Car rental

[jessc79]

Noticed a lot of you rent a car instead of using the magical express. Is it worth the extra cost? What about to the parks? I have a 15 month old so it would be nice to reduce bus time but not sure if it's worth the $$$. We're also staying in a villa so it'd be nice to be able to go to the store instead of doing garden grocer.

 

[Junebugwv]

In our numerous trips to WDW we have always rented a car. There are kids involved in our group. Since ME is available, I have found that I prefer to use ME to get to the resort. Within a day or two, I pick up a car from a DTD location (I call ahead to set up a time for their shuttle to pick me up at the resort) and use the car the remainder of the trip. Sometimes I return the car to the original location and sometimes I return it to MCO.

We never use Disney dining plans and we enjoy eating at local restaurants. We also like to attend church and get groceries. I have used Garden Grocer when I did not want to take the time to shop at the beginning of the trip.

 

[pumba21]

Last September was our first time renting a car and flying and we only rented it for the first day to go to walmart and get food and diapers (so we could pack less on the plane). It was only $20. This year we are renting the whole week. I really missed not having a car the rest of the time.

 

[jmasgat]

If you can manage to score a good deal on a rental, go for it. The only place around WDW that I don't drive is MK (because of the whole TTC) Cars are easy to pick up at MCO.

My benchmark for a "deal" is $100-150/wk. It can be done with discount codes and coupons (check out Mousesavers.com) In January I went and had a car for 5 days for $69 total--tax included.

It may take some regular checking, but you should be able to find a decent deal.

Maura

 

[mzozzietj]

We always rent a car as well but it's not an absolute necessity. We've found it well worthwhile since we had our daughter as we often need to run out for food/diapers/wipes, etc. I did a spreadsheet a few times on the cost of packing it all and lugging it on the flight versus having groceries delivered versus buying things onsite from Disney versus renting a car. I've found that as long as I can get a rental car reasonably it's worth it to us. Sometimes you do have to hunt long and hard for good rates though. We just prefer having the freedom to come and go as we please. It's particularly nice being able to drive around and let our daughter nap while we enjoy the comfort and the AC of the rental car. While we do have a baby jogger stroller that folds up snugly and easily it's still a pain in the tush to hold a baby carry a stroller and all the necessities that go along with a child while climbing on and off of buses. For us it's a convenience we factor in to our trip. I'd rather skip one or two fancy sit down meals and have the comfort and convenience. But then we don't enjoy the sit down meals as much with a toddler in tow anyway, LOL. Counter Service works better with her schedule!

 

[francie57]

We always have a rental. We also stay in a villa so we like stopping at Publix to load up on quick breakfast items, water, fruit, juice, snacks, beers before checking in. Once we are at Disney we basically only use the car to drive to AK since we stay at the BCVs. Even if we don't use the car alot I just like having the convenience of having one if needed. Also, on the day we leave I don't want to have to head to the airport over 3 hours ahead of our flight.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've done both. It depends on the trip. Last year it was my mom and I and we had free dining. I also made arrangements to take several back stage tours and bought tickets to La Nouba. I knew we weren't going to leave WDW so we just used ME and the bus service. Other than a couple of nights when we stayed in the park until park closing I didn't have any issues with using the buses.

This year its my mom and I again. We're going for 10 days, with the first three at US/IOA, we don't have free dining and we have no tours or anything else special planned at WDW. I'm renting a car for the entire time we're there. First, I'll need the car for our US/IOA days. Second, we'll get groceries to eat breakfast in the room, buy a case of water, and some snacks. Third, we'll do some meals off-site. I think I can get better food at a lower price at off-site restaurants. Fourth, we'll plan to do at least one dinner show off-site (most likely Slueths). We've already seen all of the on-site dinner shows (some more than once) and we want to branch out and see/do some different things.

 

[rwdavis2]

With a child that young, IMHO, the rental is worth the cost. You can get out of the parks more quckly if necessary. You're not jammed onto a bus with a stroller.

For good rates at National, go to the KLM website and sign up for their frequent flier program. Once you finish the process and sign in you can then access their Partner contract codes. For Nation the savings can be 40-50% plus they give you all the damage waivers for free. Before you reserve at National sign up for Emerald Isle, also free. It's quicker for getting the car and going.

 

[sarmat1]

Last year, we stayed off-site, so we had to rent. This year, we're staying on-site but are renting a car anyway. With a couple of young kids and a double stroller (not to mention ADR's at many different resorts), the convenience is well worth it.

 

[mkoerner]

It all depends on the trip. If we're only doing Disney and staying on site, then we use ME and don't spend money on a car. If we're doing things off site, like this year, then I plan all that at the beginning of the trip, then return the car for the Disney portion.

 

[jessc79]

Thanks everyone! On more question: my hubby was thinking dealing with parking would be as annoying as the buses at the parks. Waiting for tram or walking, etc. thoughts on this?

 

[jmasgat]

I'm the type who never waits for the tram and walks to the park---unless the tram is there and is ready to go. I don't mind the extra walk, and since I am also the type to get there when the park first opens, the walk is generally not that bad (since I'm parking closer to the front)

For me, the extra walk is more than compensated by the fact that when I am done with the park, I can just get in my car and drive away--no waiting.

 

[JohnnyB2]

Hi We usually rent a car just to do our grocery and refreshment shopping, but then use Disney's transportation during our stay.

 

[mzozzietj]

I'm the type who never waits for the tram and walks to the park---unless the tram is there and is ready to go. I don't mind the extra walk, and since I am also the type to get there when the park first opens, the walk is generally not that bad (since I'm parking closer to the front)

For me, the extra walk is more than compensated by the fact that when I am done with the park, I can just get in my car and drive away--no waiting.

We also walk to the entrance since it's just easier to do with the stroller. Most of the parking lots are not too bad a walk.

 

[mzozzietj]

With a child that young, IMHO, the rental is worth the cost. You can get out of the parks more quckly if necessary. You're not jammed onto a bus with a stroller.

For good rates at National, go to the KLM website and sign up for their frequent flier program. Once you finish the process and sign in you can then access their Partner contract codes. For Nation the savings can be 40-50% plus they give you all the damage waivers for free. Before you reserve at National sign up for Emerald Isle, also free. It's quicker for getting the car and going.

Thanks for this tip, I signed up for both KLM and Emerald Isle but don't see a section with partner contract codes. Any advice on how to find them from the home page after signing in?

 

[sbell111]

Thanks for this tip, I signed up for both KLM and Emerald Isle but don't see a section with partner contract codes. Any advice on how to find them from the home page after signing in?

You have to sign up for 'Flying Blue', not the regular membership. Actually, that's not 100% accurate since you can find those codes by googling 'KLM car rental partner national' without being a member.

 

[Karlzmom]

Thanks everyone! On more question: my hubby was thinking dealing with parking would be as annoying as the buses at the parks. Waiting for tram or walking, etc. thoughts on this?

It all "depends". We stayed at OKW and loved having the car just steps out the door, literally 45 seconds after walking out of the room we were on the go. Add in that we left our baseball hats, sunglasses, pack with sunscreen etc in the car and it was one less thing to fuss with in the mornings. We are RD people, and found that we frequently didn't have to take the tram to the gates, but instead were close enough to walk. The trams weren't a big deal...couldn't be any more difficult then the bus! I understand that the parking lots at other resorts may be a bit more remote...I hear we are in for a hike this year at AKL, and I can see where someone may think that it would be easier to just hop on the bus. If the lot was remote, I'd just send one person to get the car and the other to wait in the portico & do a front door drop off with a person parking if its that big of a deal.

 

[mzozzietj]

You have to sign up for 'Flying Blue', not the regular membership. Actually, that's not 100% accurate since you can find those codes by googling 'KLM car rental partner national' without being a member.

It was Flying Blue I signed up for and got a membership number for. I just couldn't find the codes after logging in on their site. I'll try the google though, thanks again!