Mickey Mouse Diving...

[DesertDiver2008]

So, my son and I are Farley new to diving, with most of it being in lakes as we are out here in Las Vegas. We plan on doing some diving in Caliefornia, as soon as he gets out of school.
However we have a vacation coming up! Florida!!! And to be more to the point, Disney World / Cruse! On the down side, my wife being pregnant, may have a impact on whether we get to do the cruse part of the Disney world vacation. (good bye Naussa...maybe..)
I did see that Epcot has a large tank called Sea Quest. So, my son and I decided to take this as part of our diving trip..(can't go to Florida and not scuba, right?)
So, my question out there to you all is, have any of you dove there and is it worth the 175$? Heck, it seems like a really nice place, and it sure beats diving at the Shark Reef here in Las Vegas...btw the people there, give you funny looks when you ask them if you can try out the new reg. set you just got... I'm guessing they don't allow scuba diving there for some "unknown" reason :confused4:

 

[NudeDiver]

I'd never pay $175 to make a dive in a fish tank.

Hell, they'd have to lower the price to something like $20 before I was interested.

 

[RonFrank]

I know a number of folk that have done this, and had a great time. There are discount coupons available (or were) so maybe someone will post some info on that. It knocks down the price quite a bit. I also think you get a days admission to Epcot, which is worth some bucks.

The downsides are that the dive is short, and expensive for a 30' tank. But I think you will have a blast. I would also suggest diving off the East coast of FL! You could be in Jupiter in less than 3 hours, and THAT IMO is worth a trip.

 

[String]

Ive done it (although it cost less then). Its OK for a one off. More of an entertainment thing than a diving thing.

Its a 20ft deep fish tank where the most interesting thing is playing with the people outside the glass. Sadly they wont let you float past with mask off and eyes and mouth open pretending to be dead etc.

You arent allowed to use your own gear (its provided) along with shorties (i got cold) but its fun for a once off.

 

[k ellis]

Its worth it Tell them your with Padi (If you are certified through them) and you get a discount

 

[Stu S.]

An hour's ride north of Orlando is a beautiful and easy dive called Alexander Spring. If you have not had a spring dive, it is a unique experience. It is part of Ocala National Forest, and is $5 per diver.

Theme parks are not real diving. Dive one of our springs and you can return home knowing you dove Florida.

Have fun with your trip.

 

[Doc]

Is it worth it ? No way.

The look on your son's face? Worth every penny.

If there's no other way to get wet, for his first big adventure? Why not?

 

[Damselfish]

It's a unique thing to do once and your son will probably have a blast. They parade you in wetsuits through the public area so he'll probably feel really cool. You do get to see a lot of critters together you'd never see on the same dive but yeah one of the best parts is playing with the people through the glass. They do make a big point of telling you you should consider yourself a cast member and not do anything un-disney-like...

It's expensive for the time in the water but supposedly the money is donated to ocean conservation of some sort. It is actually a whole program a couple hours long with orientation, some behind the scenes and educational stuff, not just jump in the tank. Unless it's changed you don't get a days admission into Epcot though. They meet you at the gate right before and escort you in. They do let you out into the park after so you get whatever is left of the evening, probably just enough for dinner and the light show.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Our LDS does these dives every year. For newer divers and children, it's great fun since you get to see alot of fish that you may not see close up when diving in the ocean. It is also a very controlled environment, so it is a comfortable dive for a child. If I recall, our divers took their own mask, but the aquarium provided all the other gear. It is to keep from introducing any outside coodies to the sealife in the tank. Since your wife is pregnant, it will be fun for her to share you and your son's dives by getting to watch all his enjoyment from the other side of the glass! Definitely book as far in advance as possible since whole dive shops do these trips.

Have a great time!
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/262563-epcot-dive-quest-discounts.html
http://www.epcotdivequest.com/
Carolyn:shark2:

 

[cflJason]

You might contact Home It's a husband & wife team that owns the shop, and I believe Bill is still a manager of the diving crew in the living seas. He can probably give you all the info you'll need.