Friendship Boats - No A/C (Cutbacks?)

[stephen11]

We spent the week after labor day at the Beach Club Villas and used the Friendship Boats very ofter (broken foot) - the temperatures were 90+ most days and we were so disappointed that these boats were not using the air conditioning - we noticed most passengers were red-faced and sweating. This happened on at least six trips from Beach Club to Epcot and also to MGM - Does anyone know why..

 

[pattyw]

We noticed this as well in May this year. We heard the boat captain say that the AC broke and was too expensive to fix. I didn't believe that could be true- not in Florida! But when we were there in August- still no AC on the boats!! It was horribly hot!!!! So it must be some kind of cost saving If they don't have it on in August- they'll never have it on!!
So it must be broke!

 

[stephen11]

It's really hard to believe that in 90+ temperatures, the boats have no A/C - I am shooting off a note to Disney.

Thanks for your response -
Steve

 

[Jillpie]

I absolutely love taking these boat rides, but this is one of my biggest complaints!! I don't understand it, for all the money they take in, you think they could afford AC. It is ridiculously hot in these boats.

 

[joelkfla]

Did they at least fix the windows so that they could be opened?

The windows used to open, until a few years ago they locked them shut, saying it was to improve the A/C efficiency. In reality, I suspect it was just to reduce costs by eliminating maintenance of the window latches.

 

[pattyw]

Regarding the windows, I think when we were there only the front windows where the crew were opened. I don't remenber seeing other windows open. They had a fan on in the front- but in Florida in August that's not much help!

 

[goofy4tink]

There hasn't been A/C in the boats for awhile now. And the windows no longer open...at least not easily.
Not sure as to the reason, but it's been that way for awhile now.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, riding those in the warm for several years now has been pretty grueling. Like riding in a sealed iron box. Hard to understand why they are so lax in repair, even if trying to save a buck. Not like Disney to try and make a guest comfortable.

 

[CarrieR]

We rode them in July, in the heat of the afternoon, and it was terrible! I'd wanted to walk from EPCOT to DHS, but one of my friends has a bum knee and really needed the break.

I expected the boat to be a/c'd and was quite disappointed when it wasn't.

 

[TDC Nala]

They do have air conditioners - which break down a lot and are rather ineffective if they do run. Apparently it would be too expensive for Disney to retrofit the air conditioners on the boats. And the windows have been sealed so guests cannot open them.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We stay at BWV usually and have noticed the lack of ac the last few years as well

 

[focusondisney]

Yep, no AC on the boats for years. I have made comments about it on the surveys they send. Guess not enough people complain, so they don't do anything ab out it. Stephen11, let us know if you get any response to your e mail.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last month when going on the Friendship Boat from Epcot - Hollywood Studios I remember being really hot, although I think part of it was just walking through Future World and World Showcase. The other times I took the boat it was raining and that made the boat less hot or it was during the evening when it was less hot outside in general.