Swimming With Sharks???

[YesI'mObsessed]

I took my DS in when he was 6 and not a strong swimmer. I had him wear googles instead of the snorkle. That seemed to work for us, he loved the experience. Now ten years later he enjoys it by himself. There is a lifeguard in the water about half way through to help you if you get in trouble.

I asked if we could just use googles or just the mask. They firmly said no. We HAD to use the snorkel and mask or we couldn't go. Kind of a bummer, I know my youngest could have made it without the snorkel! Guess it just depends on the lifeguard.

 

[mickeyfanz]

If you really want a good shark adventure and you are certified in scuba, try the Sharks Deep Dive program at Sea World. They take you in the shark cage which runs on a track through the shark pavilion where there are some really big sharks. My husband did this last year and loved it. We were able to see him in the cage from their restaurant at the shark pavilion. You need to book this in advance and their is info on Sea World's web site.

 

[Tiffer]

WE went myself, DS 9 & DD 7, both really good swimmers. The water was so cold my DD cried and we left the pool on the steps, my DS did continue on and had a really tough time not using his legs and stayed at the rest point in the middle for quite some time. I think he got the hang of it toward the end, and he is a huge shark fan.

So far he, nor anyone else in my party has opted to try again.

 

[strmtroopr96]

For the younger swimmers, there is also a small raft that they can use across the water. It was available in May and September 2005 so you may have to ask if you don't see it. My DD was able to lay on it and look through its plastic window down into the water as I swam across pulling it by a rope. She had tried the snorkeling in September 2004 (she was a few weeks shy of her 5th birthday) but couldn't get the hang of it, so this was a great option for her when she was there a year later. HTH Rebecca

 

[disneyfreak7]

We loved this!!! We went in Aug and myself and DS13, DD11 and DS10 did it with me, DH chickened out!. It was awesome. My DD and i did it 3 times, while DS only once. It is included in the admission. By the third time we figured out just to let ourselves float very slowly to the end instead of swimming with only our arms, it lasted longer. My DD is still talking about swimming with the sharks!

 

[CA Disney Fans]

My DH and DS loved doing this our last trip. DH did it a couple times, while DS at least five times. They can't wait to do it with my DS's friend in September. I haven't done it yet but will most likely this trip. I was too chicken after DH and DS said the water was cold.

 

[kinsellas]

What are the age/height requirements?

 

[dwtootles]

What are the age/height requirements?

There are no age/height requirements. Life jackets are provided so as long as the parents are comfortable anyone can go!!

 

[idofabric]

I love this part of TL! We have done it every trip to WDW we get to go to the water park.. I always take a looooooooooong time to get across the Shark pool. I ask for the life vest, which come in all sizes ( even my +Pooh size...), and then I use it to float across using the smallest of hand motions to move... as long as you are moving, no matter how slowly, you can take as long as you want. I have taken as long as 10 + min to go across this small pool ! Love it lots. The first time we had non swimming kids, and used the "glass" bottom life raft. The life boat is really a blow up raft with a thick plastic bottom.
I also think that there is a tunnel/walk way that goes under this pool that has windows you can see into the shark pool. I have seen it in the past, but don't remember if it was there last Oct. or not.
And while the water was cold, last May-June it was a very welcome releif to the hot weather!

 

[Tiffer]

After my post, I spoke to my DD 9, about the experience and it was Dec 03. I asked her if she couldn't do it b/c of the cold water and she said she didn't like the cold water, but that's not whay she couldn't do it. she reminded me that she couldn't master the snorkle. That every time she tried to put it in her mouth it gagged her, b/c it was adult size (one size for all).

 

[Evil Queen]

DS10 and I got our feet in the water and he backed out, stated water too cold (kinda funny we have an unheated pool and he can handle that when it's cold-so might have been a combination of things). I will agree that water was quite cold. DS23 and his friend did it though. They took their time and had their not been a long line would had done it again.

My DS10 while we were getting ready for our turn (before backing out) had a hard time with the snorkel too, but then uses one in our pool sometimes.

I never knew about the raft they could look through, is there a size or weight limit for that? DS10, even though only 10 is a good size boy, 5'5" and 130 lbs. Might be worth looking into at least, so he could enjoy it maybe.

 

[phisigprincess]

I have a dehabilitating fear of sharks, but wanted to try it anyway. I TOTALLY loved it. Though my mom was very scared of the steep drop off of the platform so she backed out. I would say definately try it.