advice on SSR--car or no

[Rock'n Robin]

I have found a great deal on a car from national. We would take ME to SSR and then pick the car up at the dolphin on our first day. We would take it back the day before we leave and take ME back to the airport.
I can get a fullsize with all fees, etc. for $197. At least I think that's a good deal--I know alamo was around $500.
But....do I need it? Of course I don't know yet which section of SSR we will be in, but I do know it's spring break time and probably crowded on the busses. I do like to be at the parks at rope drop at least once for each park. I probably wouldn't drive to MK because of having to park so far from the actual park, but we'd probably drive to Epcot, AK, DHS and TL. The bus reports I get from SSR seem to be better the last few months, esp. first thing in the morning. But if we end up in Paddock or Carousel, who knows if we'll end up wanting a car (I have requested Grandstand or Congress Park). A little walking won't bother me, but waiting for a bus to get me to rope drop probably would.
Anyone have any feedback on whether or not to get a car at a crowded time?
Robin M.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm a fan of driving so you aren't going to get any arguments from me. Except for MK travel (for reasons you noted), the worst case scenario with a car is that you will get there just as fast as by bus. After all, both are driving the same route. The best case scenario is that you can save yourself several hours of wait time over the course of a week.

Having a car also gives you a lot of added flexibility. You can drive directly to other resorts to dine or shop without having to do any bus hopping. You can go from one theme park to another--or to a waterpark or DTD--without having to switch buses at a resort. You can even venture off-site to do a little shopping or to enjoy a meal at a fraction of Disney's prices.

I don't know that Easter week will necessarily be any worse than other times in terms of service quality at SSR. Since it's a dedicated DVC, it should be near 100% occupancy all the time. But I just don't like leaving myself subject to Disney's transportation whims for an entire week for the reasons above.

 

[wulfekamp]

Get a convertable. There hot.

 

[Lildalejrfan]

We always rent a car. I like the flexibilty of doing other things besides WDW. We usually take a day out to visit family in Tampa or we go & do go-kart racing, or do a helicopter tour . Next week though we are not renting a car cuz DH wants to try ME. I'm sure we'll be renting one by the second day It's really just a matter of choice. But, it def. seems like ur getting a great deal for the car.

 

[mecllap]

I like to have a car -- never know when that extra convenience will come in handy (emergency trip to the drugstore, etc. or to go get something important forgotten at home). Not having to wait for busses in the heat/rain. Being able to do fun things off-site (there actually are a lot of neat places to go). I usually drive down, so have a car anyway, but when I fly, I rent one -- prefer the independence and flexibility. You've got a good price and with your rope-drop interest, sounds like a Yes to me.
But, am sure you'd be fine without one, as well -- people do it all the time.

 

[dopeygirl76]

SSR is our home and our reason for deciding to rent a car. We were sold on the ME and disney buses and had used them for many trips. However the numerous bus stops at SSR plus the fact that our 2nd DD is a little wild (she thinks she should be able to stand on the buses and hold onto the bar like Daddy)!!! We decided to rent a car. At a price like you found I don't think you can lose - try it and see if you like it - if not you know you got a great price. I have learned though - book that price and then keep looking up until you leave - the last minute deals can be great and since you don't have to prepay just cancel the other ressie!!!!

 

[Golden Rose]

We love having a car on any trip, but found one to be almost essential on our developer point stay at SSR. We were in the Grandstand, so we did get empty buses where we could find seats... and for this reason, we did take the buses to the parks for 4 of our 6 park days. By then, I'd had it with waiting for buses, so we switched to using the car.

We also used the car nightly to go to other resorts to eat. We drove to the GF, WL, CR, and AKL for dinners, and we couldn't have done that easily without a car. (I guess we would have walked to DTD and caught a resort bus, but having the car made it SO much easier.)

Another vote here for car.

 

[minnierealtor]

In the many times we have been to SSR and flown, we always just used ME. Twice we drove our small RV (think FedEx van w/ a bathroom) it was nice to get food for the room but that was it. It just sat in the parking lot. To get to other resorts we would either walk to DTD and take a bus or go to MK if the resort was close on the monorail. Rope drop on a bus just means getting up early enough and out the door which we don't always accomplish but if we don't make it we don't blame it on the buses. We also enjoy walking around the resort so that isn't an issue for us either but we don't have small children.