Feed, touch and snorkel with stingrays on Disney’s private island
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side·track (sīd´trăk): n. 1. A diversion from the main course. 2. A detour taken with children that you would never, ever take without them.
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Who and What:
On our recent Disney Dream cruise, Chet and I decided to experience some stingrays up close and personal during our stop on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  The cruise ship’s Port Adventure, Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventures, let us do just that.

Why:
Who doesn’t want to feel up a stingray?  C’mon, admit it–the thought makes you all tingly inside.  But seriously, folks, a stingray adventure seemed like a natural first interactive marine animal experience for Chet.  The first step, if you will, as we work our way up to swimming with dolphins.  Or maybe even sharks.

Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure is a great mix of education and experience.  After a brief educational lecture on different types of rays and their habits, we were taken to a private cove to feed and pet some stingrays.  Once sated, we were invited into the stingray’s habitat to snorkel alongside them.

The Low Point:
For us, the low point was getting some snorkeling equipment that fit properly.  Despite all evidence to the contrary, Chet has a pretty tiny mouth.  The snorkel mouthpiece was a bit too big for him, flooding his mouth with water when he submerged his face and tried to breathe.  And of course, we only discovered this once we were in shoulder-deep water surrounded by stingrays.

I also had to laugh at the fact that the rays were trained to eat off a Mickey-shaped platter.  Just goes to show there’s no point in trying to get away from the Mouse when doing any type of Disney-related adventure.

The High Points:
The entire experience was a hit.  The educational lecture was just long enough to keep the kids’ attention.  And the initial feeding session was a great way to ease Chet into the rays’ habitat without freaking him out.  But, for both of us, I think the real thrill was getting into the water, looking down and watching these incredibly graceful animals move.

For the ‘fraidy cats out there, there is no reason to worry about you or the kiddos being stung.  The rays are very friendly.  But more importantly, each stingray in the private cove gets regular “manicures,” cutting back the barb so it can’t hurt anyone.

The Kid’s Take:
Chet would like to mention that the rays feel a bit like gummy bears.  I would add that they feel more like the gummy bears that he half chews and then spits out in my hand because they are not cherry-flavored.  He was also impressed with their ability to hoover up their grub.  I was, too—why can’t they fashion a vacuum with that kind of suction?

Simply stated, he adored it.  I did, too.

The Adults’ Take:
I can’t think of a better way to introduce kids to snorkeling.  I had a blast–and learned a lot more about rays in the process.  And, considering the cost of many cruise excursions, I thought the price was very reasonable.

The Bottom Line:
Despite the veritable cornucopia of activities on Castaway Cay, don’t miss the Stingray Adventure.  It’s an incredible experience for the whole family.

Details:
Spots for the Stingray Adventure are limited—be sure to sign up online before you sail on your Disney Cruise or as soon as you get on the boat.  Cost is $35 for ages 10+ and $29 for kids younger than 9 years of age.

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February 21st, 2011 | by Kayt Sukel 4 comments