Kayaking for Kids Open
Wheel Fun Rentals | Veterans Park North Boat Rentals
4.3(130)4.3 out of 5 stars, 130 reviews Milwaukee, WI
About Wheel Fun Rentals | Veterans Park North Boat Rentals
Wheel Fun Rentals offers a unique family-friendly experience with their distinctive swan paddle boats on a scenic lagoon. It stands out for its exceptionally kind and accommodating staff, particularly noted for their willingness to adapt for children with special needs and their focus on customer safety and enjoyment. While providing a great value for groups, be mindful of weather conditions and the condition of some equipment.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for a unique, leisurely water activity on a calm day.Groups of up to four people seeking an affordable outdoor outing.Families with children needing special accommodations, as staff are highly understanding.Couples seeking a calming and scenic romantic activity (as experienced by anniversary couple).First-time visitors or tourists looking for a pleasant one-time experience.
Why families love it
- Staff (e.g., Ivan) is consistently described as kind, knowledgeable, friendly, comedic, and very helpful with getting on/off boats, actively concerned for customer safety.
- Owners/staff are incredibly understanding and accommodating for children with special needs, specifically mentioned for allowing a larger group to share one boat and take turns to prevent overstimulation for a child with autism.
- Paddle boats allow for enjoying gorgeous natural scenery on the lake/lagoon, described as calming and romantic (for adults).
- Staff sometimes gifts extra time for special occasions, adding to the value and positive experience.
- Flat rate of approximately $35 for an hour rental covers up to four people, including life vests, making it a good value for small groups/families.
- Unique swan paddle boats.
Insider tips
- Check wind conditions before visiting; avoid on windy or even breezy days to prevent a physically challenging experience.
- Be prepared for the possibility of moldy or smelly life vests; consider bringing hand sanitizer or wipes.
- Keep in mind that 30-50 minutes might be sufficient for the full experience, especially with younger children.
- If you have a child with special needs, communicate your requirements to the staff; they are noted for being very understanding and flexible.
- Be ready for a bit of a workout, as paddling can require significant effort.
Good to know before you go
- Visiting on windy or breezy days, as paddling becomes extremely difficult and less enjoyable.
- If you are highly sensitive to strong odors or hygiene issues, due to reports of moldy life vests.
- If you are seeking a high-thrill, adrenaline-pumping activity (this is a calm, leisurely experience).
- If you or your family members have limited physical stamina, especially if it's not a calm day.
- Life vests were reported as "very moldy and smelly" in one review, indicating a significant hygiene issue that parents should be aware of.
- Value
- Approximately $35 for an hour rental, which includes up to four people and life vests. This is considered a 'great price' and 'good value' for a group activity. However, the reported condition of the life vests detracts from the overall value.
- Accessibility
- Staff demonstrated understanding and flexibility for children with autism (e.g., allowing sharing a boat and taking turns to manage overstimulation).
- Safety
- Life vests are included with the rental (though condition is a concern).
What parents say
"For our one year wedding anniversary, my husband and I took one of the swan paddle boats out on the lake. It was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze even though it was only one day before the end of the rental season. Being out on the lake together and enjoying the gorgeous natural scenery was both calming and romantic. We'd definitely recommend it. The man that rented the boat to us was very kind and gifted us a bit of extra time for the special occasion at no charge but after about 40-50 minutes we felt content that we saw it all."
a year ago
"We had a blast on the paddle boat swans. The owners were incredibly understanding that we had a larger group with a child with autism that would not want to paddle for an hour. We were able to share 1 swan and take turns so he didn’t become over stimulated or overwhelmed with the experience. The workers were amazing and talked with us while we took turns. It was a great experience and I would recommend for a fun time. It was definitely a workout too! Lol"
2 years ago
"Fun experience! Great price for an hour of fun on the water. The staff, Ivan, was great; kind and very knowledgeable. He was helpful with getting on and off the boat, very friendly and easy to talk to. You could tell he was concerned for the safety of his customers. We had a good time pedaling up and down the lagoon. Highly recommend!"
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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