Update re Golf Cart Enterprises?

[lklasing]

Hey all - I've always rented a FW GC on our 3 trips to the Fort, but this time I'm thinking about renting from GCE. The main reason is the option to get a 6-person cart, as the price will actually be just a little higher than it would be from FW since we're not staying a whole week.

So, my question is what is the current status of third party rentals these days? I heard a little a while ago about FW blocking delivery of carts - did that ever happen and if so, did it stick? Or, is everything as it always has been in that arena?

Also, any recommendations or other thoughts about GCE would be appreciated. Thanks!

Leslie

 

[BradyBz12]

I know Kenny/Tee Time was still able to deliver carts as of a week ago (when we last talked to him to arrange him coming to pickup our cart). I haven't heard anything new about GCE in weeks and last word was that they are still NOT able to deliver to the Fort. I'd recommend giving them a call to see if anything has changed, but I'm not optimistic.

Not sure if you'll have a vehicle with you, but they do have a trailer they will rent you, which gives you the option of going to pickup the cart from them (I believe they're about 20 mins from FW)

Someone also had the idea that you could potentially put the guy delivering the cart on your reservation so that he could drive in and deliver to your site. Not sure if/how that might work. The one thing that I think is the most problematic for GCE is that they were delivering with a big company truck. Not sure if that would be doable in this scenario, but maybe they have another truck available that they could use.

Good luck!

 

[_Athena_]

So FW will let in people to presure wash RVs but not deliver golf carts? Sounds a bit lopsided. Can you have him deliver somewhere close and drive the gc in?

 

[BradyBz12]

Unfortunately there really isn't anywhere close that wouldn't involve you having to drive the GC down the road - which is a big no-no (and not safe at all).

And yeah - this very topic has been the subject of endless debate. They allow the detailing companies to drive around each loop every day with their lettered vans (aka rolling billboards), essentially advertising until someone flags them down, and yet they won't let someone you've previously contacted on your own and paid to just drop off a cart - which takes all of 5 minutes in the outskirts of the overflow parking lot.

Doesn't make sense to me either - and we saw the detailing vans (more than one) make the daily advertising rounds almost ever morning we were at the Fort last month.

 

[stacktester]

I still think the best way to get around the problem is to get added on as a guest and get a room key so you can drop the thing off at the site. I had a rental for the pop up last week and the renter met me at the front desk with a parking permit. I went directly to the site and set up with no problem.

ETA: There is absolutely no place safe to drive a cart off FW property. The road in front of the fort is narrow and would not be a place to drive a cart.

 

[BradyBz12]

I still think the best way to get around the problem is to get added on as a guest and get a room key so you can drop the thing off at the site.

Had we not been able to switch our ressie to Kenny last month, or had their been any problem with him delivering at the last minute, this was our backup plan.

I'd love to hear from someone that tries this with an off-site GC rental and see how it goes.

 

[John VN]

So FW will let in people to presure wash RVs but not deliver golf carts? Sounds a bit lopsided. Can you have him deliver somewhere close and drive the gc in?

1st.--FW is not in the business of pressure washing RVs therefore there is not a conflict with the almighty $$$$$$ being lost. I am totally in agreement with the banning of commercial washing of RVs within the confines of FW.

2nd.--Once again I am donning my Nomex suit. Please explain why there needs to be a method discussed on this forum to circumvent rules, if they do exist, as far as preventing outside delivery of golf carts. Would this not be an endorsement of a procedure to get around the rules, again if they exist, and thus setting a bad example for young and impressionable minds. When rules do exist, why is it so imperative to find a means to defy them.

I appologize if this offends anybody, but I am currently involved in a situation with very similar undertones, only there was a life and death connection.

 

[BradyBz12]

Please explain why there needs to be a method discussed on this forum to circumvent rules, if they do exist, as far as preventing outside delivery of golf carts.

No suit necessary - I'm up for a civilized discussion.

The thing is that there doesn't seem to be, or has ever been, a published "rule" or policy when it comes to golf carts being delivered to the Fort from elsewhere. If there is, they've been doing a darned good job of making us all believe there isn't, since they have allowed offsite rentals for many years now. In fact they even used to allow the carts to be delivered directly to your site.

It seems that only recently they have begun having an issue, and that has been with one particular company as several others are still able to deliver carts without any trouble.

If they make it official policy, I wouldn't like it, but I would understand it on the level that Disney rents carts themselves and doesn't want the competition. But Disney also has no problem getting people to pay outrageous rates for their carts, and in fact is sometimes sold out. Wouldn't it be better customer service to have a way for the folks that weren't able to get a Disney cart to still be able to get one elsewhere? And what about the folks (we have one here) that need a 6 person cart - which Disney doesn't have?

There's also the question of the delivery of a personal cart - i.e., we've considered borrowing my uncle's cart while at the Fort. He lives about 45 mins away. Would Disney prevent me from having him bring that cart to us?

So I guess I really don't see it as trying to get around the rules, since there doesn't actually appear to be a rule.

 

[John VN]

No suit necessary - I'm up for a civilized discussion.

The thing is that there doesn't seem to be, or has ever been, a published "rule" or policy when it comes to golf carts being delivered to the Fort from elsewhere. If there is, they've been doing a darned good job of making us all believe there isn't, since they have allowed offsite rentals for many years now. In fact they even used to allow the carts to be delivered directly to your site.

It seems that only recently they have begun having an issue, and that has been with one particular company as several others are still able to deliver carts without any trouble.

If they make it official policy, I wouldn't like it, but I would understand it on the level that Disney rents carts themselves and doesn't want the competition. But Disney also has no problem getting people to pay outrageous rates for their carts, and in fact is sometimes sold out. Wouldn't it be better customer service to have a way for the folks that weren't able to get a Disney cart to still be able to get one elsewhere? And what about the folks (we have one here) that need a 6 person cart - which Disney doesn't have?

There's also the question of the delivery of a personal cart - i.e., we've considered borrowing my uncle's cart while at the Fort. He lives about 45 mins away. Would Disney prevent me from having him bring that cart to us?

So I guess I really don't see it as trying to get around the rules, since there doesn't actually appear to be a rule.

EXCELLENT ANSWER! I did mention "if rules exist".

FW should increase the number of carts available and include 6 passenger carts for rental. There should also be written rules and regs. that everyone receives and signs and are enforced and even then it does not mean that they will be followed. Allowing a family member to bring a cart for your use is reasonable but if the rules state that outside commercial carts are not allowed, then I feel the rules should be followed. If there is a prohibition of cart delivery directed towards one company for what ever reason, why is there a need to suggest ways to circumvent the desires of FW.

Not meaning to be hostile, just seems like it is business as usual in todays world on how to get around the rules or laws.

 

[nelle]

I still think the best way to get around the problem is to get added on as a guest and get a room key so you can drop the thing off at the site.

Quick question: If you added them as a guest would you have to pay extra per/person charge???

 

[BradyBz12]

There should also be written rules and regs. that everyone receives and signs and are enforced

I'm with you there!! I think the problem comes on the "enforcement" side of things. Nearly all of the crazy behavior I've witnessed on GCs at the Fort have been on Disney carts.

if the rules state that outside commercial carts are not allowed, then I feel the rules should be followed.

Agreed - and as of now, that is not the rule.

If there is a prohibition of cart delivery directed towards one company for what ever reason, why is there a need to suggest ways to circumvent the desires of FW.

A fair question. It seems that FW has an issue with GCE "conducting business" on property. Given that, and upon further reflection, I probably wouldn't personally go the route of adding them to my reservation. For one thing - if they pull up with the big honkin' GCE truck to deliver (which I really think has been their downfall) there's nothing to say that the Fort could still deny them access - whether they're on the ressie or not. And who wants that headache?

However that doesn't mean I wouldn't arrange to rent their trailer and go get the cart myself. We actually were going to do that very thing, but we had friends that needed 3 other carts as well, and that just wasn't feasible. That route doesn't involve them ever setting foot at the Fort, so I can't see them having a problem with it as rules/policies stand now.

Not meaning to be hostile, just seems like it is business as usual in todays world on how to get around the rules or laws.

I didn't take is as "hostile" at all. And you raise another good point. I tend to be a stickler for the rules myself, and it really does drive me nuts when people follow the "rules don't apply to me" theory.

I think the whole issue of carts at the Fort is reaching some sort of critical mass - in part because of the whole rental thing (and certainly the fact that a GC rental thru Disney costs more than a camp site doesn't help) and also because of all the hubbub lately with accidents and crazy behavior.

All I can hope is that cooler heads prevail and that things get sorted out in a reasonable manner that works for all involved.

Hey.... a girl can dream.

 

[Tiggntaz]

FW doesn't detail your rig. That isn't a conflict of interest ($$$). Plus I bet there is some kind of kick back some where to someone!

Kenny can still drop off carts for one main reason. He did it smartly!!!
Kenny will dropp of no more then 2 carts at once and he doesn't have his name all over the truck.

CArt Enterprise would pull up with it name on the truck, and dropp off up to 10 carts. He would sit in the lot and wait till all the carts were picked up. That is just rubbing it in their nose. If he would have kept it low key like Kenny I bet he would still be doing business at the fort.

 

[daddyphat808]

FW doesn't detail your rig. That isn't a conflict of interest ($$$). Plus I bet there is some kind of kick back some where to someone!

Kenny can still drop off carts for one main reason. He did it smartly!!!
Kenny will drop of no more then 2 carts at once and he doesn't have his name all over the truck.

Cart Enterprise would pull up with it name on the truck, and drop off up to 10 carts. He would sit in the lot and wait till all the carts were picked up. That is just rubbing it in their nose. If he would have kept it low key like Kenny I bet he would still be doing business at the fort.

That is true nothing like whacking the hornets nest with a stick! We will use Kenny next time we go if he can still drop off.

 

[_Athena_]

Sorry I didn't know this would ruffle the feathers so much!

I am still debating renting a golf cart. It may come down to which loop we are in. DH has some joint pain issues I'm just wondering if I should wait until we spend a day at the park and see how he's holding up, or just get a gc now....and how to go about getting a gc.

 

[RvUsa]

This all can be boiled down to Disney's COP (carousel of policy) Enforce this rule with him, but not with him... give this perk to her but not to her.

I feel if they have a rule, they need to enforce it, not pick and choose. If they are going to give a benefit or perk to one resort or guest they need to give to all of them!

 

[BradyBz12]

Sorry I didn't know this would ruffle the feathers so much!

No worries! This issue has been going round and round (and round) for a veeeeeery long time now. And it's likely to keep going round and round until/unless Disney issues a clearcut policy about rental carts ....that they actually decide to enforce too.

Until then... keep on loopin'!

 

[Robert6401]

Maybe I'm alone here, but I would almost rather they not come up with a "clearcut policy," because it seems more likely to me that said policy would include a banning of outside rentals. I can justify the cost to rent from Kenny, but not the cost to rent from the World. If anything I think they just need to enforce the rules on cart usage within the park, ie age, speed, etc.

 

[CampingBandit]

Sorry I didn't know this would ruffle the feathers so much!

I am still debating renting a golf cart. It may come down to which loop we are in. DH has some joint pain issues I'm just wondering if I should wait until we spend a day at the park and see how he's holding up, or just get a gc now....and how to go about getting a gc.

We were in the 500 loop. It's centrally located but you still have a long walk to the pool/meadows or to the Marina. If you are up by the marina you still have a long walk to the pool. There is always the bus if you don't mind the wait.

We rented a GC from Kenny, and a scooter from Walker Mobility. The scooters was $204 for Sat/Sat rental. They deliver to the fort's outpost and pick up from there. One day scooter rental at the parks is $50.... Not sure why this is not "frowned" upon? Walker's signs are on every scooter, and it competes with Disney directly yet they seem to have a working "relationship".

Just an FYI - it pays to plan ahead and be prepared for the worst. Renting scooters at the park would have cost me double what I paid Walker.

Honestly I think people tend to underestimate how much walking one does at Disney, especially if you go the parks as opposed to just hanging at the fort.

Anyway, having joint issues myself, I have no regrets because I enjoyed this vacation immensely compared to our March 08 trip when I tried to go without anything and ended up in a manual chair being pushed by my hubby for half the trip because I could no longer walk without pain.

So keep that in mind, if you wait and arrange something you may pay twice the price you would have if you plan in advance. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DisCamper]

Why does everyone keep bring up speeding?

 

[Robert6401]

Why does everyone keep bring up speeding?

Because I believe it is an issue. Have you not seen people zooming around other carts, and busses, and motorhomes, et al? It's not that I think people on carts should be forced to drive slowly, it's that I think they should be forced to drive the speed limit. If for no other reason than the fact that IF they do happen to get into an accident, the cart is not going to keep them as secure as a normal vehicle. Plus, the carts can be hard to see coming around a corner due to their size, and a cart vs a motorhome is going to be an ugly scene (especially if young kids are driving the cart).