Snorkling at Typhoon Lagoon or Living Seas??

[mistydoodles]

I need everyone's help. My 9 year old daughter is interested in trying snorkling while we are at Disney World. I was considering signing her and my husband up for the snorkling program at Living Seas during our Dec trip for her 10th birthday.

Now I see that they also offering a snorkling program at Typhoon Lagoon for less money and children 5 and older can participate. So I was thinking of doing this one so the whole family could join in. (Myself, Grandma, and 6yr old sis).

Has anyone tried these and what do you think? Is one better than the other? Also my 9yr old daughter is a little concerned about the sharks so is there one that has less sharks or ones that aren't too big???

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[ChristusG]

We have been snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon. It's a pretty neat experience. The water is FREEZING though....even in the middle of the summer. No worries about the sharks - all of the fish know to stay towards the bottom. Besides, I *think* they took the sharks teeth out. Once you are done, if you want to go again, you just get back in line and go again. I have never done the Living Seas though.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

never mind

 

[anty30]

We did the shark snorkle last summer with DD8. She loved it. The water is FREEZING. It is quick and there is no extra fee for it.

 

[mistydoodles]

I wonder why the water is so cold???

Does anyone know how it is at Living seas? I believe you wear a wet suit for that one. I wonder if that would be better.

 

[Kahana-ri]

My first time ever snorkeling was at Typhoon Lagoon. I guess I learned how there. I remember at least ten times. It was great. I don't know anything about the living seas, but I am curious myself now.

 

[Big J]

I did the aqua tour at the living seas last summer. I am grown, so I can not give you the perspective of a nine year old. This was our 10th trip to WDW, and the aqua tour was the best thing that I have ever done there.
Your are given a rebreather, not a snorkel, so you feel like you are really scuba diving ( although you stay at the top of the water due to flotation jackets ).
There was an approx. 10 year old girl in my group and she had a great time. If the money is not a factor and you have a brave daughter who is into this type of thing, the aqua tour is a must do.
Also, you feel kinda of cool, as your are led throug the crowds at living seas in your wet suit you here the comments from the people about how neat and lucky you are to swim with all of the marine life. While in the tank, all the little kids point and wave. It is really fun.

Unless they have a new program that I am not aware of, TL has a tank that you can snorkel through. It is a lot of fun, but it is not even a comparable exerience.
If you want to snorkel for a few minute, but not make an event out of it, this is the way to go.

 

[mistydoodles]

Thank you so much for your reply.

This has really helped us make up our minds. I am pretty certain we will be doing the Aqua program at Living Seas.

Thank you so much for your input.

 

[JeffreyY]

We did the living seas scuba assist several years ago with myDS who was 8 and my friend's DD who was also 8. She jumped right in and loved it, my DS was scared (said he didn't know there would be fish) but after awile he got used to it.
The whole experence was great. My DH took pictures of us from outside the tank. It was fun watching people watch us.
I don't remember any sharks, but we were told to stay away from the dolphins which were in an ajoining tank (I don't know why)
We plan on doing this again in two weeks for my DD 10th birthday (she is much braver then my DS and loves fish).

 

[Karel]

There is an assisted breathing type experience at TL for around $20. It is more involved than the snorkeling pool that everyone can do.

It's not scuba diving but it's more than just snorkeling. My son did it when he was...um, 12?

I think he enjoyed it. It was a nice extra for him that didn't cost an arm and a leg.