Typhoon Lagoon shark reef pool & snorkels

[allicat]

I understand that Typhoon Lagoon provides you with the mask and snorkle to swim through the shark pool.
Are the snorkle mouthpieces sterilized and cleaned in some way?
Seems kind of gross to reuse a strangers snorkle!

 

[Horizons16]

Yes they are cleaned in a solution after use. As to whats in the solution im not really sure. Its the same stuff they use at a snorkel place in the Carribean.

 

[JulieWent]

I try not to think about it too much, but the solution smells / tastes pretty powerful, so I suppose it's okay. Heaven knows we've been in Shark Reef enough times without incident. (DS loves that attraction. I think it's probably one of the greatest all time theme park attractions I've been in.)

We like to snorkel and have our own masks and snorkels. I always wonder if they'd let us bring our own in. (Haven't ever asked anyone.)

Julie

 

[currycook]

Yes, not to worry.

But I like the comment about not thinking about it. I try to do the same.

Hehehe

 

[gigi1313]

where can i get more info on this "attraction?" is it extra over the price of admission?

 

[oogieboogie]

The shark reef is in Typhoon Lagoon on the right side of the area. It's covered with your TL admission and you get to swim above the coral reef with sharks and other fish swimming under you.

You get a mask and snorkle and you can only swim with your feet. No hand and arm movements.

Be forewarned: the water is a tad cold in there!

 

[eblondie]

Fins, masks and snorkels are all provided free...can be found in the wooden building beside the diving pool. You nee to obtain this equipment, shower and then report to a snorkeling instructor. You get a brief lesson and then you get to swim over to the other side of the pool (depends on the crowds and your instructor as to how long you get to swim!). Early morning the pool is fun, however when the crowds build it all becomes time consuming. You get to see tropical fish, rays and a few very small hammerhead and leopard sharks. Hope you enjoy!

 

[gigi1313]

is there an age restriction? my ds (7yo) would LOVE IT! also, can you "touch" the sharks, etc? how deep is the water? do you need to be a strong swimmer? (why is none of this on the wdw website?)

 

[HopperFan]

I do NOT believe you get fins. We got snorkeling VESTS, MASK and SNORKEL. All cleaned and included in the price of admission. I believe minimum age is 10 although my daughter did it at age 9, so it depends on how old they look.

Absolutely go first thing. It is beautiful and takes wonderful underwater photos. We usually go back through several times and then done for the day. As the tank gets crowded it is less enjoyable people wise and the sediment is stirred up making it "not as pretty". The fish stay at the bottom and you are to stay at the top. NO touching. Some fish and sting rays will swim up near you, but not the sharks. They enjoy the bottom.

When you get your quick lesson, make sure you test the snorkel/mask before you take off. They do get used alot, and we have gotten a snorkel for my son that leaked. Lots of choking was happening.

The young and those not quite up for it can go down in the "sunken tanker" and view it all through portholes.

The water is cold and we always see people who panic between the cold, the snorkel sensation, lack of swim skills and the fish. The water is deep, I'd guess well over 8ft deep. There is a giant rock in the middle they will allow you to squat on (not stand) to take a brief rest.

Keep the peace, float slowly and enjoy the ride

 

[gigi1313]

given that ds is only seven, we'll probably go to blizzard beach as we had planned... the kids and dh prefer bb, but i was going to use this as a lure to go to tl for a change... oh, well... maybe in a few years!

 

[msr709]

I remember paying a nominal fee of something like $5 to do this in 2002. Has it changed now? Its free??? Not that the $5 would stop me but if its free I can convince some of the others in our group to try it. I loved it! The cool water was wonderful in the 90+ heat and humidity of August! I also tried it in the morning and got some real good pictures. There was a whole thread about the cleaning of the snorkels and masks and if I remember correctly a cast member posted that he worked there and they do clean the equipment religiously. Have fun!

 

[dwfanatic]

In 2002, my then 6 year old DS did shark reef with DH 3x in a row. I believe that the age limit of 10 may be to be able to go withount an adult- we had no problem with 6 yo DS going- he even looks young for his age.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by msr709
I remember paying a nominal fee of something like $5 to do this in 2002. Has it changed now? Its free???

DH and DDs have been doing this every time that we have gone to TL - ever since 1996. There has never been a charge.

I am trying to think what it was that you had to pay for...

 

[Vavasmon]

Children can go as long as a parent is with them They have life vests if you are not a strong enough swimmer. There was a 4 year old at the pool in April.

My DD (now 8) loves this. Early in the am you can see quite a few fish. You can not touch the fish.

The snorkles etc are free.

 

[JulieWent]

The age limit is definitely for children coming in without a parent. Accompanied children of any age may swim in Shark Reef as long as they can manage the swim. (DS has been in it since he was 7. I asked specifically because I had read the 10 age limit in Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide, I think.)

This past May, the sharks were friendlier (if that's a possibility for sharks???) than normal. I have a picture of one about three feet from my son while we were swimming through.

Another tip, DS pointed out that while you do have to swim from one end to the other, there is no rule against swimming in a Z so that you cover the whole tank. We spent A LOT of time in that tank!!!

Julie

 

[dizagain]

Yep...JulieWent is right as were several other posters. As long as you are with your child they may swim in the reef. I thought the same thing last year because several sites/books quote the age as being 10. DD,7 at the time, didn't particularly like it and was nervous - she chose to wear an actual life vest instead of the wetsuit. She swam through fast and was done. DD,9, and I had a ball and went through several times. I couldn't use the snorkel, though - I thought I would pass out and felt closed in. I just used the mask!

If you go, follow previous advice and go first thing when the park opens! As for the cleaning of the equipment...not something I choose to really think too hard about. Just have fun!!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

My DD's 6 and 4 refused to get in the water at all. They were terrified.

However, they loved going underneath the attraction and looking at all of the fish. We spent some time there watching the fish and swimmers.

 

[bethbuchall]

Actually, you don't get fins and are not allowed to kick. You need to just swim with your arms. They will tell you everything you need to know and are helpful if you have other questions.

The only problem we found with young kids going is that they have only one size mask/snorkel. My 5 year old was going to go, but the mask was too big for his face, so he decided not to try it.

There was no additional charge for this when we were there in May. Also, there were no lines when we were there, so you could get out and go right back around to get in again.

It was a neat experience that we hadn't planned on, but I'm glad that we went.

 

[eblondie]

Sorry to give the wrong info about fins...when I went before we were given the choice!

 

[SCohen]

We were there in Oct 2001. It was so much fun, actually it was one of the highlights of our trip! We read a small blurb about it before going to the park and thought "We have Park Hopper Plus passes, why not!?!" I am glad we tried it. Words of caution though:
Check your children's snorkles. We had gone through about three times and each time my daughter (age 9 at the time) kept choking. At first I thought that she was so excited that she was swallowing water. I finally had a "DUH!" moment and decided to check her gear, sure enough the mouth piece was somewhat chewed off. Because of her mouth being so small she couldn't keep the piece in her mouth, swim AND keep water out all at the same time. I felt horrible! I traded snorkles with her and we swam it a few more times, this time she had a blast!