Walt Disney World Guided Fishing Excursions - The Best Day Ever!!!!

I have been a patron of Disneyland and Walt Disney World for years and never in my life have I had more fun at Disney than I had fishing at Walt Disney World.  It's absolutely true!

Walt Disney World holds Disney Excursions every day at 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m..

The cost for us as annual passholders was $229 for two hours of fishing.  This cost is per boat, not per person, so if you only had two people the cost would still be the same as if you had five people.

I believe we got a $30 discount per boat, but I can't remember for sure. Note: I do not recommend children under the age of 5 years-old on this excursion, just because kids and babies, generally, don't like wearing life jackets.  Even a newborn would be required to wear one, so just think about what your child can tolerate and plan accordingly.  

Our $229 paid for:

1. The services of our guide
2. Fishing rods and reels for everyone (you are allowed to bring your own rod, tackle, and bait)
3. Tackle 
4. Bait (which on the day we were fishing was live bait)
5. Bottles of water, soda, and other non-alcoholic beverages (no bathrooms nearby though)
6. A one-year Bass Anglers Society membership (our nine-year-old signed up and now he's getting the mail for it, and feels very important)

No fishing license is required which is why we decided to do an excursion.  Licenses for our whole party plus the equipment would have cost more than our excursion cost.  For out of state travelers this is a better deal, I think.

Saying, "Good-bye!" to the other half of our party.  The fish bite better if you aren't together; more space for the boat and casting, less noise for the fishing.

One excursion boat holds five passengers, but the cost is the same if you have less people.  

We had a party of ten and rented two boats, and it's better, for the fishing's sake, in how successful you will be if you are willing to be separate through the trip, which we were.

If you call the reservation line which I will provide the link below, the cast member on the phone will give you several options of where to start your Guided Fishing Excursion.  We decided to start from the Fort Wilderness location.  

Our guide told us, however, that starting from the Contemporary Hotel site is a more desirable location for future reference.  Plus, it is easier to get to.  In any case, were glad that we went the route we went because we got to meet and make friends with Jeff.  

He was absolutely the nicest guy, a true Floridian through and through.  Floridians are truly the best people.  Just as nice as they can be.  And he definitely had the Disney Magic.

Jeff was our guide and was the most gracious and patient host.

The next paragraph contains crucial information for planning.

We began our excursion 20 minutes late from our appointment time.  We didn't understand, because the cast member on the phone didn't tell us, that once you park at the Fort Wilderness parking lot, there is 15 minutes more of bus riding to do before you get to your location, and that you also have to add a wait for a bus to your time.

We got there late, but Jeff was not angry or condescending, and he gave us time to use the restroom which is recommended before you spend two hours on the water.

The beauty of Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon, and Florida's water birds was the first thing I enjoyed on this Guided Fishing Excursion

We left our hotel at 9:00 in Celebration, specifically the Mystic Dunes, thinking we would make it on time, but traffic, combined with hunting for the correct exit off of World Drive (which is right before you hit the Magic Kingdom entrance), plus getting back on track, plus waiting for a bus, plus riding the bus, made us 20 minutes late.  

I mentioned before that excursions are scheduled for 7 a.m, 10 a.m., and 1 p.m.  We knew we were cutting down our chances for catching anything by going at 10 a.m., but it was, really, the only time we could go as a party of 10 people since trying to move everyone from one place to another is a big job.  So we took our chances.  

We were not disappointed.  Everyone in the family caught at least one fish, and several caught several.  Personally, I caught four decent sized bass!

This large bass was caught right by the Disney Ticket and Transportation Ferryboat dock.

While you read this report about our experience with the Walt Disney World Guided Fishing Excursion, it really is impossible for anyone to understand why this is so fun unless you have done it yourself.

I read plenty of reviews, and I didn't understand the level of fun that this was by reading anyone's report, but I trusted those who had said it was definitely the best day spent at Disney ever.  I took their word for it, and I can repeat, this is the best day spent at Disney ever!!!!!!

I hope I can convey to you why, but you have to experienced it for yourself.  For those of us, who have been all about Disney and thought they knew every nook and cranny of the World, seeing it by boat and being able to cruise across Bay Lake and and the Seven Seas Lagoon in the boats near to the water, and seeing the Disney sights at new angles is just plan exciting. 

This was a new experience, riding under the Monorail by boat.

It has also been many years since I have been boating on a lake, probably since I was a teenager.  Now I know why people get hooked on boating, having the wind blow in your face, speeding freely on the water, and just getting away from your cares and worries, so much fun!!!!!

My 17 year-old took the one seat that was not shaded.  What a great guy to offer.

Seeing the Magic Kingdom from the perspective of the lake was cool.  

While we were fishing by the Ferryboat dock, we watched the 11:00 a.m. crowd herd themselves onto the Ferryboat.  I was glad I was not in that crowd in the 90 degree weather.

Our day at Disney did not involve and lines, or crowds, and fun was had by all.  No one got cranky, no one got extremely tired, no one complained, everyone was happy.  When can you have a party of ten go to Disney and have everyone happy?!!!!!  

Money well spent, best memories made, and still all with the Disney Magic.

Okay, when has a Disney photographer ever gotten a picture like this one?  Just sayin'.

For your convenience, just so you avid fisherman know....  Since the alligator attack in 2016, only guided and approved and Disney run fishing locations are allowed on Disney property.  Fishing anywhere there are alligator/snake warning signs is not allowed and subjects you to a redirection from Disney staff.  Those signs are even inside the park, and alligators have been caught inside Disney parks, so beware.  I have seen at least a half dozen gators in the Disney waterways myself.  I'm only mentioning this because there are videos on YouTube from people who tell you, you can do this, but I want to save you the headaches and tell you it's not allowed.

Below I'm posting more pictures.  After the pictures, at the bottom of the page, I'll include a link to to call to set up the reservations.  When you call make sure you ask the cast member what type of transportation ordeal you will have to go through to get to the fishing site so you know how much time to plan for to get there on time.  Not all cast members will be as accommodating as ours was, probably.

Payment is done after the excursion at the window at the fishing site, but you do make a down payment via credit card when you make the reservation by phone.  I think it was $100 and you can cancel 24 hours before your scheduled time.

You can reserve a 2 hours excursion or a 4 hours excursion and you pay afterward for how long it ended up to be.  We paid for two hours and we got two hours, even though we were late.  That was due to the kindness of our guide.  I can't say enough about him and his graciousness.

Okay, now, here are the rest of my pictures and the link at the end of the page.  Enjoy and thanks for visiting!!!!!!

Jeff works a regular day job and does this on the side.  He's great fisherman, but doesn't mind playing "grandpa" to the little kids in helping them keep their hooks filled with bait, untangling lines, and taking the fish off the hook.  He will even teach you how to hold your fish for a great picture.

We decided not to follow the rest of our party, but occasionally we saw them.  

My seventeen year-old.

Having a great time.  There were smiles all day!

Daddy catches his big one!!!!!!

My other kids with Space Mountain in the background.  Disney atmosphere without Disney hassle!

Oh and uh, don't forget your sunscreen!!!!

I caught a fish by the Ferryboat dock and the whole crowd said, "She caught a fish!", and some clapped for me.  It was mega embarrassing.  This wasn't the Ferryboat I'm talking about.

Jeff knew where all of the best fishing was.  We were pulling out fish every five minutes in this location.

Freedom and relaxation.  Just what we needed.

The Fort Wilderness Dock.

We enjoyed seeing the Monorail from the lake.

Just before he pulled his big one out.

Our other kids.  We missed them, but glad we enjoyed the same experience.  

Fishing by the Polynesian Hotel and Ferryboat dock proved fruitful.

Even the younger anglers pull in the big ones.

Disney does a great job in wildlife preservation.  It's a great place to see the authentic part of Florida.

I hope this article has given you all of the particulars that you need to know to have a successful fishing trip at Disney.  If you have anymore questions, leave it in the comments below and I'll try to answer them.  

Don't forget your sunscreen, your hat, sunglasses, and remember also that it rains in the summer every afternoon in Florida, so plan to go in the mornings.  

Okay, here is the link as promised....

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