A comprehensive guide to the Disney Springs Amphicars experience, taking you from land to water in a truly unique vehicle.
There’s no place like Disney Springs. Shop for jewelry one minute, and LEGO the next. Enjoy a family meal under a flame-spewing volcano, or romantic fine dining for Disney guets who need a break. Just when you’ve got used to the fact that this place has everything for everybody, you see something that amazes you all over again – like a vintage car driving straight into Lake Buena Vista – and cruising away! You aren’t seeing things… these “fully restored retro dream boats” are the Disney Springs Amphicars!
What Are Amphicars?
Billed in the original advertising as “the sportscar that swims”, Amphicars are exactly what they sound like – amphibious cars. They were manufactured in Germany between 1961 and 1968, with a 43 horsepower Triumph Herald engine mounted in the back. The twin nylon propellers are mounted under the rear bumper and, while in the water, the front wheels act as rudders.
All Amphicars were convertibles and were available in one of four colors: Beach Sand White, Regatta Red, Lagoon Blue and Fjord Green.The engine was capable travelling at seven knots in the water or 70 mph on land, which led to them being nicknamed the “Model 770”, which implied that there were other models available, which there were not. Indeed, the Amphicar was the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever to be mass produced. “Mass produced” might be a little bit generous, as the total number produced was fewer than 4,000, more than 3,000 of which were imported to the United States.
Are Amphicars Unique to Disney World?
Amphicars are not a Disney World invention, but you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise, because it is exactly the kind of “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” daydream of glorious retro-futurisim that Walt Disney loved.
It wasn’t without some hitches. While both the land and aquatic functions worked admirably, transitioning from one to the other often required the use of a ramp, which was not always convenient. Maintenance was also costly, requiring the removal of the back seat to access the engine for lubrication and other ongoing maintenance.
In 1968, changes were made to the safety and emission standards in the United States that would require expensive modifications to be made to sell new Amphicars. Given that the sales were overwhelmingly to American customers, these changes were a death knell to the production of new units.
Of the 4,000 Amphicars produced, fewer than 400 survive today, 8 of which have been gloriously restored as a part of the Disney Springs Amphicars attraction.
Where to Take a Ride on One of the Disney Springs Amphicars
The Amphicar Launch at Disney Springs is located in the Landing area, near the entrance for the Boathouse restaurant.The set-up is ingenious, with a ramp to facilitate the entrances and egresses from the water and a Batmobile-worthy revolve to turn each car around quickly, allowing it to be reloaded with new guests and get back into the water as quickly as possible.
Once in the water, you can expect a 20-minute, “Captain-led” tour around Lake Buena Vista, seeing Disney Springs as you have never seen it before. The precise details of the experience will vary from tour to tour and the interests of each group, and will include details of the historic boats displayed along the way, before returning to the launch.
Disney Springs Amphicars: Cost and Booking Information
Advance reservations for Disney Springs Amphicars can not be made. To get on the list, come to the podium on the dock, or to the “Boatique” inside the Boathouse restaurant.
Tours may be booked from 10 AM to 10 PM daily (weather permitting). The experience will cost $125 and can accommodate up to 3 adults or possibly as many as a total of four if some of them are children.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Springs Amphicars
Should you expect to get wet?
I was told by a recent rider “In reality, we got zero percent wet. Driving into the water, with the wave riding up the windshield, it felt like we were one hundred percent going to get soaked, but it didn’t happen!”
I’ve seen great photos of the launch of the Amphicar. How do people get those?
What you saw were almost certainly Photopass photos, which are available for purchase upon your return to the dock. If your ticket type includes Photopass photos, or if you have purchased Memory Maker, they will be included at no charge.
Is there a discount available for customers from the Boathouse restaurant?
Yes! Dine at the Boathouse on the day you hope to ride the Amphicar and bring your receipt for a minimum spend of $50 or more to the Dock Podium or the Boathouse Boatique when you book your tour, and you will save $25 off the price of your tour. It’s a nice plus!
