Typhoon Lagoon?

[DisneyDoll10/28]

I'm not sure if I'm on the right board or not but I was wondering if anyone had done the snorkling shark reef thingy (so technical, aren't I?) at TL and what the prices were, did you have a good time? My FI just saw that option last night as we were watching something about Disney and is totally psyched about it. Any info would be great!! Thanks!

 

[kristasmom]

My DD11 did this a couple of weeks ago and she enjoyed it. I wanted to go, but the water was cold (68 degrees I think) and it wasn't that warm outside, so I opted to watch from the underwater viewing area. The is no additional cost.

 

[Laurajean1014]

There's no cost, but it's a popular attraction.

The water temp is cooler than anywhere else due to the fish. All fish can bite, so be aware of that. The sharks are small and I have not heard of them harming anyone.

 

[Snowy]

I've done it. I thought it was just ok. I felt a little claustrophic - surrounded by fish and nowhere to go. I've snorkled in the open ocean a bunch of times and, if you ever get completely surrounded by fish out there, you can just swim out of it. Here it felt like tight quarters on occasion. But it's not that big a space, and you can just get out if you're really uncomfortable. If you've never snorkled before or have no qualms about being surrounded by fish, you may love it.

Also, agree with other posters - it's free and the water is chilly!

 

[HopperFan]

Free. You will get your mask, snorkel and vest........a short lesson on how to proceed.......you enter the cold water tank............and go. You must swim forward (and can zig zag alittle depending on crowds) to the other side. You are not to kick your feet - use your arms to propel. You are not to dive off the surface of the water - enjoy the fish from above. You are not to stop - but there is a rock you can squat on if you need a minute to rest. Most the fish will stay at the bottom of the tank so they are not too close to you. But you will have some swim closeby for a thrill.

Best time to go is first thing in the morning. Do it a few times and then enjoy the park. As the day goes on it gets more and more crowded and the sediment in the tank is stirred up. The later times are no where near as enjoyable or pretty.

Note some people do panic in there, we see it all the time. Once we went every life guard jumped in, almost chaos. Another reason I suggest you go in morning while it's still "peaceful". ALSO be sure to check your snorkel before you go past the steps in the tank. They do get used alot, then doused in chemicals and I'm sure not checked. Once our DS was half way over and we realized it was leaking, he was swallowing and choking on the water and needed assistance to finish.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I thought it was a blast. it would not compare to open-water snorkling of course, but to this n00b it was still great. Go early in the AM.

Just a note: I scraped up my leg on that rock in the middle pretty bad trying to stop there because my mask was filling with water. No, those sharks don't go nuts if you bleed in the water, lol.

 

[DisneyDoll10/28]

WOW! Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'll have to see what we think of the weather when we go the last weekend in October/first week of Novemeber. If its cold to me before getting into the water, then its definately going to be too cold once I get in there!!

 

[daisyduck123]

DH & DS8 did it twice last month. They had a great time. DH told me that it was a good thing I didn't try it because the water was cold & no way would I have gotten in.

DS8 doesn't like masks & snorkels so he just used his own goggles that we'd brought.

 

[Foofness]

I'm guessing you're not allowed to take camera's in with you? I'd LOVE to be able to snap a few shots inside the tank, but I'm guessing the viewing area is the best that can be done?... Anyone know for certain?...

TIA...

 

[daisyduck123]

Cameras are allowed....at least no one told my DH he couldn't use his.

DH did bring his camera in when he & DS8 swam this past May. It's an underwater digital camera...his pictures came out ok...I was hoping he'd get a good one of a shark, but the sharks did not come close.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We loved doing this as well. We went early and were able to go through 3 times without any wait. Since we were used to the cold water it was easier the last couple of times.

 

[Foofness]

Cameras are allowed....at least no one told my DH he couldn't use his.

DH did bring his camera in when he & DS8 swam this past May. It's an underwater digital camera...his pictures came out ok...I was hoping he'd get a good one of a shark, but the sharks did not come close.

That's WONDERFUL news DaisyDuck123!!!...
Will make the cost of the disposable waterproof camera's worth it!!...
Thanks for sharing!..

 

[phisigprincess]

Sharks scare the crap out of me and I did it and LOVED it! Mind you, this was quite a few years ago and when my sister and I got home we used to recreate "shark reef" in our pool at home. The "sharks" were action figures. It wasn't quite the same.

 

[sbpuckett]

So what if you can't swim? Would it still be possible to do this?

 

[Lila95]

WOW! Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'll have to see what we think of the weather when we go the last weekend in October/first week of Novemeber. If its cold to me before getting into the water, then its definately going to be too cold once I get in there!!

This is the same time we will be there. The weather should be nice. It's usually high 70's/low 80's but the last time we were there that week it reached the high 80's almost every day. They told us that was unseasonable warm for that time of year.

 

[TBuss]

My DS6 wants to try Shark Reef - mainly because I told him that I want to do it. However, he tends to cling to me when in the water and is not a strong swimmer. We have been working on him using a mask in our little pool - but I know he will react differently once we get in cold water. I thought I had heard/read that they have a raft or something that a child could sit on while someone tows him across. Can anyone confirm??

Thanks!!

 

[christinou]

I can tell you that last August, they had little raft that you could pull a kid on, of course the way things are always changing I am not sure if they still have them. They did not have them in 2004.

 

[Melwood23]

I have done it the last 2 trips to WDW. I love Shark Reef. It is a good place to experience snorkling for the first time, like I did. The first time in I did panic a little because apparently I didn't have my mask tight enough and water seeped in. But I was determine not to quit, so I went back thru, tightened up the mask, and the second time thru was a blast. Now I am a pro . Least when I went back in March, I knew what to do and it was enjoyable. The air temp was a bit cool, but the water wasn't that bad. I am a weeny when it comes to cold water. They do have showers where you can wet down before, and also use those to wash off if you like. It is salt water so remember that!

 

[DisneyDoll10/28]

I have done it the last 2 trips to WDW. I love Shark Reef. It is a good place to experience snorkling for the first time, like I did. The first time in I did panic a little because apparently I didn't have my mask tight enough and water seeped in. But I was determine not to quit, so I went back thru, tightened up the mask, and the second time thru was a blast. Now I am a pro . Least when I went back in March, I knew what to do and it was enjoyable. The air temp was a bit cool, but the water wasn't that bad. I am a weeny when it comes to cold water. They do have showers where you can wet down before, and also use those to wash off if you like. It is salt water so remember that!

Oh wow. I guess I didn't realize it was salt water. Not that that is an issue with us though. The more I hear about it the more I want to do it... still worried about the cold water in the first week of Nov thou! Don't want to be freezing!!

 

[bobcat]

It is a lot of fun! I look forward to going again in a few weeks. As someone mentioned it is salt water so if you have any cuts or scrapes you want to make sure they are covered. I didn't let the sting of salt water ruin my swin though!