But I do not WANT to rent a car in Orlando!

[JrsyDebs]

We are in the pre-planning stage of our trip to Orlando during Jersey Week this year, thinking about transportation issues...
My DH has two "conditions" regarding this trip: First is that we rent a pool home near WDW. Second is that we not rent a car. DH drives for a living and it would not BE a vacation for him if he has to drive at all on vacation, period. As for me, I am a very nervous driver and also would wish not to drive at all during vacation.
We think that if we were well-informed about shuttles, busses and taxis, it should not be a problem to use off-site transportation to and from WDW. However, all I had ever read on the boards regarding off-site transportation had been negative; people said they would never stay off-site again without renting a car.
Has anyone ever had positive experiences using off-site transportation? Also, can anyone let me know how to go about getting info on busses and taxis?
Any feedback would be appreciated!
Debs

 

[hercamore]

If you will be renting a home, I think it will be an expensive hassle for you to NOT have a rental car. I doubt there is a shuttle going to your houses' subdivision, taxis are pricy, and I wouldn't want to go by a city busyh schedule on vacation.

I know it would be for me. I would get a good map of Orlando from Barnes and Nobles or AAA and have your DH look at it.

If he doesnt' want to drive, I'd stay onsite or at an offsite hote with a decent shuttle.

herc

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Have you given any though to OKW at WDW? It is a very relaxed atmosphere and the most "Florida" of the on-site resorts. You wouldn't need a car but you also aren't staying right in the middle of WDW and it can really get you relaxed.

I can relate with your husband. I don't drive for a living but I do travel for a living. I am always in a rental car or at an airport or a hotel. The only thing I want to do is relax and let others take care of me. OKW at WDW definitely lets me do that.

 

[Brian Noble]

For the cost of OKW vs. an offsite pool home, you can probably arrange scheduled towncar service for the whole time. I've heard recommendations for wings to wheels.

http://www.wheelstowingstransport.com/

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Brian,

You are correct. However, from my standpoint, it is much more relaxing and well worth the money to stay at OKW. I get the best of both worlds.

 

[antmaril]

I can't imagine staying offsite without a car. I think it would be exhausting to try and figure it out all the time. However, that's just me. Personally, I wouldn't stay onsite without a car. I want total control, so I have to have a car.

Good luck!

 

[Trekker]

I guess it depends on what you want for your vacation, if the cost of taxi's is not an issue for you I think that would be the best route to take.

Call a cab company the night before and set a pick up time at your rental house, there are cabs available when leaving any of the Disney venues whenever you decide to go back "home".

The cost might be high - but if no one really wants to drive it might be worth it!

 

[NotUrsula]

If money's no object, why not? It's going to cost an awful lot to take that many towncars and cabs over that kind of distance. Did you say how long you would be staying? It wouldn't surprise me if the cost was nearly $100/day, depending on where your house was and how often you wished to go anywhere from it.

Pool homes are not going to give you access to shuttles. The closest you would come to that would be one of the big condo developments, such as Vistana or Caribe Royale. While Orlando has a decent public bus service, it is my understanding that it really doesn't service upscale residential neighborhoods except to stop near their gates (almost all the neighborhoods where vacation homes are located are built as walled compounds). You might have to walk several blocks to get to your bus. To see the routes that service WDW, go to this link and scroll down to the routes that have numbers in the 300's: http://www.golynx.com/routes.cfm. Routes 50 & 56 also serve WDW; there may be more routes I don't know about.

Personally, I find negotiating a public bus system to be a major hassle on vacation unless I am in the central area of a pedestrian-friendly major city. Orlando is decidedly NOT pedestrian-friendly. NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, London? You bet. Orlando? Not at all the same sort of experience.

 

[DVC-Don]

Sounds to me like your DH does not want to go with those conditions.

 

[luvmick]

I agree,staying pfsite without a car wouldbe too much of a hassle. If you stay offsite,the drive should not be that long to the parks and then you can use their transportation,if you have a multi day ticket.

 

[Carrieberry]

Cost wise you could stay on property at OKW for less if you rent points from a DVC member. We are paying less for a one bedroom at OKW than the rack rates of the deluxes-under $200 a night, and that has a full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, washer and dryer, dvd, stand up shower and all the convienence of Disney transportaton. I would NEVER use public transportation to get to and from Disney from other Orlando/Kissimmiee locations. I also think it will be a hassle and expensive (not to mention stressful) to try to book a taxi/towncar daily. If he really does not want to drive stay onsite. If he really wants to stay off site in a home then rent a car. I think for a nice decently priced trip he might have to decide which is more important.

 

[JrsyDebs]

Thanks, everyone, for the useful feedback!
OKW sounds like it would be an awesome option if it were not for the cost and my stubborn DH. Um, I meant it when I mentioned that he would only take this trip if we rented a pool home and he not have to do any driving whatsoever. I think that the issue of having total privacy when away from the parks is important to him. Also, the private pool is the big draw for him.
Anyway, since the pool home rental is not optional, I guess I am looking at finding a place really close to WDW, renting a car, and getting some good directions for the easiest drive to/from the airport and to/from WDW. JrsyDebs will have to bite the bullet and get ready to do some driving--Look out!
And, thanks again for your opinions. It sounds like my original idea of using public transportation and/or taxis is kind of inconvenient and expensive...