Wave Runner Tour at CC

[tadsdaddy]

This excursion was very fun for DW and I in May. To get a feel for the length of the ride, Gordo Bank (aka the sandbar) can be seen with Castaway Cay from the satellite photos on Google Maps. The sandbar is shaped a little like the number 3 and is east of CC.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=26.081543,-77.522278&spn=0.039740,0.062399&t=k&hl=en

 

[Jsme]

What if you book it and then change your mind? I forget the policy on this. To be frank, it is Friday and I am too lazy to look it up. Can anyone tell me what the policy on cancelling an excursion like the eco tour?

 

[disneycrazzzy]

She said I should only reserve this for DH and DS8 will be able to go with him. Okay, sounds good. I am not sure she was confident in her answer, but as long as we have one jet-ski reserved and it didn't cost $320, I am okay. I'll confirm everything on board on 8/20.

Re: cancellations. My understanding is we must cancel 2 days before the cruise sails or we are charged for the excursion whether we go or not. If DCL cancels the excursions, we are not charged. I assume there is some leeway in this policy...but being a first-time DCL cruiser, I am not sure.

 

[Hygiene99]

This excursion was very fun for DW and I in May. To get a feel for the length of the ride, Gordo Bank (aka the sandbar) can be seen with Castaway Cay from the satellite photos on Google Maps. The sandbar is shaped a little like the number 3 and is east of CC.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=26.081543,-77.522278&spn=0.039740,0.062399&t=k&hl=en

Was Fun for us also... LOL

 

[Corryn]

I have been trying to book this reservation for our 8/20 cruise. When I book on-line it shows it will cost $320 for two people. Can this possibly be right? I called Disney's shore excursion number and they confirmed. I sent them an email, but who knows when they'll get back to me. $320 for two people is outrageous!!!

I LOOVE Disney, but sometimes I have gotten a misinformed/not-yet-seasoned CM on the phone. When that happens, I'll question it a few times and they will insist on, whatever. I just wait a little while and call back and hope to get a seasoned CM to help me out. I can't see how they can DOUBLE the price in just two months. That is really crazy. Maybe raise the price a few bucks, but double it?

It was $320 for Me, DH and two pre-teens.
I'd try again.
Oh, yeah.....When we tried to originally book by phone, we got such a runaround!!!! I was very surprised. It seemed like the CM helping us were not trained by Disney because the guy got very short very fast. It took a Manager a whole weekend to get back to us with a confirmed time (we were reserving for two families, so 3 jet skis). I would definitely call back and speak with a manager

 

[fantazmickb]

This was my first time on a Wave Runner. I had always wanted to ride one adn I HIGHLY recommend going on this tour. I think that it is the best way to experience riding for the first time. The guides look after you and make sure that you do not have any problems. Our day was on May 16,2005 at Castaway Cay which was our first Port of Call on the West bound Panama Canal voyage. The seas were rough and I definitely flew over the waves many many times but I never fell off. This was definitely one of the best excursions I have ever taken.

 

[myboysmom]

Sounds like fun, but it looks like we will have to pass. Our youngest will be 7 and wouldn't be able to go as it is for 8 and up. Wonder if they think it is a size thing- no smaller child vests? The 7 year old is a strong swimmer (6 currently and on swim team) and loves to go tubing behind our boat, he is even learning to waterski this summer- he will be up next time I am sure. Too bad we will have to miss this one.

 

[pppiglet]

How wet do you get on this? Do waves really crash over you if you don't go fast enough?

 

[Andrea N]

You're definitely going to get wet from the spray as you're riding along. The waves don't really crash over you, but the water can be fairly choppy at times.

 

[Corryn]

You're definitely going to get wet from the spray as you're riding along. The waves don't really crash over you, but the water can be fairly choppy at times.

Oh, gosh, yeah!
But I'll disagree with the waves crashing over you.....when we initially exited the lagoon and started to make that left at the back of the ship, I did not fully throttle it up and I was being cautious because I had my nervous nelly daughter on with me, she didn't want to go fast...Well, thank God I had my sunglasses on because I had Not 1, but *2* Huge swells crash me in my face because I wasn't going fast enough and the swells were about 5 to 7 feet and I was just basically going up and down from the top of the wave to the bottom and then the top of the next wave/swell crashed over us. After the second swell in my face, I realized I HAD to gun it - After that we were skimming across the top of the water with no problems. But it was Very Hairy there for a minute, and I'm pretty much of a mariner!
So just remember to keep that finger on the throttle or you'll get knocked off by the waves! The faster you go, the better off you'll be.
BTW, one of the BEST things we've ever done!!!! Oh, and the Sea Life you'll see. My daughter saw MANY huge sea turtles, sea rays and other BIG fish. When we were hanging out on the skis before leaving the sand spit, my husband looked down because he thought he was going to crash into a large piece of reef. Before he had the chance to throttle to get away from the "reef" The Reef suddenly Came Alive and swam underneath his ski!!!!!! He had no idea what it was, but it was wider than the ski is long!!!
What an awesome experience. We've gone on the skis before, but never in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the ocean. I would suggest this to everyone

 

[alexcturner]

Thanks for all the info. We want to do this next time...