Boats/ferries as a tour around/across lake?

[tukkerlove]

The day we fly in we will not be going to the parks- we'll be staying at POP and have the afternoon/evening to do whatever. I was looking at the car boats as something to do, but $125 for a 20 minute ride is more than I can stomach considering how much we are already spending. Can the ferries be used as a fun way to just tour around the lake? Or is it mainly just commuter/more painful/complicated than fun type of ride? Are you forced to get off/on at stops? Just curious if anyone has used them for this purpose or if it's not even worth considering as a nice way to view the lake side sites.

 

[OKW Lover]

Since you are staying at Pop, how about riding the skyliner to Epcot then taking the boat from there to Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Swolphin and getting off at DHS. From there you can take the Skyliner back to Pop.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree, the Skyliner/Friendship boat tour can be fun! You’re not required to get off anywhere, but you can get off everywhere if you want, explore a bit, get a snack, get back on.

Or you can ride the bus from Pop to MK, then ride the monorail around, and/or take the boats to the various resorts - one goes to GF and then to Poly and then back to MK, a separate one goes to Ft.Wilderness where there’s a playground as well as the stables where the Disney horses live, and still another boat goes to Wilderness Lodge.

Look at the various resort web pages to see what quick service dining and recreation options that might be of interest based on the ages and other characteristics of your party.

DH and I do this frequently!

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, when I read your post, I thought, "Which lake?"

Bay Lake
This is near the Magic Kingdom.
There are boats between:
Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness
Magic Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge
Magic Kingdom and Grand Floridian and Polynesian
Magic Kingdom and Transportation & Ticket Center
Wildness Lodge and Contemporary
Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness


Crescent Lake
This is near the back entrance to Epcot.
The boat route is: Epcot - Boardwalk - Yacht & Beach Club - Swan and Dolphin - Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Then it goes back:
Disney's Hollywood Studios - Swan and Dolphin -- Yacht and Beach Club -- Boardwalk -- Epcot.

Sassagoula River:
There are boats between:
- Disney Springs and Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter
- Disney Springs and Old Key West
- Disney Springs and Saratoga Springs

If people post to correct any errors I have, I will fix this list.
If people have info about limited hours, I will add that.

 

[CarolynFH]

Wildness Lodge and Contemporary
Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness

I think this is the boat that currently begins running at 3 PM daily and makes the circuit of CR, WL and FW (although I’m not certain of the actual sequence).