Sea Raycers???

tigger1968

tigger1968

Well-Known Member
It used to be, but not any more. We used to rent them every trip, and the were awesome. We got a discount since we are AP holders, but in the last few years the motors have been replaced, and they now move at maybe 8 mph. It was so noticable the we actually returned the boats, thinking there was something wrong with them. A CM finally told us about the change. While before you could actually jump the wakes of the ferrys and other boats, you now just sort of plow along and just go over them. At the rates they charge now, I seriously would tell you to pass. It's just not fun anymore in our opinion.
 
couchpotatooo

couchpotatooo

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for responding after 30 views and no replies was starting to relize nobody must rent these often. We get that free time with our package but you have to by a hour. So dont think I would want those boats for a 1 1/2.:dazzle:
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
I haven't noticed any change in the boats that go on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon (the boats on Crescent Lake and the Sassagoula River do go noticeably slower, however). My dad & I think they're really fun and we rent them for at least one full hour each trip, usually more, but at least one hour (we've been out close to two hours before in one sitting). There's just so much to see. Out on Bay Lake you've got Discovery Island and River Country; you can't drive up to them and get out, but you can get nearby and look, if that's your thing. On the Sassagoula River you've got the Treehouse Villas (amazing!) and you can drive all the way to Downtown Disney & that's pretty cool. And on Crescent Lake you can see the Boardwalk from a whole new perspective. If you just want to race around and go fast and jump through the wakes of the larger boats, rent on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake (you get to go over the water bridge & enjoy both bodies of water). Make sure you go early though as they do start closing them down around 5 or 6, if I recall correctly from last time we were there. Go early in the day, before it gets sweltering hot, as it's 3x worse on the water (I recommend going as soon as they open). Don't forget to bring your sunglasses and sunscreen because you will need them on the water! And you *have to* wear a lifejacket, which is provided for you, and that attaches to the boat, so you're kind of buckled in, but not. And if you do something bad (never had that happen), the lifeguards in the Boston Whalers come yell at you (but they will also come save you if your boat idles or something [they teach you how to restart the boat but some people may not be comfortable with that]).

So, in a nutshell, the Sea Raycers aka Water Mice are very fun and I recommend taking them out at least once on each body of water.
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
I rode the boats last June from Fort Wilderness and didn't think they were any slower...I think they are worthwhile if you have the time...I feel like such a spoiled brat when I ride my boat up to the Magic Kingdom hehe
 
tigger1968

tigger1968

Well-Known Member
I realized I should have been more specific about our experiences. We have always rented from The Contemporary marina. We did notice that some boats from the other resorts did go faster. The CM that told about the change in motors did say that they were being phased in throughout the resort, so it's possible some of the marinas may have faster boats. The change was explained as moving to a more enviromentally friendly motor. They were going from a two stroke to a four stroke or vice versa, I can't remember which. This happened to us in September of 2005, and I can assure you the boats we had were perhaps half as fast as what we were used to renting. All three of us returned our boats for new ones, thinking there was a mechanical issue, but the new boats were no different. It was only after we returned them a second time that the CM explained the change. It was bad enough that we actually elected to get a refund. I suppose it might be worth a call to Sammy Duvall's to ask about this. We were hugely dissapointed in the new boats, as this was one of our favorite things to do when we go to WDW. I'd love to hear if the older motors are still out there at one of the other marinas. We have a trip in Sept. to the GF, and would definately rent again if I knew I could actually get a boat that would still move on the water!
 
Glen Quagmire

Glen Quagmire

New Member
I used to do this up until 2002 I believe. It was a blast but over the last 3 or 4 year I have noticed the boats are considerably slower so we don't do it any more. It's a shame because jumping the waves and looking at rivercountry/DI was a great time.
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
I have rented boats since 2005 and did not encounter the problems that Tigger1968 did. We rented from the Contemporary, Polynesian, & Wilderness Lodge.
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
Glen Quagmire said:
really, i will check it out for myself. If it is the same I'm doing it in august
Click to expand...

We've been renting the boats since 2003 and noticed no dramatic change in speed at all. Maybe Tigger1968 just got some bad boats and a misinformed CM. You definitely need to check them out!!!
 
EpcotGrl

EpcotGrl

New Member
I rented one in 2005 at Yacht & Beach, and the rental guy flat-out told me that if I went to one of the MK resorts they'd be faster. I guess they decided that the Epcot Resort waterways were too small to "open her up". Not sure if it's actually true, but that's what I was told :)
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
EpcotGrl said:
I rented one in 2005 at Yacht & Beach, and the rental guy flat-out told me that if I went to one of the MK resorts they'd be faster. I guess they decided that the Epcot Resort waterways were too small to "open her up". Not sure if it's actually true, but that's what I was told :)
Click to expand...
yes it is...the MK resorts have always had the fastest boats.
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
EpcotGrl said:
I rented one in 2005 at Yacht & Beach, and the rental guy flat-out told me that if I went to one of the MK resorts they'd be faster. I guess they decided that the Epcot Resort waterways were too small to "open her up". Not sure if it's actually true, but that's what I was told :)
Click to expand...

Yes, it's true. The boats on Crescent Lake and the Sassagoula River go slower than the boats on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon.
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
it IS expensive...but, you get to drive a boat in front of the Magic Kingdom...I consider that a real privilege, and not something I can do elsewhere, so I think it's worth it. Swimming with dolphins, I can do elsewhere and for less, but sloshing my boat through waves with Cinderella Castle towering above is something I can only do at Disney :)
 
C

chester123

New Member
Sea Raycer experience

Our two boys, 16 & 11 years old, went out in one of these. They had a great time! We had a coupon for 90 min. for the price of 60 min. The boys had problems with the boat staying running, by the second time, the rope broke when they tried to start it. They were escorted in by the lifeguards on the "watchboat" not sure what you call it. Overall, they had a great time and would do it again, just some bad luck. We went up to pay for the rental and the cm waived the fee, due to the fact that the rope breaking was their problem, not ours. We were expecting to pay, but they said NO. So, this part of our trip was a pleasant experience with some excitement for the boys! They will talk about this for years to come!:ROFLOL::ROFLOL:
 

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