Debating renting a car or just using Magical Express

[piratejill]

In the past, we fly in and always use Magical Express and the bus system to get around. But for this trip (May 1-5), I was considering renting a car just because I think we may save time doing so. For those who have done both, was the car rental a real time saver (driving to the hotel and to the parks instead of using the buses)? Or was it pretty close time wise...car rental counters do tend to take FOREVER sometimes. We have always had good luck with the bus system to the parks...never waited too long or experienced overly crowded buses.

 

[Ed J]

We have done both, car wins hands down in saving time. Most people who like the busses don't like to drive. I get that but you'll never have a 1.5 hour trip to any park in a car but I have always had at least 1 every trip when using the buses. Last time down it took over 2 hours from ME line to hotel room.



We also use cabs when we don't have a car 10 to 20 bucks is worth saving an hour or so to us.

I might use the bus if going to MK, but will drive to the others as long as we have a volunteer to man the wheel on the way home

I haven't waited at a counter in Orlando for a car in 6 or 7 years, Alamo insiders club, skip the lines, get in the car in your class and take care of the counter stuff at the exit booth.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm with Ed.

We have National's Emerald Club and Alamo Insiders. Book the car, bypass the rental counter, just go out to the correct aisle, and choose! Stop at the booth on the way out and you're gone.

A few bucks in tolls if you go on 528 or 417, or a few more minutes if you choose to traverse the streets.

Special circumstances get us on a bus nowadays, but so far we have always regretted it. Maybe not at the beginning of the day, but usually at the end! Decided to leave MK early and go to a DVC thing at AKL, no time for the bus...got to TTC and snagged a cab. Leaving MK on our last trip when jet lag, dehydration, too little food, and a suddenly pick kid meant we needed to leave MK fast, but we had no car. Decided to take the bus instead of getting to TTC for the cab, and our pickup spot was second to last and it took what felt like forever. etc.

Plus we like having the freedom. Go to GiftLand for some less expensive, more size-options (same shirts as inside WDW, but more sizes), souvenirs. Go to Sweet Tomatoes. Go to Universal for a butterbeer stop (we have and keep Universal APs so that's always a possibility). etc. It's not JUST about avoiding a bus to Epcot.

 

[Pembo]

Another vote for car rental - just do the online precheck in stuff for the car and you'll be out of the car garage in no time. Typically I get the luggage and dh heads to the rental car kiosk. We usually finish about the same time and walk out to the garage. On the road to WDW in less than 30 mins from wheels down with the plane.

We drive to all the parks, even MK. There is nothing better after a LONG day at the parks than walking to your car and driving away. No more waiting for an overcrowded bus at the end of the day. If you get to the parks for rope drop, your parking space will be close. And we typically take afternoon breaks and found an even closer spot when we returned to the park.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Rental is the way to go. We did an experience one trip DH drove back to SSR from Epcot I took the bus. It took me almost 40 minutes for me to arrive! I will not take the bus again.

 

[hardis5]

We are doing the same 1-5th and have the DME booked for us all (7) but seeing the $ for minivans a while back ($$ now) I grabbed one for $166 (base rate).

We were going to need a vehicle for a shopping / non-Disney day and a cab the first day to stock up on breakfast/snack foods. Looking at the hassle and cost getting a vehicle for the one day alone and the time saved on-site getting around if having a vehicle made the decision easy. The family and friends will do the DME to the resort (along with our bags) while I grab the vehicle and meet up with all later.

 

[scottmel]

I admit to be INSANE but I switch hotels based on our trips. For the front end of the trip I am at GF for my MK days then I switch to YC to be walking from DHS and Epcot. I absolutely HATE buses, and rent a car to and from airport and then only use the car to go to an ADR that might be further away or US/IOA. I don't even drive to the parks. The whole parking lot, etc I hate. I like to WALK and be there.....

This year I am having a hard time getting a good rental deal so I may do the 88 round trip on the Limo to and from airport and US/IOA round trip. Still cheaper than a car right now!!!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

For me it depends. If I'm alone with the kids then busses. If we stay deluxe no need for a car. If we stay off-site , value or mod then we get a car. This summer we are going to the beach before the GF so will have a car the first 3 days at the GF and not the last 3 so that is perfect.

 

[rwdavis2]

We always rent a car and drive everywhere. IMHO, it is almost always faster than a bus. You also have the option of heading off property if necessary.

 

[jeffbear]

I hate paying for parking and feel like the rental car advocates often forget how long it can take to get to the gate (and back) in a parking lot tram.

So I generally use the buses and have never had that big a problem ... over multiple trips and multiple decades.

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

On my daughter's first trip to WDW, we decided to not rent a car, save the money and give her the "full" experience... after 2 days I took a cab to the Alamo at WDW and rented a car. That year we stayed at CBR, so that may have had something to do with it, but it seemed like we basically spent half our day getting to/from the parks.

Since then, I always rent and reserve as far in advance as possible and use my AP discount to get it as cheap as possible. I bring my own GPS, forego the insurance (I have my own) and it really turns out to be the best $200 ever spent for a week rental. Plus, I do a lot of tours, and enjoy rope drop, so it helps to be able to hop in the car at 7am, to make an 8am tour or ADR. Sometimes I don't want to spend $35 for breakfast, so we pop over to Waffle House instead... I do, however, ALWAYS bus it to MK... best way to go!

 

[piratejill]

Ok, thanks for all the replies!
Another option I am considering is renting the car for part of the time and ride Magical Express back to the airport (assuming that I can do Magical Express for just one of the legs of our trip). I could pick up the car at the airport and return to Alamo at the Dolphin (I think?) on the day we are going to Epcot. How is getting from the Alamo to Epcot? Does the Dolphin offer a shuttle to Epcot? Could I walk?

 

[epsmith921]

Ok, thanks for all the replies! Another option I am considering is renting the car for part of the time and ride Magical Express back to the airport (assuming that I can do Magical Express for just one of the legs of our trip). I could pick up the car at the airport and return to Alamo at the Dolphin (I think?) on the day we are going to Epcot. How is getting from the Alamo to Epcot? Does the Dolphin offer a shuttle to Epcot? Could I walk?

If you go out the international gateway between England and France in the world showcase at Epcot, you can walk or take a boat to dolphin. It's a lovely walk, but also a relaxing ride.

 

[Disney Ron]

I hate paying for parking and feel like the rental car advocates often forget how long it can take to get to the gate (and back) in a parking lot tram.

So I generally use the buses and have never had that big a problem ... over multiple trips and multiple decades.

You don't pay for parking if staying at a Disney resort.

Tell me how long it takes if both of us were at the same hotel and had ADR's at another Disney resort? If we drove and you used the bus system and we both left for dinner at the same time we'd be paying the check just as you were getting seated.

 

[dopey4u]

Rent a car!!!! it saves so much time and worth the money. you never have to worry if you are going to get a seat or miss a reservation

 

[Kristina4109]

I HATE driving, and when I'm on vacation it's the last thing I want to do. So we almost always rely on ME. But, if you're feeling stressed because you might be pressed for time, a car is going to be faster.

 

[donkeyandshrek]

I had this debate with myself in January. I did ME and regretted it a million times. I will always always always have a car.

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm the minority here but I prefer the buses,etc. I know,I know.... But We don't make a lot of ADR's and when we HAVE to be somewhere by a certain time, we allow up to 1 1/2 hours to get there by bus or boat or whatever..... From a the airport to the hotel,I feel like renting a car doesn't save time over ME...it's always about an hour and a half either way for us(actually,less hassle with the ME, since my DH likes to stop at dumb stores on the way in,which drives the rest of us crazy) Usually with my DH driving it takes 4 hours from the airport minimum..... so I Choose buses when I can,I like to get to the hotel!
I also know that a LONG walk/tram ride out to a parking lot is hardly restful,or quick after a long park day. If you time your exits for when others aren't exiting, it's rarely an issue. But like I said, We don't do a lot of timed things at WDW....we roll in a pretty leisurely way....
FWIW, I recall one trip, stayed at BC, buses all the way.... had the Dining plan, allowed that solid travel hour,and never missed a beat.....

 

[wdwchamp]

I am also one of the minority. I prefer ME and using the buses on site. My DW and I enjoy using ME and having our luggage delivered to our room. We believe doing Disney at a leisurely pace. While the car is useful in getting to a ADR, I rather spend $20 for cab fare than $200 to $300 for a week where the car is in the parking lot most of the week. That way I still can get around Disney rapidly without spending a lot of cash.

 

[Disney Ron]

I am also one of the minority. I prefer ME and using the buses on site. My DW and I enjoy using ME and having our luggage delivered to our room. We believe doing Disney at a leisurely pace. While the car is useful in getting to a ADR, I rather spend $20 for cab fare than $200 to $300 for a week where the car is in the parking lot most of the week. That way I still can get around Disney rapidly without spending a lot of cash.

We rent a car from the airport and still get our luggage delivered to the room. Read the sticky at the top of the page.