Parasailing

[jody]

HI
I'm not sure where I should post this, but has anyone tried parasailing at WDW? Is it worth the $$? There was a small picture in the Birnbaum's book and it looked kind of awkward with one person sitting in front of the other. What are the harnesses like? They'll take you up either 450 or 600ft. Which one should we do? I don't like heights but because I'll have a harness on I think I'll do OK. My DH and teenage DDs want to do this and I hate to wimp out! I'll appreciate any thoughts I get on this.

Thanks

 

[Madi100]

We just came back on Friday. My DH, DD (6), and Step-dad did this. My DH LOVED it. He'd do it again in a second, and he is cheap My daughter cried the whole time because she tends to be a baby. I'm not saying that to be mean, as I'm sure it sounds. She tends to cry about everything before she talks. My step dad did the higher height, and he said it was a bit scary, but fun. He says he has no desire to ever do it again. I'd love to do it, but not in the budget this trip. I'll do it next trip.

 

[diswedwish]

We went parasailing on 1/12. We were on the Gold Plan, so it was included. We did the high flight (I think) and had to go separately because the weight limit is 320 or 350 lbs. I think the lower weight limit is 110 lbs, so you (and your partner if you go tandem) have to be between 110-320 lbs. It was a lot of fun. It is very smooth, and you don't realize how high you're getting because it is very gradual (e.g. - not like you're boat level, then 650 ft in the air in 2 seconds flat). I didn't care for the turns because there was wind resistance that shook me a bit. Other than that we'd give it 2 thumbs up As an aside, DH is mildly afraid of heights and he liked it.

 

[shelleybell]

My DS(9 at the time) and I did it 2 years ago. I am very afraid of heights and still enjoyed this. The views are great. We plan on trying it agin this time at 600 ft. I say go for it!

 

[deba]

I just got back and went parasailing for the first time with my DN. WOW It was great. We did the 450 ft double harness. No effort involved. You simply get hooked in, sit down, and get lifted up as if your floating. She wanted to do it (I was elected to go with her) as it was her college grad trip. The view was great. The flight was well worth the $$. Can't wait to do it again.

 

[Brianhog]

My 17 year old son and I did it last summer for the first time. We did the higher height and absolutely loved it. It was certainly worth the cost and we will do it again this summer when we go back. It did not bother either of us any, but we both love thrill rides so I did not expect it to bother us.

 

[Vavasmon]

We saw a few people parasailing last April and it looked like fun. I agree about the heights but am also considering it. There is a cost difference between the 2 heights - I don't know what that is. My husband and his mother did a tandem ride off Surfside Beach SC last year and loved the view. I can only imagine the view of Disney World.

MAdi100 - based on your experience I assume the total weight needs to be 100 not 100 lbs for each person. I had called down to Disney Recreation a few months ago to enquire about a minimum age - the woman on the line didn't install confidence in the way she answered my question. She said there was no min. age but that each person had to be 100 lbs.

My DD (age 8) and DH would love to do this but I had told then they had to wait since she is below the 100 lb mark. There may be hope. She is a "no fear" child so I know she would ejoy it (she almost talked the operator at Surfside Beach into letting her go last year but she was too far below their min. age).

We saw the Disney special on the Travel Channel yesterday where the parasailing is included. The tandem (which they showed) the smaller person is in the front - almost lap for take-off (?) but it didn't look that way during the flight.

Does anyone know the direct number for the parasailing location (Sammy Duvals?) maybe they can answer the question.

 

[Madi100]

My daughter weighs 40 pounds. It has to be a minimum TOTAL weight of 110, I believe, no more than 325. They did the tandum ride and my daughter was in front. She was that way the whole time. My husband was close enough to her to hold on to the front of her sweatshirt, though. The guy I spoke with said they've had children as young as 2. Hope this helps.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

We are giving our son the parasailing trip for his 11th birthday when we go down this summer.
I am glad to hear some positive reports!