Epcot Dive Quest (Certification Needed)

[Belleandtinker]

I've called and they are vague - Padi certification card needed.

Which Padi certification is required? Open Water? Or Certified Scuba Diver enough? My DS and DH just got their certificated scuba diver PADI cards. They have cards but are they going to get turned away when they check in?

 

[crewmatt]

i’m open water certified and have done it lots of times.

reading what the certified scuba diver is it seems that dive quest is within those parameters. i don’t see it being an issue.

 

[Belleandtinker]

i’m open water certified and have done it lots of times.

reading what the certified scuba diver is it seems that dive quest is within those parameters. i don’t see it being an issue.

That is what we think too but trying to find a way to confirm it.

 

[loves to dive]

Just a certification is needed. I've done it a number of times, I'm a master diver SSI certified. My son did it with me when he was just open water SSI. My ex-daughter-in-law did it with us when she had just gotten her certification with PADI. Make sure they have their cards with them.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Thank you!

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

So it has to be a PADI card? Why do they not accept NAUI?? I was just about to book this for DH.

 

[bookbabe626]

DH says they accepted his NAUI card, but that was at least 10 years ago.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Just an update, in case anyone was wondering: both NAUI and PADI cards are accepted.

 

[disney4us2002]

Is Dive Quest offered every day? What are the times?

 

[QueenElinor]

Is Dive Quest offered every day? What are the times?

It seems to be every day, 4:30 and 5:30 pm. I've gone twice, once with two of our kids and we all had a wonderful time! It's a great, safe experience for new (or rusty!) divers. But I've known experienced divers who loved it, too.

 

[tn disney gal]

I don't believe it is offered everyday at all times of the year. We are going in December and plan on diving but it was not scheduled for Sunday and Monday when we will be there. Does anyone know if they let you stay in Epcot after the dive?

 

[Dug720]

I don't believe it is offered everyday at all times of the year. We are going in December and plan on diving but it was not scheduled for Sunday and Monday when we will be there. Does anyone know if they let you stay in Epcot after the dive?

I believe you have to have park admission to do any of the backstage experiences, so as long as the park is open, I don't see why you couldn't stay in the park.

 

[QueenElinor]

I don't believe it is offered everyday at all times of the year. We are going in December and plan on diving but it was not scheduled for Sunday and Monday when we will be there. Does anyone know if they let you stay in Epcot after the dive?

It took a bit of checking around but I did find where someone mentioned they don't have dives on Sunday or Monday, unfortunately. It might be worth a call just to confirm that.

You don't need a ticket to Epcot, they meet you at the gate, then lead you around the back of the attractions to enter the tank. We actually plan to do this on a DHS day, and we never buy Parkhoppers. But then, of course, you can't go in the park afterwards. Most likely we'll eat dinner at the resort and go to bed!

One other thing, my children still remember how cold it was. Disney doesn't allow you to bring your own wetsuit, but I think this time we will try with a swim shirt on, hopefully that meets more their criteria for a swimsuit than a wetsuit.

 

[aprestwich]

The last time I went to DiveQuest was on my way down to the Keys for a dive trip. At the end of the dive, they just let us out into Epcot and said enjoy, no tickets, didn't even ask us. The other couple of times I've done it, we were actually on a Disney Trip, so we had tickets/parkhoppers. Not sure if that's SOP, but my buddies and I had a great few hours in Epcot afterwards!

Have a great time!

Andrew

You don't need a ticket to Epcot, they meet you at the gate, then lead you around the back of the attractions to enter the tank. We actually plan to do this on a DHS day, and we never buy Parkhoppers. But then, of course, you can't go in the park afterwards. Most likely we'll eat dinner at the resort and go to bed!

One other thing, my children still remember how cold it was. Disney doesn't allow you to bring your own wetsuit, but I think this time we will try with a swim shirt on, hopefully that meets more their criteria for a swimsuit than a wetsuit.

 

[QueenElinor]

The last time I went to DiveQuest was on my way down to the Keys for a dive trip. At the end of the dive, they just let us out into Epcot and said enjoy, no tickets, didn't even ask us. The other couple of times I've done it, we were actually on a Disney Trip, so we had tickets/parkhoppers. Not sure if that's SOP, but my buddies and I had a great few hours in Epcot afterwards!

Have a great time!

Andrew

Huh. It's been a little while since we did this- they do just kind of turn you loose, don't they- I remember ending up more or less back behind the aquarium where we went in. I certainly don't recall being escorted back to the gate. I don't know if we had tickets but I don't think so because we were doing a half day somewhere else......I have one son who doesn't dive who'll be watching us, it would be very nice to meet up for dinner afterwards at the Coral Reef. Well, thanks for reminding me of that!

 

[crewmatt]

i don’t remember being escorted out at all. but also it finishes at like 6pm so it’s not like you would get lots of park time anyway.

 

[monorailsilver]

DH and DS just did it in August. They both loved it. They were Padi certified August 2017. DH only went on one other dive (minus the certification dives) in April in Key Largo and he got queasy so skipped the next day dive and the day after dive. DS did that dive plus the next 2 days with my sister.

DH didn't want to do it because of the price (disney visa got a little bit off, 10% I think) but I booked it for them anyways. He said he enjoyed it but after about 30 min he got bored.

The did the 4:30 dive on a Thursday. We were staying at the BC and left at 3:30 and had to make a stop at ice station cool. We separated ways and myself and my 2 daughters went on Soarin and Living with the Land while they walked out the front gate to the meeting area. They told us to come in about an hour after the tour started so we got there at about 4:15 and waited in the upstairs walkway to the tank (windows on both sides leading the circle area and no wifi there either....). We kept looking as we were not sure where to look and then heard "look out shark bait coming thru" as the divers walked by.

I went over to the circle area of windows and about 5-10 min later started to see fins. We watched them swim with the dive masters to tour the tank and then they let them roam. I think they tried to get a group photo. I took a good 500 pictures and some videos I think. DH and DS came to the window and waved to us and I even got DH blowing bubbles out that turned into a hidden mickey on his head. It was perfect.

They did wear their bathing suits there just because even though they said not to?? Not sure why but one less changing. They showered and ds left his deoderant and one of his magic bands in the shower (he was 14...and a boy...and well 14 and a boy together..you know).

 

[QueenElinor]

i don’t remember being escorted out at all. but also it finishes at like 6pm so it’s not like you would get lots of park time anyway.

Yes, and the dive times are much later than they used to be- 4:30 and 5:30. We won't be done until around 8 pm. So there's about enough time to have dinner and that's about it- but that's all I want to do anyway.