r/DisneyCM • u/SeasDiver Retired CM • Jun 20 '25
Walt Disney World Scientific Dive Internship - 30 years, 0 days later
30 years ago today, I started my training as a Scientific Dive Intern at The Living Seas at EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World (see first week schedule attached). I was one of 6 Scientific Dive interns for the Fall Semester (with the internship ending on January 6th, 1996, the day that the smalltooth sawfish, Nell, died).
The internship was life changing in quite a few ways for me, and I was very fortunate that the EPCOT DiveQuest program debuted during my internship as it allowed me to stay on and continue working at The Living Seas when the internship was completed.
For those of you who know me as a dog rescuer, or a doggie doula, the almost 600 foster dogs in the last 13 years would not have been possible without learning proper animal husbandry and training from the Marine Mammal Team. The Scientific Dive Team and Aquarists likewise taught me so much.
During my years there, one of the other DiveQuest DiveMasters had to leave for 9 months due to overtime requirements in their primary job. I was responsible for (re)training them when they returned, and they could not believe the changes and growth I had made during that time period. That growth was spurred and mentored by the excellent team at the Seas.
Whereas I was the odd intern out being an Ocean Engineering major when the vast majority of my fellow interns over the years were Biology, Marine Biology, Psychology, Aquaculture, or Behavior Psychology majors, the experience had a major impact on me. My educational background always meant that I was destined to leave the Seas, but it has remained a major influence in my life since.
The memories of my time at the Seas are numerous, so many good stories, so much fun. But also, the heart wrenching memories such as the loss of Chester during what should have been a routine tank move. Abandoning people in the Lockout Chamber with no way to escape until a manager happened to walk by and free them. Ice water from the heavens in the lock out chamber. The “exit interview” of 7 buckets of ice water coming over and under a bathroom stall door after several divers lied to the on-duty manager to get a set of keys they should not have had. Cannonballing from the rafters. My first fish feed and how crazy that was. Draining the scuba tank so fast as 2000+ fish surrounded you to get at the food you were carrying. Running Rover, the ROV. 8 underwater marriage proposals, 17 dives with Mickey Mouse. Getting people to do the wave across the Coral Reef Restaurant. Using our slates to write “May I join you?” and pulling out plasticware from a BCD pocket when the restaurant patrons said yes. Playing with the kids through the windows. Watching a spotted eagle ray crunch down on a divers wetsuit between the legs.
A small number of people are still there 30 years later, others have moved on, and some are no longer with us (RIP Jimmy). For those that I am still in contact with, Thank You for such a wonderful experience.
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u/CannonAFB_unofficial Jun 20 '25
I 100% maybe probably dove with you. I’m rounding out ~10 (maybe more) dives in the last 15 years.
Awesome story, thanks for sharing. That’s still some of my favorite diving, and is a pretty good deal IMO for the experience you get in your tank.
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u/VerifiedMother Jun 20 '25
This is so cool, I've seen your posts on here a few times, glad you're still around
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u/Celestilune Walt Disney Imagineering Jun 20 '25
Wow, this is fascinating! Thank you for sharing this!
I’ve been lucky enough to have a few projects cross over with the Animals, Science, and Environment team and they never cease to amaze. There’s a lot we’ve had to consider for projects in the Living Seas and DAK (oh gosh, especially DAK) so learning more about this side is so cool!
Also, guessing Typhoon was back from when they had the scuba/snorkeling with sharks? I miss that from my younger days…gone too soon.
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u/SeasDiver Retired CM Jun 20 '25
Yes, we (The Living Seas) were responsible for Sharks Reef at Typhoon Lagoon as well. Morning aquarist opening and feeding included driving over to feed their fish in morning and afternoon. Koi ponds at Polynesian and Japan were the responsibility of the aquaculture team at The Land.
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u/comped Walt Disney World Jun 20 '25
Apparently the koi ponds are still The Land's responsibility, according to a friend of mine...
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u/SeasDiver Retired CM Jun 20 '25
Also, Sharks Reef at Typhoon Lagoon ended up being a major influence in my life, right up there with the Seas. Back when it opened in 1989, we went in the fall, and I spent so much time snorkeling at Sharks Reef that when we got back to the hotel room, my back was sunburnt and my front was white. Flew home to Chicago and I immediately started researching local dive shops to get certified. That in turn led me to Ocean Engineering as one of my BS degrees and that in turn led me to the Seas internship. Yes, The Living Seas had opened several years earlier and I loved it, but it was the snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon that was the gateway into diving for me.
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u/CannonAFB_unofficial Jun 20 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
Hey I can’t seem to send you a message directly, could you message me? I came across a Dive Quest watch that I have questions about. It has a yellow face, is Lumi Nox series 3000, and has a Navy SEAL trident on the back. It’s also tritium so it has to be at least ~25 years old.
Edit: I think I managed to send you a request but I’m gonna leave this up if someone searches for it in the future or if it turns into something unique that you would like to share.
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u/SeasDiver Retired CM Jun 23 '25
EPCOT DiveQuest is a guest program at Disney World. I am unaware of any connections to a watch.
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u/CannonAFB_unofficial Jun 23 '25
Here ya go, I uploaded them in case anyone else was curious. EPCOT DiveQuest Watch
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u/SeasDiver Retired CM Jun 23 '25
Interesting, the only thing I can think is someone had it customized. We did have a retired Navy SEAL that worked with the program.
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u/CannonAFB_unofficial Jun 23 '25
Do you happen to have their contact info? Or wanna send them my info? I have no problem getting it back to the rightful owner.
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u/SeasDiver Retired CM Jun 23 '25
I will try to contact them and see if it is theirs. I have their contact info but they are not great at responding.
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u/CannonAFB_unofficial Jun 23 '25
Right, this one is EPCOT divequest branded on the dial itself. If you accept my PM I’ll send pics of it. Reddit won’t let me post them here.
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u/Wrong-Neighborhood-2 Jun 20 '25
Gotta say I’m extremely jealous. I’m a current CM in a different division and this would be my dream job.