Car needed or not? Opinions, please...

[bongo59]

if you are a xmas decorating voyeur like me you need a car to get to see them all.............the buses are to slow...........and remember to bring your DVC card for parking as you go voyeuring............it is free free if they see see it!!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

It sure is nice to have a car for resort hopping especially. Disney transportaton is great for theme parks but can take a lot of time to reort hop. A car to DD is a nice bonus as well. Buses to and from from any resort are slow in regards to DD. When we have priority seating at Ohanas we can jump in the car and be there within 15 mins. Bus hopping would be in the hour long range at a minimum.

Not knocking the transpotation at Disney cause they do a great job. But it would be nearly impossible to transport every single need at a moments notice. They have to deliver the masses.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm at BWV right now. We always take the boat to MGM, doesn't make sense to drive there, so I thought. We went last night to MGM for Osborne Lights. Took us 1 hour and 10 minutes to get back! We got to the dock about 7:05, there was a long line. The first boat came about 7:35, we didn't make it, we were about 8 people from the front of the line. Waited until about 7:55 for the next one. Got back about 8:15. I have my mom with me, so walking wasn't an option.

 

[DisneyDVClover]

We always drive down to WDW and once we are there the car pretty much stays parked other than to go to BElz and the Florida premium outlet mall. We stop for groceries on our way in which many if not all of the car service places will also do for you. We have no need for our car once we get there.

 

[OneMoreTry]

We used our car for all WDW transportation while at BWV. It was worth the valet tips not to have to walk to the bus stop, wait for the bus and drive all over the place on the bus. (We would've parked ourselves except for our dtrs' illness. Too hard to walk around with her.) Ifyou go with the valet, save a bunch of dollar bills.

 

[rufusrex]

What's the general rule of thumb on the amount to tip the valet?

 

[Desnik]

We always drive down so we have our own car. I really don't know what we'd do without it!! We always go to different resorts to eat and look around. We go to DtD and like to drive ourselves there. Also, when staying at the BW we like to drive ourselves to AK and Mk. We waited 45min for an AK bus, we got in our car and got there in a few mins!! We really don't like to depend on the buses. So, I'd say if you want to resort hop and not depend on the buses then rent a car.

 

[DemoBri1]

The last three times we have been down we have rented a car. The crowds are usually pretty manageable in the first 1/2 of December, but as you start getting close to that week before Christmas they really begin to pick up.

I like the fact of having my own car if only for the simple reason that I can come and go as I please, and I'm not set to a given schedule. Even though we walk to Epcot and boat to MGM, it still is nice to have the car there if needbe. Also, if you're planning on some power shopping at DTD, it's alot nice to just throw your stuff in the trunk or back seat and go, rather than having to drag them on a bus.

Just my $.02

Brian

 

[lllovell]

We have done it both ways with our most recent trip taking the buses from the All-Star Sports for all of our getting about and I prefer our car for sure. We always drive down living in Atlanta, so the car is usually available, but we split up a bit for this last trip and I missed it badly.

There is the ride on the tram (at some parks) that adds to your time, but honestly, those trams run a heck of a lot faster than the buses so I prefer them. My only experience with DVC buses was at OKW and I didn't realize that it would be MUCH quicker to get off at the first stop rather than wait until the end for the stop at the HH. I was tired and wanted to be in the room and it seemed to take FOREVER to get around the resort. (Funny how that ride there is so much shorter huh? )

Parking is free while you are there or if you are an AP holder like us so that is usually my first choice. Besides, we HAVE to ride in the front of the monorail or my 2 and 4 year olds are NOT happy campers lol

 

[Dean]

What's the general rule of thumb on the amount to tip the valet?

Most "experts" say $1-2 on pick up and I found a couple of sites that said $2-3 when I searched. Only one even hinted at tipping both ways. Of course you must decide for yourself. It seems many DVC members tip both ways. And if someone does something extra for you, that should be considered.

 

[Deemarch]

We did without one for years and then one year....Now I don't think we'd ever go back. The main thing is at the end of a very long day the first transportation that you encounter at the parks??? The tram car for the parking lot!! I guess I'm getting old...LOL

Denise

 

[lisatx04]

Wow...so many different opinions. Thank you all for responding. I went ahead and made the reservation for the car. I figure I have it at a decent rate and if we decide not to take it, no problem. I am still undecided.

One more question though...I know valet is free for DVC (not counting tip) but what about AP's? A poster mentioned parking with an AP-what does that get me, if anything?

 

[Doug7856]

We have rented a car all but two times. The last time we were at WDW wouthout a car was in December. A very unexpected cold spell hit and the highs were in the 20's and 30's!!! We really wished that we had a car to go and get some warm clothes!! All warm clothes at WDW were GONE! I remember seeing people walking around the park with a blanket from the hotel room and socks on their hands! We decided that even though we don't use the car much, having one available is a good thing!

On our most recent trip we had a character breakfast at Cape May and we could not have done that without a car.

 

[TDC Nala]

an AP will get you free parking at the theme parks. So will staying onsite. I think DVC members get free valet only at DVC resorts.


If I get a car, it is to go to Universal, go out and find Diet Coke to put in my refrigerator, and to save time getting to and from the airport. I hardly ever use it to go to dinner at resorts or to DTD, because I'd like an adult beverage at these places. Love those Disney buses!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We just stayed 10 days at the BWV and I wish we had a car. We wasted a lot of time waiting for busses when we could have been enjoying ourselves. We will be getting a car for our next trip, even if it's only to use to go to DTD, AK and various hotels. It will be worth it based on the amount of time we will save.

HBC

 

[crisi]

I'm not a car person, but if you are going to be doing a lot of resort to resort travel, I think you will either want a car, or careful planning. It's easier to park once to tour the monorail resorts - or the BW/Y&BC.

Another option - for the truly rental car-o-phobic - is to take a cab. With some careful planning, you can probably get everywhere you want to go with a combination of Disney transportation and cabs and not spend too much more money. We figure we come out a little ahead with the towncar/cab/Disney transportation combination - but we don't rent the cheapest car.

 

[OneMoreTry]

What's the general rule of thumb on the amount to tip the valet?

I tipped $2 each way. I had read several threads before the trip. It was what felt right to me. I think $1 each way would be OK, but those guys were good, they ran for the car and it was HOT. And we were getting free valet parking otherwise.

I don't think it's right to tip just one way unless you know the tips are pooled. IMHO.

 

[Moobooks]

There's really no reason to have a car. The bus system, even at Old Key West, is more than adequate.
If you need to travel to another resort, then it's easy to take a cab. You can take a lot of cabs for far less than it will cost you to rent a car.
The only rational reason to rent a car is if you are only going to be at WDW for two or three days, and the time spent taking the bus would cut into your park time in a significant way.
You're supposed to be on vacation--what's the hurry?

 

[jmminarik]

I tolerate the bus from OKW to the MK because it's usually a wash timewise but always drive to the other parks and places. Beyond being quicker, I'm guaranteed a seat (heated and cooled at that), no one drops a baby stroller on my foot and most importantly, a bus is public transportation and I ride enough of that at home without riding it at Home. Of course, this is just my perspective.

-Joe

 

[sjdisneywedding]

There's really no reason to have a car. The bus system, even at Old Key West, is more than adequate.
If you need to travel to another resort, then it's easy to take a cab. You can take a lot of cabs for far less than it will cost you to rent a car.
The only rational reason to rent a car is if you are only going to be at WDW for two or three days, and the time spent taking the bus would cut into your park time in a significant way.
You're supposed to be on vacation--what's the hurry?

I kind of have to disagree here.
adequate isnt exactly perfect, which having your own car is.

the great thing is the Disney transportation gives you a viable alternative. Can you get away with not having a car--absolutely and if you never had one you would probably never be the wiser.

However.. once you use your own car you see a world of difference

its not about hurrying or rushing aroound, its just nice to have the flexibility. the flexibility to go off site or to not worry about how you are getting from A to B and whether you will have enough time to do it. It leaves a multitude of options open which you probably wouldnt even consider without a car.
Most of the posts here even state we dont use a car EXCEPT...., well those exceptions are kinda important

Plus why pay for a the cost of a cab(which i have heard are pretty unreasonable) when getting to and from the airport is not even that much less than the rental car itself for a week. Rental prices in Florida are pretty cheap, about 125 for a week and for ex. a family of 4 taking the mears shuttle is going to shell out close to $100 roundtrip just for that alone.