dive quest

[kelljacques@aol.com]

good morning everyone,

MY Dh wants to learn to scuba dive and try the dive quest at epcot. Has anyone here every done this? What did you think about it?? What time did you go?

 

[meandtheguys2]

My niece went about a month ago. It was her graduation present, and she raved about it. I think she went at about 5:30 and called here at abou 8:30. She bought the video, but we haven't had the opporunity to see it yet.

 

[stingfancb]

My son has done it several times and just loves it (obviously). Already talking about wanting it for his birthday gift again in December. He dives all the time (we live in South Florida) and swears that it is always one of the best dives he has ever done. I love it because I actually get to also enjoy watching him!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

My dh has done it twice, he loves it as well. His favorite part is being "on stage" and fooling around with all the guests watching. You do have to be SCUBA certified before you can do it, so your dh would have to take classes where you live before your trip.

 

[disnut8]

You have to have a C card to do it. When my dad and stepmother did it (a 70th birthday present from me), they had to report at 4:30 for the 5:00 dive. We got them back at 7:00. There was also a 6:00 dive.

My dad is a very experienced scuba diver. So is my stepmother. They lived in the Keys and had a dive shop and took people out, taught classes, the whole thing. What did they say about this dive?

Their absolute favorite. They still talk about it even after five years. This really turned them into Disney fans as they said "leave it to Disney to do things right".

Don't forget that the fee is tax deductible since proceeds go to research.

 

[meandtheguys2]

And there is a 15% off coupon in the Official Guide! (Birnbaum)

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

You also get a discount (10 or 15% ?) with an AP or AAA card.

 

[Aggie Princess]

This is a great experience for both the beginner and the advanced diver. There are not many opportunities in open water that you can see the diversity of species that you come face to face during Dive Quest.

As was posted earlier, you report to Guest Relations about an hour before your dive. The diver(s) are asked sizes and show C cards and the family members are given instructions on where to be and when so they can watch. The diver gets to go behind the scene and is given the briefing. They are then ready to change into the gear that has been laid out for them. They walk through the Living Seas (remember to smile) and then get a great 45 minute dive. After completed, you have to opportunity to clean up (shower) and in our case, they family came back to the briefing room for post dive refreshments.

As expected with Disney, this is a first class tour.

 

[jonestavern]

As a belated birthday present, DS16, did Dive Quest this past March & loved it! His divemaster recommended it to us. Dave (the divemaster) arranges & leads diving excursions all over the Carribbean & US, & he still is a big Dive Quest fan, having done it 3 times.
When DS16 dived, there were at least 2 dive masters diving as participants. Unfortunately, the sharks & rays had been removed from the tank--a happy thing for me, but a wicked bummer for the divers! This was due to the remainder of the fish being medically treated. So be aware, this can happen. Don't be like us & say nothing, ask for some sort of comp.
From the person in charge, get a definate pick up place & time. We didn't & from 4 CMs got 4 different answers. (DS didn't have a cell phone on him). A lot of stress caused here when DH & I got stuck on SE ( "Oombaday! Oom-ba-day!" ) & were 20 minutes late meeting Patrick--& the park was closing.
Patrick used his PADI card to prove he was qualified.
the dive will be available in DVD & VHS format.
Also, we weren't told there would be 'photo ops' for the party members viewing the dive & as DS had the 1st turn we didn't catch on 'til late in the chance. So be aware when yr diver is sidling up to the glass a lot, smile & say 'cheese'~
We will be giving Patrick DiveQuest as a Christmas present this December's trip. I guess I'll have to buck up & try to 'forget' sharks are in the tank!
They do feed the sharks before the dive--I'm just praying one of them didn't leave room for dessert!

Jean

 

[ajcolorado]

My husband and son did Dive Quest in June and loved it. They've dived in Hawaii, the Bahamas, and St. Thomas but they still thought DQ was a great experience. Playing with the tourists and making little kids get all excited was their favorite part.

They were very impressed with the quality of the equipment and with the dive master. It was great all the way around.

 

[disgal1]

My son did it when we were there over the 4th. He absolutely loved it!! and we loved watching him.
Only thing is ...make sure you block out enough time.
They told us to be at guest relations outside epcot at 530. We walked out of living seas at 800. the dive is 45 min or so, but the orientation, and the after dive time is quite long. We missed our dinner...but that was because we didn't clarify what time he would truly be finished.

We bought the dvd of course, and really enjoy it, although it is short.

If you take pix outside the tank looking towards the glass, take it at an angle so the flash doesn't bounce back. if you have to use a flash. My pix turned out so much better than I thought, I only took 3, because people told me that wouldn't come out because of the flash. They were terrific!!

Also, try to stay in 1 spot, the underwater photographer filming the dvd tries to include your diver next to the glass with you! We kept missing him, but others stayed in 1 place and are in the dvd.

It really is a great experience for everyone!!

 

[AbbysFamily]

Two other tips/thoughts -
1) When are you going? You won't be able to watch between late-sept to late-nov as Living seas is going for refurbishment.
2) Have you looked into Aqua Tours - If your DH isn't certified, but wants to do this for your trip - Its a good alternative - He won't be able to 'dive' but this is a swim in the same tank (I hear with the same equipment, just no weights so its more like snorkeling).

I'm booked for the aqua tour in Oct and can't wait!!

 

[BluOrchid2]

1) When are you going? You won't be able to watch between late-sept to late-nov as Living seas is going for refurbishment.

You can watch from the Coral Reef Restaurant, if you want to eat there.