Supplied Air Snorkeling (SAS) at Typhoon Lagoon

[pixarmom]

I ran a search here, googled and called Disney, but I'm still looking for additional information regarding SAS at Typhoon Lagoon. We'll be there for an EMH morning in August and our pre-teens are very interested in this. So I have a few questions:

1) Can you book this in advance, or should we just sign up at the park? Most sites say we should visit the dive shop, but one site (a disney blog) suggested calling 407-939-SURF. I did, but the CM there was not familiar with SAS.

2) Can we sign up for a specific time, or do we just head over to Shark Reef when the boys are ready for it?

3) If we sign up for a specific time, is there a particularly good time to schedule? I want to give them plenty of time to cover the water slides before lines build, so maybe right after an early lunch?

4) If we don't sign up for a specific time, but just stop by when they are ready, is there a particularly good time to stop by?

We're new to TL - haven't been to a waterpark since River Country closed, so I'd appreciate any information and advice. Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For the SAS they do not take reservations. It is first-come, first-served.

The cost is $20 and you get about 1/2 hour of air in the tank. All forms of payment are accepted.

And the 407-WDW-SURF is only for the three hour pre-opening surf lessons or the after-hours surf parties.

 

[pixarmom]

Cheshire Figment, thanks so much for your response. Do you (or anyone else) recommend a certain time of day to head over to Shark Reef? Thanks again!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I only work at the Park Entrance, usually Guest Services or Tickets; sometimes turnstiles. I really do not go deep into the Park. I have wandered through the Park occasionally, but really just to get a feel for the layout.

 

[WicketsMom]

Is there a minimum age for the SAS? My four-year old would love to do this with us, and is a very good snorkeler. How deep is the lagoon? I would love to bring my underwater camera if it is allowed.

 

[DISfan0829]

You are allowed to bring in your camera. I would say the tank is 15-20 feet deep. The jacket you have to wear that holds the tank is actually also a life preserver so you really cant even go under the water. You swim on the surface and look down into the tank as you swim around. Breath slowly and naturally so as to make the tank last as long as possible. There is an air gauge attached so you will know when to swim back to the stairs.

 

[WicketsMom]

Thanks. I was thinking more of the snuba sytems where you can go underwater with it. My son would like it though since it would make him feel like he had on a scuba tank like he sees Mommy & Daddy use.

 

[DISfan0829]

The other thing I should mention is that the air in the tanks is very dry. When you first start to breathe it there is a noticeable difference between outside air and the air in the tank but you get used to it after a few minutes.

 

[Katie & Glen]

DH & I did this in May when we went. We were at the park for opening, did all the slides and the wave pool then headed over to the SAS around noon. We were the only ones there. It was neat, but goes by really fast. Keep in mind, the tank is pretty small. From what I was reading about it before we went, it seemed like it was huge, but it really isn't.

(Additional Note by Glen - DH)...

I, too, was thinking it was going to be similar to snuba, where I could go down and hang out on the bottom and that it would be a good intermediate step for DW between snorkle and scuba.. I am an avid and fairly advanced diver... covered the tank in a very short time, even with no fins and started to get bored after second pass.

Tank is about 1/2 the width of an olympic pool (maybe) and as long. there are some vertical structures to give the fish areas to swim around, but nothing close to a true reef.

WicketsMom - no way is a 4 yr old ready for this. Even if they are able to swim in water over their head unassisted and without any sort of buoyancy device, I do not believe Disney will permit them to participate - I am pretty sure they have a minimum age.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I read somewhere that the minimum age to participate is 5.