The new DVC Ferry

[DaisyDebbie]

is the most uncomfortable, worst thought out ferry ever. The seats are benches that are pitched straight up, you can't get comfortable on them. And they are so close together in the back that there is hardly any leg room. But there is plenty of room in the front, but you're not allowed up there

We took the bus back, less bugs and air conditioning. Better seats too

 

[adriannabannana]

Oh no, how disappointing! Where is this one heading?

 

[LisaSt]

My guess would be from OKW to POR and POFQ and SSR to DTD.

 

[Chuck S]

The ferry services SSR, Marketplace, Westside, and OKW. WHile I still enjoy the boat ride, the OP is correct, the seating is not nearly as comfortable as the "old" pontoon boat...and I doubt it is a comfortable as the PO ferry While it may accomodate more passengers, it doesn't hold a LOT more people than the old ones.

 

[tjkraz]

Ditto. Didn't like the seats at all.

There were some fold-down seats which were more comfortable than the cushioned benches. The fold-down seats are similar to the ones you would find at a baseball stadium--hard plastic or metal, but still more comfortable than the narrow benches down the middle.

 

[adriannabannana]

Oh man, I hope they aren't going to use these as replacements for the rest of the fleet as they age.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by adriannabannana
Oh man, I hope they aren't going to use these as replacements for the rest of the fleet as they age.

I believe the new boats are the only ones they have servicing OKW, SSR and perhaps even POFQ now. They purchased quite a little fleet.

As far as replacing the "Friendships" that service the Epcot area, I don't see that as happing. If I recall correctly, these DVC boats had about half the capacity of a Friendship.

 

[adriannabannana]

Originally posted by tjkraz
I believe the new boats are the only ones they have servicing OKW, SSR and perhaps even POFQ now. They purchased quite a little fleet.

As far as replacing the "Friendships" that service the Epcot area, I don't see that as happing. If I recall correctly, these DVC boats had about half the capacity of a Friendship.

While that's good news for us over on the BW/BC area (at least until the Friendships need replacing), it's not such a great value for Disney, unless they got a real bargan on the sale price. I'm a bit surprised by this.

 

[Chuck S]

Actually, the "boat" itself is OK. It is the seats that are awful. And if Disney ever reads these posts, I hope they give good consideration to redesigning the seating area, it should not be an over expensive or time consuming thing to do. Even plastic stadium type seats in "rows" would be more comfortable.

 

[adriannabannana]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Actually, the "boat" itself is OK. It is the seats that are awful. And if Disney ever reads these posts, I hope they give good consideration to redesigning the seating area, it should not be an over expensive or time consuming thing to do. Even plastic stadium type seats in "rows" would be more comfortable.

It might be worth sending a letter...I'm going to compose it tonight. Any suggestions as to who would be the best/most effective person to send it to?

 

[DaisyDebbie]

I agree the boat is really nice, it's just configured badly. Alot of wasted space. Even the pull down seats were quite small. Some people had to sit on both of them

 

[RumpleMom]

I figured the pull down seats were in the area where a wheelchair would be parked.

 

[dopey2]

I have to agree. The bigger boat is better but the seats are the worst. Why not change then to the bench type like on th PO boat. The bench seats are not padded but they are a lot more comfortable than the padded ones on the OKW boat.

 

[Disneyaholic]

This has to be one of my biggest disappointments since joining DVC in 1993...

I LOVED the old Trumbo Ferry -- comfortable, open, and a great way to travel from OKW to DD. In fact, even if I didn't *need* to go to DD, I would find a reason to, just to take the boat!

This was EXTREMELY uncomfortable, but worse than that was that is was not the enjoyable, relaxing trip it used to be. Being all enclosed just doesn't do it for me. I'll probably be taking the bus or walking from now on.

 

[Pete W.]

Originally posted by adriannabannana
It might be worth sending a letter...I'm going to compose it tonight.

It might be better to wait until you've ridden the boat yourself before you send a letter. You may be taken more seriously (and be able to provide more relevent details) if you're speaking from personal experience.

 

[WDWDad]

I forgot to post on this after our summer trip. The seats on the new ferry are quite possibly the most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat on. For our children the backrest was about at head height with nothing below it to support their back. For an adult the backrest protrudes into your back at a very high point . This was true even for me at 6' tall. If you have trouble with a seat that offers no lower back support while forcing you to lean almost in from 90' upright you will not like theses seats.

The driver stated that he had already heard many complaints and that he thought there would have to be some redesign work on the boats very soon.

 

[OKW91]

Is it true that the boat is operated by an outside firm? I had heard that it was not going to be operated by Disney cast members! Is that true?

 

[Chuck S]

I think the Ferry is still operated by Disney. But instead of being operated as part of OKW's Recreation program it is now under Disney transport, and paid partly by the DtD Merchants.

 

[smjj]

I sure hope someone from Disney reads these post. We go down in Nov. and I hope enough folks complain that they will do something about them by then. You know the old saying "The door that squeaks the most, gets oiled first"...smjj

 

[RobDoc]

The "DVC Ferry" is now operated by the Sassagoula Steamship Company- same group that runs the PO/DD boats.

The OKW boat used to be part of the OKW recreation staff- paid for 100% by OKW owners. The new boat is paid for, at least partially, by the DD merchants- but is not run by the OKW staff at all. (It will be interesting to watch the recreation line item in the next dues statement).

The old boats were very cozy and very comfortable- with nice cushioned seating- fore and aft in the boat. The new version is still better than the PO boats (they are not cushioned) but not nearly as comfy as the former OKW boats. The drop down aluminum seats (used for wheelchair guests to secure their chairs) are not cushioned.

The boats are covered, but not enclosed. The ride is certainly not the same as in year's past, but the extra capacity is certainly a plus during the busier times. The extra hours are a good addition and the schedule is OK (but not as frequent as the old schedule).

Enjoy!

<img src="http://disneydoc.homestead.com/files/ssrmay04_001.jpg">