First, let me start by saying I know the name changed, but I refuse to call it the Seas with Nemo and Friends (don't ask why...I'm stuck in my old ways). Now to the point. I read that there is a backstage type tour of the Living Seas where you can pay $100 and snorkel in the aquarium and you do nto need any special certification. I also heard that you can scuba in the tank, which you need certification. Are these both in existence? If so, are both cases true? Are they two separate things or one in the same? I'm very confused about this. I was going to try to get certified so when I go I can scuba because it is something I always wanted to do, but if you can snorkel instead, I may hold off on getting scuba lessons/ certifications as it can be expensive.

yes, two separate tours.

the snorkel which requires no certification is the Seas Aqua (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/tourDetail?id=SeasAquaTourTourPage) tour

the one that requires scuba certification and proof thereof is DiveQuest (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/tourDetail?id=EpcotDiveQuestTourPage)

the key difference is in Seas Aqua, you remain near the surface. with DiveQuest, you have free reign of the tank (with exception to the dolphin area) which includes frolicking in front of guests dining at Coral Reef

Ok, I will get certified lol! Thanks a ton, especially for the links!

We have done the Seas Aqua Tour, where you stay near the surface and it was outstanding. I can't wait to get my certification and go down deeper because it is quite deep! Well worth the money in my opinion.

Ok, I will get certified lol! Thanks a ton, especially for the links!

My father and stepmother are master divers and consider Dive Quest as one of their top five dives of all time. They recommend it to any certified divers.

Thanks! I cannot wait to do this! Unfortunately it may be too late in the season to do it this year (around here the final exam is a dive in Lake Erie, so it may be past that point, but for my next trip in 09 I will definately be certified!

I took an accelerated set of classes so that I could be certified by my 40th birthday, and then did the Divequest for my first official dive. It was simply incredible being on the other side of the glass after visiting the pavilion and dining in the Coral Reef for many years. I can't imagine a better way to spend a birthday!

My husband is a certified diver and has done the DiveQuest and he absolutely loved it. You get to swim all over the tank for about 40-50 minutes. Your family can see you from the outside (it's a little hard to pick people out b/c they all have the same wetsuits!) and take pictures. He is going to do it again with his father (also a certified diver) when we go in November.