$100 for towncar or $200 for rental?

[IandGsmom]

Ok I have a question. This is our first trip we will be there next week. The first night at the Sheraton MCO which has a shuttle. We have a ressie to get picked up there next morning from towncar comp. I just saw rates on Hotwire 8 days about $200. Is it any better having our own wheels? We are staying on site no other plans for other parks. The only scary thing is I have been reading how horrible the buses are from POR. HELP ME!!

 

[safetymom]

We are big fans of using a rental car. Others like using WDW transportation. That is a decision you have to decide. We liked being able to run to the store when we needed or try an offsite restaurant.

 

[jiminy14]

I much prefer having a rental car. It gives me so many more options. You can drive to the grocery store and pick up soda, water, and snacks. You can drive to the parks if the buses are too full or infrequent. You can drive to DTD for which, I think, the transportation is a problem. But most of all, I like having the car because it allows me to shop at the Disney outlets in the Belz center and the Premiere Outlets!

 

[DaveH]

It is a personal choice. The busses at the end of the day and after parades are usually standing room only. If you plan to go somewhere by bus it can take a long time. The rule of thumb on bus use I was suggested by a CM years ago is give yourself 60 mins to get somewhere. That is based on you just missed the bus, have to wait 20 mins for the next and then it gets hung up in traffic and runs later than normal to get somewhere. You can also walk up and the bus is there or just got there and everything goes smothly and you have plenty of extra time at wherever you are going to.

You Drivng has it good and bad points. You have to drive dead tired somewhere. If you like to partake in adult beverages, you have to be more careful with driving. The signs at WDW are much better than they were years ago. You could get lost. The driving there can be a challenge if you are not use to driving on crowded roads. The locals know where they are going and the rest do not. Sudden change of minds and such by us lost folks make the roads a challenge. The only park that parking is a pain is the MK. You have to take the boat or monorail after parking the car. The busses take you to the entrance. A rental car you have to go get it. The towncar is right there for you.

Some folks like the idea they can go when they want and others have no problem with the busses. I have know some that have to have a car, but almost never use it. They want it in case they want or need to do something.

 

[crisi]

We perfer buses (boats/monorails) and cabs - with a towncar for the airport part of the run. For the few times we don't want to deal with buses (don't have time, going somewhere where buses are a hassle), cabs work great and aren't too expensive.

Keep in mind that a $200 rental will be more like $250 by the time you pay taxes, fees, and put gas in it. The difference between a $100 towncar and a "$200" rental is about ten cab rides within Disney property.

But rentals are nice if you even think you might go off site. They are nice if you like being in control. They are nice if spending fifteen minutes (or the occational 45 minutes!) at a bus stop is really annoying to you, or standing on a bus isn't your thing.

 

[IandGsmom]

Thanks everyone!! I think we will stick to the towncar for the airport transfers and Disney transportation. Since this is our first trip ( I am sure we will be back) we can see how it is w/out a car and maybe rent one next time to venture off property.
I can't wait for the Florida sun. Its ugly, rainy, cold windy here in San Jose, CA today.

 

[curlyjbs]

IandGsmom: ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!

You may want to check nationals rates. I'm not sure of your exact dates but 8 days during the 1st 2 weeks in june comes out to $140 WITH all tax/fees. (enter contract code 6600330)

The extra $40 may be worth the convenience of having a car at your disposal all week AND if you have a coupon it would even be less!


Check it out.

curly

 

[marcyinPA]

Originally posted by crisi
We perfer buses (boats/monorails) and cabs - with a towncar for the airport part of the run. For the few times we don't want to deal with buses (don't have time, going somewhere where buses are a hassle), cabs work great and aren't too expensive.

Keep in mind that a $200 rental will be more like $250 by the time you pay taxes, fees, and put gas in it. The difference between a $100 towncar and a "$200" rental is about ten cab rides within Disney property.

But rentals are nice if you even think you might go off site. They are nice if you like being in control. They are nice if spending fifteen minutes (or the occational 45 minutes!) at a bus stop is really annoying to you, or standing on a bus isn't your thing.

I agree with this! Gas alone will kill you, plus tolls too. We used to rent a car, but then a friend suggested Tiffany Towncar. Now we NEVER rent a car. We barely used it anyway, and it was just a waste of money for us!