SeaRaycer-Age to Drive?

[plutospup]

DD12 & I plan on cruising Bay Lake in a SeaRaycer (didn't they use to be "Mouseboats"?). How old do you have to be to drive? We will be together in the same boat (somebody needs to keep an eye on me to keep me out of trouble).

 

[North7]

The age to drive the boats (either single or with a parent) is 12. Enjoy!!

 

[clkelley]

The age to drive the boats (either single or with a parent) is 12. Enjoy!!

That is incorrect. The SeaRaycers on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon are faster than the other boats around property on the smaller bodies of water. You have to be 16 with a valid drivers license to rent those. We rented a few years ago, and my son's 19 yo girlfriend forgot her license and was not allowed to drive one.

Now at DTD, PORiverside, and the Boardwalk/Yacht/Beach area, I believe those can be driven if you are 12.

 

[plutospup]

The boats on Bay Lake are definitely faster! I remember accidentally crossing the wake of one of the bigger boats - and getting airtime! DD(5 at the time) thought it was great. She kept saying "faster, Daddy, faster"!

 

[North7]

That is incorrect. The SeaRaycers on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon are faster than the other boats around property on the smaller bodies of water. You have to be 16 with a valid drivers license to rent those. We rented a few years ago, and my son's 19 yo girlfriend forgot her license and was not allowed to drive one.

Now at DTD, PORiverside, and the Boardwalk/Yacht/Beach area, I believe those can be driven if you are 12.

Hi Carol, you are right that anyone 18 or older must show Walt Disney World Resort id or their driver's licence, however children 12-17 (as long as they are 5 ft tall) can drive a Sea Raycer as long as a parent leaves their ID and signs a release.

I've done this with my children and in March we rented a pontoon boat from FW and trust me, there were all kinds of kids under 16 driving around Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon in these... the Disney water police in the Boston Whalers were constantly zipping around the lake giving out warnings

I found this on the WDW Magic site and similiar information on other sites...

Restrictions

Sea Raycer Capacity: (2 guests maximum)

A child must be at least 12 years old and at least 5 feet tall to drive a Sea Raycer
There is a maximum combined weight of 320 lbs


•All drivers 12 to 17 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign a release.
•All drivers 18 years of age or older must provide valid ID with birth date.
•In order to rent watercraft, a guest must be 18 years of age and present a Walt Disney World Resort ID or valid driver's license.
•Complimentary life jackets must be worn on all boats.

I'm fairly sure this information is correct based on my past experience, but if not, I apologize.

 

[plutospup]

I just got off the phone with a CM from Disney Parks and Recreation, who told me...

You have to be 12 to drive a SeaRaycer on Bay Lake, however, a parent/guardian who is at least 18 has to rent the boat. The 12 yr old may drive the boat by themselves.

My response... DD12 better not go by herself! I want to go, too!

 

[clkelley]

I just got off the phone with a CM from Disney Parks and Recreation, who told me...

You have to be 12 to drive a SeaRaycer on Bay Lake, however, a parent/guardian who is at least 18 has to rent the boat. The 12 yr old may drive the boat by themselves.

My response... DD12 better not go by herself! I want to go, too!

OK!! I guess I was wrong. For some reason though, I remember reading that when they upgraded to the Sea Raycers that on Bay Lake the age was increased to 16.

 

[NJRRK]

in 2007 my, then DS13 and I were told we had to go together in the boat you had to be 16 with a valid DL or permit to go alone.

In 2008 my, the DS14 was allowed to drive his own boat. Don't know if it was changed or just that DS14 looked old eonugh.

Next time were down there we might have issues as he'll be almost 17 but not license (NJ driving age 17).

 

[plutospup]

Carol, you might be right. The rules tend to change from day to day, from CM to CM.

Who knows, a CM might look at me and think, "He looks like a responsible adult taking his daughter for a ride in a SeaRaycer". Ask DW, she knows me better

 

[cindymouse6]

We were just there 2 weeks ago. My 13 yo nephew and 15 son drove separate searaycers. We rented 4 total -- so as long as an adult signs the waiver, they are good to go. Enjoy! it was great.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

I know we are talking age here, but here is a crucial point..... you must be 5' tall to drive. I am 42 years old and just shy of 5' and I CANNOT rent a sea raycer.
No, really, true.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

I know we are talking age here, but here is a crucial point..... you must be 5' tall to drive. I am 42 years old and just shy of 5' and I CANNOT rent a sea raycer.
No, really, true.

You poor thing! I know how you feel. At just over 5 ft tall, I'm vertically challenged too. I have yet to be denied entry or not allowed to do something because of my height (or lack of it) though.

 

[bunny]

My grandmother is only 4'10" and all the great grandchildren get so excited when they grow taller than she is. The first thing they do everytime they see her is measure themselves against her. She is 85 and still going strong. In fact we tease her because she loves country music and one of her favorites is Little Jimmy Dickens!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

You poor thing! I know how you feel. At just over 5 ft tall, I'm vertically challenged too. I have yet to be denied entry or not allowed to do something because of my height (or lack of it) though.

I too am challenged,,being 5 ft in circumference can sometimes be,,oh wait,,nevermind, you said "vertically".
My bad.

 

[auntie]

OK!! I guess I was wrong. For some reason though, I remember reading that when they upgraded to the Sea Raycers that on Bay Lake the age was increased to 16.

Carol, It was that way at one time. I remember it, because my younger son had rented his own sprite (well, his dad rented it, but he drove his own) when he was 13 or 14.
Then...on a subsequent trip just prior to his 16 birthday.. the rules had changed. You had to be 16 to drive.
Mind you..my son is very tall, and they didn't ask for his ID..but it was on the sign at the WL at that time, that you needed to be over 5 feet (which wasn't a problem, he was over 6 ft!)..and 16. They didn't give us a problem and he rode anyway.