Epcot Divequest: yes or no?

[Lancer]

I have also done Dive Quest several times and enjoyed each time. Coming from the mid west its a great way to visit the world and, get wet during the winter. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too! I would also think that it would be a great dive for newly certified divers. You have controlled conditions, no current, warm temps, almost 200 feet visibility,etc and the sea life is used to divers.

 

[FanOfFigment]

My dh and I did this last year, and loved it. It's so worth it and a blast to see the kids' faces when they see divers waving to them from inside the aquarium!

 

[PatriciaH]

Are Dive Quest and Aqua Seas running again? They were cancelled for several months towards the end of last year. They were having problems with the filtration system and took out the sharks and Rays to holding tanks. Are they back in there?

 

[FanOfFigment]

The owners of our local dive shop were able to do DiveQuest in April (I think). I know they've done it since the previous closing because they were glad to be able to finally do it after being canceled during the closing. So, it should be going again.

 

[dburg30]

I hope so, We have ressies for October lol

 

[Tink135]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded! It looks like I am going to have to save up for dive quest this winter! Now I just need to figure out when to start my scuba classes

 

[dburg30]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded! It looks like I am going to have to save up for dive quest this winter! Now I just need to figure out when to start my scuba classes

tomorrow...

 

[photo_chick]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded! It looks like I am going to have to save up for dive quest this winter! Now I just need to figure out when to start my scuba classes

As soon as possible so you can do your checkout dive before it gets cold in the fall. And have fun!

 

[Ron Nelson]

Hello everyone, i am looking at doing divequest in March 2013 on our vacation, will disney allow you to use your own equipment? i would need weights and bottle of air but own everything else, or do you need to use Disney equipment?

 

[HadesTX]

Well I can't do DiveQuest because I doubt that I'll have the time to get certified before my upcoming trip (exactly 3 months from yesterday!), but was hoping to be able to do the The Seas Aqua Tour while I'm there. Does anybody have any experiences with that? I've been trying to come up with some unique and interesting things to do on this upcoming trip, and I figured a snorkeling excursion in the Seas pavilion sounded perfect. But at $140 per person, I just want to make sure the whole thing is worth it.

Aqua Seas was a blast! I did it back in 2010 & would do it again. The huge rays & turtles came right up close and seeing the sharks swimming below was a huge thrill. I'd love to do the dive tour next time, we'll see.

The water was so cold to me I had a hard time breathing at first. Then after I finally went underwater and saw my first shark I grinned so big I got a mouth full of water.

Worth the money!

 

[ChloroFiend]

DW and I did it as our 3rd logged dive after obtaining our PADI OW certs. Absolutely loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat. It's truly a "bath tub dive". No current, unlimited vis, warm water, guest interaction, and all sorts of critters. Totally phenomenal....I'm not sure if I enjoyed DiveQuest or the Georgia Aquarium dive better. The Disney experience vs. diving with whale sharks and manta rays. Toss up.

Our dive video is up on Youtube here.

Are Dive Quest and Aqua Seas running again? They were cancelled for several months towards the end of last year. They were having problems with the filtration system and took out the sharks and Rays to holding tanks. Are they back in there?

We did it in March; I believe it reopened in February.

Hello everyone, i am looking at doing divequest in March 2013 on our vacation, will disney allow you to use your own equipment? i would need weights and bottle of air but own everything else, or do you need to use Disney equipment?

Aside from personal masks and wrist-mounted computers, no you cannot. It's a decontamination/sanitation thing to prevent any transfer of foreign organisms from other dive environments to the tank. Georgia Aquarium is the same way when you dive there.

 

[heidijanesmith]

My DH, DD and DS have dove x2, most recently Aug 2012. It is the highlight of their trip, worth every penny!

There is a coupon in the official Disney guidebook. I think we got 10% off.

We had amazing instructors and the family loved it. The first time DS dove after being certified was at Dive Quest, it is a perfect dive for beginners. As others posters have mentioned there is no current, plenty of fish, sharks and a turtle.

 

[dburg30]

Hello everyone, i am looking at doing divequest in March 2013 on our vacation, will disney allow you to use your own equipment? i would need weights and bottle of air but own everything else, or do you need to use Disney equipment?

As a PP stated, noted, except for your own mask. I didnt think you were allowed even a computer, so I'm not sure on that one. And there really isnt a reason to have a computer. Just so you know you will have an air gauge and that is it for equipment, you wont have an octo / secondary, they have a numbe of safety divers in the tank with you with spare airs. And I think depth is like 22-25' max, so you could safely ascend doing the CESA if needed, but if you have any air control at all the dive will be over before you are out of air.

And as the PP stated, it's due to not wanting any foreign stuff brought into their tanks.

 

[Ron Nelson]

thank you very much and makes sense

 

[Ron Nelson]

As a PP stated, noted, except for your own mask. I didnt think you were allowed even a computer, so I'm not sure on that one. And there really isnt a reason to have a computer. Just so you know you will have an air gauge and that is it for equipment, you wont have an octo / secondary, they have a numbe of safety divers in the tank with you with spare airs. And I think depth is like 22-25' max, so you could safely ascend doing the CESA if needed, but if you have any air control at all the dive will be over before you are out of air.

And as the PP stated, it's due to not wanting any foreign stuff brought into their tanks.

will they allow you to take an underwater camera down with you?

 

[dburg30]

Nope, but they do take a video while you are in there. It's like $35. If you have family, there is a certain spot they can stand outside the tank, you swim up to it and they video you in the tank with them behind.. It's pretty nice.. It would be nice to be able to take a camera.. Pretty sure they will play the 'it's behind the scenes' for a lot of it.

 

[dburg30]

And one positive (cant remember if been mentioned or not) all the proceeds from the dive goes to their conservation fund.

 

[QueenElinor]

There is a AAA discount. I'm just not sure how much it is.

Whoa- really?
I just booked it for three people- am calling today to get this discount!
Thanks!

I've been on this dive and it was, as everyone said here, truly outstanding. I'm not going again, though, because of the pre and post dive talks. I'm too impatient- the whole experience is over three hours long. I'd just want to get in the tank and dive!!

Thanks again everyone for the AAA tip!

 

[dburg30]

Whoa- really?
I just booked it for three people- am calling today to get this discount!
Thanks!

I've been on this dive and it was, as everyone said here, truly outstanding. I'm not going again, though, because of the pre and post dive talks. I'm too impatient- the whole experience is three hours long. I'd just want to get in the tank and dive!!

Thanks again everyone for the AAA tip!

I honestly didnt think they 'wasted' that much time pre-dive.. Yea, some about the whole system they have. Maybe I'll think differently since I've done it once. Afterwards it kinda drug out, but was nice to sit back, relax, watch the video, have some water just 'decompress' so to speak .

Also, make sure to plan properly, even though it is only 20-25' deep, it is still a dive, and still has nitrogen loading happening, so it's best to make sure you arent flying the next day / within the next 24 hours after your dive. Almost made that mistake the one time I've done it before. PROBABLY wouldnt have been an issue, but why chance it, right?

 

[Ron Nelson]

i am looking at going the 3rd week in March, when will Disney allow me to book? thanks everyone for the great info