(Review) Bello Bay Cruise: Universal Kids Resort’s biggest ride is also its wildest

What to expect on Bello Bay Cruise

Child’s rating: Did not ride
Parent’s rating: 8 out of 10

Prepare to board a circular raft for a whitewater adventure through this Minions vs. Minions land. Your jaunting journey is filled with whirlpools, waterfalls, spinning, splashes and two short drops. Although this is marketed as a family raft ride, parents should know that the spinning is much more aggressive than the drops themselves. Riders should also expect to get wet multiple times during the approximately four-minute experience.

There is no place on the ride vehicle to store items. Lockers are available near the entrance to Bello Bay Cruise. Hats will need to be removed; most guests placed their hats on their wrists. It has a minimum height requirement of 40” and kids taller than 48” can ride without a supervising companion.

Bello Bay Cruise has the second highest height requirement at 40″ while Swings Over Del Mar has the highest at 42″.

Ride experience and storyline

The adventure begins as your raft is pulled into a giant swirling whirlpool. Guests circle the vortex before moving deeper inside, eventually descending the first of two short drops, each lasting only about three seconds.

While the attraction includes fun Minions humor, the physical sets and scenery aren’t as richly detailed as some of Universal’s larger river rapids attractions. It does have quite a few eye-catching figures and painted decor to help offset the amount of concrete that surrounds the ride.

For me, the biggest surprise wasn’t the drops — it was how aggressively the raft spun throughout the experience. You can watch moments from the ride in our video below.

Several times our raft struck guide points along the edge of the waterway, causing sudden changes in direction and forceful spinning.

I enjoy river rapids rides despite being prone to motion sickness, but this proved to be one of the roughest raft rides I’ve personally experienced. I felt dizzy for about 30 minutes afterward. Our ride took place during a media preview with only three riders in the raft. A fully loaded raft may perform differently.

Who should ride Bello Bay Cruise?

Bello Bay Cruise is best suited for families looking for the park’s biggest adventure and who don’t mind getting wet or experiencing significant spinning. If there are any members of your group that do not wish to ride or are unable, there are three small splash pad areas near the ride’s entrance and exit.

Children who enjoy whitewater raft rides and don’t typically experience motion sickness will likely have a great time. The two drops are relatively mild and shouldn’t intimidate most riders who meet the height requirement.

However, guests who are sensitive to spinning or motion sickness should think carefully before riding. Based on my experience, the spinning was considerably more intense than the drops themselves and may be uncomfortable for some riders.

If your child enjoys fast-moving family attractions and isn’t bothered by unpredictable movement, Bello Bay Cruise delivers one of the biggest thrills at Universal Kids Resort. If your family prefers calmer experiences, there are a small handful of gentler attractions that may be a better fit.