Why don't you rent a car vs bus transportation?

[blackacex2]

I see tons of complaints about bus service on these boards, and I've never understood it. I have absolutely no comprehension of being able to afford $3500 for a week at the Polynesian yet not being able to pay $27 a day (or sometimes much less) for a rental car. I used priceline to get a rental car for $10 a day (toyota corrola) at MCO on our last trip.

What if you get sick on vacation, need to be somewhere faster than disney transportation can get you there, or just want to explore the resorts without spending all day on a bus? I understand sometimes the bus is just easier depending on what your plans are, but for the most part I see rental car $$ very well spend, even if you only use it a few times.

All I'm saying is don't let bus service hold you back from staying somewhere at disney. Rent a car and be done with it, it's a beautiful thing.

[Mjtsmami]

For us, we plan on using the buses. It's just easier for us right now. With 4 kids, 3 still in car seats, I don't want to deal with getting something to fit all of us, plus dealing with rental car seats.

Granted I haven't been since 2001, but I used the bus system that whole week, ( it was our senior spring break trip) and while there were waits and it could be cramped, it wasn't so horrible that I'd never use it again.

[AJKMOM]

I actually had anxiety over not finding a rental for a decent price ($500+ for a week). I kept thinking of all that could go wrong, because we have never traveled to WDW without a car. I even signed up for ME, and that may have been what did it Car for $135 a week now. Happy me!

[stargazertechie]

I have a long driving commute daily. Part of a vacation for me is the enjoyment of not driving- from the time we are picked up at our house to go to the airport, to the time I return home... it's a luxury to not drive!

[MMrules]

Originally Posted by stargazertechie

I have a long driving commute daily. Part of a vacation for me is the enjoyment of not driving- from the time we are picked up at our house to go to the airport, to the time I return home... it's a luxury to not drive!

Totally agree!!! we are on vacation...driving, fighting traffic, looking for parking spaces, getting in the wrong lane etc.....is for home in MA. WDW is our family time to wait for buses and let others do the driving!!!

[SnapesGirl]

This will be the first time staying onsite in a very long time. We're still going to rent a car. We usually do a couple of days at Universal and also a day at the beach, so having a car gives us that freedom, rather than being stuck only at Disney. That being said, I'm really shocked at the rental prices this year! Last April, we got a rental car for about $10 a day. I checked for this April/May and its up to over $30 a day! Insane!

[danceintherain]

I hate driving.

That said, we're going to be doing a combination for this trip. Since we're spending a day at Universal, I'm thinking we'll do at least 2 days with a car.

Part of the frustration with having a car at Disney is the car seat for DS. I've heard awful things about rental car seats and he's almost grown out of the car seat we've been using for travel. I'm not looking forward to lugging the Britax around.

[AliceIn]

When we stayed at the AoA suites last year, we rented a car and it was worth it for us. We spent most of our time at the parks, and also visiting other resorts. It worked out very well for us. I got a great deal on the car, so it was only about $25 per day.

This year we are staying at the BC, and I think we may not bother with the car rental since we can walk or take the boat to Epcot and DHS. I'm still on the fence about it.

[minnie mum]

We drive to WDW. 2-3 days. Each way. Once we're there, the last thing we want to do is drive some more. And we like to enjoy the occasional adult beverage either in the parks or with dinner in the evenings. So driving back to our resort could present a problem (we never drive after more than one drink).

In 35 years of going to WDW we have never encountered bus problems of such severity that it would warrant using our car. But people's ability to tolerate public transportation varies wildly. I get that. But for us, the occasional taxi to return to a resort in the evening or to get to an early morning ADR is still much more convenient than driving our own car.

Of course if we were travelling off site, that would be a whole 'nuther ball game. But we very rarely do.

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Originally Posted by minnie mum

We drive to WDW. 2-3 days. Each way. Once we're there, the last thing we want to do is drive some more. And we like to enjoy the occasional adult beverage either in the parks or with dinner in the evenings. So driving back to our resort could present a problem (we never drive after more than one drink).

In 35 years of going to WDW we have never encountered bus problems of such severity that it would warrant using our car. But people's ability to tolerate public transportation varies wildly. I get that. But for us, the occasional taxi to return to a resort in the evening or to get to an early morning ADR is still much more convenient than driving our own car.

Of course if we were travelling off site, that would be a whole 'nuther ball game. But we very rarely do.

Totally agree! We also drive 24 hours each way so we never use our car in WDW when their transportation is easy and free. We do not mind waiting or need to have a seat on the bus for a 10 minute ride. When we do get one we usually end up giving it away. However my 2 kids are a bit older and can manage standing.

Also OP, not everyone who goes to Disney stays at the Poly. Some families scrimp and save for a very long time to be able to afford a vacation at just a value hotel. Renting a car, even at $25 a day or so can be a deal breaker for them. Everyone's situation is different and just because they are at Disney does not mean they have money to spend when they don't need to.

[CarrieR]

Why don't I rent a car? Why WOULD I rent a car?

I park my car in the cheapie lot ($4/day!!) and take the shuttle to the airport. Once I give my bags to my friendly Southwest agent, I am hands-off until I pack them post-bedbug check.

Arrive at MCO, cross to B-side, down the elevators (can you take the escalator down?) and then follow the signs. On the bus, where your biggest decision is how close to a monitor to sit. Someone else handles the tolls, the traffic, and the directions. Arrive at Po'Half, check in, and head to the room for the aforementioned bedbug check. Drop our carry-ons, and off we go.

All week, all we have to do is follow the signs. Marathon weekend, half the roads closed? No biggie. Want to start at DHS, have lunch at Cap't Cook's and spend the evening at the MK? No worries about where you left your car.

I pay for the busses, boats, and monorails, plus DME and luggage delivery, in my $169 "value" room rate. I don't spend $3500 for a week at the Poly... I guess I could, but it would be an annual trip, instead of several as an AP-holder. We get on that shuttle at the airport parking lot and have no worries, all week. If the worst thing I have to fuss about is standing for an 18-minute bus ride, I am golden!!

ETA: We stayed at a hotel with mandatory valet a few years ago. Talk about a hassle... I waited longer for my car than I wait for a bus, 95% of the time. Also, we DID rent a car at the start of one trip last year - went to Universal, then drove to MK for the night before heading home to Pop. It didn't really save us time on the WDW end of things, not to mention, I am not a good tired driver, and we leave those parks EXHAUSTED, so it's best that I let someone else do the driving!

[mickeynut1]

We usually get a rental car when/if I find a deal that is around the same price or less than what we pay for the car service. We always use Disney transportation to the parks no matter what, so even when we do get a rental car, it sits until we have to head back to the airport. We have used the car a few times when we've had a breakfast ADR at a different resort than where we are staying since it's easier (for us) to get to the other resort, but for getting to the parks, it's easier for us to use Disney transportation.

[princessallegra]

Originally Posted by blackacex2

I see tons of complaints about bus service on these boards, and I've never understood it. I have absolutely no comprehension of being able to afford $3500 for a week at the Polynesian yet not being able to pay $27 a day (or sometimes much less) for a rental car. I used priceline to get a rental car for $10 a day (toyota corrola) at MCO on our last trip.

What if you get sick on vacation, need to be somewhere faster than disney transportation can get you there, or just want to explore the resorts without spending all day on a bus? I understand sometimes the bus is just easier depending on what your plans are, but for the most part I see rental car $$ very well spend, even if you only use it a few times.

All I'm saying is don't let bus service hold you back from staying somewhere at disney. Rent a car and be done with it, it's a beautiful thing.

We rent a car every trip now. We have done a few trips back in the day with just ME no car and it is a pain in the butt due to how we like to eat. We eat at a lot of TS restaurants at resorts. One trip we spent a lot on cabs and said never again. We rent from Advantage at MCO and it's always inexpensive and great. We love the freedom.

[pixarmom]

We've rented a car and not rented a car and we definitely prefer no car. As previous posters have mentioned, we like the vacation from driving. And I love a vacation from getting three boys in and out of the car. We really enjoy Magical Express, even if it takes more time, because it's a festive start to our trip.

As for getting around, we just plan our park days, resort stays and ADRs in a way that reduces transportation time and reliance on the buses. For our upcoming trip, we'll stay at Poly for the first few days and spend our time at MK and AK. Then we'll transfer to BWI and spend time at Epcot and DHS. The only time we'll take a bus is to/from AK. And we don't mind an occasional cab - might do that on the way back from Artist Point to Poly.

As a side note, when our oldest (now a teen) was little, his favorite Disney ride was the bus!

[Masonmj84]

Originally Posted by pixarmom

We've rented a car and not rented a car and we definitely prefer no car. As previous posters have mentioned, we like the vacation from driving. And I love a vacation from getting three boys in and out of the car. We really enjoy Magical Express, even if it takes more time, because it's a festive start to our trip.

As for getting around, we just plan our park days, resort stays and ADRs in a way that reduces transportation time and reliance on the buses. For our upcoming trip, we'll stay at Poly for the first few days and spend our time at MK and AK. Then we'll transfer to BWI and spend time at Epcot and DHS. The only time we'll take a bus is to/from AK. And we don't mind an occasional cab - might do that on the way back from Artist Point to Poly.

As a side note, when our oldest (now a teen) was little, his favorite Disney ride was the bus!

This is us as well.

In addition, as other PPs have mentioned, we dislike dealing with the car seat issue. Also like being taken right to the front of the park as opposed to having to navigate a huge parking lot (and later trying to remember where we parked, etc.).

And even on vacations where we don't do the MK resort/EP resort split stay, we generally get by fine on the buses because we almost never ride them when they're crowded. In that regard, we usually get to the parks early and leave early (usually go for either a pre-park opening character breakfast or otherwise try to arrive at least 45 minutes before official opening time).

I also don't mind the occassional cab. I've found these to be most useful for dinners at AKL (we usually eat there once a trip), as well as getting back to the resort after Wishes or Illuminations on trips where we don't do the MK resort/EP resort split (for example, after Wishes, catch a cab from the Contemporary and after Illuminations, catch a cab from Beach Club).