Better to have own car at Pop?

[javaj]

We usually stay at the CR or Poly, and convenience of transportation was always a big factor. We usually get a rental car even though we use Disney transportation most of the time, we just used the car for transportation to and from the airport, and a beach trip or Wal-Mart trip.

This September, we're doing a value trip only because of the dining plan. So we're not staying that long, 5 nights at Pop. But with Pop being more remote than what we're used to, would it be better to have a car? We're arriving really late (almost midnight) and I hate to worry about DME that late, and I don't hae firsthand experience with buses at Pop. The cheapest rate we could find for the 5 day period is $95 for a midsize at L&M. I know renting a car isn't in line with the "value" trip but I'm just wondering if it will be worth it.

So, rental car or not? Any opinions, especially from those that have done both at Pop? Thanks!

 

[geetey]

We only used our car for a trip to the grocery store (it was a June '05 ten night stay and we needed more water), for a Downtown Disney visit (just because - we had a car!), and on our checkout day when we had breakfast at Cape May buffet. Otherwise our car sat in the parking lot - we used the buses for everything.

We had friends join us and they landed in MCO at 11 pm. Their only complaint was that their luggage was delivered @ 2 am. My suggestion would be to use DME, but not tag your bags, pull them yourself from the luggage area and bring them with you on the DME bus. Free transportation, no late late night luggage delivery to your room.

Are you planning on visiting different resorts? Maybe for dining? If so, you would want the car! It is definitely a pain to get to other resorts from Pop.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority on this one, but I always rent a car regardless of where we are staying. Although I like the option of the on site transportation, I don't like the feeling that I HAVE to take it, if that makes any sense. Except for Magic Kingdom which is a real hassle Disney parking is very well organized and easy. Since we have AP's we don't pay. I love getting out of Animal Kingdom and just hopping on the trolly back to my own car!

Besides a run to the grocery store, we often like to go off property to eat and shop for souvenirs... I can by the same Disney shirt at the outlet for half of what I would pay on the property! And somehow it seems we always manage to need a trip to CVS for something or other.

Renting a car is a given for me so I work it into my budget. Silly as it probably sounds to many of you, I'd rather cut in other areas and have the mobility

 

[ktink]

We flew down and stayed at Pop last September and actually had a car that a friend let us use. We only used the car from the airport and back to the airport. We loved the transportation at Pop. We wanted to stay moderate this time but wanted a resort w/ exclusive transportation like Pop. We will be driving this year but don't intend on using the car once we're there. Some may think that's stupid but we enjoy the transportation and not having to worry about driving.

 

[foxtrotter]

The first time we stayed at Pop we had our van with us. Didn't use it once while we were there, only upon arrival and departure. The second time we went we flew and did not miss having a vehicle at all. When we go again in September we will again be flying and I do not anticipate we will miss having a vehicle.

But, everyone is different so...

 

[minijeanie]

I always rent a car.....can't be without one. like to make sidetrips for water, and possibly eating offsite.

but drive to every park except MK which is such a hassle better to take dis busses...

I think you will be much happier with a car.. you can get to hotel quicker than by WDW busses and back to airport in a jiffy...

 

[3lilprincesses]

i say get the rental car, but not because you're staying at Pop, get it because you are used to having one. if you usually rent one when staying at a monorail resort, why would you even think of not getting one for this trip? if it is a money issue, then that might be a little different, but i still say go for it if it will make your trip more enjoyable.

we only stayed at Pop one night, but we found the transportation to be no problem at all. busses were very timely when we were there. we took the bus to and from AK and Epcot.

have fun!

 

[spiceycat]

the value resort definitely have the best bus transportation.

with Pop when one bus arrived and it was obviously that not everyone could fit on it - another one arrived before the first one left.

now sometimes you did have to wait but it was generally (for me) around 05 to 15 minutes - I have waited 20 to 60 minutes for other WDW resort buses.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Don't get one. To me Parking is still a problem at Pop. If you are in the 60's n there is no close parking.
http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/popcmap.html
Here is a map of Pop Century. You can see what I mean about no close parking to the 60's building. Also the 70's parking fills up quickly 80's and 90's also tend to park there. Because of parking I prefer the 50's. I've heard that when its busy, people will park where they aren't suppose to. But then again Sept is not a busy time. I've stayed at Pop 5 times and the bus system is great.

 

[*Fantasia*]

This was my dilema too. Finding a parking space. It was terrible. After having a hard time finding one, that's it, I never moved the car coz I was afraid that I will not find a spot to park it. The second stay at POP, we decided not to rent. The Disney transportation was fine.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i always like to have a car with me
i dont like the buses that much and i have no patience

 

[javaj]

Thanks for the replies!

Looks like there is no 1 right answer -- just whatever's best for the situation. Now I'll have to think about it a little bit more. We're going over Labor Day weekend so it'll probably be pretty busy. Do I want to deal with crowds on the buses or looking for parking LOL.

 

[Liz]

We just got back from WDW. We didn't do DME but when we arrived at the Orlando airport about midnight we saw another family who was doing DME. It appeared they were the only ones (at that hour) going on the Disney bus and it looked like they were celebrities or something because of the individual attention they were getting!

Pop buses are great. That's where we stayed and we never used our car to go to the parks.

 

[Zandy595]

We only have a two hour drive to WDW so we always have our car, but we never use it. We stayed at Pop in April and used the buses the whole time (they were great). I think the only time we might want to use our car, instead of the buses is if we go to a different resort for dinner.