Car Rental or Disney Transportation???

[kimberlyp02]

Which is better? Here are our thoughts. Everytime we have been, we have used disney transport. At WL it was great, but we aren't staying there again. Last time we stayed at POP and the waits weren't long FOR a bus, but there were lots of waiting for everyone to get on, then it seemed to take FOREVER to get to and back from the parks. Like 45min or an hour once you got there. We are staying at All-Stars this time and I'm assuming it's nearly the same or worse than pop.

My dh wants to rent a car, we have had a few of our friends swear by it and say it's MUCH easier. HIs theory is it saving at least an hour a day from waiting for people to get on/off buses, stopping, etc.

We have 2 kids both in carseats still(5yrs/1yr) and they are saying that taking the strollers/etc in and out of the buses/standing with them/etc are all avoided and it's worth it. My mil will be with us too so we'll all be splitting the cost of a rental car. If we don't get a rental car we will be paying the extra $$ for a preferred room($95) and so that would pay for nearly 1/2 of the rental car right there if we didn't get preferred. Other benefits include stopping on the way in and picking up cheap breakfast foods and other items that we may have forgotten or need. That'd be nice since we will be on the dining plan otherwise.

SO, I'm wanting to hear from those of you that have done both. Which is better? Any major bad or good points to either?

 

[goofy4tink]

It's a matter of preference basically. I don't want to be bothered driving around WDW. But, I don't have little kids. That's a big deal when you have to board the bus, get the stroller on, get the kids on, etc. So, if you are comfortable driving to the parks, then go for it. Being able to stop and grab some groceries is a good thing.

 

[eagles1281]

I prefer rental car. I have heard that disney transportation can be a hassle when crowded. I leave in less than two weeks and we have a rental car booked already, that way we can go and leave when ever and with out a wait or crowded bus. Plus we will be visiting Universal Studios a few times also.

 

[kimberlyp02]

Do you get free parking if staying at a disney resort?

 

[cranbiz]

Wlth the exception of the waits and the crowds, the bus vs car debate is about the same.

The bus to the All Stars can be just like the bus to Pop. The buses, no matter where you stay, are always crowded at peak use times.

Now, You need to remove the kids from the stroller and fold it up for both the car and the bus. If you take the car, you sill need to remove kids and fold for the tram too! At Magic Kingdom the bus drops you at the front door, the car needs to be parked at TTC and then you need to take the monorail or ferry back and forth.

Guess what, if you need transportation at the peak periods, you still have very crowded conditions and the possibility of standing and long lines for transportation.

The car gives you freedom. You can go off site and come and go as you please. The bus gives you freedom from worry. There will be a bus within 20 minutes at most times, sometimes more frequently (and in all honesty, sometimes less frequently)

If you can plan on avoiding the peak use times, then the bus will not ever take 45 minutes to an hour to get you back to the resorts. If you need to return to the resort after the fireworks or the parade, you are going to wait for a bus at these resorts. POP Century, All Stars (all of them), PO Riverside.

Most of the others will have waits but not anywhere as long as the ones mentioned above.

You do get free parking at the theme parks if you are a resort guest.

 

[kimberlyp02]

I think I'm including the time from when we got to the bus stop to actually getting to the park, not just the bus ride.

 

[TikiGoddess2006]

We have two little ones (4 and 2) and we prefer a car, for many of the reasons listed above. The only exception is when visiting the MK, of course.

Also, think of this: if someone in your party gets sick, a rental car will be invaluable. My DD got sick on one of our trips and needed meds from the drugstore. It was so easy to hop in the car and get what we needed.

TikiG

 

[kimberlyp02]

Good thinking, didn't think about the sick thing. I've heard that's a mess when you have no car and can be REALLY expensive. I was thinking it won't save a ton of time, but my dh thinks overall it'll be better. I think we may try it just to see. It's only going to cost us about $100-150 more than what we would've paid for a preferred room anyway, you know?

 

[fleeflicker]

I would go with the car

 

[Kitzer]

Kim, we have used Disney transportation the last two years and this year we are renting a car for all the reasons everyone mentioned. The stroller thing is a pain in the butt, especially when the bus is crowded. If you drive you can keep cold drinks in the car. When you get back to your vehicle, everyone is guaranteed a seat, you have cold beverages, your stroller and packages can be stowed in the trunk.

Also at peak times, the bus stop can be a madhouse with passengers all cramming for a spot on the bus . Plus, If you rent a car you can hit Publix or Super Walmart and load up on essentials for the room. Grocery and beverage can be very expensive at the resorts.

 

[kimberlyp02]

We all drink water, so that's a good thing, but where is the closest walmart? We may go the first night after everyone is back in the room. That way dh and I can just run and grab a few things? Or I guess I should say where is the closest one that doesn't have disney prices??

 

[Kitzer]

We all drink water, so that's a good thing, but where is the closest walmart? We may go the first night after everyone is back in the room. That way dh and I can just run and grab a few things? Or I guess I should say where is the closest one that doesn't have disney prices??

Go to the attached link for WDW area grocery stores.

http://allearsnet.com/btp/grocery.htm


Theres also a Super Target right off the highway at Orange Blossom Trail on the way from the airport. You could also mapquest from your resort.

 

[kimberlyp02]

Ok, thanks!! We are renting from the Lake Buena Vista resort in DTD. We should be able to use Disney transport to get there right? So we won't be driving from the airport. Thanks!

 

[firemist]

I dont think sick is much of a problem. My db was sick last time we were at mgm, I asked a cm for some water since he wasnt feeling well and immediate a manager called medical and they came very quickly to check his vital signs. They said it was heat exhaustation, and transported us back to AsM. They called later to check on him and ask if we needed any over-the-counter meds. Since I pack a small drug store with me at all times we didnt need anything I didnt have. Overall I was very pleasantly surprised at their caring and efficiency and I doubt I could get him out of the park as fast as they did, since they us though the back-backlot tour.

 

[kimberlyp02]

I will also agree with that. When we were there last time my 10mo old was teething and was in some pain and having a slight fever. I had no tylenol on me and it was a good ways back to the room. A CM pointed me to the on site medical room there and I just signed in and they gave me a dose for him and a new dropper and everything and told me to let them know if I needed anything else. NO charge for any of it. I was surprised and very relieved.