Car Rental

[brown eyed girl]

We are first time visitors going this summer with a 10 year old. DH wants to rent a car but we will only be doing WDW. I have read differing opinions on having a car...how it is great after parades - you can make it back to your hotel in 15 minutes instead of the long wait of the bus riders. A car is great if you want to return to your hotel in the afternoon for a nap/rest but I have heard that with a car you have to deal with the TTC (someone explain please) and then the trams in the parking lot. Is it easy to drive around - hubby will never ask for directions or should we just stay in a hotel with a monorail so we don't get stressed out! Help!

 

[georgina]

You will get differing opinions. We like to drive most of the time. It is very easy to get around by car. We have not run into major traffic jams - even in the summer. I have never had a problem with hopping a tram to the parking lot. If you are going from resort to resort it is so much easier to drive. Bus service can be quick, or sometimes a longer wait. We just prefer to drive.

 

[ColoradoDis]

We always rent a car. I just don't like to be dependent on someone else's schedule. With a car you can go directly move from point A to point B without transfering.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have had a car every trip to Fl. You do need transportation of some sort to and from airport (I presume you are flying). I find a car very handy if I am going to a resort from a resort, to DTD and maybe a quick run to an outside store if need be. I think a car is great, though do use Disney transportation a lot also, it is great. Make sure to visit both the transportation board here on the DIS (maybe copy this question there also to get more viewpoints) as well as Mary's site, www.mousesavers.com .

 

[wdw gang]

We always rent a van,it is so much easier you can save a lot of time,example we stayed at POFQ and took the bus to epcot saw Illuminations after we waited 45 minutes to get on the bus then another 30-40 minute on a crowded bus just didn't cut it.With a van we went right to it and we were back at the resort within 20 minutes.

 

[Kaycee]

We drive to WDW from our home in Kentucky. But once we arrive at WDW, we park the car and don't touch it again until we leave! We find Disney transportation to be very good, and part of the fun for us is not having to fool with stuff like where to turn, which road to take, where to park, how to get back and forth from the parking lot...We're on vacation, and we're more than happy to let someone else do the driving!

 

[XStAnt]

The TTC is the Transportation and Ticket Center. In reality it serves as the parking lot for MK. If you drive you park at the TTC. Depending on where you park you will either walk or take a tram to the TTC (where you can buy tix if you don't already have them). From the TTC you take the monorail or a ferry to MK.

If you use Disney transportation the bus drops you off right at the MK.

You'll find many different opinions on driving vs Disney tranport on these boards. Personally I think buses/monorails/boats are better if you're just going from resort to park and back again. To go from resort to resort, a car is better.

I feel the time with Disney transportation is usually less than driving. With driving most people don't factor in walking to their car (or waiting for the tram, hopping on the tram, driving around the parking lot while the tram drops off other gusts, and walking from the tram to your car); driving out of the parking lot and to the resort, parking at the resort, and walking to the entrance of the resort.

I believe the only time driving is faster is if you've just missed a bus or can't get on the first bus because of the crowds (usually after the park closes). You may have to wait an extra 10-20 mins for the next bus/boat, etc. Of course, if it is so crowded that the buses fill up, how crowded will the trams be and how many cars are trying to exit the parking lot at the same time.

I know many people will disagree with me and tell you driving takes less time. However, I think it's a lot easier to take Disney transportation.

 

[Yensid_MD]

I have been nine times and never rented a car. When we had dinner that we needed to make we caught a cab. Transportation is very good with the excetion of getting from resort to resort. I believe that start the family off with a limo ride from the hotel and using transportation in the parks. Either way you will have a great time.