dive quest at epcot - report

[mrchecker312]

Planning to go to Disneyworld week of December 28th to January 3rd. Anyone know of any scuba clubs going to DiveQuest? I would like to see if I can get a reduced rate instead of paying the $175. Thanks!

 

[RJP]

Planning to go to Disneyworld week of December 28th to January 3rd. Anyone know of any scuba clubs going to DiveQuest? I would like to see if I can get a reduced rate instead of paying the $175. Thanks!

If you're going to Disney World... just stop using the phrase "at a reduced rate" right now.



At one point during our last trip I happened to drop a $20 on the ground. My wife said "Ah, just leave it. That'll be the cheapest thing we did all week."

---------- Post added November 21st, 2014 at 09:17 PM ----------

Sorry,
I did not enjoy the experience. I had about 50 ocean dives prior to the experience
The personnel were great and the equipment was all in excellent condition. Only shortees were available and no outside equipment was allowed except mask and fins.
The environment was way too sterile for me. The “dive leader” escorted the divers through the tank and then into a “dive bubble” for a picture without your mask. Then you were allowed to swim on your own for about 20 minutes before given the sign to surface.
The only real enjoyment for me was waving to a few kids eating lunch in one of the restaurants, but that excitement ends quickly.
If you are a brand new diver or one who “never” seems to see underwater creatures, do for it. If you have any experience, I would skip it.
Safe diving!

I know I'm responding to a 2-year old post, but since the thread has already been resurrected...

The other main reason to do it if you have kids. They, of course, are on the other side of the glass watching you. My kids had never seen me dive... until I dove EPCOT. That was cool enough, but what really made the experience was what my wife told me afterward.

When my son first saw me he yelled across the viewing area "Hey Emily... there's dad!" Well, in addition to my daughter running over... every other kid in the aquarium came running over. A dozen or so according to my wife. My kids became instant celebrities.

"That's your dad?"
"Wow!"
"Which one is your dad?"
"He knows there's sharks in there?"
"He must be really brave."
"You are so lucky!"
"I wish my dad was that cool!"

If you are a diver with kids and don't do this dive... you're nuts.

 

[mrchecker312]

HAHA...completely understand what you mean by dropping 20$ on the floor...more like 400$.

 

[scubadada]

The kids outside the tank are easily the best part of diving Epcot, if they're your own, all the better. Inside the tank is actually pretty sad, a bunch of injured fish.

 

[C Dub]

"I wish my dad was that cool!"

Ah nice, the holy grail of compliments for a Dad!

 

[Steve_C]

Did the dive. Have seen lots of fish, turtles, sharks, etc. in the wild. I like being under water. I enjoyed the dive. Tank is so large it seemed more like diving a flooded city street than a tank.

 

[WarrenZ]

So I guess pressing up against the glass and giving the dinners something to watch while they eat would be a no no.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

That's the best part. Distracting the kids while parents are trying to get them to eat.

 

[sportxlh]

"I wish my dad was that cool!"

Ah nice, the holy grail of compliments for a Dad!

I've done the dive a couple of times, fortunately with a group the last time and got the $100 group rate. Much easier on the wallet than the rack rate.

Anyway during the last dive, while my wife took pictures on the other side of the glass, she noticed a little girl was nervously wringing her hands as she watched the sharks and the divers. My wife pointed me out and said 'that's my husband'. The little looked up at my wife with big eyes, still wringing her hands and asked 'how long do they have to survive?'

I don't think the girl believe my wife when she responded that the divers were having fun and probably didn't want the dive to end.

---------- Post added November 25th, 2014 at 03:23 PM ----------

The kids outside the tank are easily the best part of diving Epcot, if they're your own, all the better. Inside the tank is actually pretty sad, a bunch of injured fish.

The tropicals do look a little beat up: I noticed that as well.

 

[FatMen]

I just booked my wife and I into a dive when we visit this October. If you use a Disney Visa card, you get a 15% discount off the rack rate of $175. Not as good as the group rate but, I will take it.

Disney told me when I booked that the only personal gear they allow are masks and dive watches. I am seeing here that Disney will allow you to bring your computer and swim fins. Is this correct?

Thanks for everyone's reviews and input.

Planning to go to Disneyworld week of December 28th to January 3rd. Anyone know of any scuba clubs going to DiveQuest? I would like to see if I can get a reduced rate instead of paying the $175. Thanks!