OKW Bike and Boat rentals

DISNEY4FUN · Feb 20, 2005

Hi everyone,

We are staying at OKW for the first time this May. I'm looking for details on the boat and bike rentals. I don't need prices so much as the details of what is available to rent and where you are able to use the rentals. How big is the lake for boat rentals? Where can you ride the bikes?

Thanks.

MiaSRN62 · Feb 20, 2005

Hi !
We've never rented bikes at OKW, but from watching those that did, it seems you can ride all over the neighborhood along the paths/walkways. This is a pretty large, spread-out resort, so there's plenty of space to cover.
We did however rent a pontoon boat from Hank's rental on the OKW dock. The river winds around.....you can go past the Port Orleans resort and eventually out to the big lake by Downtown Disney and Saratoga Springs resort. As I recall there were also canopy boats there and I believe they rent Water Mice too, but we didn't see any when we were there. They could have been rented and out on the water.
Maybe someone else can give you a little more info. Have a great time on your first trip to OKW !

Pa@okw95 · Feb 20, 2005

There are a few water sprites available to rent but they do not go as fast as the ones you can rent at other water-ways. The water way is mostly the canal that runs to DD. That is the reason for the slow boats. There is a small lake at DD you can ride around on. Years ago they did not allow sprites to go in the canals at all. I suspect that will happen again now that POR is re-opened. But for now there are sprites as well as all the other size boats they rent else-where. Bikes are the same as you rent at other resorts.

SueOKW · Feb 20, 2005

We rent bikes all the time - and I can't give you the exact cost, but I always felt it was a bit high. I am always tempted to buy bikes at WalMart and then donate them to somewhere when we leave... There is also a requirement for adults to be riding the bikes if the kids are too young. Can't remember the age..

So, really, I guess I'm no help at all - again! In summary, it's a bit pricey, but worth it and fun.. and an adult needs to be riding with them - even when they are definitely old enough to do it themselves.

DBBN · Feb 20, 2005

We rent bicycles and pontoon boats at OKW on a regular basis. We find cast members at Hanks to be very pleasant...they'll be able to provide you with a map for both boating and bicycling.

Boating - is as already mentioned. We find it very pleasant it that you can motor at your own pace. Although usually only the two of us we rent the pontoon boat as my wife likes to sun herself while lounging on one of the bench seats. It usually takes us an hour to navigate from OKW to DTD to POR and back. Although I've never compared the size of the lake to a scale on a map I'd say 1 mile long by 1/2 mile would be a good guess.

Bicycling - very nice and nicer now that SSR is open. We usually bike each of the streets inside OKW then access the path along the canal leading to SSR and DTD. The path starting near building 55 is paved and in good condition. It's nice now that SSR is open because it allows us to stop to get a drink and people watch at the pool for a few minutes before returning to OKW. We usually have the bicycles for an hour.

Have fun.

kweaver · Feb 20, 2005

Great info, everyone!

DISNEY4FUN - we'll be at OKW at the end of May...maybe we'll run into each other?

parrotheadlois · Mar 21, 2005

DBBN said:
We rent bicycles and pontoon boats at OKW on a regular basis. We find cast members at Hanks to be very pleasant...they'll be able to provide you with a map for both boating and bicycling.

Boating - is as already mentioned. We find it very pleasant it that you can motor at your own pace. Although usually only the two of us we rent the pontoon boat as my wife likes to sun herself while lounging on one of the bench seats. It usually takes us an hour to navigate from OKW to DTD to POR and back. Although I've never compared the size of the lake to a scale on a map I'd say 1 mile long by 1/2 mile would be a good guess.

Bicycling - very nice and nicer now that SSR is open. We usually bike each of the streets inside OKW then access the path along the canal leading to SSR and DTD. The path starting near building 55 is paved and in good condition. It's nice now that SSR is open because it allows us to stop to get a drink and people watch at the pool for a few minutes before returning to OKW. We usually have the bicycles for an hour.

Have fun.

We've never done this (rent boats), our first stay at OKW is in July. Can you rent a boat and "park" it at DTD? Then go back?? Just curious. That would be fun.

dvc guy · Mar 21, 2005

We have been visiting OKW for years and just rented boats for the first time in December. It was a blast, so much fun to motor around on the way to DD. The boats at Grand Floridan go faster, but you can't have everything.
DVC members get a discount.

Beth · Mar 22, 2005

parrotheadlois said:
We've never done this (rent boats), our first stay at OKW is in July. Can you rent a boat and "park" it at DTD? Then go back?? Just curious. That would be fun.

I don't think you can do this. But - even more - remember that you are paying for the boat according to the length of time you have it. So you'd be "paying" to have it sit there at DTD.

DBBN · Mar 22, 2005

parrotheadlois said:
We've never done this (rent boats), our first stay at OKW is in July. Can you rent a boat and "park" it at DTD? Then go back?? Just curious. That would be fun.

We've never done this and didn't think you could...but rules can change so I just called Hank's Rent-N-Return at OKW and asked. I'm told that docking at DTD "should not be problem subject docking space". When you get to the DTD marina you could simply ask for permission to dock for a specified length of time and see what they say. I can't see why they would deny your request unless there is no room for you.

Beth accurately states you would be paying for the boat while it is docked. Boat rentals at WDW are based on an hourly rate rather than a how long the engine is running rate like an airplane rental for example.

Have fun.

castleri · Mar 23, 2005

It is a fairly hefty hourly rate so leaving it parked might not be a good idea. When we did the boat and bike plan at Widlerness Lodge you weren't allowed to stop at any of the other docks but then we had paid a flat rate for unlimited use of boats and bikes so they rightly didn't want a boat sitting unused for a period of time somewhere else.

SueM in MN · Mar 24, 2005

Been going to OKW home since 93.
Have rented boats of all szes. Find it very relaxing to take a ride each year. The boats do not go fast better it is such a pleasant ride up and down the water ways to see DD and other resorts. Each Also you can rent for as long or short of time that you can afford. Recommend going out early 10am when the water ways are not busy.. can be a nice ride.
randy mickelson
OKW april 2nd
party of 8 :love2: