Leaving tomorrow last chance to decide on DME or rental van

lllGurulll

On hiatus from the World

Joined

Dec 4, 2009

• May 30, 2015

• #1

I'm really up in the air on this one. I've never rented a car for Disney before and stayed at Pop and the only real issue we had with the bus system was the waterparks were a pain to get to at mid day. This time we are staying at CBR hopefully Jamaica. The total mini van rental price is $250 after all fees. I can't decide if the extra convenience is worth the price. Could use some help deciding.

I hear good and bad about the bus system at CBR so that information hasn't really helped me decide.

 

goofy4tink

No tags...not needed! Transportation moderator

Moderator

Joined

May 2, 2002

• May 30, 2015

• #2

There are times when I'm at WDW that I swear that I'm renting a car the next time! Other times, it's just fine. All resort buses can get tedious....and the moderate resorts all have those many, multiple stops within the resort. It's really a personal preference...there are many people that wouldn't go to wdw without a rental car. Others think it's a huge waste of money. Only you can make that choice. If you think you will use the car...go for it. But, you may find the car just sitting there, the entire trip.

 

seashoreCM

All around nice guy.

Joined

Aug 25, 2001

• May 30, 2015

• #3

Keep your Magical Express reservation in place as long as you are unsure about renting a car. No problem with changing your mind at the last second.

Water parks remain a pain to get to and from using Disney transportation.
Moderate resorts remain tedious with those many multiple stops within.

 

lllGurulll

On hiatus from the World

Joined

Dec 4, 2009

• May 30, 2015

• #4

I was fine with it at Pop for the most part but I keep hearing that CBR can be a real mess with the bus system at times. I really don't want to spend the extra money on it but I'm worried about getting stuck losing time waiting on the bus.

 

sam_gordon

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 26, 2010

• May 30, 2015

• #5

How long is your trip? If it's 10 days (for example), the $250 for a minivan is great and I'd get it. If it's 4 days, I'd probably not.

 

Saimaeve

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 3, 2013

• May 30, 2015

• #6

What about taking uber for the times you need it? (They have SUVs)You can get one from the resort to the water parks quicker than the bus. And it would overall be cheaper than a rental

 

nacho113

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 9, 2012

• May 30, 2015

• #7

My other question would be ; do you really need a mini-van? A compact or mid-size is probably a lot cheaper and if all you need it for is popping back and to around the water parks and theme parks, you may not really need the largest, most comfortable vehicle. Might be worth checking out the prices?

BTW, we swore off the Disney buses several years ago and always rent a car now. My favorite thing about renting the car comes at the end of a long theme park day, when you go out to the parking lot and get into your car with just you and your family... it's SO quiet. Sometimes we just sit in the car and enjoy it for a few minutes before we start to drive. We always found that the buses were crowded and noisy, especially on the way home from the parks.
Having a vehicle is also nice if you want to do a grocery run or take a day off from the theme parks and drive out to the beach or even if you want to visit some non-Disney attractions.

 

Last edited: May 30, 2015

lllGurulll

On hiatus from the World

Joined

Dec 4, 2009

• May 30, 2015

• #8

We are a family of 5 and the mini van was cheaper than the midsize car.

 

goofy4tink

No tags...not needed! Transportation moderator

Moderator

Joined

May 2, 2002

• May 30, 2015

• #9

sam_gordon said:

How long is your trip? If it's 10 days (for example), the $250 for a minivan is great and I'd get it. If it's 4 days, I'd probably not.

Click to expand...

Or, you can look at it another way. Longer trips mean you can downs more time on buses. Shorter trips with a rental car mean more time in parks, less time to and fro.

 

Ladygoldenhair

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 3, 2013

• May 31, 2015

• #10

I know you are getting ready to leave, but I wanted to add what we do. I take the kids and we ride the bus with the luggage to the resort, the husband or son pick up the car. This way we get a much smaller car and less cost. I absolutely love having the car. It is just so much easier then the busing. I hate if we have the strollers, husbands scooter, etc getting the buses.
Also, we have had a dental and medical emergency need to get to the doctor and dentist. Another time, before our first day at the parks I needed a heating pad and PMS medication, and dh needed a decongestant ASAP. So I ran out and picked them up, water, Gatorade and some other extras. What we spent on the mid size car was well worth in no aggravating buses, and the drinks or eating off site.