Paradise Nights at Discovery Cove returns with dinner, entertainment, and new sloth encounter
After an eight-year hiatus, Discovery Cove is reviving Paradise Nights as an all-new after-hours dining event featuring island-inspired cuisine, cocktails, live entertainment—and a limited-capacity sloth encounter that adds an exclusive new animal experience to the evening.
Paradise Nights runs on select nights from June 5 through Aug. 8 as a separately ticketed event. Based on our experience in 2018, and connecting with Discovery Cove media representatives, here’s what you can expect at Paradise Nights.
What to expect at Paradise Nights
Your evening begins with check-in at Discovery Cove’s Reception Center starting at 5:30 p.m. Guests 21 and older can verify their age for included beer and wine service throughout the event. Complimentary parking is also included.
Guests will then make their way through the park’s tropical pathways to Serenity Bay for happy hour from approximately 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Happy hour at Serenity Bay
The first portion of the evening includes:
- A welcome cocktail or mocktail
- Beachside views at Serenity Bay
- Access to Blue Bamboo Bar
- Select animal ambassador appearances
- Sunset atmosphere inside Discovery Cove after daytime operations end
Guests will have the option to remain on the pavement or venture onto the sand during this portion of the night. Blue Bamboo Bar is in the front left portion of Discovery Cove. From reading over the Paradise Nights webpage, it sounds like the front and left portions of the park will be open, but the back section, including the Grand Reef, will not be accessible.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Dinner at Laguna Grill
After happy hour, guests move to Laguna Grill for an open-air dinner under the stars.
Your reservation includes:
- All-you-care-to-enjoy buffet
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Included beer and wine for guests 21+
- Assigned seating
- Dessert offerings after dinner
Tables vary in size, and some parties may be combined.
The photo below is from 2018 and shows Paradise Night tables in the sand near the dolphin lagoon. The new Paradise Nights event does not seem to take place here. We will have no event photos soon.
Live Paradise Nights show
The centerpiece of the new version is a live dinner show presented in four themed acts inspired by Earth, Air, Water and Fire. Discovery Cove describes the production as a sensory journey featuring music, movement, and performance.
Photo from SeaWorld and Discovery Cove
Sounds like a great addition to all that is being offered during summer in Orlando.
What’s different from the 2018 version
The 2026 event is significantly different from the original Paradise Nights offered eight years ago.
No dolphin presentation
The 2018 event ended with an approximately 18-minute dolphin presentation featuring trainers and educational messaging. Now for the 2026 return of Paradise Nights, the messaging is that the dolphins and other animals are enjoying evening downtime, and no dolphin encounter is offered.
No swimming during the event
Even though Paradise Nights takes place inside Discovery Cove, waterways are closed during the event. Guests will not be able to swim, snorkel, or enter the water.
Higher pricing
Adult admission now starts at $117, compared with $65 during the 2018 run — roughly a $50 increase over eight years.
Current pricing starts at:
- Adult (10+): $117
- Child (3–9): $53
- Infant (0–2): Free with reservation
Take a look at our experience at the 2018 event in the video below.
Optional sloth encounter added
A new premium add-on for 2026 is the Paradise Nights Sloth Encounter. This separately priced experience includes priority check-in, behind-the-scenes sloth encounter, with extremely limited availability adding an exclusive experience.
The Paradise Nights Sloth Encounter is priced at $59 per guest. Only 10 guests per night can book it.
Courtesy of Discovery Cove
Key things to know before you go
Daytime guests can stay for the evening
This is one of the biggest perks for 2026. If you book daytime admission and Paradise Nights on the same date, you do not need to leave the park between experiences.
Day guests with Paradise Nights tickets as well may:
- Use on-site showers and changing rooms
- Change into evening attire
- Check in at Guest Services near the main gift shop beginning at 5:30 p.m.
- Receive lanyards and table assignments
Premium drink package sold separately
If you purchased a daytime Premium Drink Package, it does not carry over into Paradise Nights. A separate evening Premium Drink Package must be purchased for the event. Standard beer and wine is included for guests 21+.
Limited capacity event
Paradise Nights is capacity-controlled, and advance reservations are strongly recommended. Same-day availability may be checked at Reception or Guest Services, but sellouts are possible.
Final thoughts
The returning Paradise Nights is less focused on marquee animal presentations and more focused on atmosphere, dining, cocktails, and entertainment.
For guests looking for a relaxing night out experience inside Discovery Cove, or for daytime visitors wanting to extend their stay into the evening, the 2026 version offers a more upscale take on the original event.
The featured image of this article contains a photo by Kung_Mangkorn from Getty Images Pro.
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