Several Walt Disney World Resort Hotels will No Longer Offer Boat Rentals for Guests
Guests at several Walt Disney World Resort hotels will no longer be able to rent Sea Raycers, mouse boats, or pontoon boats for recreation purposes.
As of March 2 these watercraft are no longer available at Port Orleans Riverside, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Caribbean Beach.
According to reports, the boat rentals were handled by a third-party company and that company has decided they will no longer provide the boats for rental. The locations listed were reportedly under performing when it came to boat rentals and this contributed to the decision to end the service for guests.
All other Walt Disney World hotels that provide boat rentals to guests will continue to do so.
Have you ever rented a boat while at the Walt Disney World Resort? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about the end of this service for some resorts.
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Dave Ulanowski wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 17:07:
Been a DVC member for over 18 years. Always stay at Old Key West. Always rented them for us and the kids. Please bring them back.
Michael B wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 17:21:
I have rented a number of watercraft at various WDW resorts. I believe it's best if the resorts listed above discontinue boat rentals. The waterways the above resorts are located on are not conducive to a thrilling ride. I would imagine that sea racers lead the way in boat rentals and those are meant for speed. The resorts located on the Seven Seas lagoon should specialize in boat rentals because it's the largest most open waterway on property and allows the best scenery and adventure for all ages whether it be speeding around in a sea racer or a family cruise in a pontoon boat.
Richard Gibson wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 17:24:
We have rented boats before at Disney but never at these resorts. Even though we have stayed at the resorts, the lakes are just too small to enjoy boat rides. I do not think this will effect guest enjoyment of the listed resorts one little bit.
Chip wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 17:46:
We rent boats almost every time we visit WDW. We have only rent from resorts situated along Seven Seas Lagoon because that is the biggest area to travel around and the most fun.
Robin wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 17:56:
I rent a boat every time I stay at Disney!! I have rented several different types of boats bit the Water mouse is may all time favorite!!! I would be very upset if I no longer had that option. I visit The Grand Floridian every year always stay on the concierge level just love it.
Michelle wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 18:31:
We love to rent the boats. We have rented from Poly and Wilderness since the Seven Seas Lagoon is so much bigger than other areas. I would be sad it they stopped it all together but don't think they would ever do that.
Albert McIntyre wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 19:19:
When We stay at P.O. it took so long to get to the lake at the Village all your time was used up just getting there. When we stayed at the Poly we rented those boat's all the time
Suzanne wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 21:22:
We ALWAYS rent a pontoon boat at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. That makes me sad!
Annette wrote on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 23:55:
In 17 years of trips, only rented a boat once at Coronado.
charissa wrote on Fri, 03/14/2014 - 02:07:
We've never rented the boats, and we've stayed at both POR, CB. It's more of a cost and time issue for us. Would rather spend the money on something other than memories, I guess. We always enjoy the boats from POR to Downtown, though.
Gareth wrote on Fri, 03/14/2014 - 20:54:
I'm not surprised they have been discontinued, the cost seemed incredibly steep. And seemed more of a deluxe resort thing based on the cost. But thats just my view, I'd rather spend the $32 on somthing else. Of course when pricing anything at Disney World, I convert the cost into my native British pounds and then decide if it's worth the cost.
Shawn wrote on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 03:04:
I would tend to say a wise decision for Caribbean Beach. I go almost every year for roughly two weeks (at resort 45-50% of the time). If I remember 2 times I saw a watercraft, other than marina workers, on the water during the stay then it was probably a good month for them.
Sad part, the marina area for CBR is very nice. Hate to see it go to waste or go away. Maybe they can redevelop it/expand it out and move the nightly movie over there somehow away from the ears of those trying to hang out and relax by the pool/bar.
If I had ever been inclined to go out on a boat I would've headed over to Bay Lake where I could do better than wake speed.
Randy wrote on Mon, 03/17/2014 - 06:10:
A very disappointing decision by DVC. We rent a pontoon boat almost every trip to Disney and we always take visiting friends and family on them. Its always a great time.
The comment regarding the canals used for the OKW, Port Orleans, and Saratoga Springs boats not being suitable for high speed boating misses the point - these boats were for enjoying the opportunity to see the Disney resorts and Downtown Disney from a totally different perspective. They were also a pleasant alternative to the crowds at all the the parks and other venues.
I would urge everyone who has enjoyed renting these boats to write DVC leadership and protest the discontinuance of the service. It is a downgrade of the value of our membership at those resorts and DVC needs to take action to restore the service.
Edna wrote on Mon, 03/24/2014 - 13:54:
What a shame! Our family used to rent the watermice from Riverside when we stayed at The French Quarter. It was fun going in and out the waterways, seeing downtown, all the wildlife. Another exciting hands-on activity that teaches skills (navigating, mechanical, manners). Keep the kids/adults outdoors learning a life skill. My kids couldn't wait until they were old enough to have their own!!!
The beauty of Disney since 1971...cultural exchange, doing something different and being outside. Please restore the boats! Why diminish the Disney experience. It goes against your mission!
David Sieradzki wrote on Mon, 03/24/2014 - 14:45:
Randy - why do you think that this is a DVC decision? Doesn't look that way to me and only 2 of the 4 properties are DVC properties. The vendor can't rent the boats at a profit, so they discontinued the service. Unless Disney wants to make up the shortfall, they are unwilling to provide this service at a loss.
SurfCruiser2015 wrote on Sun, 11/15/2015 - 12:27:
Over the years, we have rented boats at WDW at several resorts, but the only one we've rented from in the above list was Riverside, and that was only a kayak. It was fun, but really hot (and we're Floridians!) as the surrounding forest seemed to block any chance of a breeze. I've thought of renting a racer boat from time to time there, but never wanted to drop that money for such a relatively crowded waterway.
We've considered the Caribbean Beach Resort several times thought, just because they once rented the sailing catamarans... alas, we missed that chance.
Conversely, we've rented both watermice and the Hobie Wave catamarans at the Polynesian multiple times and thoroughly enjoyed each romp in the Seven Seas Lagoon. The last time we visited this resort was to have breakfast at Kona, and afterwards we took a walk and strolled the grounds and to our dismay, didn't see ANY sailboats! Not even monohulls. This is sad to me and I am going to contact Guest Relations to find out what's going on. That was always a highlight of our trip, even when we weren't staying there, we would make the trip, eat at one of the restaurants there and spend the day sailing.
Jan wrote on Fri, 06/01/2018 - 01:46:
Please bring back the boats! Always enjoyed renting them been a vacation club holder forever! Sad
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