I'm going to attempt to answer as many questions as possible from this thread. I work with/around the marinas on a daily basis, so this is fairly reliable information.
Does anyone recall where the fastest ones are located?
The fastest boats are at the Polynesian, GF, Contemporary, FW, and Wilderness Lodge resorts. They can reach up to 23mph, but typically average between 15-20mph depending on the load weight. Boats at all other resorts average 5-7mph.
How long does it take to 'ride' over to Seven Seas Lagoon from Bay Lake?
As CoachBagFanatic said it only takes about three minutes to travel from one lake to the other, however if any inclimate weather is approaching there is the possibility of "split" lakes, meaning boats rented at FW, CT, and WL will not be allowed in Seven Seas Lagoon and boats from PY and GF will not be allowed in Bay Lake.
Our son will be 12 when we are at the Poly in January. I thought I saw somewhere that he could drive a Sea Raycer but would that be his own or with adult supervision?
In order to drive a Sea Raycer you must be 12 years old AND five feet tall. The CMs are very strict with this requirement. At the PY, GF, CT, WL, and FW resorts they must ride with someone who is over 16 with a valid Driver's License. You must be over 16 with a valid DL to drive alone at these resorts. At all other resorts the requirement is simply 12 years old and five feet tall to drive alone or with a passenger.
If you never boat, how hard are they to handle?
Very easy. The lakes all have large open spaces that allow new drivers to take a little extra time to get used to how the boats handle. Most new drivers get a feel for the steering within 5 minutes of being out on the lake.
What are the prices?
The prices that jessrose18 posted are almost accurate, with a few changes.
Sea Raycer (2 seats): $32 for 30 minutes, $40 for 45 minutes, $45 for 60 minutes
Boston Whaler (6 seats): $45 for 30 minutes
Pontoon (10 seats): $45 for 30 minutes
There are several other varieties of boats offered at various locations, but it is not the same for all resorts.
**Prices are the same at all locations**
Wait a minute this can be the first time disney in me talking but I thought the water wasn't safe. What if you accidentally fall off aren't you doomed?
Not sure what this is about, possibly the several Amoeba fatalies in Florida over the past couple of years? First of all water at Disney is regularly tested. I have been swimming in Disney lakes (swimming, not just splashing around on shore) once a month over the past four years, and I seem to be okay. The Sea Raycers are also very difficult to fall out of, you sit very low in the boat. As long as you don't do anything you know you shouldn't, you'll be fine.
I would like to know the answer to that one also. We are staying at the FQ, would we be able to rent one from there? Where are the boundaries set as far as where you can go in the water?
As BCV23 said, you must go to Riverside to rent. The entire canal system that links Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Port Orleans, and DTD is open for travel, but your boat must be returned at the location you rented it from, this also applies to the MK resort area locations.
I was told that as long as they can sit up on their own and wear a life jacket they can ride.
That's the rule.
I was thinking it might be fun to take a video camcorder on one and film. Is it likely to get wet or is it fairly okay?
The driver is not allowed to film, but a passenger can. I wouldn't recommend a camcorder on the faster Sea Raycers, but we see them all the time at the slower locations. The larger boats are fine too.
Also, my DH & I were able to easily pass the camera/video camera back and forth to each other while on 2 different boats
This is usually not allowed, boats are told to stay at least 25 feet from anything, boats, shorelines, buoys, ducks, etc.
Oh, the pictures that Brady posted are NOT the Boston Whalers available for rent, those are the Lake Patrol boats. The two boats with the dark green canopies in the foreground are the Boston Whaler's rented at Disney.
Boston Whaler
I think all the other questions were answered already. Hope this helps!!