Specifically, in the dive report it was stated that the equipment was all set up for you. Do they ask you before hand what size you are in BC, wetsuit, boots and fins? What about weight set up? I watched some of the videos on youtube, looks like it is beginner friendly. How early do you need to reserve your dive? Regarding the times, if you choose the 5:30 dive what time are you finished? When should your family get to the windows to see you?
Thanks for any info!
Good questions all. And I've got a pocket full of answers.
Part 1. Report time is 15 minutes before the "official" start time. i.e., 4:15 for the 4:30 tour and 5:15 for the 5:30 tour. You report in at Guest Services (?) just outside the turnstyles at the main entrance. The escorts show up between 15 and 30 minutes past the hour, usually ~4:20/5:20. They take your C-cards, ask your shoe and body (and I think T shirt) sizes at this time. You then go backstage to the Living Seas to a briefing room, fill out some paperwork, get a short briefing and see a short indoc film. From there you go to the locker rooms. Your assigned locker will have a Mickey bag with your shorty and booties. If you don't like the fit they'll get you another. (Now this is important; the zipper goes in the back of the shorty.) After changing, leave the locker room and give your locker key to the waiting escort.
Intermission: The weights will be OK. Don't give them a second thought, even if you're a blivit. ALL of Disney is beginner friendly. You'll no doubt have some newbies in your tour, but regardless, it will be a pleasure. Reserve ASAP; early bird gets the worm. They charge your credit card right away and have a 48 hour canx policy for a 100% refund. Have your folks be at the second floor cul-de-sac area 30-45 minutes after your start time. That means
5:00-5:15 for the 4:30 tour.
Part 2. Your dive group will enter the
public area (at which time you will become quasi-"Castmembers") from behind the diver chamber(?). (That's a vertical tube, about 5-6' in diameter extending from the ceiling, on the first floor.) Those silly tourists will be gaping at your group. Enjoy it. From there you'll walk across the room, up the steps, down the cul-de-sac corridor, through a doorway (now you're out of the public area), up a steel spiral staircase and out to the surface of the Living Seas in all their behind-the-scenes spendor. The gear is all set up on a ledge by the water. The crew will show you which gear is yours and you'll walk into the waist deep water, back up to the ledge and slip into your BC and fins. From there its a, oh, ten foot walk to the edge of the deep water. After everyone is out in the deep the dive leaders will check that everyone is OK and signal to descend. They lead you around for 10-15 minutes. At one point you'll go into an air filled plastic dome. You can take off your mask, spit the reg and mug and yell at the videographer who'll be filming you. After that they send you off all buddied up to explore on your own. Ya gotta go over to the restaurant windows. When you see the diners you'll know what to do. Make sure you spend time by the cul-de-sac windows. Your family will no doubt be there and the videographer will film you and them and it'll be on the DVD you can buy. Play with all the kids on the other side of the glass. Now, after 40 minutes they round you up and toss your butts out. After doffing your gear they give you towels and then you run the public area gauntlet again on your way back to the changing room. Hot showers. Change back into your civvies and meet back in the briefing room. Fill out an appraisal, get your souvenir pack including the DiveQuest T shirt. (I get real small ones and give 'em to the G'kids.) Watch the the video they made of you. You also get FREE sodas. (Drink lots 'cause you don't much free stuff from Disney.) The 4:30 tour ends around 7PM. It can go a little longer but I don't
ever remember it being any shorter than that. If you're late for something, like dinner, you can skip the video and an escort will take you to the exit door earlier. You'll be given your personal video ID number so you can order the DVD you're in later.
Did I pass the audition?
