Has anyone ever gone to Typhoon Lagoon's Shark Reef in Walt Disney World?

Question

I saw on the vacation planning video the Shark Reef and I just wondered if there was an added cost to swim with the sharks. The web site just says snorkeling gear is provided. My sons friends have done excursions with dolphins but none have swam with sharks...quite an experience for a 7 year old. Also can you use underwater cameras while in the tank?

Answer 1

Shark reef is a lot of fun. The pool has some tropical fish and also some sharks, but they are smaller sharks and don't pose any danger to swimmers.

There is not extra charge to swim with the sharks. When you get there they will give you a face mask, life vest and a snorkel, free of charge. You then are given a little information on what to do and then you are able to get in the water. For the no-charge swim, you basically get in the pool and then get out, you aren't able to really swim around and look at things very much, you just swim across the pool and then get out. So, it can be a little short, but they can't have a lot of people in the water for a long time because it is so popular.

If you want your son to have a little more time in the water, then you can spend a little more and they can have more time. For $20 for a half hour, and then $15 for additional people in the party, you can do their surface air snorkeling program. Again, this gives you a half-hour in the water to look around and enjoy. Well worth the money if you want to spend a little more time.

You can use underwater cameras if you like. They even sell them in the parks in case you need extra or don't have any, but taking pictures is not a problem.


Hope this helps!


Have a great time!

Answer 2

It is free with the purchase of your ticket to the park. You can use an underwater camera at the whole park. To swim with the sharks you wear a life jacket and snorkel gear swim in a giant pool with other fish and some sharks. Very safe for kids life guards are all around and its disney its simple but magical if you use your imagination! You just swim from one end of the pool and get out but take your time in the middle to enjoy the sharks & fish.

Answer 3

As others have mentioned, it is free with park admission and yes, underwater cameras are allowed. I always take one of those with me to a Disney water park. Be forwarned - the water is very chilly (they have to keep it a certain temp for the fishes!). Disney has lifegaurds at the beginning, end and middle of the shark reef if guests need any assistance. A common mistake guests make is they turn their head to low to view the fish and water gets in their air tube. A disney Cast member will inform you about this and will tell you not to panic, to just blow the water back out. But a lot of folk panic. Just lift your head up and breath. My sister had a panic moment in the middle of the reef, and a cast member was right there to help her. Some folks just don't handle the air tube well. But kids typically love it and do just fine! Its the adults that tend to have issues lol.
Enjoy!