Car Hire v. Public Transport

[dynamite100]

This may get long-winded, but here goes.
We are a couple who will be staying in the I-Drive area for 16 nights. I had intended to just use the trolley plus free hotel shuttles to get to the main parks, with the odd taxi where our times didn't match the shuttle schedules. However, I am wondering if it would be more economical to rent a car for the duration of the trip. My worry is that the shuttles won't be able to get us to the parks (esp. Disney) in time for opening, and hence I could end up spending a fortune on taxis. Also, I hear that the free shuttle to Busch Gardens doesn't run particularly early in the morning either. Perhaps I could just rent a car for a single day, to make the trip to Tampa.
I'm a very confused Englishman. Any comments or advice would be appreciated.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

For anyone not staying on Disney property I would definitely suggest renting a car. From what I have read the off site hotels share buses and they run only during certain times so your ability to get places when you want to is restricted. Suggest you go over to mousesaver.com for discount information.

 

[DaisyMoM]

I agree with goofeeee.Staying of-site on International Drive could be a nightmare. According to our friends who have stayed on Int.Dr.,they only had two pick-up times in the morning to Disney using the hotel shuttle and it was always late!Same with going back to the hotel-only two return times!Taxis would probably be very costly to Diz.Rental car might be best bet.Good Luck.

 

[CleveRocks]

I love your "Goodfellas" quote! Anyway, definitely, absolutely rent a car. Just don't complain when the steering wheel is on the wrong side!

-- Eric

 

[Lewisc]

You want to rent a car. Most of us have adqueate insurance from you personal auto policies and credit card coverage.

You'll probably get a better deal buying your insurance, or getting a rental including third party insurance, from one of the companies that books for UK guests.

Check the UK forum I don't remember the company names.

 

[dynamite100]

I love your "Goodfellas" quote! Anyway, definitely, absolutely rent a car. Just don't complain when the steering wheel is on the wrong side!

-- Eric

Eric, you are the man. At last, someone correctly guesses the film to which the quote belongs. So, of course, there is now a new quote, as there will be each time someone gets the film title. I'm so pleased that you got it that I'm even going to overlook your slight dig at my Englishness. Just kidding, it made me chuckle actually.
Going off on a slight tangent, I see that you're from the Atlantic City region. That was where I took my first ever trip to the States. Me and my bro' came to watch a Prince Naseem Hamed fight at the Convention Center. No offence Eric, but I don't think the place stands up well when compared with Las Vegas. We ran into a few to many dodgy characters for my liking (I'm sure you weren't one of them!).

 

[dynamite100]

bump!