Snorkel at Epcot question

[nugov2]

If my kids snorkel at Epcot with DH can I eat at the restaurant with my youngest and see them? Has anyone done this before? I can't find any info. about it. TIA

 

[beachbumbob]

If my kids snorkel at Epcot with DH can I eat at the restaurant with my youngest and see them? Has anyone done this before? I can't find any info. about it. TIA

You would have to coordinate your meal-time with the time that your family members would be in the tank. The actual snorkeling is only about 30 minutes of a 2.5 hour Aqua Tour, so you would have to figure out exactly when to make an ADR at Coral reef. The other thing you would need to confirm is whether they would be swimming in the part of the tank that is visible form the restaurant area.

More info at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-seas-aqua-tour/

 

[nugov2]

You would have to coordinate your meal-time with the time that your family members would be in the tank. The actual snorkeling is only about 30 minutes of a 2.5 hour Aqua Tour, so you would have to figure out exactly when to make an ADR at Coral reef. The other thing you would need to confirm is whether they would be swimming in the part of the tank that is visible form the restaurant area.

More info at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-seas-aqua-tour/

Thanks! I did read on the website about, but was just seeing if anyone had any personal luck with it. I just thought it would be fun to see them/get pics of it. Do they take pictures of them when they are snorkeling?

 

[georgina]

My DH did the scuba diving last summer and we were told where to go in the aquarium viewing area to see them. Disney did have a photographer in the water also. Not the same as snorkeling, but just thought I would post our experience!

 

[PinballFamily]

I've done the Seas Aqua tour about six times - love it! I believe it would be really tough, if not impossible to get good pix from the Coral Reef. While snorkeling during the 30 minutes you're in the tank, you can kinda just see some people in the restaurant windows from one area sort of far away and the angle is bad - and getting an ADR at the exact time would be tricky. BUT - my family has often gotten great photos of me in the tank from the Seas exhibit area. I usually give them a quick call just before leaving the dressing room saying we're within a couple of minutes of going in the tank (typically around 1:45) and they get in position at a large window - usually near the large coral display on the floor of the tank. I love waving to them and they get terrific pictures! Another good spot to stand is in "the tunnel" at the windows - don't know how else to describe it - will make more sense when you're there.

The Dive Master CMs do take a snapshot of each family/group of snorkelers in the tank right before the half-hour of time starts (while you're on the metal platform in only waist-deep water - if that makes sense) and give you the photo printed out at the end.

The folks doing the scuba dive tend to be much closer to the Coral Reef windows (and those participants are at the bottom of the tank, not on the surface), so photos of them would probably work out much better than for the snorkelers.

Hope this helps!

 

[nugov2]

Thank you for the responses! Wish I wasn't such a chicken and could experience it with them and have my mom watch my little guy, but I can't get the Jaws music out of my head any time I get in the water

I am excited for them to have the experience though and with the tips hopefully will get a glimpse of them.

 

[PinballFamily]

On our tours, DD on one, and then DS on another - were totally petrified! But, the CMs are kind and wonderful at easing any concerns snorkelers might have. And by the end, each kid was sad the half-hour was over! (The CMs say they see that all the time!)

Since you're on the surface, you actually don't get near the fish (they usually keep away especially because they know you don't have any food), the sharks (they're a gentle type and stay far away on the bottom of the tank) or the turtles - you'll get warned about not getting close to them - not because they're vicious, but because they're a protected species and are NOT to be touched. If you have the chance to join in on the tour...maybe consider it. It is a wonderful experience! Good luck and have fun whatever you decide -

 

[nugov2]

On our tours, DD on one, and then DS on another - were totally petrified! But, the CMs are kind and wonderful at easing any concerns snorkelers might have. And by the end, each kid was sad the half-hour was over! (The CMs say they see that all the time!)

Since you're on the surface, you actually don't get near the fish (they usually keep away especially because they know you don't have any food), the sharks (they're a gentle type and stay far away on the bottom of the tank) or the turtles - you'll get warned about not getting close to them - not because they're vicious, but because they're a protected species and are NOT to be touched. If you have the chance to join in on the tour...maybe consider it. It is a wonderful experience! Good luck and have fun whatever you decide -

Ok, so they don't feed the fish and bring them to the surface. When we snorkeled in Hawaii they did this and I was out of the water so fast. The fish swarmed the surface and I freaked. Now the guide did tell me he wouldn't have done that so close to me had he known my fear, but by then there was no way I was getting back in the water. I still enjoyed the view from the boat as the water is crystal clear, but DH was sad I wouldn't get in the water since it was a half day tour. I didn't want my children to witness a freak out and project my fears on them when they love the water and fish. Maybe I would be ok for this type of tour. I will have to give it more though. Thank you for the extra input.

 

[PinballFamily]

Ok, so they don't feed the fish and bring them to the surface. When we snorkeled in Hawaii they did this and I was out of the water so fast. The fish swarmed the surface and I freaked.

Wow - I agree - I think that would be terrifying! Absolutely nothing like that on this tour. (Sorry if that disappoints anyone looking for that type of experience!)

 

[nugov2]

Wow - I agree - I think that would be terrifying! Absolutely nothing like that on this tour. (Sorry if that disappoints anyone looking for that type of experience!)

The funny thing is, everyone else loved that the fish were all over. There were kids floating around with noodles and they weren't even a little nervous...just me. The only wimp. The guide said I was more likely to be injured by a coconut hitting me on the head than being attacked by a shark, but I wasn't taking any chances