Disney World Dive

[Jinjer]

The vis was about 100 feet. It's usually clear across the tank but they are doing construction in the tank for a new ride next year. The dive master apologized for the semi-cloudiness in the water. He was from RI originally so he new what bad vis was

What time where you there yesterday? It was not 100 feet when we were there, especially not in the tank where you normally see the dolphins. It did look like there were some divers on the bottom, so I figured that was causing the poor visibility, but it didn't make a very good experience for the people viewing the tanks.

So what type of ride are they creating?

We were contemplating doing the dive at Living Seas, but decided we are going to take a day and drive down to Ft. Lauderdale and dive on Wednesday. Of course if the weather turns bad and we can't dive, I guess we will come back and dive at Living Seas.

 

[frankb]

I was there last week so the construction might not have been as bad. I dove on a Monday and I know on Thursday we went back there to try to do the Crush ride/show and the tanks looked worse. I noticed two large tubes that they were using to move sand around.

They are building a ride that goes through the bottom of the tanks and will have views to the outside. It's going to be based on Finding Nemo and will have a computer generated Nemo swimming with you.

 

[mstevens]

Is there a minimum age for certified divers? I think my 10-yr old son would like it.

My son did it at 10 with a Junior Scuba Diver cert. They didn't even require Open Water, but then if you think about it, it isn't.

 

[mstevens]

We did it last year and had fun. They did let us use our computers and masks but no other personal gear. I prefer my own stuff, but their Scubapro BCD's and Atomic regs weren't bad. Decent animals, but nothing you wouldn't see over a couple of days in the caribbean. The oddest part is the epoxy coral - the backs aren't even painted where they're not visible from the public areas, which enhances the feeling that you're in a fishtank and there should be a bubbly treasure chest somewhere. As everyone else says, the real attraction is being part of the attraction - the punters love watching the divers, who in turn love being watched.

We decided NOT to spend the money this year (week before last). However, as we were walking through the Living Seas we, along with everyone else, were watching the divers raptly. This despite some of the worst bouyancy control and finning I've ever witnessed (my 11 year-old commented that he thought you had to be certified to dive there). Our unanimous decision was that we'd do it again next year.

 

[HarleyDiver_FL]

We did it last year and had fun. They did let us use our computers and masks but no other personal gear. I prefer my own stuff, but their Scubapro BCD's and Atomic regs weren't bad. Decent animals, but nothing you wouldn't see over a couple of days in the caribbean. The oddest part is the epoxy coral - the backs aren't even painted where they're not visible from the public areas, which enhances the feeling that you're in a fishtank and there should be a bubbly treasure chest somewhere. As everyone else says, the real attraction is being part of the attraction - the punters love watching the divers, who in turn love being watched.

We decided NOT to spend the money this year (week before last). However, as we were walking through the Living Seas we, along with everyone else, were watching the divers raptly. This despite some of the worst bouyancy control and finning I've ever witnessed (my 11 year-old commented that he thought you had to be certified to dive there). Our unanimous decision was that we'd do it again next year.

I did the Living Sea's last night. Thought is was an unbeivable dive. We need to remember. IT IS a fish tank. Some of you people seem to think that MAN can make an EXACT replica of nature. Sorry to burst your bubbles but man is just that man and nature will always out do us. There is no way you would be able to get as close to the sea creatures in the wild as you do at EPCOT. If your a sceptic or an anal person this dive isn't for you but if you want an experience like no other, spend the money and have a ball. I would suggest you do have excellent bouncy control too. If you don't, get practice. Out of the group I dove with last night there was one person who's bouancy control was horrible. The 14 year old boy with us had better control than this diver of a supposed 30+ years.

Dive EPCOT, become the attraction. let the people behind the glass see what we do and maybe more people will want to get involved in our sport.

 

[ScubaNorth]

We did it last year and had fun. They did let us use our computers and masks but no other personal gear. I prefer my own stuff, but their Scubapro BCD's and Atomic regs weren't bad. Decent animals, but nothing you wouldn't see over a couple of days in the caribbean. The oddest part is the epoxy coral - the backs aren't even painted where they're not visible from the public areas, which enhances the feeling that you're in a fishtank and there should be a bubbly treasure chest somewhere. As everyone else says, the real attraction is being part of the attraction - the punters love watching the divers, who in turn love being watched.

We decided NOT to spend the money this year (week before last). However, as we were walking through the Living Seas we, along with everyone else, were watching the divers raptly. This despite some of the worst bouyancy control and finning I've ever witnessed (my 11 year-old commented that he thought you had to be certified to dive there). Our unanimous decision was that we'd do it again next year.

One of the best dives I have ever been on. If you want to go to the Caribbean by all means go. If you want an unusual dive experience with a professional operation go to Epcot. This is not just a fish tank it is "the fish tank" . What a wonderful learning opportunity for your 11 year old, just getting certified does not make you a professional diver and practice makes perfect. One of my very first dives was Epcot and my bouyancy control was definately lacking at that point. I didn't see any of the tourist who looked horrified at my unrefined skills and a few even snapped photos, I guess maybe they needed pictures of what not to do while diving. I found the gear to be new, clean and very comfortable I did bring my own mask.

 

[LittleBug]

Husband and I did this on a whim last year in June. We were at Typhoon Lagoon snorkeling in the shark exhibit they have there. It was torturous to us b/c they don't let you dive down at Typhoon Lagoon. All they let you do is swim across. without even kicking. We were BSing with the staff there and mentioned that we wanted to spend more time playing in the exhibit. They mentioned The Living Seas. We left Typhoon Lagoon and hightailed it over to Epcot and did it that afternoon.

It was excellent. The thing I liked most was messing with the people who are looking at the aquarium. I like to think that some little kid saw us in there, and now that kid wants to dive too.

 

[LobstaMan]

I know this thread is a bit old, but I just came back from Disney where I dove in the big ocean tank there. It's officially called Epcot DiveQuest. I highly recommend it for anyone of any dive experience or ability. I called ahead and made reservations, but one diver said he called up a day or two before and got a spot. I think the full price is $150, but with a AAA, DAN or other discount the price dropped to $119. All gear is provided and set-up for you ahead of time. Only prescription masks and wrist computers allowed. Lockers, showers, t-shirt, pre/post-dive beverages(non-alcoholic, of course), pre/post dive briefing, behind the scenes tour and sticker to put in your dive log are included in the price.

And, oh....you do get to dive in huge ocean tank at the Living Seas exhibit at Epcot. There's three divemasters in the tank with your dive group, but once you do a brief little swim over to an air bubble, you are free to dive anywhere in the tank for 40 minutes. They encourage divers to swim in front of the windows to the restaurant and the visitor viewing area. My kids got a real kick out of seeing me in the aquarium swimming w/ sharks! The people in the restaurant were all smiles when divers went by. In the tank there's numerous kinds of tropical fish, including three types of sharks and a few sea turtles. Of course, there's no touching of the tank's occupants. Coral is also fake, but they don't want you to touch it.

All in all, a nice one of a kind dive experience that's worth the money while you're in Disney. The staff even let my wife and kids come behind the scenes to wait for me after the dive was over. You shouldn't miss it if you are planning a Disney vacation.

LobstaMan

 

[Lursxt]

I dove the GOT for the first time on 10/25. It was a great experience. I dive my own mask and brought my own watch. I'm not sure you can even bring a dive computer. In addition to the dive, I liked the behind the scenes tour as well. Customer service was excellent as well. They make you feel very comfortable. I also liked trekking out into the exhibit and having everyone stare at you. I did not have any family members watching so I did laps in the tank. I'd pass by the windows and interact with the guests and then swim around the back of the tank to check out the fish and sharks. The windows were a wierd experience. I think I was the first one in our group to swim by the restaurant windows. When I did, the entire restaurant just stopped. Everyone dropped their forks and started pointing and smiling! Neat but strange. I didn't know what to do exactly, so I just started waving! The only part I didn't like was the diving bell. Everyone has to enter it, which isn't a problem, but you have to wait for everyone to do it before you can continue on with your dive. Other than that its awesome and worth the price! I even bought the video. I liked it so much I tried to get another dive in on my trip, but they were booked. I will definately do it again next time I'm at epcot.

 

[TravisD]

The only part I didn't like was the diving bell. Everyone has to enter it, which isn't a problem, but you have to wait for everyone to do it before you can continue on with your dive.

I don't think the diving bell is a hard requirement - when we did DiveQuest back in January, my wife elected to skip the bell and just sort of swam behind it while I poked my head up in it. I'm pretty certain that they won't make you do it if you don't want to. Or, if you want to do it, just make sure you're at the front of the line

We're going back a 2nd time, on December 8th this year.