Shark Reef?

[jrpersinger]

Anyone done it? Whats your opinion? Me and my 7 year old DD are planning to do it.

Also, is their any other things similar to this anywhere else at WDW? With dolphins or sting rays?

TIA!

[Maleficent's Dad]

You snorkle in cold, cold water.

It's a straight path across the "pool" with sharks - you can't stop or dive down.

They give you some brief lessons before you go in.

It is fun!

[Jen66]

it is really cold, and pretty neat! We took both kids twice when they were 8 & 10, and they loved it!
It is not like snorkeling in the Bahamas, you are herded through quickly in a group, but we still really enjoyesd it.

[pook@wdw]

The water is VERY cold! You ARE in the tank w/real sharks!(though they are not the aggressive type) You will receive instructions before you start. You just snorkel across a small pool while observing the activity beneath you. No kicking or splashing, just easy paddling. It's short, cold, and I LOVE IT!!! I will not miss it in my future trips to WDW. Tip: don't forget your waterproof camera. It takes great pics underwater!

[thejens]

Do you have to pay extra for this or is it included?

[GrumpyFan]

Do you have to pay extra for this or is it included?

No extra cost involved, it's included as part of park admission.

If you're not up for the swim, they have an underwater viewing area you can go in.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

We told my 4 year old nephew about it and he wants to try it. At least as of now he does. We'll see what happens when we actually get there.
There is something about the temp of the water that keeps the sharks away from you. I saw a program on it but don't remember exactly what it was. They are in warm water and won't swim into the cold water maybe? Plus, they are nurse sharks I think, which aren't supposed to be aggressive. Plus I'm sure they are used to people and I'm sure they're kept well fed. At least I would hope so.

[crazypoohbear]

It's very cold water and a short swim to the other side. Maybe about 15 feet.

[O'MalleytheAlleyCat]

It says in the information I found that you must be an experienced swimmer to do this. I also see you can get lifejackets to wear. My daughter loves the water and would not be afraid to go in the deep if she had a lifejacket and could get herself across a 15 foot area if needed, but she's not a very experienced swimmer. I'd love opinions from someone who has done this as to the level of swimming expertise necessary. Thanks!

[jrpersinger]

We actually ended up doing it. We did it with a 7 year old (half fish/half kid, lol) and a 5 year old not so great swimmer. The only trouble they had really was how cold the water was. It does take a getting used to. Its 68 degrees. The other thing was not being able to kick with your feet. That was alittle hard being a persons natural reflex in water is to kick. Your not allowed to dive down. Basically, you just float across the top. There is a "reef" in the middle of the tank that you can rest on if you get tired also.

Overall, we enjoyed it. Its not something I would wait in a line for. But when we go back if there is no wait like this time, we wil definatly do it again.

[countrycharmer]

Water is very cold, and it is for swimmers and non-swimmers....they have someone who will swim beside you to "assist" if needed.

We went with two experienced swimmers, one so-so child and one drama mama who used a vest. All made it across safely and enjoyed it!

[mickeys_princess]

How deep is the water?

[AstareGod]

Water is 10 feet 6 inches deep. There is a dropoff in the beginning where you get ready to go, and that is about 2 feet deep. Also, it's salt water, so floating is easy, plus they do have life jackets you can borrow and then return after you swim across.

[DisneyFanatic11]

My mum loved it, but I was petrified of it. I couldn't get the thought of swimming with sharks out of my head (real fear of sharks).

But, don't listen to me. My mum did it a second time around and loved it.

There's a lot of cute little fish swimming around, and the tiny sharks (yes, they are small), just stay on the bottom. They give you a snorkle, mask, and a life jacket. It's not that long, but you'll enjoy it.

[PeterPanFan]

I love it but as everyone says its cold. Not cool or chilly its down right freezing!

[jszczur5]

I went on it in late August 2 years ago - well, sort of. After waiting 20 minutes in line, and donning the float jacket and mask and snorkel, I stepped on to the ledge of the water ... and stepped right back out. That water is cold!! 65 degrees, I believe. I was very thin at the time (not so much now), and started shaking from the cold. My 9 year old son, however, rode it all afternoon. He reports that he did it "like 15 times", but I'm sure that's a bit of exaggeration. Last year, again that was just about the only thing he did at Typhoon Lagoon. He can't wait for this year's trip.

[momof3boysinTN]

We carried an 11 and 6 year old boy through and I would not do it again with the same age kids. you cant kick at all and the lifeguards are yelling the entire time not to kick and it was VERY COLD! I think older kids who are very good swimmers would be fine and I would put the life jackets on no matter how good they could swim. If their masks need adjusting you can only stop in the one spot in the middle to do anything. So it would really depend on the child etc!

[Clotho]

I am having a hard time imagining sticking a "community snorkel" into my mouth. I mean, I know they must sanitize them between uses somehow, but that is a pretty intimate piece of equipment in my mind. Not at all like the 3-D glasses for the movies y'know?

Does anyone do it without snorkels? Like, just a mask and holding your breath and coming up for air when you need to?

[mainemajor]

Like everyone else has said it is cold. BUT it's a ton of fun. You do not want to skip this. It's a must on any visit to TL

[Christine]

I am having a hard time imagining sticking a "community snorkel" into my mouth. I mean, I know they must sanitize them between uses somehow, but that is a pretty intimate piece of equipment in my mind. Not at all like the 3-D glasses for the movies y'know?

Does anyone do it without snorkels? Like, just a mask and holding your breath and coming up for air when you need to?

That is pretty gross, isn't it? I'm a germaphobe and don't know if I could handle the thought of that either!