Reservations for Banana Boat

[kmgl78]

I just received our shore excursion information and made reservations for several excursions including parasailing. I did not want to have a set time for riding the banana boat at Castaway Cay so did not make reservations. Someone told me there was no problem with riding even without reservations and this would offer more flexibility on times.

Can anyone verify this for me? Any luck with just showing up and riding? Anyone have the problem of not getting to go because you did not have reservations? Thanks.

 

[mmouse37]

I found the opposite true....when we sailed last July I went down the day after sailing to make ressie for banana boat and they were all booked up.

This past Feb when we sailed I made a point of reserving them as soon as shore excursion desk opened up.

It could depend on what time of year you sail and how many boats are being used. They were using two when we went in Feb. It was alot of fun.

MJ

 

[pixiedust519]

When we went on the cruise in March, we made reservations for 3 people--myself and my brother and sister. After we went on it, we had so much fun that we convinced our parents to go as well. They headed over to the banana boat area around noon and were told that they did not have any more room for 2 people to go together but they MIGHT have room for one. So if this is something you really want to do (which I HIGHLY recommend--you will have a blast) I would go ahead and make reservations. The entire ride lasts maybe 20 minutes so it won't take up a lot of your time at Castaway Cay. I say make the reservations and go for it. And remember to hold on tight!! They like to whip you around a lot. Also, it's a good idea to bring goggles. I wish I would have had some. I was sitting in the front which makes it even worse because all of the salt water covers your face and stings your eyes so it's very hard to see. My sister wears contacts and she had to close her eyes almost the entire ride because her eyes stung so much.

Alyssa

 

[Ashkins]

I have already booked my bannana boat, parasailing, and bikes for Castaway Cay..Better to be safe then sorry in the end if they are booked up.


29 days adn 20 hours... wooohoooo

 

[kcand sunshine]

We went 3/23 with a full ship and my daughter and friend walked up @1:45 and got on a banana boat ride just fine. If you for sure want to do it,I'd go ahead and book it and then you don't have to worry about it.She had a blast BTW!!!!!

 

[atigeg]

When we sailed over Easter weekend, hubby was very glad that he had booked in advance because the times were all gone quickly on the ship.
he brought a camera and let go with one hand to take a photo, and Wham!!! He hit the water and lost a contact lens! But he still thinks it was a blast. I think he actually enjoyed getting a soaking. Personally, I was relaxing back ashore with a Konk Kooler.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I was in the 3/23 Disney Magic cruise. About two or three weeks before departure, I tried to reserve the Banana Boat for my two kids and myself. The guy checked every time slot. No dice. The Banana Boat rides were fully booked up. My kids were very disappointed.

On our first day on the ship, in the evening, I dropped by the excursion desk. I expected to be told the same thing I had been told on the phone. Instead, I successfully reserved three 3:30 p.m. spots on the Banana Boat. (Nothing earlier was available.)

On Castaway Cay, they were turing away anyone without tickets when we showed up about ten minutes before our scheduled time for the ride. We had to wait about 15-20 minutes past our scheduled time because they were running behind.

My kids loved the ride. I was less impressed. The ride seemed much shorter than the promised 17-20 minutes, but I had taken off my watch so I can't say this for sure. The ride was so jarring that I was hanging on for dear life as "buckets" of salt water flew into my face and eyes. The Banana Boat was pulled by a motor boat, not by a jet ski.

Oh well. At least after the ride we could head straight back to the ship for showers and cold beverages.

 

[DisneyFanJanM]

We just booked the banana boat for our June 15-22 cruise. Here's the thing they may not tell everyone about pre-booking: They will only pre-book 4 persons for each time slot. How do I know this? We're travelling as a party of 8, and could not book at the same time slot because of the limit of 4. Not because it was full. So check on board, there will be times available, but don't wait until you get to CC.