Car Rental or Not? Other options?

[dizzyr]

We are going to be in Orlando for 6 days before our cruise and my original plan was to rent a car at the airport and then spend the 6 days in Orlando and drive to Port Canaveral and drop off the car.

We're doing LEGOLAND, Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Universal and downtown Disney. We're booked at the Residence Inn SeaWorld but are now thinking of moving to a Universal hotel for part of it and we're wondering what our options are if we don't rent a vehicle.

Our thinking is that while we are at DC, SW and Aquatica we won't need a vehicle except the one evening we're planning on going to Downtown Disney. Also the days we are at US we won't need a car so it's mainly just to go from hotel to hotel and it seems like a cab would be much cheaper.

Is there a way to get to LEGOLAND besides a rental vehicle? Are there shuttles from either US or Seaworld hotels to Downtown Disney? Is there anywhere within walking distance from Residence Inn SeaWorld to get a few groceries/snacks?

I can't seem to find any rentals for less than $400-$500 for the week and that doesn't include gas, tolls and parking and aside from a few specific things I'm not sure how much we'd end up needing it.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

dizzyr, when is your trip? We have a midsized SUV rented through National for $251 taxes included for 8 days, which is far below the rates you have been pulling up.

If you have a rental car and choose to stay at a Universal property (which I would highly recommend for the Universal portion of your trip for the free Express Passes alone....also the resorts there are great), be aware that Universal resorts charge a pretty high parking fee (about $15 per day plus tax, I think).

Neither the SW nor Universal hotels offer a shuttle to DTD that I know of.

You could easily walk to the CVS pharmacy right on the corner by the RI for the basics, assuming you were looking more snack and drink items than full meals.

There is a shuttle to LEGOLAND from the Premium Outlets on Vineland:

http://florida.legoland.com/en/buy_tickets/Admission-Tickets1/shuttle/

You can reach the Premium Outlets via I-Drive trolley from either the RI or a Universal Hotel.

 

[dizzyr]

We're going in nov and will be in Orlando from the 10th-16th. I've checked a bunch a different rental places and all are that high - I wonder if its because its still 5 months out? Also we were picking up at mco and dropping off in PC so that brought the price up.

We booked the trip a long time ago and my dh has not been interested in the planning at all saying it was too far away to think about (and I think he was tired of listening to me talk about it lol) yesterday he finally had an opinion and that's what brought about the no car thing.

We talked about it again last night (after I posted this) and now we're thinking of rearranging everything and fitting in WDW!

If we do that the plan would be

10 - seaworld
11 - discovery cove
12 - Aquatica am - seaworld pm
13 - universal studios and then rent a car and drive to Clearwater (stay in a hotel there)
14 - visit winter at Clearwater marine aquarium and stop at legoland on the way back to Orlando - check into a Disney hotel
15-16 Disney!
17 - Disney shuttle to PC and CRUISE!

When I was planning the trip I was spreading everything out over a few days 2 full days seaworld, 2 days universal, 1 full day at Aquatica etc. I didn't think we'd actually spend that much time at each place but was giving us lots of downtime because my dh is not really an up an at em kind of guy so I thought the girls and I would fill in the gaps at the pool but since this schedule was actually his idea I'm all over it!

With it being off season I don't anticipate much wait time for lines and we're not huge ride people anyway so if there was a big line we wouldn't wait (unless it was the Harry Potter ride since my dd would never forgive us if we didn't wait).

My youngest dd is still to small for some of the rides and sadly I'm too big for a lot of them so we'll mostly be walking and soaking up the ambiance and things to see. Does this plan sound doable?

I've been to all three Seaworld locations before so a day and a half there is fine and I'm pretty sure a half a day at Aquatica will be enough. The one day I'm wondering about will be the 13 because coordinating a car rental and us and check out from the hotel could be tricky. The 14th will be a pretty easy day - the aquarium is only a half a day thing and if we're tired we'll skip legoland. I scored all 4 tickets for $22 each so I knew when I bought them that we may not go but grabbed the deal just in case.

So excited I have something else to research now - I was getting bored since it was all planned already lol!

 

[dizzyr]

I just looked at the shuttle to legoland but that wouldn't work for us since it leaves at 9 and returns at the end of the day. In the original plan we were going to go to legoland the day we arrive but we don't get in till 10 (we're flying the red eye so didn't want to have a full on day anywhere and thought legoland would be perfect for that day)

I should start a trip planning report!

 

[justustoo]

We are at the end of a multipack trip (BG/SW/DC/Aquatica/WDW,US). I sm so glad we rented a car ( first time for me).i found a great rate with Dollar (City Special) about two months out, but submitted a bid with Priceline a few weeks out that was accepted ( $9 a
day for full size for two weeks). It was so nice to be able to come and go when we wanted instead of waiting on shuttles, and it was so easy getting places with the Msps app on my phone.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We talked about it again last night (after I posted this) and now we're thinking of rearranging everything and fitting in WDW!

If we do that the plan would be

10 - seaworld
11 - discovery cove
12 - Aquatica am - seaworld pm
13 - universal studios and then rent a car and drive to Clearwater (stay in a hotel there)
14 - visit winter at Clearwater marine aquarium and stop at legoland on the way back to Orlando - check into a Disney hotel
15-16 Disney!
17 - Disney shuttle to PC and CRUISE!

Whew!!!!!!!!! That's quite a schedule!!!!

I would be asleep the entire cruise after being that busy for a week .

 

[dizzyr]

Yeah I'm somewhat concerned the schedule may be too busy but without WDW it felt like we had too much down time. What to do, what to do? I really need a trip planning thread lol!

 

[kreckl]

Too much, I think!
Last year we stayed at Disney resorts but wanted to do DC. Well, it's crazy to do that and not take advantage of the other days at SW and AQ....so we did those too. We then had friends join us at Disney. Did some great dinners and shows, MNNSHP...
It was the first time we ever came home from a Disney vacation tired. We LOVED DC, but are resisting the temptation this year so we don't repeat the whole hectic thing. We didn't rent a car, so that may have helped. We took Mears cabs, which wasn't cheap but didn't want buses.
We are planning to do Winter and Legoland and DC/SW/AQ on another trip ( and visit relatives) and not do Disney on that one.

 

[dizzyr]

If we skipped the Thursday (Clearwater and legoland) and just did seaworld, dc and Aquatica the first three days, universal and break day the next two and then two Disney would that seem more doable? The Thursday can be scrapped easily enough if we are tired.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If we skipped the Thursday (Clearwater and legoland) and just did seaworld, dc and Aquatica the first three days, universal and break day the next two and then two Disney would that seem more doable? The Thursday can be scrapped easily enough if we are tired.

Me personally, I would skip the Disney days (I know, I know.....I'm not going to be in the court of popular opinion on this one). The schedule could be switched up as follows:

SeaWorld - Nov 10th
Discovery Cove - Nov. 11th
Aquatica - Nov. 12 (then SW again later in the day)

Then have a "break" day on the 13th.

After you're all rested up, you could move on to:

Universal - Nov. 14th
Clearwater - Nov. 15th (visit the Aquarium & spend some time at the beach)
Legoland - Nov. 16th

November 17th: off to your cruise

It also cuts down on your vacation $$$ for tickets by excluding Disney.....'cause unless you are using AP's for some of your park visits that you have already paid for, incorporating the SW parks (incl. DC), Universal, Legoland, Disney and the aquarium admission into one trip (along with your cruise costs) must be a huge chunk of change.

 

[Lynne G]

Alot of us do a Disney and no Disney trips to Orlando.

2 years ago, we did 3 nights in USO and 6 nights in the Fairfield next to Sea World. We did USO for 3 days, DC, 2 at SW, 2 at BGT and 2 at Aquadica. We also did go carting and mini golf, and went to Poly for dinner and watched wishes from beach. We also hit DTD for some Disney spirit and Earl sandwiches. On the ride back to our flight home, our kids asked, need to go to Disney again. (we had done that 3 years in a row before that trip).

So, last year, we did 3 nights at USO, then Disney Fantasy, then 2 nights at Disney (SOG). We sped through the parks in 2 half days and 1 full day. That was exhausting. I won't do that again. We only got the highlights and it was long days.

If you have been to Disney before, and do not care to not see all/do all, then if you can afford all the ticket prices, enjoy it.

That's the problem with Orlando and the area around it. There is so much to do! Why you have to return year after year.

I may do WDW next year, hoping the rest of Fantasyland will be open. Alot will depend on what discounts are offered and the interest of my kids a year from now.

Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[dizzyr]

Originally the plan included no Disney and I was totally fine with it and then a couple of weeks ago briefly thought of adding Disney and even posted about it and the responses reaffirmed my feelings of no Disney.

Then.....................my DH who always thinks I plan way to much said you have too much down time in your plan why don't we do 2 days in Disney and now I can't get it out of my head!! LOL To make matters worse I found out the Mickey's Christmas Party would be on one of the nights we'd be there!

The other thing is this is our first "real" vacation since we had the kids (10 years) so I don't know how long it will be before we are back again. I'd like to think that this will be the start of our "Disney years" but realistically I know it's probably a once in a lifetime trip at least to this magnitude.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Is there anywhere within walking distance from Residence Inn SeaWorld to get a few groceries/snacks?

There is a CVS fairly near the Residence Inn at the corner of Westwood blvd and Central Florida Parkway. For more grocery shopping the I ride trolley goes by the Residence Inn Seaworld - you can take the trolley south and shop at Publix (Vineland Ave.) and it is fairly convenient.

 

[kreckl]

I really found that DC/SW/AQ and Disney was too much. Too many rides, crowds, shows, waiting ...too much theme park! I would opt out of Disney, or maybe just go to the MK and party night. Doesn't sound like downtime to me! The ride to Clearwater sounds nice...

 

[momof2n2]

Here's another option that you will either dismiss immediately, or grow to love???

We always rent homes, townhouses, or condos. The cost savings may more than pay for your rental car... Here are two that I found in just a very quick search that state they are open for those dates.


http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/...ation-rental-townhouse-proID-63555.html#rates

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/...lorida-vacation-rental-condo-proID-70183.html

As far as doing or not doing WDW - you will pay dearly for just two days at WDW (did I read that right? 2 days). Perhaps consider doing Disney-ish things... Sleep in after a day at IOA or something and go for a late breakfast at Chef Mickey's? Then back to a rental place to swim, etc? Maybe Mickey's Back Yard BBQ or Hoop-de-doo?

 

[dizzyr]

I’m really torn – and keep flip flopping.

One part of me is firmly in the, you don’t have time to do everything and the $$ spent on two days at Disney is not worth it. The other part of me is firmly in the, are you crazy you are finally going to Orlando and who knows how long it will be before we will be back, do you really want to miss this chance because you might be tired!

Right now the two sides are having a constant battle LOL! We really are the type of people who will go somewhere – see what we want to see and leave. I can’t imagine us waiting in an hour + line up for any ride (except the Harry Potter ride), we’re more show and soaking up the ambiance kind of people and if the ride line was too long we’d skip it and move on to the next thing. (To give you an idea I’ve been to Disneyland 2 times and SeaWorld in San Antonio and San Diego and between the 4 parks we did a total of 4 rides and I feel like I had a great time all 4 times and didn’t miss anything - even though I know I missed lots I don’t *feel* like I did. The first time we went to Disneyland it was for one day and the 2nd time we went for 2 days)

Part of me loves the idea of going to the beach at Clearwater – the other part of me says I’ve lived on both coasts for most of my life and have spent 100’s of hours on a beach. Part of me LOVES Seaworld and wants to go for multiple days and just soak up everything and see the shows more than once and the other part says – there’s no way my dh will sit through the same show twice so don’t try LOL!

I can tell I’m leaning towards doing Disney because when someone says oh you can do it I’m all like of course I can and when someone suggests not doing it I’m no I can and here’s why! So basically I just need you all to tell me “SURE you can!” so I can justify it all in my head and then blame all of you later!! LOL

 

[anorman]

I’m really torn – and keep flip flopping.

One part of me is firmly in the, you don’t have time to do everything and the $$ spent on two days at Disney is not worth it. The other part of me is firmly in the, are you crazy you are finally going to Orlando and who knows how long it will be before we will be back, do you really want to miss this chance because you might be tired!

Right now the two sides are having a constant battle LOL! We really are the type of people who will go somewhere – see what we want to see and leave. I can’t imagine us waiting in an hour + line up for any ride (except the Harry Potter ride), we’re more show and soaking up the ambiance kind of people and if the ride line was too long we’d skip it and move on to the next thing. (To give you an idea I’ve been to Disneyland 2 times and SeaWorld in San Antonio and San Diego and between the 4 parks we did a total of 4 rides and I feel like I had a great time all 4 times and didn’t miss anything - even though I know I missed lots I don’t *feel* like I did. The first time we went to Disneyland it was for one day and the 2nd time we went for 2 days)

Part of me loves the idea of going to the beach at Clearwater – the other part of me says I’ve lived on both coasts for most of my life and have spent 100’s of hours on a beach. Part of me LOVES Seaworld and wants to go for multiple days and just soak up everything and see the shows more than once and the other part says – there’s no way my dh will sit through the same show twice so don’t try LOL!

I can tell I’m leaning towards doing Disney because when someone says oh you can do it I’m all like of course I can and when someone suggests not doing it I’m no I can and here’s why! So basically I just need you all to tell me “SURE you can!” so I can justify it all in my head and then blame all of you later!! LOL

For the original question......definitely rent a car! You can get a car for cheaper than you can do taxis, etc. Last year we had a full size car for 14 days for $293 in August. As your dates get closer (say within 2 weeks to a month out) the price will come down dramatically and you should get it for about $150 all taxes, etc in.

As for Disney, I am all for taking a day and doing the MK at least. Last year we were doing all the other parks, US, IOA, AQ, SW, BG, WnW and we really hadn't planned on going to Disney at all.....UNTIL.....my DH reminded me that we had two nonexpiry days left on tickets to Disney that we had purchased in 1991!! That cut the price in half (since we now have two DDs) and I took it as a sign that we were meant for a day at the MK. I am so glad we did this! Up until the moment we entered Disney, something was just missing from the trip. All the other parks are truly wonderful but there is no magic like the MK! I will never again plan a trip to Florida without at least one day at Disney.....it is really and truly the only place where the magic can be found.