castaway cay sting rays barb free?

[CruznLexi]

Thinking of doing the stingray thing at CC. Are the sting rays barb free? anyone done this if so how is it?

 

[MTmomma]

One of my bosses' said that the barbs have been removed, and that the stingrays are so conditioned to people, that its not an issue at all. still debating doing this on ours!

 

[OrlandoDisneyFan]

Their barbs are manicured...they will not hurt you. A rays barb grows like our fingernails, so they are not 'barb-free', but the barbs are trimmed on a regular basis such that you are in no danger.

We did this a couple weeks ago and it was fun, if not a little creepy with those huge rays swimming around your legs, brushing up against you. My 6 y.o. enjoyed feeding them, though she claims one bit her, which is not possible because they don't have any teeth.

I found the 'pre-show' where they tell you about rays in general and the rays at CC in particular to be very informative and interesting.

Will certainly do the experience again if I find myself back at CC.

 

[TiszBear]

I am putting my 2 cents in here: I was on the April 25th thru May 2, 2009 cruise to Tortola and I can tell you this about the stingrays and I have the pictures to prove it. WHile my mom & I were feeding the stingrays there was 1 of the males who was very aggressive and trying to block the other stingrays from getting the food. My mom had her hand on the mickey head, laying flat like they showed and the male came up the opposite way and "took a bit" out of her finger. While they may not have teeth their mouth is like a vaccum and her finger was sucked up and the cast member had to slap the water and make vibrations so he would let go. He did but my mom need medical attention from first aid, as there was a lot of blood, skin missing and i won't go on. DCL was great about everything. After our session , and we had the first one of the day, the male was moved out of the lagoon into another holding area and we were told he was transported back to Epcot. My mom could not go in the water the rest of the day and when people ask me about the most memorable time on that cruise. I show them the pictures of my mom and her stingray adventure! But this incident won't stop either of us from swimming with them again.