Banana Boat Ride

[tchalene]

How rough is the ride on the banana boat at CC? Is it smooth or bumpy? I have a back problem and a rough ride would probably be a little painful. However, I've heard that this is such a great excursion my DH and I would love to try it. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

 

[pal2pluto]

I don't have back problems, but have done this twice. I'm not sure this would be a good thing for you.....I remember having a blast, but you need to tense your leg muscles to hold on, and hold on tight to a strap. I would think all the tension might hurt your back muscles. It's certainly not a leisurely, laid back ride. It's fairly wild, exciting, funny, wet, bouncy.......

 

[hilltopfamily]

if I might add to the original question one of my own, yet similar:

if you only had 1 functioning arm to hold on with, would this be enough? My daughter cannot use 1 arm since birth but she LOVES wild rides and probably would love this. She has good strength in her one useful arm, just not in the other.

thanks

 

[pal2pluto]

hmmmm.......I think that if she's interested.....yeah! Gee, I'd hate to go through life thinking "I wish I would have at least tried, but didn't" Half of the fun is being thrown off with everyone else! I did it twice. The first time, 7 of the 8 of us all fell off (except for a skinny little boy), laughing hysterically. The second time, no one fell off.....lots of fun, but the first time was the best!

 

[SueEllen]

It is an intense ride. First year we went I couldn't do it because I was pregnant. DH and DD went and loved it. This past cruise we all did it together and it was FANTASTIC. You definitely need to be able to hold on TIGHT and lean inside. I was pretty sore muscle wise from the ride later. I would think that the back issue would depend on just how bad of a back you have and how much bumpiness you can take. It is pretty bumpy! (oh, and if you wear contacts, watch out! That salt water definitely gets in your eyes)

Sue Ellen

 

[Dustin & Shelby's Mom]

Sue Ellen,

With your contacts, did you wear goggles and still have problems with the salt water?

 

[RoseGarden]

Do any of you know the age limitations for this ride? We have a DD7, DS11, and DS 13. Just wondering if our DD is to young.

 

[Dustin & Shelby's Mom]

Disney's website says you must be 8 years old and be able to swim.

 

[jlawall]

My advice is.........back problems could be a problem with this excursion.....it is VERY ROUGH.....one arm situation.....IF she's really strong with one arm, she could do it but I would have her sit second to last with someone who could grab her if she starts to slip off....this ride is very fun but very wild and it was much wilder than I expected.

 

[MinnieMart]

we, dh and myself signed up for banana boat ride. left serenity bay for this exhausting ride. it was not fun. we held on for dear life and my arms were aching me after the ordeal. we felt like we were going to fall off and i was in the front and all the salt water splashed in my face, like little kids my nose was running and i couldn't let go because i thought i would fall. i say enjoy castawy cay and skip that banana!! have a konc kooler and rent a float instead! enjoy!

 

[dzneprincess]

Does anyone have any pictures of thie banana boat ride?

 

[Fay Ray]

We loved the BB ride at CC. My DS-- 9 at the time-- wanted to go on twice which we did. I would hesitate to go with a bad back. You do get bumped, and one ride was worse than the other due to increasing waves. Next time I am bringing some type of gogle device. The salt is nasty in the eyes!!!

 

[SueEllen]

As for the question about goggles--I didn't have any, and they don't supply them. I would suggest that you DO NOT sit in the front because of the ocean water spray. I sat third and still got some of the spray in my eyes. It is uncomfortable enough getting salt water in your eyes without contacts and awful with!

The banana boat isn't for everyone, but I really loved it. Yes, I was sore but I thought it was worth it. There was a father, his kids and wife on the boat with us. He just kept asking when it was going to be over. he didn't like it much.

Sue Ellen

 

[plutospup]

I loved the Banana Boat ride! Fortunately, I wore my sunglasses, so my eyes were somewhat protected from the spray. With one strong arm,and a love for wild rides...sure, but don't be surprised when she falls off (it's half of the fun!). Back problems & Banana Boat...uh, no, probably not.

 

[ILUVFLA]

Do you need to schedule in advance or can you wait till you get on board

 

[jlawall]

You should book this well ahead of time, the desirable times are taken right away. It was sold out when I sailed last August.

 

[benebire]

We did the banana boat ride and had someone in our party with back problems. He ended up getting off because his back was hurting. Its was a fun ride for the rest of us and the for the kids.

 

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by jlawall
You should book this well ahead of time, the desirable times are taken right away.

What are considered desirable times for this?

 

[jlawall]

The middle of the day was considered the desirable times for his excursion....because it is warmer, you are on the island, you've tried the other activities. You haven't eaten lunch yet.

 

[inkkognito]

A word of caution for contact lens wearers...hubby loves the banana boat, but he did manage to lose a lens when he got tossed off. Thankfully he had a spare on that trip (and now he's had Lasik so he doesn't have to worry). I would strongly suggest goggles if you don't bring spare lenses with you. I have never done this myself, as I am a wimp girl who prefers to stick to the kayaks, but hubby likens it to a bucking horse.
Barb
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