Benefits of having a car while staying at a Disney resort?

[nuge67]

Our family will be staying at Pop for a few nights and will have a rental car. Other than maybe cruising to Disney Springs, what benefits does having a car there provide in regards to the parks?

Thanks

 

[scrappinginontario]

There is no need for a car to access Disney Sorings. Buses run from Pop to DS on a regular basis.

It’s personal choice but our family does not feel we need a car while there even when we visit for more than a week. The cost of car rental is money we personally don’t need to spend.

Also, the Skyliner at Pop is a game changer! We can easily get to any resort by taking the Skyliner either directly there or to DHS and then take a bus from DHS to resorts.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

It really isn’t worth driving to the parks 95% of the time.
By the time you park and take the tram or walk to the gate the Disney bus would have most likely already dropped you off.

Even though I don’t suggest driving to the parks, we always liked to have a car to eat off property, go to the outlets and stock up on snacks and drinks for the room and to bring into the parks.

 

[nuge67]

There is no need for a car to access Disney Sorings. Buses run from Pop to DS on a regular basis.

It’s personal choice but our family does not feel we need a car while there even when we visit for more than a week. The cost of car rental is money we personally don’t need to spend.

Also, the Skyliner at Pop is a game changer! We can easily get to any resort by taking the Skyliner either directly there or to DHS and then take a bus from DHS to resorts.

Looking forward to the Skyliner as we have not been there since it was put in. My wife, due to points, gets the car for free for a few days so we figured we would save on a ride to and from the airport and can come and go as we please....

 

[nuge67]

It really isn’t worth driving to the parks 95% of the time.
By the time you park and take the tram or walk to the gate the Disney bus would have most likely already dropped you off.

Even though I don’t suggest driving to the parks, we always liked to have a car to eat off property, go to the outlets and stock up on snacks and drinks for the room and to bring into the parks.

what outlets are near by? Thanks

 

[Disneylover99]

We just find it super convenient to drive to the parks. It’s especially nice to be able to make multiple quick stops on the way back to our resort as well.

We often stop at Disney Springs to shop/eat or grab beignets from POFQ and if you have an ADR at a resort, it’s quick and easy to get there.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We’ve driven and taken every form of transportation to and from just about every DVC resort plus most of the non DVC resorts over the years, and with the exception of MK driving will just about always get you to the parks quicker and it’s DEFINITELY quicker then busses to DS.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

what outlets are near by? Thanks

About 10 minutes from Disney springs. They are called Vineland outlets.
All your typical outlet sites and a Disney parks outlet too.

 

[Juventus]

We’ve driven and taken every form of transportation to and from just about every DVC resort plus most of the non DVC resorts over the years, and with the exception of MK driving will just about always get you to the parks quicker and it’s DEFINITELY quicker then busses to DS.

100% my experience too...especially if you ropedrop; I'm usually in the first row of cars in the morning and it a very short walk in and out of the park (dont need the tram). Don't like waiting for the buses and then possibly being crammed in.
I don't think I'd rent a car just for this though (we've both driven and flown to DW)

 

[kanerf]

Isn't the parking at the parks now about $25 a day?

 

[Disneylover99]

Isn't the parking at the parks now about $25 a day?

I think it’s $30 now.
But if you’re staying at a Disney resort or have an AP, theme park parking is free.

 

[EACarlson]

I think it’s $30 now.
But if you’re staying at a Disney resort or have an AP, theme park parking is free.

This is why I'm going to have a car for my next trip. When they were charging for parking at the resort and offering ME, it wasn't worth it to me and I would give up the car. Now that resort parking is free and park parking is free and ME doesn't exist, I'd rather drive. Get to eat off site, can get snacks at Publix, not on anyone else's schedule and don't have to wait to get places. I'm also staying after my WDW visit to work in Melbourne for a few days so I will need a car anyway.

 

[Skippyboo]

If you are eating at other resorts other it can be easier to drive. Also mini golf if you’re going to one at BB, driving to water park is easier than Disney transportation. Also if something unexpected comes up and you need to do a store run or want to pick up snacks, case of water.

I detest the DS springs bus loop. It’s always such a longer wait than parks for bus. For me it’s just easier to park in one of the DS garages. I normally don’t drive to the parks because I am normally park hopping. The Skyliner is pretty sweet way better than the buses.

 

[tony67]

I think it’s $30 now.
But if you’re staying at a Disney resort or have an AP, theme park parking is free.

Don't they charge you to park at the resort though?

I know pretty much every hotel does this now but for me I don't see the point in renting a car that I will get very little use of and paying to park it.

Id rather just uber and uses the transportation on property.

 

[Disneylover99]

Don't they charge you to park at the resort though?

I know pretty much every hotel does this now but for me I don't see the point in resting a car that I will get very little use of and paying to park it.

Id rather just uber and uses the transportation on property.

No. Not anymore. They dropped that at the beginning of 2023.

 

[reddog21]

We dislike the disney buses especially at park opening and park closing. We take the car 100% of the time and "almost" never use the Disney buses. It's a lot more confortable to have your own space especially after a long day at the park it's also faster to get back to your resort. If Disney decideds to expand the skyliner than maybe we would rethink the car rental.

 

[tony67]

No. Not anymore. They dropped that some time last year? I think.

Cool - that is good to know. I think I still prefer not to drive - but free parking does make it more of an option.

 

[2girlsR2good]

When my kids were younger--and honestly now too--we found that once we were in the car, down time had begun. Taking the buses or other transport was still crowd/busy time. We liked driving for that reason. 4 introverts could relax a little more because of the quiet of it just being the four of us in a car.

 

[DeeCee735]

No. Not anymore. They dropped that at the beginning of 2023.

Do you know how much they charge for valet parking at the resorts? We are renting a car and, although I highly doubt I would use valet, I am curious.

TIA,
Dee

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We always have a rental car and although we've only stayed on site one time we used that car to get to the parks rather than the buses including MK. We'd park at the TTC to get back and forth between Epcot and MK since we'd park hop. A rental car is a must for us. When off site we'd use the rental car for AK and DHS or park at TTC again for Epcot/MK.

When we stayed onsite at Universal we had a rental car but did not use it to get to the parks. We used the bus for when we stayed at Endless Summer and the boat/walking for when we were at Royal Pacific.

But in general when on vacation we use a rental car.

For Pop just know the skyliner will shut down for inclement weather though they will provide buses at that point.