Typhoon Lagoon Sharks!

[Mickeylover6]

I was wondering if snorkeling with the sharks cost extra at Typhoon Lagoon. My family loves to snorkel and I want to be sure to reserve this if I need to. Thanks!

 

[Danauk]

No you don't need to pay extra or reserve this, just turn up when you want to. Make sure you have an underwater camera, I got some great shots of the sharks and fishes when I did this. Have fun.

 

[des]

Yes! BRING AN UNDERWATER CAMERA!! (Sorry for the caps, but thats is vital )

 

[Caylin]

Oh, that's my favorite part of TL! An underwater camera is a must.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Really, it's a very short "trail." If you love to snorkel, you may be disappointed. You can do it and then get in line again, and again. I love to snorkel, and I do do it every time I go to TL, but it's short, not more than 5, at most 10 minutes.

If you are eligible with ages, you may want to try the Seas Epcot behind the scene tour. It's with a breathing tank, not quite snorkeling, but it's a great tour, and may be more rewarding for you if you have done lots of snorkeling.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

Also, you don't just swim around. You go directly from one side to the other. I don't think it even takes 5 minutes to complete. More like 3-4 minutes. And everyone must go through the short training before you swim. The line gets a bit long in the summer months, too. The water is cold.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

DH and I tried this on our first trip alone in 2003 and loved it. It's not that long, but it's amazing. I have never done something like this before and the first time through was really weird. I went through really quick. But we went back and it was so cool. Ended up going through like 5 times. You don't have to wait for the training line after your first time through. They let you get in the water and go. Only problem we had was in 2004 when DD10 went with us, she would snorkel in our pool, but she sort of freaked when she did it down there. I don't know if it was the diffence in the water(being that it's pretty cold and salt water) or scared of the fish, but the lifeguard had to take her through. It was pretty scary for her. Same year DS stayed there going through it over and over for about an hour. Hopefully next trip we will get over there and DD can do it again.

 

[vicb]

Ill be there in Feb. Will the reef be open? Is it painfully cold?

 

[grammagail]

I wouldn't say "painfully" cold - but it IS quite cold......salt water. I did it the last time - was fun - but think I'm done. I wasn't really scared but sorta panicked and sucked in salt water - which is NOT fun.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I believe the temp. is in the mid 70's, its not too bad. The saltwater helps you float. Just go slow so you can spend time in there- only use your arms to swim.

One at the shallow (like 2 ft) area where you exit there was a stingray sitting up there- so many people were practically stepping on it and didn't notice it was there!

 

[Ted and Holly]

They recently made some changes to the way they "load" the Shark Reef. You now have to wait in "batches" of 15 or 20 people (or more) for the lifeguard to go over the use of the snorkel and mask. They play a game of "Dory Says". They do this EVERY time you go. They do not allow you to skip it, even if you just got out and got back into line.

That said, it is a neat experience and a great way to cool off on those HOT days when even the pools are warm.

Ted

 

[Mickeylover6]

Wow! This sounds cool! I don't know how I missed this on past trips! We have done the Living Seas Aqua Tour. It was Fantastic! We all loved it. I personally HATE cold water and was complaining a little about going in,(okay. ALOT!) but once I was in it was incredible! I would definitely recommend this for all swimmers! Thanks for the info on TL!

 

[Idroveallnight]

what are the ages & swimming levels for this? do they provide the snorkels or do you bring your own? TIA!

 

[Servants of Evan]

They require that you use their snorkel gear as that's the only way they can guarantee it's been sanitized (and you won't hurt their fish!) I'm a bit worried if they'll let our (then) five year old go but he's been snorkeling since he was two!

 

[2giddy4wdw]

what are the ages & swimming levels for this? do they provide the snorkels or do you bring your own? TIA!

I don't know about age or swimming levels, but I do know that they provide the snorkels. My DD was 10 her first time through. The small movie they have on the disney website shows a little girl about maybe 6 on this. I guess it depends on the child. Also when you go through you just kick, you don't move your arms.

 

[trypnotic]

Does anyone have any photos they could post of their swim through SR? I took some photos and they turned out really grainy and/or green.
I can't imagine that I did anything wrong - I imagine it'd be fairly difficult to mess up using an underwater, disposable camera. I took some photos of TL elsewhere, not in the SR, and they turned out fine.

 

[Idroveallnight]

This sounds great! Maybe we will take a trip to the YMCA to let the kids try. DD 10 I think would be fine, DS 8 I don't know, DN 13 should be OK! Any extra cost? Or do you just show up & go? TIA!

 

[Servants of Evan]

Show up, line up, cast member spiel, snorkel. Repeat as nessisary.

 

[Grand2me]

I have to admit, this was, by far, the best part of our trip last year

I was afraid in the beginning but after I got in the tank and RELAXED, it was great. The reef is really beautiful. The sharks are little(don't expect any Great Whites) and the other fish are pretty. There are castmembers mid-way through the path to help you along if you need it.
It was the first time that I had ever done anything like that. Now, my husband wants to go to Typhoon Lagoon everytime we go to Disney...so do I.