A Blanket Apology To All the Car Renters

[Brian Noble]

Protip: Drive everywhere except for Magic Kingdom.

And you could even drive there once or twice on a nice evening to watch the sunset from the top deck of the ferry.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

And you could even drive there once or twice on a nice evening to watch the sunset from the top deck of the ferry.

I think I hate the TTC more than I like the ferry.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I remember explaining to one of our DISer friends whose father owns DVC that we rent a car all the time on vacations, we did it in 2017 too even while being at All Star Sports. But eventually he tried out the rental car and came back to us with a "yeah now I get it".

For us however we drive period even to TTC. It's not that big of a deal for us to take the ferry or monorail and we would use it to park hop. Easy to get back to the TTC and go to Epcot. We used TTC as like that base. If we were just going to Epcot and DHS then we would even drive between the two of them.

I agree about the tram part though. When we were there in May they were supposed to have the trams at the TTC but didn't have them running in the morning. Luckily we were always parked at least decently close but still, not having trams wouldn't remove the perk of driving because you're on your time not the buses but it does add an annoyance factor.

 

[matt and beth]

Years ago a former member of DIS split her party, half bus and half car to MK. Car won most of the time. Bus wait can be 15 to 20 minutes. Some resorts guests might be on the bus for 20 minutes before even leaving resort property. A scooter wants to board at a later stop. How long does it take to move pax from the fold up seats and board the scooter.
I find it easier, on vacation not worrying about a car.

Ive seen buses arrive and depart 5 minutes before the time on the app. Ive seen the bus time updated a minute or so before the new time.

How about that collective sigh from everyone when a scooter rolls up? Lol

 

[Turn the Page]

That's why you bring the kids, so they can drive you home and help you find your room later.

Well, we do havea newly minted driver in the family but she refused to come on this trip because WDW is no longer good enough for her.

The 4 year old would love to drive but he doesn't have the best track record with motorized vehicles.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I agree with everyone who says don't drive to MK 100%. I also preferred monorail to driving at Epcot if not going in the morning. Late afternoon there was no tram and the walk was very far. There was also no tram after extended evening hours.

My favourite park to drive to is HS as we always seem to have a short walk to the entrance. The only time we don't drive there is when we're hopping to or from Epcot as the skyliner is so convenient.

 

[matt and beth]

We’ve rented and used Disney transportation. Generally I’m too cheap to rent a car unless it’s a good deal. I’ll ride that bus and complain about the waits to save $800

 

[keishashadow]

If you drive to MK, you park in the MK parking lot, then walk or tram to the TTC, then have to take the ferry or monorail across/around the lagoon before you get to the MK entrance plaza. The bus drops you off right outside the MK entrance plaza, meaning you enter the park much quicker.

Depends on ur priorities

Saving time or having a guaranteed seat on drive ‘home’. I’m in the latter camp

 

[DonMacGregor]

We’ve rented and used Disney transportation. Generally I’m too cheap to rent a car unless it’s a good deal. I’ll ride that bus and complain about the waits to save $800

Well, I'm a National Emerald Club member and the rate for the 8 days we are staying starting tomorrow is $492.45 out the door for a premium rental, Executive Aisle (including taxes). Economy is $475. With the free days I accrue through business travel, I'm paying $269.53 for 5 days, and getting 3 for free. Obviously, there's a number that's going to make me think twice, but as it stands, it's still pretty reasonable.

 

[CarolynFH]

Depends on ur priorities

Saving time or having a guaranteed seat on drive ‘home’. I’m in the latter camp

Actually, I must admit that now as we reduce our park time, if we have a car it’s not unusual for us to go offsite for a late lunch/early supper and then drive to MK for a few rides and a pre-fireworks departure. We love riding the ferry across near sundown!

 

[DaveNan]

Been there many times and never not had a car. Used to always drive, so we had our own car. This was in the days before food delivery and ride services. We always got groceries, drove to most parts and water parks, and hit the character warehouse at the outlet mall. In recent years we have flown more, but have always rented a car. We are old school, and still prefer picking out my own groceries, I like to see what is on the shelf at out of state liquor stores, and we still hit the outlet mall. I think you save a lot of time diving to Epcot, DHS, AK, DS, TL, and BB. For MK we still usually take the bus to avoid the TCC transfers.

 

[bwvBound]

Well, I'm a National Emerald Club member and the rate for the 8 days we are staying starting tomorrow is $492.45 out the door for a premium rental, Executive Aisle (including taxes). Economy is $475. With the free days I accrue through business travel, I'm paying $269.53 for 5 days, and getting 3 for free. Obviously, there's a number that's going to make me think twice, but as it stands, it's still pretty reasonable.

Related antidote: Shopping rates makes a big difference!

We recently rented a full size car in San Diego (off-airport) for 9 days. I'd been shopping this rental since early June and finally found the price I wanted 2 days before travel. The prices started in the $850 ballpark and finally dropped to the low $300s as I gave one last search. We put 1900+ miles on the vehicle (roundtrip CA/CO road trip) and figured the rental cost was roughly a wash given gas milage savings compared to my truck. We thoroughly enjoyed having a young vehicle with fresh A/C, Apple Car Play, a gazillion USB ports, and all those cool safety features like lane departure warning, blind spot warnings, etc. How fun to enjoy the rental car!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Curious about the "do not drive to MK" talk on this thread. Tell me more?

People focus on getting TO the park and ignore the ride home. While I have enjoyed getting to MK on a bus, 100% of the time on the way home the wait is absolutely interminable. I'm always wearing a running watch and have an easy time-keeping device in it, and I know that I consistently have to wait far longer than getting to the car would be. Standing is the killer for me. I want to be moving. Especially since I only go to WDW anymore for rundisney events, and everything feels better when I'm moving.

I focus on the exhausted, painful end of the day when I want to be on the move and on a ferry, vs the start of my day when every part of me is happy and chipper.

I came close this trip we almost did universal. then I gave in to Disney.

Aw man. Go to Universal. Let someone else drive you if that goal is really that important to you. I personally don't understand it; Florida is fine as long as you aren't in Miami.

Akl busses are not as bad as others make them out to be. A lot of people prob never even stayed there and complain cause of the instance.

AKL is my least favorite resort so far. Unfortunately, DVC stuff keeps making me stay there. And I've taken the busses there when it's not my choice. From experience, they are very slow.

How about that collective sigh from everyone when a scooter rolls up? Lol

I think "wow people are super-rude" when I hear that.

I’ll ride that bus and complain about the waits to save $800

$800, zoinks!

 

[princesscinderella]

If you are staying at the treehouses a car is a must and also a hassle all in one because parking is so limited there but the buses take forever.

 

[DaveNan]

We’ve rented and used Disney transportation. Generally I’m too cheap to rent a car unless it’s a good deal. I’ll ride that bus and complain about the waits to save $800

At that rate I might have a different opinion. When I loose corporate rates my cost may be higher. I get Emerald isle with my choice of vehicles, up to vans and crossovers every time. It has been for $250-$280 for 7 days with all fees, charges, and taxes. For Oct 2022 and Jan 2023 specifically I needed 8 days so the total is $304 except for gas and tolls.

 

[heresabe]

my goal in life is to never drive a car in Florida. I have managed 25 years of trips without ever driving a tenth of a mile on a Florida road. lol. I came close this trip we almost did universal. then I gave in to Disney. im a weak individual I am finding out.

Technically, you don't need a car to stay at Universal. There are airport shuttles or one can use the Lynx public bus from the airport for $2.

 

[heresabe]

Doesn't converting to rental car usage grant Disney a victory? Wasn't that the corporate goal- eliminate the "free" Magical Express transportation, now one has to either pay for airport transportation or rent a car & pay a parking fee?

 

[matt and beth]

At that rate I might have a different opinion. When I loose corporate rates my cost may be higher. I get Emerald isle with my choice of vehicles, up to vans and crossovers every time. It has been for $250-$280 for 7 days with all fees, charges, and taxes. For Oct 2022 and Jan 2023 specifically I needed 8 days so the total is $304 except for gas and tolls.

I’d do that for that rate. However, my quoted rate for a rental actually at the airport and a full sized SUV is $900 for our Jan trip.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Doesn't converting to rental car usage grant Disney a victory? Wasn't that the corporate goal- eliminate the "free" Magical Express transportation, now one has to either pay for airport transportation or rent a car & pay a parking fee?

Well, I’ve never considered myself in competition with Disney, merely ensuring that my own experience meets my expectations.

There are no parking fees for members staying on points.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Doesn't converting to rental car usage grant Disney a victory? Wasn't that the corporate goal- eliminate the "free" Magical Express transportation, now one has to either pay for airport transportation or rent a car & pay a parking fee?

Didn't impact on us at all as we never used ME. I can appreciate why those that relied on it were cheesed when the Mouse did away with it.