First, we really are working on a trip report but the jet lag, work and sorting 7000 pictures...and getting my twin Dad registered for college...a few more days and more to post
I have some specific questions about the Great Barrier Reef I hope you or someone else who has taken the trip can answer. Wondering how many fit in the helicopter, whether there is a diving option available to the Disney guests (and whether that seems worth it), how the snorkeling is, whether you felt you had adequate time, etc. I looked at the QuickSilver reviews and it seems that there are a lot of people on this excursion and since it's the only day we will have on the GBR, I want to prepare to maximize our time there.
No one in our group booked the helicopter but I understand (and defer to those who have done it) but we were told three fit comfortably but four can squeeze in. Diving is indeed available but you'll need to bring your PADI card with you and it is an extra charge. For those that don't want to get too wet the semi submersible is included and it's about a 20 minute trek. For an extra charge you can do a sea helmet so while your body gets wet your head stays inside a helmet with air lines and you sink on a platform and feed the fish. Most do snorkeling. Disney sends you out with a marine biologist for this in groups but it is still crowded here n the group. We found the snorkeling to be very good and fun and decided apart from the group was better. We estentially grabbed a lunch to hold and skipped it, to eat on the return trip to have more time in the water. We would loved to have had a lot more time on the reef, but honestly we were pretty tired just from what we did.
Also, my mom called ABD to get a more detailed schedule to book things for the free time and they wouldn't even give her a general idea. I can see that things can change and they don't want to commit, and also it sounds like with the level of activity, we will need some rest, but how did you know when/where you could book your skydiving, etc.?
We emailed our vacationista right after booking and had nine months of exchanges with her on free time, approximate times, what we could and couldn't do (such as bringing a right flashlight into the reef etc) what airport we would be flying in and out of so we could look to skydive, more to follow in the trip report. They were always responsive but sometimes took a couple of weeks since the trip was new. We were guided away from some OYO time as Disney suggested certain activities like night visits to glow worms were not as good as advertised.
Much more to follow in the trip report I promise. This is a VERY active trip. We obviously added to it as well but the changes they made were spot on. You will love this trip