Carriage Rides - which one is best?

[GrandFloridian4]

I want to book a carriage ride for my DH & I for this weekend prior to our dinner reservations at Narcoossee's. We will be eating prior to the fireworks & then watching them from there. Which carriage ride would everyone suggest to go along with our romantic evening-theme? Is any one particularly better than another for this? Thanks.

 

[momandseandodisney]

I would say POR ?

 

[GrandFloridian4]

That's where I was thinking, but why? I would like to do FW, but I don't know that it goes along with the "romantic" theme - more cowboy-like. POR sounds like a pretty theme, but I'm not sure where the carriage goes in POR & I don't know anything about the third place - can't even remember where it leaves from. Can you tell me anything about POR or the other one?

 

[Lisa0503]

I don't know much about the carrige rides but I do remember reading somewhere that there was also a carrige ride at Sarasota Springs Resort.

Have fun deciding and definately post back about how you liked it. I would love to do this some day....

 

[Grandmouse]

The carriage ride at FW would certainly be more convenient to your dinner at GF.

 

[erinch]

here's the carriage ride info on allears
http://allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Take the POR carriage ride.
2) The others
. . . SSR is not too exciting and the scenery is not unique
. . . FW is pleasant scenery, but a little too rustic

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If you're doing a POR ride before a dinner at GF, I wouldn't want to try it without a car. Otherwise it's going to take a while to get from place to place. Also, they only offer the carriage rides at certain times, so I think you'd have to be dining pretty late.


Why not combine a carriage ride with dinner at Boatwritght's (which is at POR)?

 

[twotoohappy]

My favorite is the Sleigh Ride at WL, but the carriage ride at FW was nice too!

 

[O2BNWDW]

haven't been on one but have stayed at POR a few times and witnessed them...I would say POR...but I am biased because I think the mansions lit up at night are beautiful!!

ps. hoping to do one this trip so if you go - let us know how it was.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Thank you, everyone. I decided on the POR ride after everyone's replies & also after talking with the CM who booked it for me.

Allears info. stated that the carriage rides all begin at 6:00 pm & I almost didn't call because our dinner reserv. are at 7:00pm, but I did call & the CM told me that the rides actually begin at 5:30 & to be there by 5:15. I told her that I was interested in the FW ride & that it was closest to GF, but she reminded me that you must use the bus transp. to get to Pioneer Hall & I realized that it could cost us some time. She felt that POR would be the best considering our dinnertime.
BTW, she described the FW ride & it sounded great. We're going to have to try it sometime or maybe the sleigh ride.
I'll post after we take the ride.

 

[shellbelle]

My favorite is the Sleigh Ride at WL, but the carriage ride at FW was nice too!

I'm trying to decide between the Sleigh Ride at WL and the Carriage ride at FW for our Christmas trip. Can you tell me a little about these two and why you liked WL better?

 

[Brise Nannie]

I'm trying to decide between the Sleigh Ride at WL and the Carriage ride at FW for our Christmas trip. Can you tell me a little about these two and why you liked WL better?

I'm thinking the same thing. Can anyone tell us the difference?

 

[magicalmoments]

I too would like to know the difference. Can anyone share?

Thanks, Stacy



Going to WDW 12/16 - 12/25

 

[Brise Nannie]

I need to call WDW to change a ressie and when I do I'll ask about the diff between the carriage ride and the sleigh ride. I'll try to remember to post the answer here.

 

[shellbelle]

I need to call WDW to change a ressie and when I do I'll ask about the diff between the carriage ride and the sleigh ride. I'll try to remember to post the answer here.

Thanks Brise Nannie. Can't wait to hear!

 

[Brise Nannie]

Okay, I finally called and changed some dinner ressies and asked the CM about the difference between the sleigh ride and the carriage ride. Basically she said there isn't much difference except the carriage is made to look like a sleigh in keeping with the holiday spirit. So it's a carriage decorated to look like a sleigh. She also told me she didn't see a screen where she could take ressies for a SLEIGH ride yet. We've passed the 90-day out timeframe and I should've been able to make a reservation. I opted to reserve a carriage ride figuring I'll keep checking back to see if I can change it to a sleigh ride later on down the road.

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Yesterday my DH & I did the carriage ride at POR & it was wonderful! It was a beautiful, open white carriage with a red covering to shade you from the sun. The ride began at the marina at POR & traveled along the Sassagoula River to & through POFQ & then back to POR, going over bridges & crossing roads. A lot of the ride was tree-lined & we saw ducks & a rabbit along the way. It was cute when we were on our way back & a little boy was in a sea-raycer on the river & kept yelling our carriage driver's name & the horse's name. He had ridden the night before.

A few things of interest:
1) The posted time (on the websites & on the sign at the marina) of the first ride is 6:00 pm, but they actually begin booking them at 5:30 pm & tell you to be there by 5:15. We were there by 4:50 & the carriages arrived shortly afterward. They did some caretaking on the horses & then allowed us to begin our ride by 5:00 pm. It was terrific, as the sun stayed in for our ride & there was a light breeze, which made the trip that much more enjoyable.

2) Our driver told us that the sleigh rides don't begin until November & he didn't believe that they are taking reservations for them yet. They are just as Brise Nannie described & they leave from WL & travel the same route as the carriage rides in FW.

3) You are not allowed to touch/pet the horses. Disney's policy. Everyone walks up to pet them & it's probably a very good idea not to allow it. (Yes, I tried, also ) The horses are in "work" mode. It was funny how many people were taking pictures of the horse & carriage & then just walking away, not intending on riding. They even took pictures of us inside the carriage (?)

4) They only accept cash for payment, although they book the ride with a credit card hold so that they can charge you if you don't show for your reservation. I believe if you're an on-site guest that they also allow you to charge it to your room.

5) It's not very busy at WDW right now & there were still people walking & riding bikes along the entire route. I can see how it could be a much less romantic ride - & more stressful for the horse - if you ride during busy times. My DH & I thought how nice it must be to do the same ride at night with the lighting along the way.

I would highly recommend it & we will definitely do it again. We will probably try the FW carriage ride, in addition to the sleigh ride, too.