Best luck/place for boat rental?

[JC Butterfly]

Hello-

I am thinking about renting either a jet boat or a water sprite for the first time (no rowing allowed!) and I want to know if there are certain resorts that I'm more likely to get a boat than others?

What is the best time of day to try for one?

Do they accept reservations (or a same-day wait list?)?

Would 1/2 hour be enough time or an hour better?

Where would I have the best views?

Any and all opinions appreciated

Brenda

 

[danicaw]

I can only give my opinion on one of your questions....

Where would I have the best views?

We have rented from the WL in the past.
This allows you to enjoy both Bay Lake and 7 Seas Lagoon.

I think we went late morning.
Lots of fun. Have a blast.

 

[Parrotheader]

Although we used to stay at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds we generally would rent sprites from either the Polynesian or Grand Floridian since there was "more to see" over there with all the resorts, the monorail, the Magic Kingdom, etc. You can get to all those things from WL and FW, but it takes a good chunk out of your 30 minute limit just to travel over there and back (particularly since you're technically supposed to slow down when going through the channel connecting the two areas.)

Personally, I thought 30 minutes was plenty, but as a kid it did seem to go by awful fast. Of course as an adult now, the ENTIRE VACATION seems to go by awful fast.

 

[MajorWoody]

Hello,

In response to your questions, here are my suggestions :

We rent water mice almost every trip. We usually do it in the early to mid afternoon, and have never had a problem getting. We usually rent them at either the Polynesian, or occasionally the Contemporary. The advantages to renting from a MK area resort, as opposed to a place like BW, or Coronado Springs, is you have a much larger area to ride around in, which makes for more fun. And once you get out the open around FW, you can really zip around.

I would suggest one hour for the rental, a half hour really doesn't leave you alot of time, and you will probably be more worried about the time expiring with a half hour rental. The rates are $18 for a half hour, and are usually $30 for a full hour. You can call and check with the different resorts, once in awhile you will find one of the resorts running an unannounced special rate.

Also, keep in mind, that while they can hold two people, if you put two adults in one water mouse, it greatly reduces the speed of the boat.


As to reservations, I don't believe they take them, again, you can check with the resort. I've always done them as a walk up.

Hope that helps,

Take care,

Bill

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I would definately rent from the magic kingdom area! The boats are much slower from yc, we were told (cause we asked why) they seemed slower it was "turned down" because the lake there is smaller. also slower is the downtown disney boats you are only allowed in certain areas. The boats from po-rs were ok but the channels they go through are very scenic and you are at wake speed for most of it. The magic kingdom, I prefer CR they seem to have a large supply and the friendliness crew working the docks. also nice is the return area its very simple to manuver to park, the boat. Have fun, MKY

 

[ktleyed]

My DH and DS rented a watermouse from the Poly just a few weeks ago. It was $22 per half hour, and they got it in the morning, right when the marina opens at 10am, no waiting. They loved is so much that they took one out again the next day in the late PM, again no wait.

Here they are:

 

[J.R.R.Hook]

We have rented from the Polynesian as well as Fort Wilderness. Polynesian was the easiest in regard to the amount of paperwork you have to fill out, and if I'm not mistaken, they usually have a wider variety of boats to choose from.

 

[DawnCt]

The Grand Floridian has always offered a Captain's Plan. For the cost of three hours on a watersprite, you get four hours of use. You can use this time all in one day or over a period of days, it is up to you. It is the best deal. We have always done this and split the time between all four boys, an hour each.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Insider tip, when ever we have been out and it looked like rain, rent the boats! You get a bumpy ride from the waves & if they tell you to leave the lake and return, they usually give a big discount. We had boats out for over 1 1/2 hrs and paid only the first 1/2hr cause of the rain. And this has happened more than a few times. they really give you a break and its better in the rougher water! This was at poly & cr boat rentals. MKY

 

[DawnCt]

MKYmouse4ever, Your experience has happened to us several times and often we have gotton the entire rental period for free, even with only five minutes of time left. Of course, you always risk being over by the Contemporary when those huge thunderheads pop up suddenly and find you have to rush back before the first bolt of lightening strikes. Adds excitement actually.

 

[Humphrey1227]

Recommend the CR, and try different boats each give a different ride. We were very afraid of boating but now have been in all types of wdw fleet and really enjoy! We have even rented the pontoons and just parked out in the middle relaxing and taking it all in!