Parasailing on Castaway Cay

[Mjasp]

I so want to Parasail on CC, but I am so scared. My 8 yr old DD wants to do it with me but she is apprehensive also.

I'm afraid of getting up there and getting sick. I'm afraid of the cord breaking. I'm afraid of...well I'm afraid but so want to do it, does that make sense?

How do you land on the boat afterwards? And how do you take off?

TIA

 

[IFlossU]

I just got home today from the May 22nd cruise and hubby and I parasailed on Friday at CC. It was AWESOME!! The ride was incredibly smooth and peaceful. I was surprised by just how quiet it was up there. You feel like your floating. My husband was also nervous but after about 2 minutes he relaxed and really enjoyed himself. All I can say is DO IT!!! Even if your nervous you'll be so happy you tried it.

To answer your other question you take off from the back of the boat from a seated position, and land on your feet. VERY EASY!!

 

[jfs9900]

About 2 years ago I went parasailing in Sarasota and it was WONDERFUL!

I am not a fan of heights and I sometimes apprehensive about getting on amusement park rides. Sometimes when friends are prodding I will get on.

I was shaking the entire trip out. They connect you into a harness that is like a parachute goes in between your legs, goes around your waist and up and over your shoulders.....

The back is connected to the chute, and the front is connected to the cord on the boat. You sit on the platform feet stretched out in front of you. The chute is lifted into the air and you are slowly pulled away from the boat...... While you are up there it is dead silent, I thought it was kid of wired.... I never felt like the wire would break. (even if it did I am pretty sure you would just slowly descend into the water) they slowly reel you in. Sometimes if the group wants to have fun they will dip you in the water and pull you back out. Then as you come in you simply put your feet out - like that your back on the boat....

I would recommend this to anyone! Unless your are severely afraid of heights or water, its a must! On CC it must be even nicer!!!!

 

[colormouse]

I agree with previous post. It's amazing and you should really try to overcome your fears. You will love it. I was never was afraid of it breaking, and if it did, so be it, you are over the ocean with a life jacket on. I went parasailing in Key West and the views were breathtaking. I can only imagine how much better it would be at CC. You and your dd can go up together. It's less frightening when you aren't alone.

 

[jin diesel]

I am so glad Mjasp posted this question!!!

I too want to parasail next year when we at CC. My daughter will be 7 at the time, and will be doing it with me.

I know she will love it, but I am more worried about something happeneing to her than me. Can we do it tandem? Is it hard to "land" when there's someone attached to you????

 

[colormouse]

Jin Diesel...

It is very easy landing with another person attached to you. They bring you in slow and easy and your feet just touch the "landing" part of the boat. Sometimes they like to dip you into the water and bring you back out of the water before you actually land. It is alot of fun. My nephew had done it alone at the same age of your daughter at the jersey shore and he absolutely loved it. He has no fear.

 

[cdavishb]

I just got back from the May 22 western Cruise. My family of 5 went parasailing in Key West and my 8 year old daughter and I went on Castaway Cay last year. It's great! Very peaceful. Much more so than you would think.

 

[jin diesel]

I did some checking around, and found a Navigator with the info on Parasailing at CC. According to the navigator, the child has to be 8 years old, and all those parasailing must weight at least 90 lbs.

Did any of your kids that parasailed weight less than 90lbs? And she will be a mere month and a half shy of her 8th bday when we're on CC. Were any of your kids younger than 8? My DD (7) is the DEFINITION of petite (heck, I'm only 5' 3") and the poor thing only weighs 40lbs. I don't think she'll weigh 90lbs till she's a teenager!

I hope we can still do it!

 

[Mjasp]

I'm not sure, but I think if you go tandem they can weigh less than 90 lbs. As far as the age goes I don't know if they will let her go at 7 7/8 yrs old. LOL

 

[Jillpie]

What do you wear? Shorts over your bathing suit to protect yourself from the harness? And do you wear shoes for the landing?

 

[DVC California]

Hi Mjsap -

Let me first say that I have tried parasailing and I enjoy it immensely. It is wonderful to be up that high with a literal "bird's eyeview" of the ocean and the beach. It did not require any effort on my part and was as easy as taking a few running steps during take off and during landing.

That being said, there is some element of danger involved. High and/or shifting winds can make it difficult for the motor boat driver to safely navigate you in the air. And as you mentioned, having the cord break, while probably very remote, does happen on occassion.

See link for story from April 10, 2004:
Panicked Parasailors Rescued

I hope this doesn't alarm you. It is not my intent to scare you off from a very fun and worthwhile activity. But you may have to sign a waiver of liability and you should know all the limited risks that are involved.

Best wishes, Steve

 

[MoranClan]

Hey Mjsap..

Sounds like it has gotten easier over the years..

I havent dont it on about 15 years..We had to pull the parachute down to land it...

Seems they have it all under control..

I am going...Hopefully DW will go also.. LOL

 

[kellib36]

No running steps at CC---easy off, easy on the boat with a winch.

Whatever shoes you have on, they will make you leave them at the dock. They aren't where a lot of people can get to them, but anyone getting on/off the parasailing or glass bottom boats will be walking by. But if you have an expensive shoe and don't want to leave it at the dock, don't take them to the dock.

The first time, I wore shorts over my bathing suit, but this last time, just my bathing suit. The harness just turns into a seat, and it may rub a little, but its easily adjusted, as they will teach you before you get on the boat. There IS a risk, but I think my 82yo mil would LOVE it!! I'd love to talk her into a tandem ride next May!!!

Can't answer the age question, but tandem sailing is the answer for smaller children. I've done it twice at CC, and both sets of drivers and mates were very safety conscious and very professional. That said, they'd LOVE to dunk you on the way back in if someone in your party encourages them!! They didn't pay a lot of attention to everyone else on the boat, but they did listen to the person's party when it came to suggestions about dunking!!!

Its an AWEsome experience that 99% of the people that do it are very glad they did.

Kelli

 

[colcol2]

Can 2 children ride together -- age 12 & 9,?
Or is it one adult & one child?

 

[traycie2201]

I know in key west through sebago the two kids could go together not sure about disney

 

[sillysmom]

Our DD (8) did the parasailing with her Dad on our April 3 cruise. They ABSOLUTELY loved it. She was not afraid, it was probably less scary than some of the rides she has been on. Let me preface this to say, she is NOT afraid of heights or the water, SO if your child is afraid maybe its not a good idea. They did say it was VERY VERY smooth, cool, and "Mom, can we all do it together next cruise, the three of us?".

 

[jin diesel]

Originally posted by sillysmom
Our DD (8) did the parasailing with her Dad on our April 3 cruise. They ABSOLUTELY loved it. She was not afraid, it was probably less scary than some of the rides she has been on. Let me preface this to say, she is NOT afraid of heights or the water, SO if your child is afraid maybe its not a good idea. They did say it was VERY VERY smooth, cool, and "Mom, can we all do it together next cruise, the three of us?".

My DD7 is the same! We are both coaster nuts; the only problem is the poor thing is only 47 inches tall - so she can never ride any "thrill" coasters. She only has 1 more inch to go for CA Screamin at DCA.

We are both dying to do the parasailing, but if she isn't allowed due to her tiny frame/weight/age there is no way I'll do it without her. She'd be too sad

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I am an extremely "nervous nellie" and I succumbed to peer pressure and did it. I loved it. Unfortunately my nerves calmed down at the end but now I know I can do it. I won't hesitate to do it again. I am a bigger woman (size 16) and was nervous about my big fat body up in the sky but I even got over that!

 

[fast43]

I had the same fears about Parasiling. They will let someone under 90 lbs., go up with an adult. Everything was very safe and the crew was very knowledgeable and took many pictures while we were preparing to go up. Very peaceful and fun.

 

[Mjasp]

We are a family of 4, will they let my DH and DD12 on the boat IF DD8 and I parasail?

I was reading after I clicked on the link provided above and then searched further, that you should never parasail at 600 feet or more as you can't tell the danger of the winds when you go 600 feet or higher.