Golf Cart Rental

[thegales]

Has anyone been successful yet at an off-site rental as of June or July? We're scheduled to arrive August 9th and I have a reservation with Disney and the offsite company and trying to decide which one to cancel.

Yes, just last week. I don't want to give too many details, as I am concerned Disney will read and try to shut something else down. The rental companies want to keep your business. Talk with them, and they will work out something for you.

 

[bama_ed]

I don't want to give too many details, as I am concerned Disney will read and try to shut something else down.

^^ THIS ^^

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

I don't want to give too many details, as I am concerned Disney will read and try to shut something else down.

Totally agree with this...

 

[BayouDiz66]

Isn't it true the Disney often sells out of carts? So, if this is the case why are they stressing over off site rentals? If they intend to ban all non-disney carts then they would have to substantially have to beef up their fleet to keep everyone happy.

If they doubled the amount of carts and lowered the price by $15 dollars they would constantly be sold out. Can't imagine that off site rentals is hurting them much if they are almost always sold out of carts.

 

[mjaclyn]

My family and I are not staying in Fort a Wilderness, but would love to go there for a day and just spend time doing activities. We'd like to rent a golf cart and we do have a car that we will be driving into the Fort.

Should we rent a golf cart from Disney since it's just for one day or is an offsite vendor still less expensive?

Will Disney even rent one to me since I'm not staying there?

Are offsite guests still allowed to come in and try different activities like the Tri Circle D Ranch, boats, swimming, playgrounds, carriage rides, etc? This will be our first time spending the day. We have gone to Hoop-De-Doo in the past but that's all.

 

[thegales]

My family and I are not staying in Fort a Wilderness, but would love to go there for a day and just spend time doing activities. We'd like to rent a golf cart and we do have a car that we will be driving into the Fort. Should we rent a golf cart from Disney since it's just for one day or is an offsite vendor still less expensive? Will Disney even rent one to me since I'm not staying there? Are offsite guests still allowed to come in and try different activities like the Tri Circle D Ranch, boats, swimming, playgrounds, carriage rides, etc? This will be our first time spending the day. We have gone to Hoop-De-Doo in the past but that's all.

I would recommend renting from Disney, as the savings for a one day rental off site is not significant. Someone mentioned in another thread any one can rent the Disney golf cart, even non guests.

 

[bama_ed]

Isn't it true the Disney often sells out of carts? So, if this is the case why are they stressing over off site rentals? If they intend to ban all non-disney carts then they would have to substantially have to beef up their fleet to keep everyone happy.

Well, Disney sells out at peek times like when occupancy is full, or when close to full when it's Halloween or Christmas and lots of folks want to see camper decorations. Other than that, it happens infrequently in my non-scientific opinion. But they are always after the next dollar they could have made.

My family and I are not staying in Fort a Wilderness, but would love to go there for a day and just spend time doing activities. We'd like to rent a golf cart and we do have a car that we will be driving into the Fort.

Should we rent a golf cart from Disney since it's just for one day or is an offsite vendor still less expensive?

Will Disney even rent one to me since I'm not staying there?

Are offsite guests still allowed to come in and try different activities like the Tri Circle D Ranch, boats, swimming, playgrounds, carriage rides, etc? This will be our first time spending the day. We have gone to Hoop-De-Doo in the past but that's all.

You are welcome to come over to the Fort for the day. My advice would be to call ahead (or even before you arrive at WDW if it's during a busy time) and make a reservation with Disney for a cart. Off-site vendors offer a lower flat daily rate with no extra drop-off/pick-up fee (that's good) but to do so they require a minimum rental period (that's bad) of usually three days or more. So in your case, it would make sense to go with a Disney cart. A shorter rental would likely get hit with the fees and it probably wouldn't make sense.

Non-Fort guests are welcome to come do any paying activity such as boats, canoes, carriage rides, etc. Playgrounds are fine too. Usually day visitors can't pool hop to the Fort pool but I think I heard DVC folks can pool-hop to the resort hotels. Don't know the details about how that's supposed to work. And for the next few months, we'll have Wilderness Lodge folks at our pool since construction work/upgrades will take their pool out of action (I think they can use the Contemporary pool also).

Maybe come over in the afternoon, stay for dinner at Trails End, catch the campfire singalong with Chip & Dale at 8pm (7pm after clocks move back in November) and the nightly movie is at the singalong place about 840/740pm. You can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Fort beach (music piped in) whenever they are scheduled. You could easily spend an afternoon/evening at the Fort visiting.

Bama Ed

 

[mjaclyn]

Well, Disney sells out at peek times like when occupancy is full, or when close to full when it's Halloween or Christmas and lots of folks want to see camper decorations. Other than that, it happens infrequently in my non-scientific opinion. But they are always after the next dollar they could have made. You are welcome to come over to the Fort for the day. My advice would be to call ahead (or even before you arrive at WDW if it's during a busy time) and make a reservation with Disney for a cart. Off-site vendors offer a lower flat daily rate with no extra drop-off/pick-up fee (that's good) but to do so they require a minimum rental period (that's bad) of usually three days or more. So in your case, it would make sense to go with a Disney cart. A shorter rental would likely get hit with the fees and it probably wouldn't make sense. Non-Fort guests are welcome to come do any paying activity such as boats, canoes, carriage rides, etc. Playgrounds are fine too. Usually day visitors can't pool hop to the Fort pool but I think I heard DVC folks can pool-hop to the resort hotels. Don't know the details about how that's supposed to work. And for the next few months, we'll have Wilderness Lodge folks at our pool since construction work/upgrades will take their pool out of action (I think they can use the Contemporary pool also). Maybe come over in the afternoon, stay for dinner at Trails End, catch the campfire singalong with Chip & Dale at 8pm (7pm after clocks move back in November) and the nightly movie is at the singalong place about 840/740pm. You can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Fort beach (music piped in) whenever they are scheduled. You could easily spend an afternoon/evening at the Fort visiting. Bama Ed

Thanks so much! I called today and reserved a gold cart for the day we're coming. It stinks we won't be able to pick it up until 1:00 though. Do we also have to call ahead for the paid activities like the carriage rides? Looking forward to it!!

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks so much! I called today and reserved a gold cart for the day we're coming. It stinks we won't be able to pick it up until 1:00 though. Do we also have to call ahead for the paid activities like the carriage rides? Looking forward to it!!

Well, the 1pm time is set to coincide with when campers can officially check into campsites and cabins (checkout time is 11am which is officially when carts are supposed to be returned by). Unofficially, though, if you show up a little early I bet they would let you take a cart if they have one especially since it's only a 1-day rental. Whenever I try to check in a few hours early (and I do every trip I can), I can usually get a site before the 1pm official time.

But you didn't hear that from me....

I don't know for sure about the carriage ride-someone else might. As you come off the boat dock into Fort Wilderness, you walk up past some golf cart parking and the Settlement Trading Post building will be up on your left. Trails End/Pioneer Hall/Hoop Dee Doo is ahead on the right. In between is a nice paved open space circle which is where the horse and carriage stand and wait for business in the evenings. There is a sign post out.

Most other paid activities (other than the horse ride/walk which is not the same as the carriage ride) you can generally walk up and get availability.

Bama Ed

 

[cgerdon02]

Anyone have an update on the golf cart situation?