Can an urban family ADDICTED to driving go w/o a rental car (on-site 7 days)

[Kira'sMom]

Hi everyone,

We're really having a tough time making this decision. We're (DH, 30; DD3 and me 30)going back to WDW in September 2005 and we can't decide if we should rent a car. My family is ADDICTED to driving (DH -will drive to Subway for a sandwich which is a block from our house) and we're staying at POR. This will be our first time on-site after several trips to WDW staying off-site. We have always rented a car. I thought that we would simplify things and not do a rental and use the "Magical Express". However, after reading horror stories about Mears and more stories about difficulty traveling between resorts, I'm starting to reconsider. DH wants to get a car and says that he promises only to drive it if necessary (which means that the cost might not even be justified). I'm worried that he'll use it as an excuse to drive to even the shortest distances. This is a man who will spend more time trying to find a parking space than it would have taken to just walk. Sooo any suggestions for us? We plan on doing just one park per day and will be using the dining plan. We will have PS at WL and GF. Flying into MCO and will probably arrive around 10:00 am.

 

[PCFriar80]

Yeah, you're between a rock and hard place and let me be the first to tell you that you are about to get a flurrie of different opinions. The problem here is that you can make an arguement either way. Let me begin. I vote for no car.
Disney has very good internal transportation. No need to worry about having one too many at dinner, getting lost or finding the right parking space. When you drive and park at the parks you wait for the parking tram as well. There will be those times when you're waiting for a bus or boat and "someone" will say we could have been on the road by now. Have fun, relax, cut loose and leave the driving (or sailing) to disney. Plus, you'll save some money. Don't make this the focus....that's not to be confused with the Ford Focus!! BTW We're also urban folks and I do need a car to take out my garbage down our 800 foot driveway!!

 

[DebbieB]

We always get a car. I can't stand being in crowded busses, many times having to stand, waiting for them to come, etc. I don't consider that relaxing. I'd rather jump in the car, turn on the AC (if it's warm), turn on the radio and go at my own pace.

 

[klfrech]

I agree with the previous poster. I've done Disney on many occasions (always on site) and have always rented a car. I can't stand to have to rely on buses, etc. We also don't always eat onsite or in the parks. We sometimes like to leave a park (with our car) and drive to pick up a pizza, run to the grocery store, etc. I like the freedom of having a car.

By the way, my DH is addicted to driving also. He'll leave the house to pick up a cup of coffee at Starbucks, while a fresh pot of coffee is brewing in his very own kitchen!!

We are going in July and I was able to get a mid-size car from Alamo for 8 nights, for $155, including all taxes and fees. I don't think I can do much better than that.

 

[safetymom]

I vote to rent a car. You can do things on your schedule.

 

[Rootskate]

I've had a bunch of people tell me that we are crazy for always renting a car when we go,but I can honestly tell you, we wouldnt have it any other way. It would drive us nuts to have to wait for the buses, etc. Just figured I would chime in

 

[aec]

Another vote for the rental car from another urban car addict!

But I would use the WDW transportation to get to MK.

 

[Disney Ella]

We've done it both ways and prefer having the car. It's no fun standing on a packed bus at the end of the day when you're tired. I much prefer going out to the car, actually sitting down, and driving away while everyone else waits for their bus.

 

[Rodrigo]

Another vote for the rental car. You can carry a stroller for DD3 more easily.

 

[mareed]

Another vote for the rental car. And I can say that we spent 14 days at the parks during the very busy last 2 weeks of the year, and we never rode a tram in the parking lot. At every park, we arrived prior to park opening time, and we always parked close enough to just walk. Having a stroller with us, we prefer not to use the trams, and they are not necessary.

If I were onsite, I might consider using Disney transportation to MK however. I really feel that everywhere else, you'll get there quicker and get back quicker in the evening with driving yourself.

 

[Kira'sMom]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the responses. I showed DH my initial post and the first thing he said was that he wasn't addicted to driving - as he walked around looking for his car keys. Anyway, all the posts have given me more to think about.

 

[ahoff]

We always get a car as well. But once at WDW rarely use it. It is easier for travel to other resorts, but for the parks (especially MK) it is easier to use Disney transport. We also usually stay at BW, and then can walk to Epcot or MGM.

 

[jadejazzkayla]

car....car...car....

 

[antmaril]

We ALWAYS rent a car. We're just like you. We drive everywhere, even if it's walkable. I do not want to hassle with buses, shuttles, etc. Rent the car and go when and where you want - just like at home!

 

[Brian Noble]

Interestingly, my urban times (one week per month in Seattle) are strictly car-averse. The bus there is easier than a car for almost any circumstance, as traffic is miserable and parking is hard to find and expensive. When the bus isn't convenient, a taxi serves my purposes just fine, for less than a rental car plus the $18 per day parking the hotel there charges me.

So, I suspect you are a suburban car addict, rather than a true urban car addict.

However, I wouldn't think twice about renting a car at WDW. It's not much more than round-trip transfers, and for me provides much more hassle-free transportation. If you don't mind driving in new places, you'll probably prefer a car too.

 

[Kira'sMom]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice -- we're leaning toward the rental car.

BrianNoble - we really are urban - heart of Chicago, 10 mins from downtown and 1/2 block to our nearest bus station, 2 blocks to Metra. Not that this is an environmentally friendly or economic lifestyle - just one partially caused by laziness and partially caused by frigid lakefront temps. We do slightly better in the summer.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I am having the same discussions as Kira's Mom, I really don't want to rent a car while at WDW, but am fearful that I will miss my freedom to come and go as we please. I am curious about taxis within Disney. Surely there must be taxi's waiting for passengers at the Hotels. Any feedback from the experts on taking taxis while on the grounds?


Kira's Mom - [/QUOTE] 10 mins from downtown and 1/2 block to our nearest bus station, 2 blocks to Metra.

- we might be neighbors

 

[Brian Noble]

Kira'sMom: you are better at parallel parking than I. ;-)

 

[G00fyDad]

We have a car reserved already. We're going to be in Florida for 8 days and 7 nights. It is only costing us $420.00 for the 8 days. Only 6 of those days will actually be at WDW. So we would need a car anyway, but my wife wanted one in case she gets tired and wants to go back to the room with DS2. That way me and DD10 can ride the bus back if we wanted to go back early.

:jumping4:

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We've done it both ways. We've gone with a town car service and then taken buses or the monorail at WDW (we were staying at Poly a couple of those trips). We've also driven down and had our van or rented a car when flying. This last trip I went with only my 5yo and rented a van--that was a big step for me since my DH usually is the driver. I loved having my own vehicle! We did sometimes take a bus, but I liked having the choice and being able to travel between resorts easier. This next trip I will be renting a car, also.

T&B