Typhoon Lagoon Snorkeling

[timbud1]

HI! Just back, and I can't find the old post about this. I had said I would share the true age requirements and experience with some of you.

Just need an adult with you if you're under 10. They say they want only good swimmers, but my DD, 7, did great and she's just an ok swimmer. The wet suits they give you are not floatation devices (I thought they were, that's how experienced I am!). They have plenty of vests the kids can wear over the wet suits and Hannah chose to wear one. She did awesome, and did not stay with me - she went quickly through the reef and said "enough". DD, 9, who was SO EXCITED about this, LOVED IT! She and I did it about four times, and planned to go again, but never got around to it.

I did not feel comfortable with that thing in my mouth - felt like I was suffocating. So, I just used the mask and took breaths in between photos!

If you get there first thing, the instructors will be really helpful...later, I felt they didn't really care much.

Have fun! We plan to return someday!!

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Thank you for this information. We are trying to decide if we should do this with our OK swimmers.

 

[DNSDisney]

timbud1- are the fish and sharks in the same tank (not sure if tank is right word) ? how far from you are the sharks? Do they actually come up to you?
I am trying to convince my dd 11 to do this and she seems very skidish about it. she is a good swimmer but it worried about the sharks. Anything you can add to help me convince her this is safe, since you have done this?
thanks,
Sharon

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

Yes, the fish, sharks and rays are all in a big pool. They can come up to you, but the tend to stay toward the bottom (under you by several feet).

When you get in and out, though, there is a step like thing and they like to swim around that. I had a small shark do a figure 8 between my legs, a little creepy at first, but a neat memory.

My 15 year old loved it. It is perfectly safe, the sharks are small and I'm sure they are well fed. Plus they are the types that are more docile (spelling?). It's a wonderful experience.

Pammy

 

[julieannbabe]

that is amazing witht the sahrk doing a figure eight between you.

Nope when we went the sharks stayed at the bottom

i would have loved them to have come up a bit more.

 

[KickTheSky]

The shark reef at TL is what got me started in my love for snorkeling and eventually scuba. It was by far the best attraction I did at Disney the year I did it. The sharks in the tank are Leopard Sharks and Bonnethead sharks. They are relatively harmless and they wouldnt put them in the attraction if they werent. They also have a few rays and some assorted fish. I think the day we did TL back in 98, I did the attraction at least 20 times. Since then I have gone on to snorkel in the Carribean and I eventually got certified in SCUBA. For some people, this attraction can be a real life changer.

 

[timbud1]

Yes, the fish, stingrays, and sharks are in there with you. Sharks are very small, and just look like big fish to me. I got a little close to a stingray, and my heart fluttered a little, but it didn't touch me. Some fish tickled my leg, but not a big deal. Your daughter will really like it, and if she doesn't, the reef is very short and she can cruise right through!

 

[DisneyDadInFL]

Snorkeling in the Shark Reef is a lot of fun for the family. Don't worry about the sharks as they are small and harmless. The only word of warning I can offer is be prepared for cooler water temperatures. We are from South Florida and the water was a lot colder than what we are used to down here It's a short swim across though and definitely worth doing at least once.

 

[CaseyJr]

timbud1 -- Hi! I think I was the one who posted that question a week or so ago.... Thanks so much for the report! Can't wait! SHARKS are my DS (7)'s favorite animal.

 

[CWIPPERMAN]

If you want to read my review, and see some of the photos I took of Shark Reef, check out my review page... http://www.10-7.com/disney/pages/TL/sharkreef/shark_reef.htm

 

[Horizons16]

Thats a really fun thing to do. I remember that i was TERRORFIED when i first got in. But after a couple seconds i was having a blast!