Boating Options at Yacht Club?

[pittsburghdude]

I can't seem to find too many clear answers to this...so I figured I'd give it a go here!!

On my first trip to WDW, my family rented a sailboat at Grand Floridian. This was in the 80s.

Grand Floridian is a little too expensive for me right now, so I'm going to stay at another favorite, the Yacht Club, on my next trip. (Yes, it's still expensive, but the pool saves me the expense of a water park). I do want to take a break from parks for an afternoon and do something boating-related.

What are my options at Yacht Club? (Alternately, would I have to travel somewhere else to do it? I'd be completely OK with that).

I prefer sailing, but motor boating is fine (although I have a disdain for pontoon boats...blame it on my lifelong love of sailboats). Basically, I'm looking for a nice changeup.

 

[WDW74]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/yacht-club-resort/recreation/

 

[Master Yoda]

I would still head over to one of the monorail resorts for a boat rental (I believe the Poly has the most options) as the waterway around the Epcot resorts is small, and are entirely artificial and look it.

If I am not mistaken, the current boat rental options consist of pontoon boats, canopy boats, aquafins, sailboats, and Mouse boats. Canoe rentals are available at Ft Wilderness.

 

[Cowboy Steve]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/

So... why do 4 people on this boat have life jackets on... and the 5th person doesn't? lol

 

[ABQ]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/

So... why do 4 people on this boat have life jackets on... and the 5th person doesn't? lol

That's a great point. It's no different than the family you see riding bikes down the street where the kids all wear helmets, but the parents are complete morons going sans helmet as they have rocks in the head.

 

[Wngo905]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/

So... why do 4 people on this boat have life jackets on... and the 5th person doesn't? lol

That's a great point. It's no different than the family you see riding bikes down the street where the kids all wear helmets, but the parents are complete morons going sans helmet as they have rocks in the head.

Okay, though probably joking, you both got my curiosity up with those comments. I would say that fifth person is the boat operator and guide for the fishing expedition and he probably is not required to wear a lifejacket.

 

[21stamps]

Okay, though probably joking, you both got my curiosity up with those comments. I would say that fifth person is the boat operator and guide for the fishing expedition and he probably is not required to wear a lifejacket.

Right. I have never in my adult life worn a life jacket while boating. Unless skiing or tubing.

That's a great point. It's no different than the family you see riding bikes down the street where the kids all wear helmets, but the parents are complete morons going sans helmet as they have rocks in the head.

Which reminds me of a question I had... Do bike rentals supply helmets at WDW, or do I have to bring my own for my kid?

I can't seem to find too many clear answers to this...so I figured I'd give it a go here!!

On my first trip to WDW, my family rented a sailboat at Grand Floridian. This was in the 80s.

Grand Floridian is a little too expensive for me right now, so I'm going to stay at another favorite, the Yacht Club, on my next trip. (Yes, it's still expensive, but the pool saves me the expense of a water park). I do want to take a break from parks for an afternoon and do something boating-related.

What are my options at Yacht Club? (Alternately, would I have to travel somewhere else to do it? I'd be completely OK with that).

I prefer sailing, but motor boating is fine (although I have a disdain for pontoon boats...blame it on my lifelong love of sailboats). Basically, I'm looking for a nice changeup.

I'm not a fan of pontoon boats either. Last year we rented the little Sea Raycers at the Polynesian, and another day rented a Whaler. We are staying at GF next month and they have the same options there as well.
I know they had sailboats when I was young. That was back when we were still allowed in the water, but yet they still allow the other water sports..go figure.lol
Sammy Duvall's at the Contemporary has more options for water sports- tubing, wave runners, parasailing etc.

 

[pittsburghdude]

Good question about the bike helmets!! I may toss one in the suitcase just to be sure. I've never rented a bike at WDW but since I'll be across from the Boardwalk and have a night without park passes, I may go for it.

The Sea Raycers and Whalers sound good to me!! I may do one day of each!!

 

[nickys]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/yacht-club-resort/recreation/

A while ago I tried to find out about renting from Bayside Marina. I couldn't find anything on the Disney website apart from the page on the Yacht Club site, which this link takes you to. If you click on the boat rentals choice, the only option listed is Sammy Duval at the Contemporary.

Does anyone know if you can still rent any kind of water vehicle from Bayside? Is it now a resort guest only option, or an oversight in their website? I thought maybe it was only the special cruises you could do from there now.

 

[WDW74]

https://allin***.com/tag/bayside-marina/
*** = wdw

 

[21stamps]

A while ago I tried to find out about renting from Bayside Marina. I couldn't find anything on the Disney website apart from the page on the Yacht Club site, which this link takes you to. If you click on the boat rentals choice, the only option listed is Sammy Duval at the Contemporary.

Does anyone know if you can still rent any kind of water vehicle from Bayside? Is it now a resort guest only option, or an oversight in their website? I thought maybe it was only the special cruises you could do from there now.

You can still rent watercraft there.

 

[nickys]

https://allin***.com/tag/bayside-marina/
*** = wdw

Thanks!

Just what I needed. DS is itching to get his feet wet this trip.

 

[nickys]

You can still rent watercraft there.

Thanks for confirming it. Strange that the official site seems to have missed it out.

 

[21stamps]

Thanks for confirming it. Strange that the official site seems to have missed it out.

I don't think they heavily advertise it beyond the guests of the resort. (Except for Sammy Duvall's) I'm not too sad about that.lol. It would be completely frustrating to be staying somewhere and have the boat dock be as crowded as the lobby, or not able to rent a watercraft while staying at a certain resort.
That's one of the "amenities" that I factor in when deciding where to stay.

 

[nickys]

I don't think they heavily advertise it beyond the guests of the resort. (Except for Sammy Duvall's) I'm not too sad about that.lol. It would be completely frustrating to be staying somewhere and have the boat dock be as crowded as the lobby, or not able to rent a watercraft while staying at a certain resort.
That's one of the "amenities" that I factor in when deciding where to stay.

Good point!
Ok, I hereby forgive the lack of info on the wdw site...

 

[pittsburghdude]

Yes, the WDW site seemed very vague, so I figured you folks would be able to help. (Of course, isn't that true of a lot of the official stuff? I read my cousin's copy of Birnbaum's Guide over the weekend and it was just as vague...)

 

[21stamps]

Yes, the WDW site seemed very vague, so I figured you folks would be able to help. (Of course, isn't that true of a lot of the official stuff? I read my cousin's copy of Birnbaum's Guide over the weekend and it was just as vague...)

Info will be in your room..I think so anyway. Make sure you check the hours they are open, the marina at Poly opens later than what I expected. 10am or so.