Rumor: Must now be 16 to drive boats at WDW

[Tagrel]

I've read in a few places now that WDW policy has very recently changed for the age requirements when renting the Watermice. You must now be 16 to drive a boat alone - up from the previous minimum age of 12. Seems that two under 16 drivers crashed and there were injuries, but nothing official on that...

I have to say that with how busy those lakes are, 12 is a bit too young for most kids.

[Sheryl]

OH YEAH!!!!

Sorry, but this Mom of a 12 year old is totally and completely thrilled with this! Last summer Zach was not yet 12, but desperately wanted to drive the water sprite. Needless to say I knew there was NO way posssible this kid could handle that boat. So he went with me, as his younger brother went with Dad. He has been talking about driving his own boat for months now, all the time I'm sweating it out. Not only for his safety but others as well.

Now, I just have to figure out how to break this to him gently without the HUGE grin on my face. :wink:

Thanks Dave,
Sheryl

[MissBianca]

This is bound to disappoint a lot of 12 to 16 year olds but I have to agree with you Dave. Also, they did upgrade the Water Mice not too long ago to have more power. Probably the new age requirement is more in keeping with the speedier boats.

[WillCAD]

Doesn't matter how busy the waterways are. There are far more dangers on the water that just colliding weith other watercraft. I'm glad to see the boating age is now equal to the driving age.

[pixie]

It always amazed me that parents would just let their kids go wild in those things. The water patrol had their hands full for sure. I for one think this is a great change.

Barbara

[LuvmeDisney]

I'll jump on the 16 bandwagon. I know that I will not let my responsible 15 year old even drive one until he has his Driver's Lisence. I really think they need the appreciation of understanding they are in control of a piece of equipment that could affect their life and the lives of others.

LInda

[Joe]

I guess I will weigh in on the minority side of this one. I have been driving power boats since way before I was 16 and have never had a problem. In fact, I think it helped me when I was getting ready to drive. We had Kasey (12) out on Bay Lake and the 7 Seas Lagoon on our last trip, and the biggest problem we encountered was the Ferry coming through the channel to head over toward their dry dock for fuel. (That was an interesting experience all to itself.) She had some rough spots, but Cathy and I were staying with her through the jaunt and made sure she was behaving herself. She learned a lot from the experience, and I'm sure she will/would do a better job the next time she gets into a boat.

Where I would have a problem would be with parents who turn their kids loose on the lakes with no supervision.

[Tagrel]

I have to agree with you Joe. I was also driving boats way before driving a car. Once again, its the parents that let the kids go with no parental supervision that have caused Disney to do this.

You can't turn a typical 12 year old free in a powerboat on a busy lake with large and potentially dangerous traffic in todays lawsuit happy world. So Disney now FORCES parents to ride with their kids to take the boats out. I haven't seen anything that says the kids can't drive the boat with the parent in it with them. Then they can learn to control the boat with some guidance AND someone to take over if trouble arises. Just like learning to drive a car with a learners permit...

[Lou-Ann]

I agree that this will make for safer waterways all around. i have no problem with a parent guiding a child and allowimng him to steer in safe conditions, but to turn them loose on the water alone is asking for trouble. They just do not have the judgement yet.