Dive Quest -- Epcot / Living Seas

[ScouterJT]

just a quick note -- I had the opportunity to experience DiveQuest today. It was a lot of fun. I am a certified NJ diver, with a handful of dives under my belt. This was actually my first salt water dive. I had a great time.

My scheduled time was 5:30 -- as instructed, I waited by Guest Relations outside of Epcot turnstiles starting around 5pm. Promptly at 5:15 two Divemasters showed up to check our c-cards and get us sized for wetsuit (a shortie), booties, and BCD. We then were taken on a backstage tour (oh, wait, we were first stopped by Security --- seems the divemasters forgot to have someone check our bags -- that taken care of, we proceeded.

Backstage was interesting -- although I got the impression it was a way to keep us busy while they did something -- maybe check our c-cards. After the backstage tour, it was time to watch a brief DVD about DiveQuest and sign a paper acknowledging that no how no way would we even think about touching the sea turtles (they are endangered, you know ...). Then get suited up (we were allowed to keep a wrist watch -- or a wrist dive computer on), a brief walk through the Living Seas and then backstage again to get into our BCDs and the water.

Equipment was good quality ScubaPro. Integrated weight was determined by size BCD -- XL gets total 24 pounds (10 in each front pocket; 2 in each back). Then a short surface swim to the down line and our dive began. We were in the water at about 6:30pm

First ten minutes is a guided tour -- over to the Dive Bell -- go in one at a time, take off mask and take out regulator, wave to the camera, gear back up and exit -- and then over by the Dining Room windows. Then we were on our own for the next 30 minutes -- 40 minute dive total, 25 foot depth.

If you are looking for the sea turtles -- one (at least) tends to sleep by the far right window to the dining room. Another was hanging out by the fence to the dolphin area.

Had fun waving to all the folks on the other side of the observation windows. Would do it again in a heartbeat. And yes, I bought the DVD afterwards. We were finished by about 7:45pm

 

[disnut8]

My dad and stepmother are master divers and rate this dive as their #1 favorite.

Don't forget that your fee is tax deductible since it all goes to research.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

What kind of certifications does Disney require to do this dive?

 

[disnut8]

You need to have a valid C card. They will check them.

 

[ScouterJT]

Don't forget that your fee is tax deductible since it all goes to research.

and you get a 20% discount if you pay with a Disney VISA card ...

 

[tic-toc-croc]

Thanks for posting. Glad to read about the details, very helpful.

Some of us will do Dive Quest on our upcoming trip. Would you suggest a good place for family spectators to watch our divers? How much is the DVD, and do you get it there or they mail it later?

 

[OKW Lover]

24 lbs of weight? With only a shortie?

That sounds like a lot to me, even for an XL in salt water. It must be difficult adjusting your BC to achieve a "hover", especially in such a shallow environment.

 

[disnut8]

Thanks for posting. Glad to read about the details, very helpful.

Some of us will do Dive Quest on our upcoming trip. Would you suggest a good place for family spectators to watch our divers? How much is the DVD, and do you get it there or they mail it later?

Don't worry about having the family taken care of. Go with the diver to Guest Relations for the check in. We did that with my dad and stepmother. When the divers go off for their instructions and checking of C cards, you will be talked to my a Cast Member who will give you all the information on when and where to be to see the divers enter the water. Basically, it's in the middle of the observation deck. Try and get there a bit early. Once the divers hit the water, everyone crowds around. We got there just as that happened and had to ask people to step aside since we knew people on the dive. That made us instant celebrities!

You can also participate in the DVD since your family member(s) will come up to the glass and great you. It's great. You'll get the DVD at the end of the dive. It's pretty neet as it has half of it as prerecorded dive stuff and the other half is specific to that particular dive, including the greet at the glass.

They will tell you to meet your diver(s) at the gift shop at a certain time. I'd advise you to have an alternate meeting place. We waited a boring half hour after our stated time since they ran over a bit. We had already seen all of the Living Seas we could. But we couldn't leave because we didn't have a second meeting spot.

I had just as much fun and my dad and stepmother in the water.

 

[ScouterJT]

24 lbs of weight? With only a shortie?

That sounds like a lot to me, even for an XL in salt water. It must be difficult adjusting your BC to achieve a "hover", especially in such a shallow environment.

To be honest, I did not feel overweighted -- but I am a relatively new diver. In fact, I felt "better" weighted than some of my other dives. A more experienced diver might well feel too much weight.

I suggest the non-diver bring a small flash light and shine it from the observation area -- the diver should be able to see it and get to the "right" window.

Also, family members can meet the diver at the bottom of the internal circular staircase -- basically the "middle" of the observation area -- and then go and watch the DVD.

The DVD is immediately available for a $35 donation to the Disney Wildlife Conservation fund