Car Rental: Yes/No/Maybe So

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

Before children: No

After: Yes

I found it much easier to have a rental car with young kids. A sleeping child, a stroller and a crowded bus are no something to look forward to at the end of a day in the park. The only park I still take the Disney transportation to is Magic Kingdom. Bus get you right at the door.

Also, I like to shop at the outlets and eat at some outside restaurants. I prefer to the freedom to roam around.

Oh and one more thing.....I have the worst luck with room. I always get the room furthest from the bus depot.

 

[MichelleVW]

We have never felt the need to rent a car (or drive our own if we drive to WDW). We're on vacation, and are quite happy to let others do the driving. If we dine at a resort, we use taxis- thus allowing both of us to enjoy a couple of adult beverages. I could see renting if you have young children. Navigating buses while lugging strollers, bags and carrying little ones is a biiigggg PITA. And of course if you are planning activities offsit, renting a car would be needed. And then there are those people without the patience to wait for the next bus- better that they handle their own transportation and spare the rest of us the grumbling and muttering.

It has nothing to do with patience....why should I stand there 15-20 minutes waiting for a bus when I can drive to where I need to be within 10-15 minutes tops? Only place we drive is to DTD because the parking over there is insane right now.

In Feb we stayed at Saratoga Springs the night before our cruise. Decided to go to DTD...we walked over but were too tired to walk back. Took us an HOUR to get back...Saratoga Springs is right next to DTD....but it took an hour....it was ridiculous.

Driving around WDW is super easy, if you don't get a close parking spot they have shuttles that only take a second to get you to the front. I'm glad the buses are there but we rarely take them.

I do like the bus to Epcot though because then I can drink and not have to worry about driving!

 

[DaisyNY]

I voted no...never had any issues with Magic Express (not fond of getting picked up three hours before flight...but MCO can get crazy sometimes and the extra time was helpful!) and the ease of travel (usually stay at a monorail resort or WL) makes saving on a car an extra bonus for us! Also when traveling between resorts a cab was not all that expensive...

 

[tnd]

We had never rented a car before last summer, but I doubt we'll ever go without one again. We stayed at AoA and found the drives to Epcot, AK, DHS, Blizzard Beach and DTD well worth it! Driving to MK was a toss-up compared to the bus. We like to go back to the resort at mid-day and sometimes the wait for buses can be painful, so the car was great for that. We also went to Super Target to stock our kitchenette and get diapers, sunscreen, and other stuff we did not want to carry on the plane.

I am still a huge ME fan because I love skipping baggage claim, so we took ME to the resort and rented a car from the Car Care Center after we checked in. They picked my husband up at the resort and he got the car fairly quickly. We then returned it the day before we left and took ME back to the airport. We will do the same this year, particularly as I will be about 7 months pregnant and we will be there in August.

 

[MichelleVW]

We had never rented a car before last summer, but I doubt we'll ever go without one again. We stayed at AoA and found the drives to Epcot, AK, DHS, Blizzard Beach and DTD well worth it! Driving to MK was a toss-up compared to the bus. We like to go back to the resort at mid-day and sometimes the wait for buses can be painful, so the car was great for that. We also went to Super Target to stock our kitchenette and get diapers, sunscreen, and other stuff we did not want to carry on the plane.

I am still a huge ME fan because I love skipping baggage claim, so we took ME to the resort and rented a car from the Car Care Center after we checked in. They picked my husband up at the resort and he got the car fairly quickly. We then returned it the day before we left and took ME back to the airport. We will do the same this year, particularly as I will be about 7 months pregnant and we will be there in August.

You sound like me. I used to LOVE the buses and couldn't figure out why anyone would want to drive until we stayed at Shades of Green and the buses didn't run as often as I liked. We found out how easy it was to drive to the parks and how much faster and nicer it was so we've never gone back!!

 

[kmb584]

We have never felt the need to rent a car (or drive our own if we drive to WDW). We're on vacation, and are quite happy to let others do the driving. If we dine at a resort, we use taxis- thus allowing both of us to enjoy a couple of adult beverages. I could see renting if you have young children. Navigating buses while lugging strollers, bags and carrying little ones is a biiigggg PITA. And of course if you are planning activities offsit, renting a car would be needed. And then there are those people without the patience to wait for the next bus- better that they handle their own transportation and spare the rest of us the grumbling and muttering.

It's not about not having patience; I have plenty. It's about me not seeing the point to waiting for a bus plus transport time to/from the parks when I could drive and be there in less than half that amount of time.

 

[Hisgirl]

We always rent a car. Last fall, my son took ME and the driver got lost and took 2 1/2 hours to find fort wilderness. In Feb, ME took almost 3 hours to take my DD to the airport and they almost missed the flight.

We've waited over half an hour for a bus to take us to a park and waited 40 minutes at MK for a bus. We like to go to dinner at other resorts and waiting for a bus, going to a park, waiting for another bus, then going to the dinner resort and repeating that all again, is waaay more trouble than we want to deal with.

This past Feb. our DD didn't rent a car but we had ours. The first day, their son got sick during the night. We had to drive to a drugstore at 11:30 pm.

Also, my son arrives for his ME pick up two minutes early instead of 15 minutes early and was left behind. Our car was necessary at that point for sure.

 

[MichelleVW]

We always rent a car. Last fall, my son took ME and the driver got lost and took 2 1/2 hours to find fort wilderness. In Feb, ME took almost 3 hours to take my DD to the airport and they almost missed the flight.

.

That happened to my mom and sister last year in December. I don't think it took 2 1/2 hours..but it did take longer than it should have and the driver was definitely lost.

 

[mslhb]

We are a rental car convert. We love the ME and have had amazing luck with Disney transport... But this last trip we rented a car and it was so nice. Never realized how quick it could really be to get places! We typically stay at the WL and will probably always use Disney transport to the MK and EP. But to typhoon lagoon, AK, DTD, resort ressies, etc just so much easier to drive! We ended up getting a 6 day rental from Dollar for a standard size car for $105 (included all taxes and fees) and it was well worth the price!

 

[Redmic]

Why would I want to pay for a rental, wait in line to pick it up, pay another $20 a day to park it, and then have to take the parking lot trams to get within walking distance of the parks? There's no way that saves time, and it's an extra expense.

 

[MichelleVW]

Why would I want to pay for a rental, wait in line to pick it up, pay another $20 a day to park it, and then have to take the parking lot trams to get within walking distance of the parks? There's no way that saves time, and it's an extra expense.

Where the heck are you paying $20 to park? If you are staying at a Disney resort parking is free at the parks and at the hotel. You have to wait in line for Magical Express...same wait as the rent a car line. And sorry if you don't believe it but it saves a HUGE amount of time and really isn't that expensive. I've done it both ways and renting a car is sooo much more convenient.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

As a PP said before kids, never. My DW and I stayed at CBR and had no problem using the busses. They were always reliable and usually prompt even after closing time at MK when there would be 1 hour+ wait times for the monorail, the bus would usually be less than a 20 minute wait.

With kids: Essential to have the car. If you aren't shipping stuff down in advance you will want to go off property day 1 to stock your room, especially with water. We RD everyday so we've never been too far in the lot and can reach the gates in under 10 minutes. When a tot gets cranky and overstimulated a nice car ride with no sound but the AC is the equivalent to toddler Ambien, right out for an hour and back to a park for fun. Finally, check out the new nightmare that is the Summer 2014 Monorail schedule.

 

[DisneyMim]

We always rent a car and always stay onsite. My daughter and I did two "girl's only" trips, one at the Poly and one at the Beach Club and did not rent a car. It was enough to let me know that I would never do it again. The waits were awful and then we had to stand almost all the time on the buses. Also we do a lo of resort restaurants and like to go to Publix and the outlets. I love having the freedom to come and go as we please. At the end of the night we just get into our car and go, no waiting in the endless lines for buses. I realize that not everyone feels this way and that's great, the way it should be. It's wonderful that Disney has the transportation if you need/want it. For my family a car is the way to go.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[DebbieB]

I voted other for "maybe". It used to be I got rentals for around $100-$120 incl tax (National, Emerald Aisle). It was a definite yes at that price. Now that I can't seem to find one for under $200, it's a maybe.

My first consideration would be where I was staying. When I stay at BWV, the walk or boat to Epcot & DHS is great. I can tolerate the bus for AK and DTD (the worst). If I was staying at a moderate or OKW, I would definitely rent a car, I don't want to be taking busses everywhere. They are slow, crowded, I hate standing.

I've used DME on my last 2 or 3 trips and I love the luggage delivery, especially if I'm solo. So that's a consideration for not renting a car.

Another consideration is going offsite. We used to always go to the outlet every trip but lately it seems like we never find anything good, so I can skip it.

Another consideration is buying groceries. Depending on how much we are buying, sometimes it's just easier to buy at the resort store.

 

[leebee]

We were always an offsite family, so we always had a rental car. The parking lot trams, monorail, and ferry were just part of the fun of going to Disney. THEN… free dining changed our ways. It's usually just DD and me, so it was significantly cheaper to take DME for the airport shuttle (LOVE not dealing with suitcases!) and using the Disney buses than to rent a car. HOWEVER… waiting 78 minutes at 1am for a bus from MK-POP did me in. I don't wait that long in a standby line, so why for a bus? I was hot, tired, my feet and back were killing me, and it was hot and humid out; you know, Florida in August! Add to that the joy of FINALLY getting on a bus, only to have the pleasure of standing. packed in like sardines, all the way back to POP. Then there was the time we missed our anniversary ADR (yes, DH accompanied us that trip) because we only left 110 minutes to get from POFQ to the Poly. Grrrrr…. I guess the final straw was when DD asked, "Mom, can we ride the monorail and the parking lot trams just because it's fun?" Yup, my kid WANTED to visit the monorail, ferry, and trams!

Now we RENT THE CAR. No charge for parking, as we stay onsite. I can leave a theme park gate and be IN MY ROOM within 30 minutes, max. We've timed it with me in the car and DD on the bus, and the car wins every time, plus in the car I have the luxury of sitting down, in quiet, air conditioned splendor, and parking pretty much right outside my room. DD had the joy of standing in the heat/humidity to wait for the bus, standing on the bus, and walking from the bus stop to the room. Not so much fun when you've been in a theme park, standing on your feet, for the better part of 15 hours! I use membership codes and coupons for all my rentals, and rarely pay over $150 for a car for a week.. usually less. Right now I have reservation for a midsize at National (emerald aisle, so I'll more than likely get a bigger vehicle) for the week including the columbus day holiday for $138, and the discount coupons for that time period haven't yet become available. PLUS… I get to drive myself to MCO instead of being picked up 3 hours or more in advance. This makes a difference if you have a 5:30AM flight. Nothing like meeting a bus at 2:30 in the morning!

We also like having the convenience of being able to go to the grocery store (NOT paying a shopping service's fee or inflated prices), go to the Disney outlets for souvenirs, etc. We have even been lazy enough to drive from our room at ASMu (broadway section), park at the front of the resort for breakfast, then head out to the park from there. I always figure any time I can spend OFF my feet at Disney is an investment in comfort for the rest of the day!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

We never have rented a car. We enjoy Disney transportation and don't mind even if we have to wait for a bus. But if I was going offsite we would have one, so I chose that option, even though we have never actually gone offsite.

 

[kmb584]

Why would I want to pay for a rental, wait in line to pick it up, pay another $20 a day to park it, and then have to take the parking lot trams to get within walking distance of the parks? There's no way that saves time, and it's an extra expense.

If you're staying at a Disney resort or have an AP parking is free, and if you're a RD family (like we are) there is no need for trams as we're parked close to the front of the lots. It takes us about 3 minutes to walk from the lot to EP/DHS, about 5 to AK, and 10-15 to get to MK via monorail.

 

[MichelleVW]

I can usually park my car closer to my room than the bus stops are...way more convenient!

I will take the buses if I'm doing late hours at the MK only because I really hate driving in the dark and at 3 am the bus usually isn't that crowded.

 

[MaleficentRN]

It depends on where you are staying and what your plans are.
Way back before we had kids and they had ME, DH and I rented a car and stayed at CBR. We were in the building furthest from the bus stops and it was a bit of a hike. Our first day, it took so long to get to MK on the bus we said the heck with it and drove everywhere after that.
We've stayed at BLT and WL since then. I have found it super easy to get to MK and EPCOT without a car. We don't go to AK, but I have to say I get a little annoyed when going to HS. We've waited half an hour for a bus a couple of times, and then it feels like it takes the longest route possible to get there. We could have driven there and back in the amount of time a one way trip from WL to HS takes the bus.

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

I would say yes. I'm so glad I had one when I stayed at POR. It's just so much easier to have the transportation freedom. It took 20-30 minutes to get from the Magic Kingdom gates to the door of my room after the park closed. And half of that was spent waiting for the monorail.