“Why would anyone go FISHING at Disney World?” you ask. After all, it’s the happiest place on earth because of Mickey Mouse, fun rides, and fabulous entertainment — not because of large mouth bass.
But when you visit Disney World annually, like my family does, sometimes you like to try new things to keep it exciting. That’s how we ended up fishing at Disney World this year.
Our fishing at Disney World experience
After deciding to stay at Boardwalk Inn, I looked into booking a fishing excursion. My husband and kids, 13 and 10, love fishing and I know I had seen pontoon boats for hire across Crescent Lake from Boardwalk at Yacht Club. The lake also connects to the World Showcase Lagoon in Epcot and a waterway to Disney’s Hollywood Studies. 
I found Disney’s information on fishing under recreation and called 407-939-BASS with questions. I reserved a 2 hour cruise from 10am-noon on the Saturday of our visit.
As our fishing trip approached, we realized that fishing from 10am-noon in the midday heat was less than ideal. It would be hot, the transportation boats to and from Epcot and Hollywood Studios would be running, and did we mention it would be hot? We rebooked for 7-9am.
It was cloudy and cool when we arrived at the marina, a short walk from our hotel. Our guide, John, loaded us on the boat. He was a direct person vs. a gregarious, chit-chatty person. That was okay. I didn’t care as long as he could put us on the fish.
And, boy, did he put us on the fish. This was my kind of fishing! It was DISNEY fishing, i.e., they want you to be happy and catch fish. The live bait (minnows) worked wonders. 
We all caught multiple fish over 2 hours in the 3 locations we tried: a spot by the America pavilion on the World Showcase Lagoon, some shallows near Hollywood Studios, and literally 2 feet away from the boardwalk in front of the Yacht Club.
My husband caught the biggest large mouth bass of the day at 4 1/2 lbs.
I was a little worried that my husband wouldn’t enjoy fishing at Disney World. After all, another man was driving the boat. And, another man was baiting the hooks. But my husband loved it! It was more relaxing and fun, he said, especially after he caught the largest bass of the day.
In all, my husband caught 4 fish, I caught between 5-10 (I seriously lost count), and both kids caught over 10. Like I said, it was my kind of fishing!
As we drove back to the Marina, our guide mentioned that in over a decade of fishing at Disney World, he had only been blanked twice. I was glad that wasn’t us because it was a lot of fun catching so many bass.
Details about fishing at Disney World
- Fishing at Disney World is sponsored by TakeMeFishing.org.
- An experienced guide will lead your excursion.
- Fishing is catch and release for large mouth bass.
- As of May 2017, 2 hours of guided fishing for up to 5 people on a pontoon cost $270. AAA or Disney Vacation Club discount brings it down to $229.50.
- All equipment is provided. Soda pop and water are also included. (If you’re like me, you’re thinking they better be for that price!)
- Available times are 7-9am or 10am-noon.
- Check the Fishing at Walt Disney World webpage for available locations, including Lake Buena Vista by Magic Kingdom, Bayside Marina by the Epcot resorts, Disney Springs, and properties like Caribbean Beach and Old Key West Resort.
- Call 407-939-BASS with questions and to make a reservation. I do not know if they accepts walk ups, so definitely call ahead or seek the help of your hotel’s concierge if staying on property.
- Children under 13 MUST wear a life vest. Our guide thanked our ten-year-old daughter for being gracious about it. Some kids must throw a fit, so prepare your little ones.
- Speaking of little ones, make sure they use the bathroom before going on the trip. No heads on the boats!
- You have until 11pm the night before to cancel (double-check when you book that this is still true).
- Your fishing experience is NOT linked to your My Disney Experience account, the online reservation system the holds your Fast Passes and dining reservations.
- Transportation to any of the fishing locations is your responsibility. If you are going on the earlier trip and need to take a bus or boat to get there, then make sure they are running.
Do you like fishing? Do you like Disney World? Have you ever tried fishing at Disney World?
I don’t think many people realize just HOW MUCH there is to do at Disney! #GlobalBlogging
Absolutely! Those Disney geniuses know how to make us keep spending money year after year.
Katy recently posted…A Review of Fishing at Disney World
Wow, I never realised you could do that at Disney World. There really is loads to do #globalblogging
Those Disney folks know how to keep the magic going–even with fishing excursions!
what a cool idea, I’d never heard of this. The Dolphin hotel right near the boardwalk is our favorite place to stay when we are without the kids. I may check this out #teenstweens
We did it because everyone (except me really) LOVES fishing and we were staying right there. It was something new–and we liked it!
Well, this is really fun and the perfect thing on offer for those with kids who are “aging on up.” Love the family photo, everyone looks so relaxed and happy. And yes, I adore fishing. When I was little, back in the day loonnnnggggg before catch and release, I would beg to be the chief basher. Uh huh. Not many takers for that job.
kelly L McKenzie recently posted…How My Sister Mothered My Children When I Couldn’t
Oh my word, Kelly, OF COURSE you were the chief basher! British Columbia certainly has lovely fishing, too.
I love the Beachclub. We have stayed there a few times. Thanks for linking up to #globalblogging
kristin mccarthy recently posted…I Can’t Feel My Vagina, but It’s Not What You Think
The Beach Club pool and Beaches and Cream are the best. Now I want to be sitting in the sun eating ice cream.
Katy recently posted…A Review of Fishing at Disney World
Now this is something super cool! You find the neatest things to do on vacation 🙂
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #63
Oh, well thank you! My 10yo just turned to me in the car the other day and said, “How come we are so blessed? We get to go on so many vacations and others don’t”. I guess I’m happy she feels that way and impressed she noticed.
Katy recently posted…A Review of Fishing at Disney World
We are so bad and have never taken our kids to Disney World. It is too late for the eldest now I expect but my 14 year old might still be up for it now. I had no idea that fishing there was a thing. I think I would love it too if I caught that many fish. Sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing. #TweensTeensBeyond
Jo – Mother of Teenagers recently posted…Tweens, Teens & Beyond #11
I think you’d be surprised by how much fun you could all have at Disney World. There’s so much to do there for every age group. And it’s fun with bigger kids because they can go off their own–good for them and good for you!
Katy recently posted…A Review of Fishing at Disney World
This is great to read. We have never been but I love that there is variety and it’s not all wall to wall rides. It is on our list – not at the top yet but I know it’s coming. Will be looking for advice in a few years I guess. Thanks for joining us again at #tweensteensbeyond
The reason I went all out on this post was when I booked the fishing trip, I could barely find any info on it. Hopefully this will help others interested in fishing at WDW in the future! I see a lot of Brits at Disney World. When you go, there will be so much to do you shouldn’t worry about fishing at all, unless you are die-hard fishers. You’ll be too busy enjoying the parks, for sure. 🙂
Wow this would never have occurred to me as something that you can do at Disney. Great review, thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
There seems to be no end to all the fantastic experiences you can have at Disney! We took a Disney cruise last summer and that was yet another shining example of Disney thinking of every possible detail to make it amazing. I am not at all a fisherwoman 😉 but it makes me smile to know this experience is available for those that love fishing! What memories you are making.
I didn’t know there is a Fishing zone at Disney World. I really want to go there after your nice review of it. Thanks for sharing Katy.
This sounds like fun! My husband has been fishing so many times and never caught a fish! Seems like this might be a good way to get him some success HA! Would love to try this when we head to Disney.
Kate S recently posted…How to ROCK taking kids skiing for the first time
It is great to read about a different activity at Walt Disney World. There are many things which people never hear about that they can do.
This is something I would do on a family vacation. Find a random place to go fishing even though not many people fish it. I’ve stayed in this same hotel at Disney World and always wanted to fish it. Just never had the time too because of the surrounding activities. You guys tore’em up! LOL! Did you keep any or where they all catch and release? TI’m trying to see if your husbands 4 1/2 pounder grew some more. 😉
I’ve done several of these excursions and they’re awesome. All of the lakes are really cool, but my favorite is the Epcot area. If you have kids, they’ll love it, and the pontoon boats are great for kids.