Do you have a car while at WDW?

[Richyams]

I know, some people drive, some people rent, some people do neither, I am not asking if you use the car, I know that some people park the car when they arrive and don't look at it again till they leave, I am asking if you have a car at WDW.

[jx3smom]

We don't like flying so we drive from NJ. We'll be doing it in Nov. (BCV), March (Vistana) and April (BWV).

[joepoe]

We rent a car when at OKW. That way we can hit the outlet malls and explore Orlando, but we don't use it to hit the parks. We do not rent a car when going to BWV.

[DebbieB]

I always rent a car since I joined DVC (before that, most of the time). We enjoy being able to pickup and go where we want and not be at the mercy of the bus system. We use the car to go offsite to get groceries, go to the outlets, go to restaurants offsite once or twice a trip. We use it for most park trips, the only exception being MK at night when it's crowded. Even when staying at BWV we rent a car but use the boat or walk to MGM/Epcot. We just don't have the patience for jam packed busses.

[yasuern]

We rent a car from national car rental when we arrive at Orlando drive to the super Walmart pickup food, beverages etc. Then we check into our room unpack and the next morning we drop off the car at national car rental location near MK and they drop us off at the destination of choice - Usually MK. At the end of our stay we usually take a van/cab to the airport. However our 1st trip to VB this month we are going to rent a car for the whole week we are there.

[KNWVIKING]

"If you willnotice, so far the poll about hving a car at WDW is higher than 70%.

Your insulting statement will look real bad if those numbers keep up."

Maybe the next poll should how many members use the buses at OKW,even if they have a car.

There was no insult or even sarcasim in my comment in another thread you based this poll on. My comment was me just thinking out loud, kind of stating in advance what I knew others would post: People who always have a car and drive to the parks would have no reason to want more bus routes.But I also doubted the result was that simple.

[Eeyore2U]

We just started renting a car two trips ago and won't go and not rent again.

[Tigger1]

We drive to Florida from Oklahoma in two minivans (6 to 7 of us).
We took one van in 97, the children were much younger and it was still too crowded.

At Disney I am usually the only one that does any driving, to grocery store, outlets and to parks. Most of our party does the buses to the parks. I say everytime that next time I am taking the buses to the parks.

When I do take the bus, I sometimes choose which park to go to by which bus comes first. We do that when we park hop also.

Tigger

[AZKathy]

We like having a rental car to go off site for groceries, malls, explore central Florida, beaches, etc. It must be nice for those of you that have the ability to drive rather than fly when visiting WDW. We don't use the rental car to go to MK at all; it is much easier to take the bus and be dropped off by the front. I would say that we use the buses even with a rental car 50% of the time for the other parks.

The prices for rental cars went up dramatically after 9/11. For the same time period and same amount of car, the prices this year were over $200 more. I refused to rent last month because I think these rental companies were taking advantage of the situation and raising their prices.

This past trip was the very first trip I saw any problems with the bus system. We had one bus break down on us and one with no a/c and a very long wait when MK closed. I don't know if cut backs had anything to do with these problems.

I would like to see more boats to Downtown Disney, myself!

[PamOKW]

Wherever I stay at WDW I always rent a car and always take the buses. I have begun using the car for resort-to-resort travel in the evening because it is just too much hassle at night getting through a transfer at DD.

[DVC1996]

We live in East Tennessee and always drive on long trips. If it is a short stay, then we usually fly and rent a car. EVEN THOUGH we always have a car, we NEVER drive to the parks. We always use the buses. The only exception would be when we park at the BWV and walk to Epcot. We never use the bus to go to DD but drive. We also drive to the grocery store, outlet malls, and other Orlando attractions.

[bres@westernMA]

We have had such bad experiences with the WDW bus system that we regularly rent a car. Grocery store visits and trips to other less costly Orlando sites offset the costs.

[JulesMom]

We like to eat offsite, shop offsite and drive to the parks.

[yesdisneyfool]

Since 2/2001, we've taken our car. We enjoy the ride. We also like the car around when we want to hop to DtD (much faster than busses) and we can unload our treasures without having to carry on the bus (just our preference). We also use the car to grocery shop when needed. Haven't tried to drive to the parks yet - but many do. Maybe we'll try it one of this trips.

[DeeP]

I have done both, but most times I prefer not to have to drive. I do enough driving during my normal life I do not like to drive on vacation unless it is a business trip with some vacation days added on the end, which I do quite often. The only time I need a car at WDW is when I stay at a resort that is not in a convenient location.

[Regina]

We use a towncar service to get to and from the resorts for 90% of our stays. We do the 30 minute grocery stop, and that's always been enough for what we bring.

We did rent a car when we were there for DIS CON. I needed to get back and forth to the Yacht Club quickly. We've also rented when we've been on different schedules. Myself and my DD needed to get back home before the rest of family.

We never use a car for visiting the parks (and we stay primarily at OKW.) We've also used taxis.

[Peggy Sue]

Have never stayed at WDW without renting a car. Even before joining DVC. We like the ability to go off-site to the grocery store etc., or drive to different resorts to have dinner. We drive to all parks, except the MK. A car to us mean freedom to come and go as we please, according to our schedule. We don't mind the bus transportation to the MK, but if they had a convenient parking lot, like the other parks, we'd be driving there too. We always travel off-season, so we've never experienced any traffic problems at WDW, even after fire works etc. The biggest time delays we've hit were at down town disney last May with all the road construction, but I suspect the buses had the same problems we did too!

[lizanne]

We always have a car, sometimes two. The only bus my husband has ever used in WDW is the one you take to get to HDD. I think it's a control thing :) :)

Once the kids were old enough to go on their own, they used the buses and have no complaints. They would prefer to have use of a car for convenience sake - but don't mind using the buses.

[POLLY ANN]

This next trip in January we will be relying on WDW transportation. I really hate being without a car but it's coming down to dollars and sense for us.

I have figured out financially that it's not worth getting a car (note the "financially" part). I priced a minivan and for 10 days at that time of year it's about $500 through National's Emerald Aisle. (More if I only wanted it for 7 days!). Plus our friends (just 3 of them) would need a sedan as well, so that puts them out a couple hundred. I really don't think that we would be spending over $700 in 10 days for groceries. I much prefer spending the money at a restaurant! :D

Of course, if any one has any better deals out there please let me know! :)

[WolfpackFan]

We were at AKL a couple of weeks ago and this was the first time we've been down there without a car. I had some great air rates though and thought I'd try flying. Never again. I missed my car all week. I don't know if AKL has slow buses or we just have bad luck as far as catching buses (probably the later); but it seemed like we spent alot of time just waiting at bus stops. Especially going to Downtown Disney, which I would usually drive my car to.

[ErinC]

We always drive down, so we have our car. We never use it for the main parks, just DD, and going offsite, or to a PS at another Disney Resort. We also drove to Blizzard Beach in May as I didn't want to wait for a bus with two, wet , tired children when we decided it was time to go. If we ever did fly down, if it were just a few days, I think I could live without the car.

[ncligs]

We always fly down and rent at National (Emarald Isle). We like having the freedom to go resort-resort, restraunts, Downtown Disney, etc.

[Lars624]

We usually drive down and therefore have our mini-van with us. We never use it unless we are going off property. The WDW bus system has always worked out great for us at any resort we stayed at. We have yet to make our first trip as DVC members (2-03) but I'm hoping that we'll find it just as convenient then too. We have 3 children and the line for buses at night after the fireworks can be long when they are tired but it has never been unmanageable. We have used WDW transportation to dine at other resorts, go to DD and all of the parks.

[pwoodham]

We have always rented a car. We have small children, and when they get tired and grumpy, a long (or even a short!) wait at a bus stop is not on the agenda. I agree the parking for MK almost makes the bus attractive, but the boat or monorail ride are usually distracting/interesting to the kiddos as a bus ride is not. We have ridden the bus to MK and were very happy with the ride there. OTOH, getting back to our resort was a 45 minute process and there were only 5 people on the bus - they just had to follow the specified route and we visited 4 other resorts before we got back to ours. Luckily, I didn't have the smallest guys with me, or I'm sure I would have gladly paid the entire cost of the rental car just to use it that one time!!!

[janiejo]

We fly to Orlando and have always rented a car. My husband likes to golf and prefers having a car to go to the different WDW courses. We use bus transportation to go everywhere except to DD and to other resorts for meals.

[slc224]

We always have a car. There are so many things to do in the Orlando area having a car opens up many other entertainment avenues.

[rtp-resident]

We like to eat offsite and drive to other parks.

[ralphd]

We are flying down for the first time in a few days. Generally drive down ( live near Atlanta). Will be happy to let Rich subsidize our WDW bus transportation for a few days.

We normally use the WDW transportation for most of our travel around the WDW area.

ralphd:D :D :D :D :D

[RoutemanDan]

We always rent a car regardless of where we stay and use it to go everywhere in WDW .I hate the WDW transportation,It's much easier to hop in the car and get to where I'm going instead of waiting for a bus.

[POOH&PIGLET]

We always fly to WDW and have never rented a car. I like the WDW transportation and have not felt the need for a car.

[nydizfan]

always have a car. I need to stock up the fridge at Winn-Dixie. and don't forget about the booze. also , much quicker to get to Epcot with a car.. we really only take the bus to MK. .:cool:

[Mouse Ears]

We have always had a rental van for our WDW trips. We have used the busses, etc. for most of our park visits, but the van is handy for trips to the other resorts, off-site dining, and other area activities.

We have not gone as DVC members or stayed in the Epcot area before, but I still think I would want a car. Our rental was very handy last time when my DD got sick and needed a trip to the clinic. That could have been a much bigger ordeal without the convenience of the van. So, I suspect we will continue to get one every time, for the convenience and peace of mind.

:earsboy: M.E.

[WDWDad]

We rented twice and never used it. Now we use TTC. It's 1/2 the price and no waiting in line.

[Paul in CT]

We always rent a car, but like to take the bus (or other WDW transportation) to the parks sometimes. We like to go to the other resorts for dining and the Disney transport is just not efficient for that purpose. :)

[RLevy29]

The interesting thing about this subject is that when we first started going to DW in the early '80's we never had a car. Of course the only park was the MK. Now that there is so much to do, we always have a car. MY DH actually likes to drive around "the World." It is nice to have a choice - if you don't feel like driving ( like on NYE) you can always take the Disney Transportation.

[crisi]

We almost never have a car - we rented one last time because we had young kids and NEVER AGAIN!

We come from Minnesota, so we fly in. The last couple of times I've rented for business or vacation, I've spent hours getting the car. In Orlando, it was two hours standing around in a parking garage. I'll wait for a bus at DW any day over waiting in a parking garage at the airport. In San Francisco on business, I ended up with a minivan!

OK, there is some possibility that when the kids get older and the lure of Universal becomes bigger, we will go back to renting.

[hoosiergirl]

An interesting poll--but is there some underlying purpose for it? Just wondering.......

We drive down and like to use the car/van to grocery shop and resort hop. We sometimes drive to the parks if we know we'll be there at closing time--hate being crammed onto those busses like sardines! It doesn't seem like WDW if we don't use the busses at least once, though. The kids think it's fun!

[jlambrig]

Always rent a car and drive everywhere. No longer consider riding busses.

[ncligs]

As of 7-9-02, 265 people voted and (200) 75% of them always have a car when at WDW.:rolleyes:

[dianeschlicht]

Well, I will add to the "always have a car" group. We always rent a car for going to and from the airport, grocery store and to the other resorts ( we don't like the long bus wait at DTD either), but we NEVER take the car to the parks from OKW. We have rarely had bus problems, and kind of like the bus rides to and from the parks to gear up and wind down. I usually get a quick nap in on the way back to OKW so I can have fun again when I get there!;)

BTW, what did you think was insulting about Rich's post, KNVIKING? I guess I thought it was a legitimate question to ask.

[KathyK]

Before children, my DH and I would never take a car. We would fly and get a towncar to the resort. Now that we have a baby, it is a different story. There is so much stuff that she needs (baby food, diapers, strollers). Plus, my DH is now 10x as afraid to fly as he was on our previous trips. So, now we drive down from NJ.

[mistermouse]

We always have a car now (preferably a convertible!) - we find it much more relaxing to come and go as we please and not have to rely on transporation schedules - waaaaay too rigid for a vacation. Years ago we relied on buses during our first trip when the budget was tighter. It is certainly understandable to forego a rental car if it means cutting back on other plans.

[KNWVIKING]

Re-read my first post on this thread, the comments between the quotes are Rich's statement,(I don't know how to display quotes the proper way on the board). I have never been insulted by any comments on this board. Rich read a post I made on Pam's " Famous Survey" thread and took it as an insult, that's what started this thread. No harm,no foul,no hurt feelings intended.

[dianeschlicht]

AHA! I thought perhaps there was a deleted post that had me in the dark!http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/alieneyesa.gif

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by Tigger1
When I do take the bus, I sometimes choose which park to go to by which bus comes first.

That's our favorite way of deciding what park to go to next :)

We rent a car every time, partly to do groceries and non-WDW things, and also because we fly into Sanford.

[Richyams]

None at all, I have seen some people claiming that OKW people are too cheap to want a slide, I seriously misinterpurted a post of his on another thread as making that claim again and wanted to see if the vast majority of people have a car to prove my(un-needed) point.

But at least it looks like what I suspected is true, over 70% of visitors have a car while at WDW.

Somewhat of a hollow victory since the original purpose was a mistake.

I still think its interesting to know just how many people have a car and don't rely soley on WDW transportation.

[dianeschlicht]

I certainly would have no problem relying on WDW transportation, but that resort to resort thing gets old in a hurry. I would NEVER take a car to the parks since you have to park so far away.

[Richyams]

We use our car for the parks all the time. We will drive to Epcot and get on the monorail to MK, spend the day there, or part of it, get the monorail back to Epcot and stay there since it is open later when we go. We will stop at a monorail hotel on the way in or the way out for a good meal and some resort exploring.

We will drive to MGM, the walk isn't bad from that parking lot, then drive to Epcot later, usually you can get a good parking spot at Epcot late in the day. Or we will park at BWV, have a meal somewhere on the BW, go into Epcot and then leave easily and in the opposite direction from most people.

You can get real creative combing a car and the monorail.

[KNWVIKING]

We like driving over to Epcot in the early evening-usually for a dinner PS. That late in the day WDW isn't directing parking. We drive right up to the rows behind handicapped and usually find a great spot. The only bus we'll take is to MK so we can avoid the TTC, but we'll also take the Monorail in from Epcot.

[dianeschlicht]

My biggest problem is remembering what the rental car looks like!!!http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/longt.gif

[DisneyMeMa]

Oh, dianeschlicht, me too. Thank goodness my DDIL bought me a Minnie Mouse antennae ornament. It really does help! Once in HI, I remembered my row, but not what the car looked like - and we know they all really do look alike. I tried using the remote. It lighted & opened 2 cars side-by-side. Then I had to resort to checking license plates, LOL. The MM ball is a lot more fun, and I have used it on multiple trips to WDW...it gets packed along with the salt & pepper shakers, coasters, skillet. . . As for WDW transportation, we really like it. It gives everyone pleanty of flexibility. We rent a car (sometimes our group rents several), but we still use the buses, boats and monorails. However, when we have strollers and sometimes a wheelchair, the cars do seem to be easier.

[Maistre Gracey]

Since my wife is affraid to fly, she MAKES us drive down.
We always have a car...and use it (exept for those Pleasure Island nights). :cool:

[RumpleMom]

We only have a car if we have taken the auto train and will be driving home, but we don't use the car for the entire week. DH considers not driving a vacation perk.

[natcam1996]

We've been at WDW every year since 1999 with no car. We fly in, take a shuttle to the resort and back. We even use a limo service at home to get to and from the airport. We have always used the WDW transportation system with little or no problem. All those times we stayed at one of the All Star resorts. I guess it has become a sort of tradition that makes us feel more a part of things. It certainly does dictate the rhythm of the day to some extent. I frankly don't like to drive as much as I used to so it seems nice to not use a car. I also grew up in a big city where a transportation system was avaialble so it seems more natural to me. Our daughter seems to like riding the buses for now. On the other hand, we have done primarily park hopping rather than resort hopping, which I think some folks have indicated is more of a probelm. When we do that we may want to rent a car. We also haven't really started exploring much outside of Disney property yet.

[RLevy29]

dianeschlicht and DisneyMeMa,
We lost our car one year at the MK. That year I think the car of choice was a silver Corolla. We drove to the MK at opening. There was a tram at the end of the row (which we usually never take) but we decided to run for it and neither one of us remembered to look at the row we were parked in.We decided to leave at lunch time and walked out to the parking lot. It started pouring rain! We both realized that we didn't know where the car was parked. (I think it was Goofy, no, no, it was Pluto) Finally, after walking aroud and trying to match license plate numbers of hundreds of silver Corollas from the key, we saw a CM an asked him what they could do if someone could not find their car. He asked us what time we came in and was able to tell us the exact row that we were parked in. We really felt stupid but now we always make a note of where we are parked along with making sure that one of us has the car keys in our possesion. (but that's another story!;)
A little off topic but I thought a little humor would help!

[nezy]

Wow! Disney even has parking down to a science!!

We always drive, stay at OKW and drive to BWV. From there we take the bus to MK, early evening monorail to Epcot and EXIt from the side gate at Canada an then stroll the Boardwalk. This keeps the magic going just a little bit longer.

We also drive to WL or to the Campground and take the boat to MK, and back at night for either the hoopty do revue or the campfire.

I guess I take advantage of having a car and DTT.

[prplcrzy]

We always have a car, it is so much more convenient that waiting for a bus. You have to wait for most everything else, why wait for a bus?

[Kick it up a notch!]

We always rent a car too!!!

[Regina]

When we were at the Polynesian in '91, we drove down. We never used the car and, at the end of the trip, DH forgot where he parked it.:p :p A helpful CM drove him around in a golf cart to find it. (I can see losing a rental car, but our own:confused: :confused: )

That happened to be the same trip that we joined DVC. Since then, we usually fly and get a towncar to bring us to WDW.

I have to say, I'm really surprised at how many of you routinely use a car. We never miss having one. It's also a perfect excuse not to make the drive to visit the in-laws.;) ;)

[Wes]

bump

[Chuck S]

I like the convenience of having a car - but we have relied on WDW transportation. For the next several trips, though, I do plan to have a car - whether we drive our own or fly and rent - still a little paranoid of getting stuck. We were in Los Angeles on 9-11 - scheduled to fly home on 9-12. Thank goodness we already had a rental car we could drive home.

[BCVOwner2002]

We haven't rented a car in a long time. We use Disney's transportation system and airport transfers. This has worked well for us in the past. Annmarie

[Wes]

I think the use of a car may depend on how long the stay is and how many are making the trip together.

Since we are a long way from WDW, we have one long trip every other year. And for that, we want to have a good car to be able to go shopping or for day trips -- Space Center, etc.

[RealMickey]

We are an 8 hour drive from WDW, and do not have a major airport in town. So it is quicker and easier to drive. We love having the car if we need it.

[Disney Doll]

Since we joined the DVC, we rent a car. We feel like since we're "saving" by not having to come up with a big "chunk of change" to pay for the resort, we can splurge a bit and rent a car.

We usually drive the AK. We have driven to all the parks, at one time or another, but we have also taken busses as well. As far as MK goes, it makes more sense to take the bus because of where it drops you off, right there in front. Driving there you take the car to boat or monorail...kind of convoluted.

Of course, if we're at at Boardwalk area resort, then you walk/boat to Epcot and MGM.

The car is nice to have to go resort to resort without a long convoluted bus trip. We also like to hit the Belz outlet on I Drive where the Disney Outlets are.