The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[praline3001]

Misti, those are beautiful photos!

[MelanieC]

Wow -those are some fantastic pictures. I'd love to stay in the GF at least once in my life. For now - I'll just dream via your pictures

[johnsonet]

Originally Posted by Misti

Great shot

[praline3001]

Question about sea racers

We booked DD at the Wonderland tea party for our resort day. DH and DS want to rent the sea racers while she is at her party. We have never rented one before so he called the wdw play hotline and they said you don't need to reserve a sea racer? Is this correct?
What age are they allowed to use the sea racers? Should DH plan on renting one or 2
I am thinking 1 as DS might run into the Grand 1 and I don't want that repair bill

Has anyone rented them before? How hard are they to drive? What has been your experience?
DH also looked up the sailboat rental and that might be another option but again not sure of ages. Do they supply life vests and does everyone have to wear one?

[johnsonet]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreaming

I think it's about time for another trip to the Grand...

I agree

Originally Posted by praline3001

Question about sea racers

We booked DD at the Wonderland tea party for our resort day. DH and DS want to rent the sea racers while she is at her party. We have never rented one before so he called the wdw play hotline and they said you don't need to reserve a sea racer? Is this correct?
What age are they allowed to use the sea racers? Should DH plan on renting one or 2
I am thinking 1 as DS might run into the Grand 1 and I don't want that repair bill

Has anyone rented them before? How hard are they to drive? What has been your experience?
DH also looked up the sailboat rental and that might be another option but again not sure of ages. Do they supply life vests and does everyone have to wear one?

How old is your son? I think kids have to be 12 to drive a Sea Raycer. If he's old enough I'm sure he'd LOVE to have one all to himself I can tell you that they are easy to drive. Definitely don't need to worry about reserving in advance.

[goofygal531]

Originally Posted by praline3001

Question about sea racers

We booked DD at the Wonderland tea party for our resort day. DH and DS want to rent the sea racers while she is at her party. We have never rented one before so he called the wdw play hotline and they said you don't need to reserve a sea racer? Is this correct?
What age are they allowed to use the sea racers? Should DH plan on renting one or 2
I am thinking 1 as DS might run into the Grand 1 and I don't want that repair bill

Has anyone rented them before? How hard are they to drive? What has been your experience?
DH also looked up the sailboat rental and that might be another option but again not sure of ages. Do they supply life vests and does everyone have to wear one?

Reservations are not accepted for recreational boats.

Life vests are supplied and guest UNDER 12 must wear one. Older guests have the option.

Minimum age is 12 and at least 5 feet tall for "Water Mice" rentals.

Drivers of canopy boats must be 16 years of age. Drivers of pontoon boats must be 18 years of age. Resort ID, driver's license, or passport required. A child 12 years old and above who is at least 5 feet tall may drive a water mouse alone. All drivers under the age of 18 MUST have a parent or legal guardian sign a release. (taken from allears.net recreational info)

There will be a discount coupon in your resort paperwork (if you got the 4/3 deal) for 30 mins free boat time after one hour (I *think* that's the coupon)

Sea Racer - 2 guests maximum $32/30 minutes or $40/45 minutes OR $45/60 minutes

17' Boston Whaler Montauk - Up to 6 passengers $45 for 30 minutes

21' Sun Tracker Pontoon Boat - Up to 10 passengers $45 for 30 minutes

Sailboat 13' Catamaran $25 for 60 minutes

[praline3001]

Thanks! Oh Good grief I can hear him now ~
I don't like trusting him with the lawn mower let alone a boat!

He is 12 but he is only 55" so I think I am safe
I might have to measure him before we leave and hope he doesn't have a growth spurt!

[BCV23]

Here are some Q&A that were answered by a DISer who works around the boats not too long ago. Goofygal covered many of the points already.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=36

[goofygal531]

Originally Posted by BCV23

Here are some Q&A that were answered by a DISer who works around the boats not too long ago. Goofygal covered many of the points already.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=36

Thanks for the link!

I don't drive the boats. My DH takes DS5 while I resort shop with DS2 who's usually napping. I call it Mommy Time

Apparently, there is FINE PRINT that I was not aware about. This is from the link above:

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.

I'm guessing this is due to the busy lake traffic. I now feel safer on the lake

[goofygal531]

double post sorry!

[Cinderella]

Brook - they are easy to drive and a lot of fun - one of our favourite things to do on non-park days. It looks like my kids will be big enough to drive them this time. I didn't realise 12 year olds could do this - no wonder there were seemed to be so many crazy drivers on the lake last time

We also rented a pontoon boat, which was great. A WL CM said that a lot of people get themselves a picnic from counter service or room service and go out on the pontoon boat.

[BCV23]

Originally Posted by Cinderella

We also rented a pontoon boat, which was great. A WL CM said that a lot of people get themselves a picnic from counter service or room service and go out on the pontoon boat.

We love doing that, too. Last month we rented a pontoon at DTD and took sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich. We've always rented on Seven Seas before but that area was fun too. Different but fun.

[Cinderella]

Thanks everyone for this great thread and the old GF thread. It's given me enough great info to plan a stay at GF for part of our trip next year. Just need to convince DD - she is convinced that we should stay at CR. We love WL and the Poly but we really want to try a different MK resort.

We are hoping to do Victoria and Albert's (early seating) while we're there as we haven't been since 2006. But DD will be 13 and DS will turn 16 on our trip next year. They like nice food but I don't think V&A will suit them.

But they still need to eat. Where would be good to send them while we dine? I guess they may go to MK while we're at V&A, or hang at the pool at GF, as the dinner usually takes us 3 hours. Would kids that age enjoy the dinner in 1900 Park Fare, or somewhere in MK? They were 8 and 12 last time we took them - so I'm not used to travelling with older kids.

[goofygal531]

Originally Posted by BCV23

We love doing that, too. Last month we rented a pontoon at DTD and took sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich. We've always rented on Seven Seas before but that area was fun too. Different but fun.

I've heard recently on a podcast that people are taking the "Picnic in the Park" at AK to go and bringing it back to their resorts. That would be a good idea if you're spending the morning at AK. Picnic on a Pontoon They should offer that!

[johnsonet]

Originally Posted by Cinderella

Brook - they are easy to drive and a lot of fun - one of our favourite things to do on non-park days. It looks like my kids will be big enough to drive them this time. I didn't realise 12 year olds could do this - no wonder there were seemed to be so many crazy drivers on the lake last time

We also rented a pontoon boat, which was great. A WL CM said that a lot of people get themselves a picnic from counter service or room service and go out on the pontoon boat.

Love the idea of lunch on one of the pontoon boats

Just wanted to add that the Seven Seas Lagoon "cops" seem to keep a watchful eye on the watercraft - they will keep any errant "captains" straight