Dive quest at Epcot

[SKINUT]

Hello All,
After returning from Jersey Week (last week), I was inspired to investigate the scuba diving in Epcot after seeing divers in the water. The Disney website doesn't have much information beyond a phone number that currently has a 20 minute wait (my ADD won't allow me to wait that long!). I've read great things about it and am interested when we return in June. I am certified, but my 13 year old daughter is not. Is there an age or cert requirement to do this?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[gatorlisa]

According to Disney's page about it, divers must be SCUBA certified and at least 10 years old. Divers between 10-12 have to have a paying adult participating with them. So looks like your daughter would be able to do it if she got SCUBA certified.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-divequest/
(expand the Know Before You Go section for details)

 

[dizzneebabe]

I know several kids (one of mine included) that got their open water certification and EPCOT was their first real dive! Great time--my husband, son and a few friends of ours have done it several times.

 

[loves to dive]

I've done it three times, I use it as sort of check out dives if I haven't been diving for awhile. All you need is a basic open water certification. You aren't allowed to wear any of your own equipment unless you have a special mask. I even had to take my pony tail band out and use one of theirs. There are a number of dive masters in the water with you (I think 3) and then one or two on the surface. They also have a vidographer in the water with you. You can hang with the dive masters or go off on your own (which I do I'm a master diver). We water is cold, I actually have to wear two wetsuits and still end up shivering before I get out. You are down for about a half hour. There is a short little tour of the facility first, you have to sign all the waivers and they parade you through the public area to get to where you get in (while in your wetsuit just what everyone wants to see). I love going down to the big window at the restaurant and waving at all the kids, they get a big kick out of if.

 

[SKINUT]

Excellent information- thank you all!

 

[Sleepy425]

Just a heads up in case you read old reports - they used to just let you out into Epcot after the dive without paid admission. My husband did it for the third (fourth?) time in October and they have changed the protocol. They now escort you out of the park when you are done.
He also said that they didn't parade them around on stage like they used to.
He loves Dive Quest and looks forward to doing it each year

 

[jollycacklefarm]

we are doing this dive in march - i can't wait. our wives and kids will be eating at coral reef while we dive. how clear is the view out into the restaurant from inside the tank?

 

[disnut8]

we are doing this dive in march - i can't wait. our wives and kids will be eating at coral reef while we dive. how clear is the view out into the restaurant from inside the tank?

It's a good one - my father and stepmother did this several years ago (my father's 70th birthday present). However, you might want to change things just a bit. My husband and I (never will be certified at scuba) watched from the walkway in the aquarium and with the free dive time, we were able to walk around and see a lot of my dad and stepmother. That's also when the recording takes place and my dad was able to come up and "shake my hand" through the glass. The part going around the restaurant won't last all that long. My husband and I had just as much fun as my dad and stepmother. After the dive, we all went to dinner. I can say that four years later, my dad was still talking about the dive and saying it was in his top three of all times.

 

[jollycacklefarm]

i thought about that, but there are 10 of us altogether, so moving dinner around won't be that easy, with only 50 gays to go before we leave.

 

[loves to dive]

we are doing this dive in march - i can't wait. our wives and kids will be eating at coral reef while we dive. how clear is the view out into the restaurant from inside the tank?

Are you asking how well you can see into the tank from the restaurant or how clear you can see into the restaurant from the tank? I've never been inside the restaurant but have been on the other side, looking into the restaurant. Unless they have changed how you do it, you can go off on your own after the video taping (we even skip that part because we don't need to see ourselves on video). I tend to spend most of my time looking into the window of the restaurant and waving at the kids and blowing them kisses. I also go around where the people can see you in the big windows and wave and blow bubbles. Anything to keep my mind off how cold I am.

 

[jollycacklefarm]

i was wondering how clear you can see into the restaurant from the tank

 

[disnut8]

i was wondering how clear you can see into the restaurant from the tank

You can definitely see into the restaurant from the tank. My dad said it was cool to see the diners being suprised by the divers. He did say it caused a "commotion" so you will need to make sure your party is paying attention to others. Also, have them inform the staff that you will be diving so they can be seated for the best view.

 

[disnut8]

Also, as a warning to your family in the restuarant, they will want to be polite to the others as even though your family will want to be at the windows, others might not realize they know the divers. My husband and I had to tell people around us on the walkway inside The Living Seas that we knew the divers. Once we did that, they were more respectful but your family might have some, um, overzealous people trying to get a photo or a look. Making comments like "look, there's Daddy" or, "Hey, Bob, we'll be seeing you after your dive" worked OK but a simple "that's my dad and stepmother" was enough for most.

 

[heidijanesmith]

DH, DD and DS would dive at EPCOT every year, since DS was 12. It has been a couple of years since they dove, so I was not aware that you are now escorted out of EPCOT. They used to let you meet up in the Seas and buy the DVD in the gift shop. And they you were free to go into EPCOT and finish the night.

It's a great dive! It's also a nice behind the scenes tour at the Seas.