FSUgly:
Congrats on the Anniversary!
I'd check up on that Living Seas exhibit. It is closed for rehab through November. I don't know what this means, but obviously you can still dive since they took your money
I did it last year, and really enjoyed the experience.
Well, it started out badly. It wasn't until we got to Epcot on Sunday that we realized that the Living Seas was closed. I was expecting to be able to interact with lots of people during the dive, only to find that ONLY the resturant was open.
Other than that, it turned out to be a very positive experience. We were met at guest services by the folks who run Dive quest and given a nice backstage tour of the area. Then taken to a lounge where we signed necessary paperwork and watched a video. Then taken to clean, well appointed locker rooms to change into wetsuits and booties and taken to the top of the tank. We got to see the Manatees, who were eating supper, and the dolphins who were generally playing and then taken to the big tank to dive.
We received a very complete dive briefing from the divemaster and then put on our gear, which was all rigged and sized for us. We entered the 78 degree water and met at a float and then descended to the bottom some 27 feet below. Another quick check and we were on our way to tour the tank. This included a camera man who was filming the entire event. We stopped at the 'igloo' for a hello to the cameraman, where we entered an airfilled plexiglass bubble, removed our mask and regulator and waved to the camera.
After that, we were free to swim and enjoy the sea life, which included two grey sand sharks, a spotted eagle ray, large grouper, a very large green sea turtle and various other fish and sea life. Because the tank is 200+ feet across and very clear, we got to see the sharks plenty of times. Everyone gave the sharks and the sea turtle lots of room, but kept an eye on them. At one point, I found myself swimming along the edge of the tank, between it and a 'coral' outcropping and in this narrow passageway, met one of the sharks head on. I gently move up in the water column, while he stayed nearer the bottom. All the time, in my head I was hearing "Fish are friends, NOT FOOD" and hoping that the same applies to divers!
There were plenty of kids in the resturant, so it was fun to go to the window and wave at them and mug a little bit. My wife, was there, and I swam to the window and took my reg out of my mouth and gave her a big smile so she could get a photo.
The entire dive, tho' only 27 feet deep, lasted 40 minutes or so. I had air enough for another 15 minutes or so, but was tired and had seen it all, so was happy to climb out of the tank with the others.
After the dive, we were met with dry towels, followed by a trip to the locker room and hot showers and more dry towels. That was followed by a meeting in the lounge, where we were provided (for a price) at CD of the dive, certificates, stamps for dive logs, and other great stuff. We got to view the CD on their bigscreen TV before deciding to buy and provided cold drinks and a post dive briefing.
The cost of the dive, $140, is ALL given to a wildlife fund, established by Disney. Which kind of makes the whole thing a little easier to pay for.
After the dive, we were escorted into Epcot Center, in time for the light show at the world showcase lake, and the end to a good day.
I have to admit, I had a great time! This is a first class operation and a fun dive to do once. I'm glad that I was able to do it while at Disney to celebrate our anniversary.\
