| PassPorter.com Feature Article Original article at: http://www.passporter.com/articles/disney-surrey-bikes.html Renting Surrey Bikes at Disney's Boardwalk: A Walt Disney World Resort Reviewby Jocelyn Martins, PassPorter Guest ContributorLast modified 11-20-2014 One of the experiences from our 2011 trip to Walt Disney World that topped my younger daughter's list was our ride around Disney's BoardWalk in a surrey bike. At the time, she and her older sister (two and three years old, respectively) were buckled into the wicker-lined child seats in the front of the bike, as my husband and I pedaled our way around Crescent Lake and up and over the bridges over the waterways. Don't be fooled, those hills aren't easy, but we were in relatively good shape and combined the girls probably didn't weigh more than 60 pounds. When we visited in 2013, we never got around to those surrey bikes, so we promised Rayley we would get there "no matter what" this year during our September visit. As parents, we know we shouldn't have guaranteed anything, but I was willing to move buildings to make this happen for her. The second half of our September stay was at the Beach Club Villas. We planned the day that we would switch resorts to be our Stormalong Bay/ BoardWalk day, which would include a ride on those bikes! After meeting some of our best friends for an early dinner at the ESPN Club, we made our way over to the Surrey Bike Rental. There were nine of us, and the large bikes seat eight. Luckily, since our friends' baby Emmet could be “worn” in Baby a Bjorn by his mom, we were able to share one large bike. Seating configuration: • Smallest two in the child seats (Elliot, age 1 and Sabrina, age 2) • “Uncle” Mike (dad to Elliot and Emmet), my middle daughter, Rayley, age 5, and “Daddy” aka my husband Aires, were in the front row – the one that includes the steering wheels! Uh oh! • My older daughter Lucianna, age 6, “Aunty” Dani (wearing baby Emmet), and I were in the back row. After the adults signed a liability form and paid $18, we were ready to take the bike. I found the price very reasonable for an experience shared by nine! As the adults began to pedal, we were immediately in hysterics because all we could hear was Elliot yelling, “Dad-dyyyyy! Dad-dyyyyy! Dad-dyyyyy!” (with more emphasis on the “eeee” sound at the end than the d), while Sabrina never stopped ringing the bell that hung above her head. Yes, the entire boardwalk knew we were coming! This was a very good thing because as it turns out, only Uncle Mike’s steering wheel was functional – Aires’ was just for show! Uncle Mike underestimated the speed we gained while pedaling downhill, which caused both alarm and more hysterics from Dani and me in the back. Watching the faces of the pedestrians we passed; their expressions of terror and amusement at the show we seemed to be putting on – priceless! I almost peed my pants. No lie! Don’t forget – Elliot’s still yelling “Dad-dyyyy!” and Sabrina’s still ringing that bell! At one point, my feet went flying off the pedals,which caused us in the back row to laugh even harder. And when I looked over at Dani, poor Emmet was bouncing around like he would go flying out of the bike. Oh, and no seatbelts on the "grownup" seats. If Disney had any secret cameras to watch us along the way, they may have to rethink that. It gets even better!. After we passed the Yacht Club (we were traveling counter-clockwise), we were all laughing so hard, we couldn't make it over the bridge by the Swan and Dolphin. Mike and Aires had to jump out to push us. This resulted in more giggles for all, making us even more useless in the back seat! Then as we saw the Surrey Bike Rental kiosk near, our thighs burning from the pedaling, stomachs sore from laughing, eyes blurred from the tears of laughter... Mike just kept going, and waved! Really? We're going around again? The gentleman at the kiosk looked just as shocked. We yelled to Mike (remember, Elliot's still yelling "Dad-dyyyy!" and Sabrina's still ringing that bell, so he couldn't hear us well) that we could only go around once, so we pulled a wide turn and safely returned the surrey bike. But even though we left the bike, the memories have stayed with us and we laugh about it often, wishing we were there. If you're looking to make a memory with your family, this might just be one to try! About the Author: Jocelyn is a working mom who tells her girls, when they complain about her having to work, that it’s to save money for Disney! Having visited throughout her lifetime, her most special trips were when she was engaged to her husband in front of Cinderella Castle, and experiencing it each year with her daughters. This article originally appeared in the PassPorter newsletter -- subscribe to our popular newsletter today for free at http://www.passporter.com/news.htm Updated 11-20-2014 Check for a more updated version at http://www.passporter.com/articles/disney-surrey-bikes.html |