An update on Aqua Seas!
I was the original poster. Were back now so I wanted to give you an update.
As I mentioned my husband is a pretty experienced diver who has done Dive Quest at WDW before. I planned Aqua Seas as a surprise (something we could do together). Even though he was looking forward to it, I did sense at first (when I told him the day before) that hed honestly rather dive again (to give you a sense of his expectations).
The program is $100/adult (not sure what it is for kids) and lasts about 2-2.5 hours. The tour group is met outside the park and led backstage to The Living Seas. Though both DH and I have been backstage before, its always fun to see a little behind the scenes action.
There were about 10 total participants in our group (takes up to 12). Myself and DH, two other adults, a father and daughter, about 10, (they came about an hour late, but still met up with us in the locker room), and a family of four with two daughters perhaps 9 and 12. The guy meeting us was very nice and helpful, but he was a ½ hour late . . . which was a MAJOR bummer because it left us sitting out in the sun (losing park time) doing nothing for a very long time.
Once he arrived, he took everyones T-shirt sizes and wet suit and bootie sizes. Then we headed back.
First stop (after a brief tour of the inside of The Living Seas) was a room where we all signed waivers and watched a brief DVD about the experience and what was in the tank, got very basic rules, and got a brief intro to the equipment. It was at this point (after seeing the sharks featured on the DVD) that the younger girl in the family decided to back out, for fear of the sharks. I realize that #1, no one should ever be forced to do anything they dont feel comfortable with and #2, the animals in the tank are safe but no guarantees can ever be mad about living creatures . . . but it really seemed that someone (on the DVD or one of the LS cast members/dive masters) should have taken the time to really explain the feeding and habitation process of ALL the animals in the tanks, that they are much more used to human presence than animals in the open oceans, and the difference between different species of sharks (theyre not all great whites, etc.). But they didnt seem to try at all and just said OK.
Anyway then it was off to the locker room where we changed into shorty wet suits (over bathing suits) and booties. Once the group was ready (which takes a long while) we walked through the exhibit (very fun), and up the central ladder to the top of the tank (again, very cool).
We popped in the water and put on the waiting fins (a little awkward, but no big deal). The SAS (Scuba Assisted Snorkel) vests were also ready for us, as were masks. Those not experienced with diving/snorkeling should know that you cant wear glasses under a mask (my DH has a prescription mask or brings contacts) and one lady in our group had not been told ahead and so had do go sans glasses or anything (I hope she could still see).
The SAS vest is a little like a simplified BC vest (that divers use). The tank is attached to the back, and the combo of the vest and the tank keeps you SO buoyant that you cant possibly sink or free dive (strictly forbidden anyway). Attached to the tank is a regulator (just like used in diving). It goes in your mouth and you breathe normally. It takes a moment (for non divers) to get used to the sensation, but its pretty easy after that. Once the equipment is on, the cast members take a digital photo of just your party (so, just me and DH in this case). After that, you put on your mask and away you go into the tank.
They tell you to head back once youre down to 500 psi of air left . . . .but DH and I came no where close to that . . . so the dive masters called everyone in around the ½ hour mark.
Once youre with your buddy or group, youre pretty much given free reign to swim around the whole tank (though you must keep some distance from the very edge and also from the dolphin area). DH admitted thateven though we were limited to the surfacethe tank is shallow enough and the visibility SO good (much better than you usually encounter in the ocean) that you get to see just about everything you see diving.
Admittedly, its not as beautiful or varied (color wise, etc.) as a natural coral reef (Caribbean, etc.) but the amount of animals you get to see is phenomenal . . . and because they are used to having people in the tanks, they often come quite close up. The rays are wonderful. The two very best things were the GIANT sea turtle (we spent a lot of time swimming around, watching him . . . its cool to follow/watch when they surface for air) and watching the people in the exhibit and waving to themthat is immense fun.
The water is cool, but not cold and the wet suit did a pretty fine job of keeping me warm enough (though I started to get chilly at the very end).
Once youre out and off with the equipment (while others were still coming out, we did get to watch the dolphins a bit from the top of the tank), its back down the cold passage to the exhibit then back to the locker to change. The womens locker room had shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the showers and also hair dryers. Other plusses (like you find at spas) would have been a really been nice (powder, spray deodorant, moisturizer, etc.).
Once all were out of the lockers back up to the first room to fill out a survey, get our t-shirts (very pretty white t-shirts with green and purple Aqua Seas logo) and a printed digital photo of your party in an Aqua Seas cardboard slip very nice. Then back out into EPCOT.
All in all, very fun and Im so glad we did it. Scuba-diving DH admitted thatwhile it wasnt AS fun as actually divingthat you really do get to see almost everything (animal wise) from the surface that you would see diving.
I like that for $100/p adult you get a T-shirt and a photo (no trying to get you to buy photos or videos as with the SCUBA program), but there was a promise of refreshments that were NEVER offered. When DH did DiveQuest 2 years ago he was given munchies and repeated offers of sodas, etc. (heck, they even gave me a soda). Especially since they made AquaSeas 12:15-3 (DiveQuest is at 4:30 and 5:30), and because its one of the only tours at WDW available for whole families (since under 16s can do it), I wish theyd made missing lunch less of a hassle, especially for $100/pp . . . Earlier time? More formal/extensive sacks? Snacks, period? Voucher for meal at EPCOT?
All in all very fun. Im happy to answer any and all questions!
