Do you used your own car when staying onsite? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

ChiTownZee

08-07-2002, 08:35 AM

Do any of you use your own car and drive yourself to the parks when you stay at a Disney resort? I've read reports that it's quicker to drive yourself instead of busing it, but isn't that one of the main perks of staying onsite?

joepoe

08-07-2002, 08:57 AM

It may be quicker to drive TO the parks sometimes, but I guarantee you that the buses are much quicker when you leave the parks at closing.

Tikiman

08-07-2002, 09:09 AM

I have always found it better to have your own car. If you don't believe me try to go from MGM to Downtown Disney using the bus...or should I say many busses. We keep some of our stuff in the car so we don't have to have it with us in the park all day but if we need it we can get back tothe car.

Steve

joepoe

08-07-2002, 09:12 AM

Car is also good for day trips, extra trips to the grocery store, the outlet malls, golf, etc.

gringrinninghost

08-07-2002, 09:15 AM

I've always used my own car, you get to park free since you are a resort guest and there is no waiting in the heat for your bus or trying to cram 100 people in a bus at closing. When the park closes take your time and don't rush out like most of the folks wanting to ride the bus. It just adds a level of ease to your trip.

bellsonmytoes

08-07-2002, 09:28 AM

It's also great when you can take all your swim gear to Animal Kingdom, leave it in the car and when you get so hot you can't stand it, jump in the car and you can head to a water park..... quick and easy, also good for dining at other resorts. For my 3 night trip coming up, the price of a rental is less than it would cost us to ride Mears from the airport, and I have the option of using the car or not.... mostly I will use it.

robinb

08-07-2002, 09:46 AM

We always rent a car and always use it. We drive to the parks, except the MK where the bus is better. We drive to the other resorts to pool-hop (we're DVC members and are allowed to), eat and explore. We drive off-site to eat where it's less expensive. I could not go to WDW without a car!

Tink

08-07-2002, 09:48 AM

We always rent a car. We usually go for a week to WDW. We go to the grocery store, and Sea world during our trips so it easier to have our own car. We sometimes drive our car to MGM, EPCOT and AK. We haven't driven to MK in years, since you have to do the whole TTC thing and the buses get you so close.

It's also easire to drive to the water parks and Downtown for us.

We have gone for shorter tris and not rented a car.

mrsltg

08-07-2002, 09:52 AM

I'm very "pro-car". I really think it's the only way to go. The only way I'd go without is if I were staying at a monorail resort and it was a very short trip.

Erin :D

GEM

08-07-2002, 09:56 AM

We usually drive down, so we do have a car. We DO NOT use it to get to the parks, though. The busses are much easier, in our opinion. No parking hassles, traffice, etc. We really like using Disney transportation for getting to and from the parks. It's nice to let somebody else do the driving, especially at the end of a long day. We have never had to wait long for a bus or boat to or from a park.

We DO use our car for getting to Downtown Disney, other resorts for meals, the Boardwalk, the water parks, and the mini golf places. Although you can get all those places with Disney transportation, it is much quicker to use a car. We have done a few trips without a car, though, when we have flown down. It wasn't too bad at all. It just took a little extra planning and time to get to some of those other places. We probably won't ever bother to rent a car if we fly.

Be aware that if you drive your own car to the Magic Kingdom, you will have to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and take the monorail or ferry over. The bus will let you out right at the park.

Poohbear123

08-07-2002, 10:04 AM

Because I can't drive.:o That is why I love to go to WDW as I don't need to drive!

Kermit

08-07-2002, 10:07 AM

We drive to WDW, but we don't use our car once we get there. I'd rather wait for a bus in the shade instead of walking across a hot, crowded parking lot. I also enjoy the fact that the buses are air conditioned. Cars that have been sitting in the parking lot all day are very hot. There may have been a few times we could have done it faster by car, but it's not worth it to us.

Desnik

08-07-2002, 10:09 AM

We drive down so we always have our car but we never use it to go to the parks. After driving so much we like to take a break and use the buses. We do use our car to go to DtD because it is just so much easier to get there and back with your own car. We also like to resort hop and it is very easy to do when you have your own transportation.

PamNC

08-07-2002, 10:48 AM

I must have my own car. We typically drive down (it's 9 hours for us) but when we do fly we rent a car. Tried the bus thing. Can't stand it. We like having the freedom to move around when we want and not having to stop here and there to get somewhere. Plus if you're tired and ready to go back to your resort, why sit or even stand (had to do this once) on a crowded, hot bus? I know alot of people use it and like it but we absolutely refuse. Plus, for the price of the shuttle...add a little more and you have a rent a car for a week.

Just my opinion.

PamNC

Karel

08-07-2002, 11:01 AM

We usually drive so we have a car onsite but the two times we flew, we did not rent a car. I prefer to take the bus everywhere - it's part of the vacation. We do not ride buses at home so its different.

There are instances when using a car would be easier. We drove to the Boardwalk once and to Wilderness Lodge for dinner. You have to know the bus, boat, monorail system and be prepared to NOT listen to the front desk way. They'll send you all the way out to DTD or the transportation center when there are easier ways to go.

Jordan's MOM

08-07-2002, 11:17 AM

We too drive down but the car never moves from the time we get there untill we leave. This is DH's favorite part of a WDW vacation and how I talk him into going. We have learned a lot about he system and how to best get from place to place. We even take the bus to DD with out problems. I like not returning to a hot parked car at the end of the day, meeting people on the bus and making DH happy.

Jordan's mom

Karel

08-07-2002, 11:22 AM

AF Brenda

08-07-2002, 11:25 AM

We drive down, but always use WDW transportation to get to the parks. We try to avoid driving any more than we have to at WDW - the kids enjoy the bus, and we enjoy not having to park, etc.

jeleebeene

08-07-2002, 11:29 AM

This was the first time that we had driven down, stayed onsite and had a car. I must say, we will drive down from now on, or atleast rent a car if we fly down.
Even though the busses are wonderful getting to the parks, if you want to go anywhere else, it is just too much of a hassle and the wait time is horrible. We wanted to go from the Magic Kingdom to MGM one day - the bus took forever to get there. We could have driven the car 3 times back and forth in the amount of time it took us to get from one place to the other.
We used the busses early in the morning, and then upon returning in the afternoon to the hotel, we always drove as the busses seemed to run less frequently.
If you want to go to DTD, I would definitely want a car - the only day we wish we would have taken a bus, someone famous was at Planet Hollywood (it was either Sunday or a night through out the week I can not remember) and parking was terrible. My DH heard that N'Sync was there, but that was just from hearing other people talk. If that wasn't happening, the parking is usually great.
If you can, I would say rent a car if you are flying, as it is great to get to and from places quickly!

rhodgkie

08-07-2002, 11:36 AM

I guess, I'm a little wishy-washy--I think they are both okay. But if you are staying at FW Cabins, I think a car is quite useful. When we were there, you would have to catch one internal FW bus to get to another station, etc. But when I have stayed at other places, I did not miss a car very much.

Have fun!

skiwee1

08-07-2002, 11:47 AM

We drive to WDW but that is it. I park the van and then do not see it until 9-10 days later. I always use WDW transportation to get me where I'm going. We don't even go off property for any reason for the entire trip.

CamColt

08-07-2002, 11:47 AM

We had a car with us on our honeymoon and it stayed in the parking lot the entire trip. We never moved it once.
Last year we had our car with us again. The only time we drove it was when we moved from ASMO to Poly for our last night. This trip will probably be the same situation.
I would never bother renting a car if we didnt have our own with us. I should add that once we are at Disney, we are at Disney and do not leave property(unless its to go on a cruise;) ).

travelitis

08-07-2002, 12:15 PM

I've done both and prefer the car. I transport an ECV rented from a medical supply in the Orlando area so I don't risk none being available if I park hop. Sometimes we park in the main lot and sometimes head to disabled. Either way we find we prefer using our car. You can leave a cooler with sandwiches and drinks in it then grab a bite while park hopping. There's also a McDonald's close to AK, and we went there twice last trip while hopping. If we opt for WDW transport we usually have to wait longer than normal since only certain buses accomodate ECV's.

Once I relied totally on WDW transport and used Mears Shuttle and truly regretted it. We ended up really needing a car when our camcorder battery shorted out on the first day. Disney had run out of our battery, and we were stuck. We had to rent a camcorder one day, because renting for the whole trip just was not in our budget.

eeyore0062

08-07-2002, 12:23 PM

Yes, sometimes we do, it just depends on the park, and where we are going after we finish that park for the day. The only park we never drive to is MK, because taking the park transportation is much faster than parking, taking the tram to the TTC, hopping on either the monorail or ferry to get there. The bus will take you right to the MK, not the TTC.

As for MGM, we don't often drive there, either, because the walk for the parking lot is pretty hefty, and the lots are not well marked. The lots all have names, but the rows aren't numbered, making it difficult to find your car when you are hot and tired, and ready to leave.

margiemc

08-07-2002, 12:45 PM

We usually drive down from Philadelphia (which is about 21 hours!). We will use the bus or monorail transportation to go to the parks. However, to go from resort to resort or to Downtown Disney on a weekend, we will take our own car. We found it to be much faster.

Tulip

08-07-2002, 03:06 PM

We always get the car. It really helps reduce the cost to drive outside Disney for dinner every night. We drive to the parks too. That way you leave when you want. We even drive to MK because DH likes to take the ferry.

jwfla422

08-07-2002, 04:33 PM

For years we enjoyed driving up, parking at the resort and not having to drive until we were ready to leave. That is one of the perks of staying onsite.

However over the past few years the bus service can really leave you waiting sometimes and with more gear in tow (with our 4 yr old dd) it makes it easier to drive. Although we will use the boats and monorail as much as we can and we'll actually take buses to the parks but if we go to a resort or place that requires more than 1 bus to get there then we drive (it really is a lot quicker!)

This trip I plan to splurge and valet so that I can valet at the resorts we're having dinner at which will make it much easier for dd and I to get in and out of the car.

CaliforniaDreaming

08-07-2002, 04:35 PM

Since we usually stay at the Grand Floridian, we drive to all parks except the Magic Kingdom. To the Magic Kingdom, we take the monorail; going back to the Grand Floridian we take the boat. :)

Spaceman Spiff & Co.

08-07-2002, 06:25 PM

We have only been twice, but we use the car for DTD, mini-golf, and resort hopping. To go to the parks we use buses. We also go off-site, so a car is vital to us.

Tesabat

08-07-2002, 06:55 PM

All our trips until last year, if we had a car, we rarely touched it for Disney transportation - we only used it to go offsite. Last year, we had a gratis stay at the Wyndham on I-drive, did Universal and some favorite restuarants, etc., and combined that with time at POR and Disney. So, because we started the trip on I-drive, we kind of got used to hopping in the car and waiting in a lot of traffic! LOL. So, once we got to Disney, we used the car for transportation a bit more than we have in the past to see how it went. For us, it worked best for DD, Boardwalk, WL for dinner, etc. We probably will stick with the bus for the main parks and use the car for offsite grocery trips and DD, etc., just like before. (I also like the security of having a car incase a trip to a medical ctr. is needed - asthmatic kids tend to make you paranoid like that!)

Blondie

08-07-2002, 07:35 PM

When we stay onsite we rely totally on WDW transportation. It wouldn't be a trip to WDW without using their buses/boats/monorail! It adds to the overall experience in my opinion.

fireplug

08-07-2002, 07:45 PM

I agree with Blondie,
The transportation system is a special part of the trip. We enjoy all the different modes of "people moving". That said it does have a few drawbacks. But we are on vacation. We don't rush around we take our time and enjoy conversations on the busses, boats or whatever. We do you the car to go offsite once in a while but very seldom.

Steve

Mary Ellen

08-07-2002, 08:07 PM

We are 2 adults and non-commando types. We've always had a rental car (not about to drive from Colorado in December ;) ) and it often sits in the resort parking lot for days on end. We're usually there for 2 weeks and it is nice to have a car for runs to the grocery store and off-site restaurants - not to mention the medical clinic if/when I get a sinus infection (but Disney will provide transportation if you need it).

Since we're usually there in early December, it isn't a busy time and we don't have a problem with the busses, boats and walking (we stay at BWV). Like others, we look at the transportation as part of the 'Disney' experience. We usually go 2 out of 3 years, so we're not compelled to rush here and there.

BCV23

08-07-2002, 09:42 PM

We always have a rental car..actually, we drove once...at any rate, we use it for MGM, AKL,DD, grocery stores, golf, and sometimes Epcot. Since we've almost always been at the Poly, we use WDW trans. for MK.

Lisa P.

08-08-2002, 11:36 AM

We've always had a car with us during family trips (solo and groups of adult friends, sometimes not). When we have it, we use it often... visiting other resorts for meals & boat rentals, offsite attractions & restaurants, grocery & medical needs. The minor Disney attractions (water parks, DD, WoS) are all best reached by car, hands-down.

We used to ride Disney transport exclusively to the theme parks. Now, we only bother with Disney transport if we're going between an onsite resort and MK or there's a boat/monorail for transport, since we enjoy those a lot, in themselves. Waiting around so long in standing lines when tired has been a drag.

Forget the Disney buses - they're smelly, often overcrowded, sometimes require multiple stops (either sharing resorts or around a large resort) and take as long as a car in transit. What's worse, sometimes you wait a long while through several different bus arrivals and finally see your bus, only to discover that it doesn't have enough room for everyone waiting... so you then wait some more. This is especially true at park opening/closing times - when you are the most interested in moving quickly. Ugh.

These days, we prefer to use our car, even onsite, thanks.

sgtdisney

08-08-2002, 02:06 PM

We always rent a car and we always drive it to the park. Many years back we used the transportation and didn't really care for it. I like the freedom to go when and where I want to. I do remember the one time we took a bus, many years ago to Epcot, having to wait for 3 busses to come due to the lines of people waiting to get on. I remember thinking if we had drive, we would have at least been in the airconditioned car winding our way out by then. It really is a personal preference. I can see how not having to drive would be a plus to some people. To me, I would not be there without a car, not even for one day. I even insisted on renting a car when I went to a business conference in Las Vegas were you can walk almost everywhere. I just want to know I have the freedom to come and go at will.

Pooh Girl 71

08-08-2002, 10:08 PM

We drve down (DH is afraid to fly). Even if we did fly, I would have to get a rental car. I like the idea of having my own wheels :D I like the freedom of being able to come and go as I please. We also use the Disney transportation too but it's just nice knowing the car is there.

MauraAndIainsDad

08-09-2002, 11:32 AM

We have been very frustrated with Disney transportation in the past and typically either rent a car or drive our own. We weren't going to rent a car for our upcoming trip but since Disney cancelled the Polynesian Masses on Sunday morning, it suddenly became more economical for us to rent a car (rather than use a limo or shuttle service and taxis to Mass). Now that we will have a car available, we will use it over Disney transportation.

richard3330

08-09-2002, 02:50 PM

We always have a car, even when staying on-site. We still make use of the monorail system, but the bus service is inadequate. Also the car comes in seriously hany when you visit other Orlando attractions like Universal/SeaWorld/Etc.

kristikae

08-09-2002, 03:11 PM

I wouldn't think of a trip to Orlando and not going to USF and IOA so a car is something I have to have! I'm a relatively impatient person so the thought of waiting for a bus makes my skin crawl!

We were there in July and never had to fight crowds in the parking lot as others have said. We also never had to walk far. I think Disney parking is one of the most organized I have ever seen.

I didn't realize that you could take a bus to MK and wish I had known about this. After going through the TTC we didn't get on Main Street unitl 9:15 and we got to the TTC at 8:00.

Chip 'n Dale Express

08-10-2002, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by travelitis
If we opt for WDW transport we usually have to wait longer than normal since only certain buses accomodate ECV's.

I can assure you that 100% of our busses are fully ADA Accessible via lift or ramp. All of our RTS busses are equipped with lifts that can handle 95% of mobility devices. In the extreme case that an electric mobility device is too long to fit onto a lift, we have our new low floor Nova busses that are equipped with a ramp.

lvs_eeyore

08-10-2002, 04:31 AM

We always use our car when we stay onsite. I like the ability to come and go when we want to and go where we want to with no waiting around. The only place this is a drawback is at MK because then you have to go through the TTC where as if you took the bus you dont. For all the other parks this isnt a problem.

Dh has always tried to get me to use the buses until our Memorial Day trip when he had to run back to Epcot to retrieve his lost cell phone and decided to use the bus. He came back and told me using our car for us would be the best option and that I was right LOL. The bus trip was NOT bad it was just that he said more than most likely we would end up standing most of the time with two young kids.

We have never done the launch boats between resorts because I get motion sick on boats and Ive always been afraid to. We have taken the ferry boat from the TTC to MK though.

timC

08-10-2002, 06:33 AM

We drive to WDW so always have a car available...but don't always use it... IMO

:) Travelling from Resort to Resort, say, for dinner. There is no easy way to do this by bus.
:) Water Parks. The lots are smaller, and we're normally there early enough to get a good spot.

:( Magic Kingdon, Epcot: There are too many better, and fun, alternatives, depending on where you're staying. We normally take a boat. We found MK it to be a big hassle to drive to...waiting, trams, waiting, crouds, waiting, monorail, crouds.

:( Animal Kindom. We had a very bad experience with trams, rain, waiting in the rain, and walking in the rain. The bus would have been much dryer.

:confused: Downtown Disney. I find the parking terrible, but, if we go to Westside, we always drive.

animalcrackers

08-10-2002, 09:15 AM

We rented a car when we flew down, but barely used it. It was used to se AKL and go to Publix. Other than that it didnt move

TDC Nala

08-10-2002, 08:13 PM

I love not having to spend money on a rental car! It might work better for a family but for me it isn't cost-effective.

And if you're going to PI to imbibe, take the bus! Ask at the gate if you have a designated driver, a friend of mine got free soft drink coupons once for being a designated driver. I don't know if they still do that or not.

ncligs

08-11-2002, 08:22 AM

We go to Florida at least 2-3 times a yr. We always fly down and rent a car(National-Emarald Aisle).It is much easier to have a car to go to restraunts,resort hop,DD, etc. We don't do the parks every time we go down, but even if we do it is quicker with a car.

Luv2Roam

08-11-2002, 08:52 AM

We had a rental car for a few days last January. We were very glad to get rid of it and leave the driving to Disney.
HOWEVER, I was wishing we had a rental at our POR stay in May.
Normally I would not want to bother with a rental. But with the bad bus service, I was even wishing taxis were there. We would have used them.

craiggers

08-11-2002, 09:21 AM

We usually stay at the polynesian, wilderness lodge or wilderness cabins. We think that when you stay at one of the magic kingdom resorts, the transportation to the magic kingdom and epcot is fine. However, we usually drive to MGM and Animal Kingdom. Another nice thing about driving is the better parking spaces you can find. If you are like us, we leave the parks about 11-12 in the morning, go back to the resort, eat, swim, whatever, then go to a park in the evening around 5 or 6. When you do this you can get away from the "guided in" parking and find close spots near the front open from people who have left early.

MrsPete

08-11-2002, 11:30 AM

We live close enough to drive our own car without undue stress, but once we get there we'll use Disney's transportation.

In general, resort to park travel is easier and quicker using Disney's transportation. You don't get lost, you don't have to walk from the parking lot to the front gate, you don't get back into a hot car . . . and it's just as quick.

If you're going to another resort, it might be quicker to use your own car.

Why pay for onsite, then ignore one of thier biggest perks: transportation?

tinkerbell1967

08-11-2002, 12:00 PM

We drive down from PA and once we arrive our car sits until it is time to leave. We have used the buses from one resort to get to another resort for dinner and have never had any problems with getting there on time. We have used them in the morning for character breakfasts at the parks and resorts, and again, never have had a problem with arriving on time. We have never once, in our 4 trips, had to wait for the buses and only one time can I ever remember having to stand. I think the tranportation is great and have no complaints with it. After driving from PA to FL the last thing we want to do is drive when Disney transportation is there to use.:)

craiggers

08-12-2002, 08:10 AM

One other factor is the time of year you are going. High attendance times like Christmas and Easter will have wait lines for transportation even when they put extra buses on the line. Other times may not be so bad; however, they will be using fewer buses.