Car Rental vs. other transportation

[pennilessinpa]

I was wondering whether most DVC guests rent cars or use towncars/Mears/etc., for transportation to/from the airport?

We always thought that car rentals were best because we could run to the grocery stores for supplies (since we have a kitchen at DVC) and such. We really never use the car unless we head to another hotel for activities or meals, to the stores, and to/from the airport.

So, I guess I'm wondering . . . what's the expert opinion out there?

And, if it is other transportation, which is the best to use? (We are a family of 5 - 2 adults, 12 yr. old, 7 yr. old, & 6 yr. old).

Thanks for your opinions!!

 

[tjkraz]

We usually rent a car or drive to WDW.

However, our last stay was only 4 days and we knew we would not be getting off-site in the middle of the trip. Rather than paying for a parked car for a couple extra days, we rented from National, which has a rental car return desk at the Dolphin resort.

We paid about $50 for the arrival day's rental (convertable) and $35 for the departure day (midsize.) Staying at BWV, which is right next to the Dolphin, made it very easy to drop-off / pick-up the car on the applicable days.

I can't believe we could have gotten town car service for much less than $85 round trip, and having the car enabled us to make our grocery stop, as well as trips to the Premier and Belz outlet stores.

If you really hate driving in an unfamiliar city, I'd look into town car service. Make sure you get one that allows you one grocery stop upon arrival, and they will give you 30 minutes or so to pick something up at Publix.

 

[pennilessinpa]

I had no idea that you could drop it off by WDW. We had our rental car parked at BCV for 5 days (unused). The $$ I could have saved!

 

[crisi]

Its really personal preference.

We take a towncar in with a grocery stop. We don't need much in the way of groceries (I think a car is a better bet if you do need much). We don't really enjoy driving, don't mind Disney transportation, and take taxis when Disney transportation isn't the best (resort to resort travel, sometimes EE mornings, Blizzard Beach, etc). We get lost easily on Disney property.

But I would rent if I was going to consider going offsite, if I needed a bigger grocery stop, maybe if I knew the roads better or if I got a really good deal on a midsized car.

 

[LeftCoaster]

I always rent a car while there even though I don't use it too much. I definately make one day off property to go visit my great aunt in Gainesville and that alone makes the car rental worth it. If you're already on property, you'll be limited with your car rental options. Also, this past trip, I needed to make a quick trip to Walgreens and did a couple of other things offsite.
If the price is pretty close, I'd get the car rental.

 

[Deemarch]

We enjoy having a rental car. We don't like waiting for WDW transportation. And we like to go from park to park and it's so FAST to do it that way. Plus we go for groceries. I felt that it was very easy driving around from the airport and around WDW property. But just remember, we are from Northern New Jersey...Enough said?

 

[rocketriter]

I'd suggest deciding on the basis of whether or not you need to drive much offsite.

Onsite it's a tossup. There are times when hopping into the car gets you to a park more quickly, but there are other times where it just gets you stuck in a traffic jam and a line into the parking lots. I'd never pay the cost of car rental just to run for groceries, since it's very likely to go higher than the markup onsite.

My own family stays within the WDW system. We take limos both ways (it's surprisingly economical for 4 or more people), stop for groceries on the way in, and then ride around in the lap of Disney.