Christmas and NYE at BCV...should we forgo the rental car?

[igitur]

We've always gotten a rental car when we've gone to our home resort (BCV) even though I know that we can walk over to Epcot which is a big plus. We're just used to having our own transportation....we like the freedom it provides.

Now, I'm dealing with knowing that our rental car price will be very high since we'll be down there during the holidays for 2 weeks!

On the other hand, I know it's the worst time for riding the buses because of the crowds!

Anyone have any input based on your past experiences?

Thanks!

Deb

 

[CarolMN]

It's going to be crowded and busy no matter what you do. Yes, buses (and other Disney transportation) will be crowded, but so will the roads!

Personally, I'd rather let someone else deal with the traffic, crowded parking lots and influx of rental car drivers who don't know how to get to where they are going, LOL. Also, Disney knows it will be crowded during that time, LOL - there will be extra buses running so it may not be quite as bad as you might think.

Don't forget the cab option - you can take quite a few cab rides for what a rental car will cost. If the lines for Disney transportation are too long, or you don't want to transfer, cabs make a nice alternative.

The week between Christmas and New Year's is one time I definitely would NOT want a car. It would just sit in the lot most days. In addition to items already mentioned, if the parks reach capacity, the parking lots close to guests before they close to guests who arrive by Disney transportation. OF course, we would not leave WDW property for any off site locations and would not need a car, either.

 

[LIFERBABE]

It's going to be crowded and busy no matter what you do. Yes, buses (and other Disney transportation) will be crowded, but so will the roads!

Personally, I'd rather let someone else deal with the traffic, crowded parking lots and influx of rental car drivers who don't know how to get to where they are going, LOL. Also, Disney knows it will be crowded during that time, LOL - there will be extra buses running so it may not be quite as bad as you might think.

Don't forget the cab option - you can take quite a few cab rides for what a rental car will cost. If the lines for Disney transportation are too long, or you don't want to transfer, cabs make a nice alternative.

The week between Christmas and New Year's is one time I definitely would NOT want a car. It would just sit in the lot most days. In addition to items already mentioned, if the parks reach capacity, the parking lots close to guests before they close to guests who arrive by Disney transportation. OF course, we would not leave WDW property for any off site locations and would not need a car, either.

I completely agree

Christmas is the one time we drive to WDW each year because we stay 2 weeks and airfare and car rentals are high. That said, if we flew, I would not rent a car.
The parks are at capacity almost daily. There are so many offsite guests and the mass exodus from the parks at night, guarantees you will be sitting in traffic. We always take the busses to the parks and our van stays parked unless I am forced to drive somewhere, but I dont prefer to drive at all.
I think a cab is the best solution for the rare times you will want a car unless you have some daytrips planned.

 

[igitur]

wow, didn't even think about how crowded the roads would be from all the rental cars too....good point!

I'm leaning more and more toward the "leave the driving to us" motto for a change. Personally, I think I'd be more relaxed given the fact that there's no way around it so best to sit back on the bus and enjoy it! If we were driving, we'd be more stressed out!

Thanks for your suggestions...very helpful!

Deb

 

[Peepster]

We were down for the recent holidays and it was the first time we didn't rent a car. The price just made my blood boil and my pocketbook weep. We opted for a Towne Car and then as a surprise I upgraded to a limo. We used Happy Limo and were more than pleased! Great service both ways and we had a ball in the limo.

We had always stopped for groceries before, too, and this time had Garden Grocer deliver. They too were wonderful.

As for the dollars, we paid for the limo rides and tip and used a cab about 5 times and still only forked out about half of the charge for a rental car.

This is a bit off topic, but I'd like to caution the OP and other posters about something unsettling we found about the new valet services. On two occasions when we requested a cab, we were put into a Towne Car, which we hadn't requested. We didn't speak up in time (we were busy being tourists) and because we returned in a metered cab both times, we realized we paid quite a bit extra for that unrequested Towne Car. I later observed a valet being very "friendly" with a Towne Car driver and passing along business cards, etc. Hmmm? Even with that extra charge, however, we still came out way ahead on cost. But we will know better next time.

And during the holidays, with the parks open so much later, getting around on Disney transportation was a snap, too.

 

[igitur]

Thanks Peepster...some good advice.

Yes, it seems like it might be better for us to forgo the rental car this time. So far, I've gotten a quote of over $500 for our 2 week stint...that's just way over what I want to pay!

I'll still watch rates until we leave but it might be better for us to just rely on other transportation this time (might be kind of fun to fly by the seat of our pants for a change )

These boards have really helped with things I wouldn't even consider! Everyone has been a phenomenal help! I have to say Disboards are among the friendliest posters around! I'm glad to be in such good company

Thanks again,

Deb

 

[pavicich]

The last time we were down on NYE, we tried to get from the Boardwalk back to POP. Since this could not be done directly, we went to DTD and weren't back to our room until almost an hour and a half later due to long lines and wait times for the bus.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

We rent a car for that week every year. The reason we do so is we enjoy visiting the resorts at Christmas. We like to drive to Bomas for dinner and the WL for sleigh rides and The Poly or Grand Floridian. The traffic is not bad. We sometimes decide to go off for dinner(although not often). We like to make a run to get supplies and we like to drive in and not wait for the bus. That being said I hate returning a rental car...a hassle. You could do without one if you have too