Typhoon Lagoon/shark swim

[fan4life]

Hi
Has anyone swam with the sharks at Typhoon Lagoon?
Was it fun?
How long of a wait?
We are going in mid July.

 

[tikkipoo]

Good question! I was wondering too. Is it worth the trouble?

 

[texas munchkin]

Of course, the wait depends on how many people are there when you are. There is about a 10 minute "lesson". They just give you the rules.

1) One way swim
2) No diving under the surface
3) Don't kick your feet

The water is very cold though. We did it in June one year and almost froze. Whether you feel it is worth it is up to you. I will say I am the only person I know that can say they have swam with sharks, so the "bragging rights" alone may make it worth it... lol.

 

[Ilovestitch]

We did it about 10 times in a row in May. It was HOT out so the water felt refreshing. There was no wait at all. The do give you a little tutorial on snorking when you go across- its just for first timers, though. The second or third time you go across, just jump right in- you don't have to listen to the speech again. And make sure you bring an underwater camera! -Stephanie

 

[ktink]

hmmm.. No Thanks. I mean I know they aren't aggresive sharks by any means but I'm, how do I need to put this, SHARKBAIT. Chum speaking here and I don't care to swim with Jaws' illegitimate love child or second cousin.

 

[ajcolorado]

It was a neat experience for us. I'd never snorkeled before and it gave me a pain-free quick experience. Now I'm hooked. We snorkeled in Hawaii last summer and we're going to the Caribbean this summer. My daughter - then 6 - LOVED it!!! It made for one of the most dreadful conversations with my mom - her grandma - though...

Daughter: "Grandma!!! Grandma!!! Guess What!?!? I swam with sharks today."

Silence....

Daughter: "Mom, grandma wants to talk to you."

It took awhile to convince my mother that feeding tourists to sharks is not profitable to Disney corporation so there is no way they would offer this if it wasn't safe." My mother is a firm believer in the adage: there are no bad grandchildren, only bad children.

 

[ktink]

ajcolorado I have to side with Grams on this one.

 

[Godwyn]

I did this and loved it. I want to do it again when I go back in May. When I went is was in oct. so there were no lines at all. I went across it about 5 times. And I agree with what Ilovestitch said, take an underwater camera. I got some great pics, and when people don't beleive you swam with sharks, you got the proof.

 

[bugsy]

I'm hoping to! I've snorkeled before (note to AJColorado--make sure you are not going to be snorkeling during jellyfish baby season in the Carribean) is it surcharge above your normal passes?? do you have to reserve?

 

[kandeebunny]

Did it, would never do it again! The water is the same temp as the ocean here (I live in NH) and I am NOT a strong swimmer at all, and was awful at breathing through the mask, got scared and clung to my step bro for dear life! lol

 

[Ilovestitch]

is it surcharge above your normal passes?? do you have to reserve?

No, its free and you just walk right up and do it.

I've heard that you can pay extra, like $20 and stay in longer, but I can't find any information on that. -Steph

 

[pepe of ohio]

Many years ago, when the shark pool was added, there was a, I believe, $35.00 fee, but I guess no one was using the facility so they opted for free of charge. Have done this a few years ago. Yes its fun, yes its scary, yes its very cold and you must be able to swim even though the bouyancy vest they give you keeps you on the surface. There was a submarine along side of the pool with port holes for non participants to see the fish and sharksand people. We did it twice and ahven't been back. For us, once was enough but its a must do!

 

[Ocean Springs Mom]

We do this several times every time we go to TL. It was a great first step for our kids. We have since taken them snorkeling in Belize and the Keys. It's cold, though. Really cold. The sharks don't even pay attention to you.

 

[EEyorelover22]

DD and DS love this. The first time DD went she had just turned 9. It took her a bit to get in, but after the first time, I couldn't get her out!! This is probably on of her favorite things to do at WDW. You can also go into the sub that's there and see the sharks, etc without getting in the water.

 

[fan4life]

Thanks for all the info. My 10 year old ds will love it.
I will be sure to bring the underwater camera.

 

[sk!mom]

My family loves this. DD8 and my five year old nephew both did it on our last trip. We get to TL when it opens and make a circle hitting all of the slides and finish up at the reef. We did it several times in a row with virtually no wait. This was first week of June.

 

[Sherrypooh]

I did this in July of last year with my SO. He just loved it, I thought it was okay, I get a little creaped out hearing my breathing through the snorkle. I did take my handy dandy little sony cybershot underwater with me and got some awsome shots of the fishes and whatnot in the tank. Worth it in my opinion, but like others say, the water is very very cold.

 

[gigi1313]

we are soooo looking forward to this! our local aquarium offers a similar experience but at $50/person, i just cannot justify it (esp when we can do it for "free" in wdw! LOL!)

so, tell me... they give you snorkel equipment and teach you how to use it... they toss you in and you swim across? that's it?

also, you get a buoyancy vest? are these available for "pooh" sized people? anyone know? i would hate to get there, assure my kids that dad and i will do it w/them and then not be able to! also, is there a minimum age?

 

[Sherrypooh]

As a pooh-sized gal, they only gave me a snorkel and a mask and set me on my way. I made it accross with no issues. Hope this helps..

 

[carolfoy]

My Ds loved this last year, the first day we went to do it he panicked getting into the water as it was cold and he didn't like the snorkel. He was very upset not to join in so I bought a cheap snorkel and mask for about $8 at a gift shop and put him in the hotel swimming pool. After a couple of hours practice he was up and ready so next day we headed back to TL and he swam with the sharks, This is still a highlight of the holiday and he was so chuffed to be able to talk to his class about it. I agree that an underwater camera would be a great thing to carry, didn't think about it at all last year but will go prepared in Nov.