car or no car??

[jencap]

We are staying at SOG (which is right across from the POLY) 12/9 - 6 nights.

Do we rent a car?

If not, how is the bus service in and around Disney?

For example, if we wanted to run to the supermarket for bottled water and snacks would we be forced to take a cab$$ ??

Is there anything NON-DISNEY - that we could walk to for a cheaper meal?

What about getting to and from the airport?
What about getting to anf from Universal (2 days/2 adults)?

38 days and counting...

 

[Pluto4President]

the old debate. I always rent a car. Most of the times, with National and the DC it works out equal or less than transporation to and fro MCO. On the top of the transportation board there is an FAW post describing Nationals Emerald Club.

 

[ducklite]

It sounds like you would be best off to rent a car, espcially if a trip to "the other place" is in your plans.

Anne

 

[seashoreCM]

For a family of 4, Mears costs about $85.00 round trip from airport so all you have to figure is how much more a car would cost.

Even if on some days the car just sits in the resort lot, it is convenient to have it. If the kids don't mind holding suitcases on their laps just for the first trip from the airport and the last trip back to the airport, a small car is enough for 4 people.

To get back to the real world (cheaper restaurants, groceries) you have to do some driving no matter what direction you go. I find that 192 (out the main gate) is reasonably convenient. There is a nice dinner buffet at Shoneys, which when heading west on 192 from main gate is about a mile on the left.

More Disney tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

9/65 Disneyland
3/75 (World Inn* off I4 near DD)
4/85 (Kon-Tiki* on 192)
'80s Disneyland once or twice
7/94 PORiv
9/97 ASMu
11/98 ASMu
12/98 (Knights Inn on 192)
9/99 ASMo
12/00 ASSp
9/01 ASSp
11/01 Looking forward to ASSp
*no longer exists

 

[DisneyKidds]

We always get a car. I posted a long list of reasons why when someone asked this question on the resorts board. Try this link to the thread.

http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=117631

 

[LucyStorm]

I wasn't going to get a car, but was able to find one for $118/wk. Given that shuttle service from the airport is running $80-85 round trip, it just made sense to me. Also gave me more options.

 

[nancyj_pa]

Just stayed at SOG first week of October. We reserved the Tiffany Town Car. It picked us up at the airport (they hold up a big sign with your name on it), stopped at the supermarket so we could buy drinks and snacks, took us to the hotel, and picked us up for the return trip to the airport. The driver also helped with the bags. The cost was $85 round trip, and there's a coupon for $5 off on their website. The towncar holds up to four people and there's plenty of room in the trunk for lots of luggage, golf clubs, AND the groceries.

Others in our party rented cars. They were only used once for a trip to Downtown Disney. They sat in the parking lot the remainder of the time because the buses are so convenient. Buses leave from SOG every 20 minutes that take you to the TTC (MK and Epcot are there too). There's a bus that leaves every hour on the hour (Bus #2) that goes to AK, MGM, and BB. The bus ride to TTC was only about 5 minutes. The other one is longer because of the stops. You can also walk to the Polynesian and catch the monorail. We walked over for the luau in about 10-15 minutes.

Just remember to add in the cost of tipping if you use Tiffany (about
$10 each way).

 

[tonilea]

We like the sense of freedom having a car affords us.

Toni

 

[apagano]

Unfortunately, Greater Orlando is not easily navigable without an automobile. If you were planning to spend your entire vacation on Disney property, I would say you can do just fine without a car. However, if you want to make side trips like the supermarket, McDonald's, Universal, etc. then you will be better of with a car.

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

Add my vote for a car!

 

[inkkognito]

Hubby and I are lazy, lazy, lazy. Even tho' rental car rates are cheap in Orlando, we refuse to do any driving while on vacation. We use Happy Limo from the airport to WDW and visa versa and depend on the Disney buses for the rest of our transit. The buses are always tolerable, although a lot seems to depend on which resort you are staying at. We've had the best service at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the worst at Caribbean Beach ("Trinidad" is apparently another word for "No bus comes here," as that was the name of our supposed "bus stop," where we often waited 45 minutes, and sometimes even more). Dixie Landings (or, to be politically correct, Port Orleans Riverside) has decent bus service, and we've found the service at Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian and Coronado Springs to be a notch below Dixie (of course, at GF you also have the monorail and boat options). But overall, even with some bad waits, I'd rather let the Mouse do the driving. We have little interest in leaving Disney grounds when we're there, so a towncar and buses works out very well for us.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I agree with getting a car. If you are staying on Disney Property the whole time there really isn't a need - but since you are planning on going to Universal for 2 days - you'll probably be happier with a car.

 

[erikthewise]

In general,

If all you want to do is go from resorts to parks and back again, you don't need a car.
If you ever want to go from resort to resort, from resort to Downtown Disney during the day, from park to park in minimum time, or go offsite for any reason, you're better off with a car.

Given that renting a car is usually not much more expensive than transportation to and from the airport, for me it's a no-brainer to get a car.

(I have no information specific to Shades of Green.)

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree with the "car people". We always rent a car. Bus only good if you are going park-to-park--even then can be slow and crowded. WE are especially glad for the car as we drive by the various WDW bus stops--with people waiting for the bus!!