The modest beach bungalows gave way to multi-million-dollar homes built specifically for high-income vacationers. These visitors expect well-maintained equipment, reliable delivery, and operators who actually know the island.
Fun And More Rentals has spent nearly 20 years adapting to that shift. But we’ve managed to keep up without abandoning the local, family-first approach that made it worth coming back to in the first place.
Duane is the owner of Fun And More Rentals, the largest vacation equipment rental company on Anna Maria Island. With nearly 20 years in business, Duane started with just two bicycles and built a fleet that now serves thousands of families each year. Fun And More Rentals is known for its free delivery and pickup service, Best Price Guarantee, and a focus on making island vacations effortless from arrival to departure.
Old Anna Maria Island Looks Nothing Like It Did Two Decades Ago
Anna Maria Island shifted from a modest, laid-back beach town into a higher-end vacation market over roughly 20 years. Investors and executives replaced many of the small beach bungalows with large multi-bedroom rental homes.
Higher-income visitors bring different expectations. Not necessarily unrealistic ones, just expectations centered around convenience and quality service.
They aren’t the types to be satisfied with the rusty old bikes that companies used to rent on AMI. These visitors want service from someone always ready to answer the phone. But they also want the authentic Florida experience, not the theme park version.
Fun and More Rentals adapted to that shift. The equipment got better. The fleet stayed well-maintained. The service became more consistent, not less personal.
Staying Local on an Island That Went Upscale
The team still jokes about it. Someone will say, “You are not a mom-and-pop anymore,” and the response is always the same: maybe not on paper, but that is still how this place runs.
Staying local means knowing the guests before they arrive. It means delivering gear to the rental home before the family walks through the door. When our customers call, the phone is answered by someone who lives on the island.
It also means saying no to things that do not fit. Over the years, Fun And More tried services and products that were either unprofitable or too time-consuming to do well. We pulled back from those.
The goal was never to offer everything. It was to offer the right things, delivered well, every single day.
Higher-Income Visitors Changed AMI
Fun And More Rentals has spent nearly two decades watching Anna Maria Island grow and refining what it means to serve its families well. That combination of local knowledge and long-term commitment shapes how the team approaches every rental and delivery.
“The island started as small single-level beach bungalows. Very laid-back, very easy, go with the flow type of vibe. In the rental equipment business, there were rusty bikes and secondhand kayaks because it was just a real chill, take it easy kind of environment. The island has turned into a third home island for investors and CEOs. They come and build multi-million dollar homes, and then the clientele increases. So now that the higher income clientele expects better equipment and more service. It’s gone from the mom-and-pop generational vacation area, where things were closed on Mondays and closed in May for a whole month, to now being open every single day. High-end rentals, high-end equipment, high-end services. It’s a different clientele.” – Duane Gartman, Owner, Fun and More Rentals, Anna Maria Island
The early AMI rental market was informal, and worn-out equipment was common. As the visitor base shifted, the operators who stayed raised their standards.
Fun And More maintained a well-kept fleet of street-legal golf carts and vacation gear that reflects how the island has changed. But we’re still dedicated to supporting the families who have been returning here for years.
Local Knowledge on AMI Has Real Value
As the island evolved, so did the questions visitors brought with them. Where is the free parking? Which beach entrance is worth the walk? Where do you go for all-you-can-eat pancakes at eight in the morning?
Other companies tried to build formal concierge services to answer those questions. Most could not sustain it. Fun And More found a different answer: the team knows the island and shares that knowledge freely when guests call.
One staff member grew up on Anna Maria Island. Others have lived here long enough to have opinions about the best places to eat and most scenic locations. That kind of local knowledge does not live on a booking platform. It comes from being here, year after year, paying attention.
That same long-term presence is why vacation rental companies across the island route their guests to Fun And More after a home is booked. The home handles the roof and the pool. Fun And More handles everything else.
Small-Town Service in an Upscale Market
Coffee on the island runs seven or eight dollars now. Commercial rents have climbed. At the same time, visitors still value businesses that offer real conversations, helpful guidance, and dependable service.
Fun and More survived by doing exactly that. The safety briefings stayed face-to-face. The philosophy stayed simple: be a good person, do the right thing, and treat people the way you would want your neighbors treated.
The FLHSMV sets rules for street-legal golf carts, which means they follow the same road rules as cars on Anna Maria Island. Fun And More takes that seriously. Every delivery includes a one-on-one briefing covering the island’s 25 mph speed limits and safety guidelines.
You can read our post about Anna Maria Island golf cart laws to start learning before you arrive.
FAQs About Anna Maria Island Rentals and Local Service
Do local rental companies on AMI still offer personalized service?
The best ones do. Companies that have been on the island for years carry local knowledge that no booking platform can replicate. That includes knowing which beach entrance works best for families with young kids, and where free parking actually exists. Local knowledge and personalized care are real assets for visitors. For a deeper look, see what 25 years of island knowledge actually means for guests.
Are golf cart rentals on Anna Maria Island street-legal?
Yes. Fun And More Rentals provides low-speed vehicles (LSVs) that meet Florida’s street-legal standards under Florida Statute 316.2122. Standard road rules apply. Drivers must be 25 or older, have a valid license, and have active auto insurance. Children six and under require a safety car seat, which Fun And More provides free with every cart.
Why do vacation rental companies refer guests to Fun And More Rentals?
Vacation rental companies need vendors who show up, stay reliable, and make their guests feel well cared for. Fun And More Rentals delivers gear directly to the rental home before the family arrives, handles the safety briefing in person, and stays reachable throughout the stay. That record of reliability is why property managers across AMI route their guests here.
What rental gear does Fun And More Rentals deliver to AMI vacation homes?
Fun And More delivers street-legal golf carts, bicycles, kayaks, paddleboards, beach umbrellas, shade tents, and baby gear. Everything arrives at the rental property before the family does. There is no hauling, no store stop, and no errand on day one.
Is it better to book AMI vacation rentals in advance or on arrival?
Booking early is strongly recommended, especially for peak weeks and winter stays. Street-legal golf carts on Anna Maria Island are in high demand, and delivery windows fill quickly. Booking before you arrive means your gear is waiting at the house when you get there, which is exactly how the first day of vacation should start.
How has the quality of rental equipment on Anna Maria Island changed over time?
The early AMI rental market ran on informal inventory, and worn gear was common. As the visitor base shifted toward higher-income families, the operators who stayed raised their standards considerably. Equipment that was “good enough” in the old island economy no longer meets expectations. Fun And More maintains its fleet to reflect those higher standards while keeping pricing accessible for returning families.
The Island Evolved. The Service Stayed Honest.
Anna Maria Island is not the place it was 20 years ago. The expectations of visitors aren’t what they were years ago either.
Fun And More Rentals grew with the island without losing the local, family-first approach that made it worth returning to. Reserve a street-legal golf cart and start planning your AMI trip with Fun And More Rentals before your preferred week fills.
Duane is the founder of Fun And More Rentals. He has operated the island’s largest vacation rental fleet from Holmes Beach for nearly 20 years, starting with two bicycles and building a full-service operation that now covers golf carts, beach gear, kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, and baby supplies across Anna Maria Island.
