paradise Nights will also offer a limited Sloth Encounter upgrade for $59 per guest.
This add-on includes priority check-in and a behind-the-scenes sloth encounter focused on conservation efforts helping protect sloths in the wild. Space is extremely limited, with only 10 guests per night available for the experience.
For animal lovers, this may end up being one of the most sought-after parts of the event. It is also the kind of upgrade that will probably disappear quickly, because apparently everyone wants dinner, drinks, and a sloth. Honestly, fair.
Is Paradise Nights Worth Considering?
Paradise Nights sounds like Discovery Cove is aiming for a more relaxed, upscale evening experience rather than a full theme park event. With dinner, drinks, entertainment, complimentary parking, and the setting of Discovery Cove after sunset, this could appeal to locals looking for a unique date night or visitors who want something different from the usual Orlando nighttime entertainment lineup.
The biggest thing to watch is availability. Discovery Cove is already positioning this as an exclusive, limited-capacity experience, and the optional sloth encounter is capped at just 10 guests per night.
As always, event details, menus, pricing, dates, and offerings can change. Be sure to check Discovery Cove’s official website before booking and again before your visit.
So until the next blog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.
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