Mr Monkey's Banana Ride

A gentle swinging ride for young children - one of the most accessible attractions in the park.

Is Mr Monkey's Banana Ride open today?

Yes — Mr Monkey's Banana Ride is open right now, with a 5-minute queue (as of 20:02 UK time).

Typically 5 minutes at this hour over the last 28 days, ranging from about 5 minutes at its quietest to 8 at its busiest — about what this ride normally does at this time of day. Compare with every other ride →

About Mr Monkey's Banana Ride

Mr Monkey's Banana Ride is a children's ride in Thorpe Park's family area, designed for the park's youngest visitors. Banana-shaped gondolas swing gently on arms attached to a central rotating structure - the motion is slow and predictable, making it suitable for very young children who are experiencing a theme park ride for the first time.

The ride is part of the Amazu-themed family area of the park, which groups together the most accessible attractions for younger visitors. It is deliberately designed for children who are not yet tall enough or confident enough for the park's other rides, including Flying Fish.

What to Expect

Mr Monkey's Banana Ride is not designed to be thrilling - it is designed to be enjoyable and safe for very young children. The motion is a gentle swing and rotation with no sudden movements. Adults accompanying young children will typically stand beside the ride rather than riding themselves, though the ride can accommodate an accompanying adult in the gondola if needed.

Queue times are generally short. The ride cycles quickly and the family area is less congested than the main ride areas of the park.

Tips for Mr Monkey's Banana Ride

• Right for first-time park visitors aged 2–6. This ride is specifically aimed at toddlers and very young children on their first Thorpe Park visit. Older children will quickly outgrow it.
• Part of the family area. Mr Monkey's Banana Ride is grouped with Dobble Tea Party and near Flying Fish - plan to visit all the family area rides together to avoid crossing the park repeatedly.
• Short waits. Rarely more than a few minutes even on busy days.
• Good photos. The colourful theming and the children's reactions make this one of the better photo opportunities at the park for families with young children.

When to Ride Mr Monkey's Banana Ride

The banana boat's queue tracks toddler nap schedules more than park attendance: busiest late morning, empty by late afternoon. Waits beyond ten minutes are rare even in August. There is no strategy required - it is there when small children need it, which is precisely its job.

Parents planning a split-group day should note it sits with the other family rides, an easy base of operations while thrill-seekers in the party work through the coasters; the live queue page keeps both halves of the group honest about whose queue is really longer.

Good to Know Before You Ride

A gently swinging banana-shaped boat, modest in height and speed, with the swing building just enough for a small stomach-flutter at each end. For many families this is a child's very first "big kid" ride, and the ride hosts are used to first-timer nerves - front rows swing least, back rows most, so seat accordingly. The minimum height is 0.9m, with an adult required up to 1.2m, so small children ride with an adult beside them.

Its value to a family day is completely out of proportion to its size: after one successful banana voyage, many children are ready to attempt Flying Fish, and the park's whole ladder of courage opens up from there. Keep expectations calibrated - this is a warm-up act, not a headliner - and it earns its place on the itinerary every single time.

← All Rides  |  Visitor Guide