Any comments on BWV watersports?

[tjkraz]

I've been thinking of doing a boat rental while we're a BWV in May. We've never rented boats at WDW before. Any comments? Specifically we're looking at the Water Mouse boats, or whatever they are being called these days.

I know the nearest rental is at the YC/BC. Where is it? Around the lighthouse?

What area are you permitted to use the boats? Is it all of Crescent Lake, or just a roped-off section away from the travel path of the Friendships?

I've heard people refer to older, slower boats at some WDW rental locations, as well as newer, faster boats. Which will we find here?

Staying at BWV, would we be eligible for any of the reduced cost rental plans? I read the info on Mousesavers regarding the Captain's Plan (and I think there's one other plan), but that info implies that you can only get the boat plan for the resort at which you are booked. Since BWV doesn't have its own dock, will they let us pay for the package rental deal at YC/BC?

TIA.

 

[lsyorke]

Y&BC water mice are the slowest boats at Disney. In my opinion not even worth renting. The mice at WLV are the best for speed and you can go out onto Bay Lake, which is huge.

 

[kathleena]

You can travel the entire waterway from the walking bridge to Epcot to MGM. And yes, the mice are very slow, so if your intent is to go fast, then go to a marina on Seven Seas Lagoon. If you just want a pleasure ride and see the river from the water, then they are fine. There is wildlife along the way, lots of ducks and other birds. It's pleasurable.

The marina is located on the YC side of the bridge to the lighthouse. They have other boats beside the mice.

Not sure about the discounts you mention, but DVC or AP members get discounts. I'm not sure which or how much.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the info so far.

Sounds like we might have a better time making a trip over to Seven Seas. Where is the marina located there? Is there one out front of the Contemporary?

When using the faster boats, can you get away with shorts and a tee shirt or is swimming attire more appropriate? I'm just not sure how wet you typically get in the boat. I'm wondering if we couldn't follow breakfast at Chef Mickey's with an hour in the Sea Raycers.

There aren't any age limitations as long as an adult is driving, correct?

 

[waltk]

We've rented the bigger boats at WLV for the last few years. I think that the cost 6 people in the boat. They are plenty fast, and are a great option where you have small children.

 

[tzvdmd]

The BW body of water is small. If you are really wanting to do some boating rent at Bay Lake.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Thanks for the info so far.

Sounds like we might have a better time making a trip over to Seven Seas. Where is the marina located there? Is there one out front of the Contemporary?

When using the faster boats, can you get away with shorts and a tee shirt or is swimming attire more appropriate? I'm just not sure how wet you typically get in the boat. I'm wondering if we couldn't follow breakfast at Chef Mickey's with an hour in the Sea Raycers.

There aren't any age limitations as long as an adult is driving, correct?

yep theres one at the Contemporary as well as at GF.(dont know much about Poly) We have rented at both and had a great time every time. If you rent straight from CR, Bay Lake has a bit more water area to roam around and you can sort of zip around more stuff(like Discovery Island) . But theres plenty of room near GF too on seven Seas and you can still get over to baY Lake part of lake just takes awhile because its slow going through the part that connects the 2 lakes that goes over the road(very neat water bridge if you have never seen it) where the boats from WL make there trips to MK

its fun

 

[timC]

The BW body of water is small. If you are really wanting to do some boating rent at Bay Lake.

I'll second that. Boating on bay lake is terrific. Head over to VWL. They'll get you set up, with whatever type of boat you want.

 

[paults]

just remember that where ever you sign up for the baot plan that is where you have to use it. You can't sign up at YC/BC or Poly and then use it at the WL

 

[FLYNZ4]

just remember that where ever you sign up for the baot plan that is where you have to use it. You can't sign up at YC/BC or Poly and then use it at the WL

I was under the impression that we can only sign up for the boat plans at resorts that we are staying at. Has the policy changed? Is it enforced?

We usually rent boats (water sprites) at the Poly... but we have rented them from the other marinas on Bay Lake/7SL too.

/Jim

 

[Granny]

I was under the impression that we can only sign up for the boat plans at resorts that we are staying at. Has the policy changed? Is it enforced?

We usually rent boats (water sprites) at the Poly... but we have rented them from the other marinas on Bay Lake/7SL too.

/Jim

You don't have to be staying at a resort to rent boats there, or to sign up for a boat plan. But, as was indicated, you do need to always rent from the same place once you've signed up for a plan.

I'd suggest using WL/VWL since you can drive over and valet park making it the easiest one to get to. Also, it give you an excuse to walk through that lobby!

 

[FLYNZ4]

You don't have to be staying at a resort to rent boats there, or to sign up for a boat plan. But, as was indicated, you do need to always rent from the same place once you've signed up for a plan.

I'd suggest using WL/VWL since you can drive over and valet park making it the easiest one to get to. Also, it give you an excuse to walk through that lobby!

Thanks Granny,

I knew that we could rent boats from any marina, but for some reason, I thought that we had to be staying at the resort to sign up for the unlimited boat plans. This is great news... I think I will do it this summer

I agree with your recommendation of WL/VWL for the same reasons that you mention

/Jim

 

[paults]

Thanks Granny,

I knew that we could rent boats from any marina, but for some reason, I thought that we had to be staying at the resort to sign up for the unlimited boat plans. This is great news... I think I will do it this summer

I agree with your recommendation of WL/VWL for the same reasons that you mention

/Jim

I could be wrong but I think to use the (unlimited boat plan )you need to be staying at a disney resort as a guest. It's for guest only.

If you are not a guest at a disney resort and just come in to rent a boat then I think it's hourly. I could be wrong

 

[FLYNZ4]

I could be wrong but I think to use the (unlimited boat plan )you need to be staying at a disney resort as a guest. It's for guest only.

If you are not a guest at a disney resort and just come in to rent a boat then I think it's hourly. I could be wrong

OK, here is the deal. We will be staying at some combination of BCV, and SSR. I would like to sign up for the all you can use plan at VWL. Will I be able to do this even though I am not staying at VWL?

I know that I can rent boats hourly... but I dont know if I can get the all you can use plans.

/Jim

 

[ErinC]

I think you'll still be able to get the plan from WL, even though you aren't staying there.

TJKraz- If I remember right we wore street clothes when we rented the water mice from WL(pre sea raycers). I don't remember getting wet at all. Last year we also rented a pontoon when we had my parents and SIL with us, and enjoyed that too. We rode over toward FW and looked around (we used to camp there when I was little), it brought back old memories for my Mom and Dad. But we enjoyed the pontoon as well. It's a nice afternoon thing too, if you need some down time with the kids. DD7 was riding with DH in the water mice, and feel asleep! I guess she really enjoyed the ride!

 

[Poohs Pal]

DD and DS went to VWL in October to rent the water mice. They were told if they wanted the faster boats to head over to the Contemporary. Once they were there DD DS were told no plan for the faster boats. They were also limited to where they could go with these boats. They were also a lot more expensive then the other boats but according to DD DS well worth it. Someone also sat in the designated area to make sure they stayed in the area. Now DD DS are 30-32 so this preturb DS some but he still enjoyed himself. They both wore regular clothing but said next time they would wear swim suits as they both got very wet. Our family of young people plan on renting these in December. Susan