DH...FIGHT...who's right?! Car Rental or Disney Trasport

[kimberlyp02]

Ok, my dh is relentless in his desire of renting a car for our upcoming disney trip. I on the other hand think it may turn into a huge mess. I posted asking opinions a day or two ago and got a few opinions, but he wasn't convinced either way from the last thread so I'm giving more detail.

We haven't ever rented a car there and have only used disney transport. We are going Sept. 22-29th during free dining. Our kids will be ages 22mo and 5.5yrs when we are traveling.

The guy he works with has convinced him that car rental is the way to go and he would NEVER use disney transport if it were him. So my dh wants to try it. I don't mind trying it, but I have a few worries...here are our pros/cons list:

Pros:
No waiting for bus
Not standing on buses
Freedom to leave Disney if needed
Not having to wait in line for luggage at end of trip
Not having to hold strollers/bags/etc on bus


Cons:
Not that much of a time saver
Getting lost or missing turns
Severe grouchiness from both of us if we get lost

Grumpy kids not wanting to be buckled in-they find the bus rides fun
Putting kids in/out of carseats
Kids crying/yelling/acting up in the car

HOT vehicle
Having to lug carseats to/from airport
Luggage not being sent to resort
Maps/getting directions
Long drive from airport to resort with kids
Tram/parking lots far from entrance

Ok, then questions...
Will it really save us that much time?
How hard is it to get around WDW?
How long do the trams take to get from the lots to the entrances?

Anything else we need to know?

Another question is can we all take Magical Express(except for dh) and let him drive the rental to ASMu? We think this may be easier for our luggage and all.

I am afraid to get a car and it end up ruining my trip because he's not really the most fun person to be in a car with...lmao...he is totally convinced though that this is the way to go and it will make our trip SO much more enjoyable....I'm letting him have his way, I just want him to be aware of every aspect before we go. Is this a man thing? lol

 

[rie'smom]

We always rent a car and because you have little ones,I would if I were you. When kids are ready to go,you don't want to have to wait for the bus and then if it's crowded,maybe even have to wait for another bus. We like to go to DTD and it's so much easier to drive. The only park that i would take the busses to is the MK. Try this link for a WDW road map:
http://www.disney.co.uk/usa-resorts/waltdisneyworld/VII/index.html

 

[DisneylandForever]

I've never rented a car so I'm afraid I can't give you any pros/cons for it, but I can tell you that the reason we never rent a car is because the bus/monorail/boat system is so good! For a recent trip we were consdering flying to Tampa to save money, and even then we were just gonna rent a car one way and drop it off at WDW. We are happy with the WDW transportation. Renting a car to us just seems like an extra hassle/expense, especially if you're not going to do anything off Disney property. JMHO

 

[CleveRocks]

I've never driven on Disney property and I never plan to. To my wife and me, one off the delicious treats of a WDW vacation is no driving for a week. So I know how you feel.

However ....

Why not try it the other way once? Throw your husband a bone. If you decide you really don't care for it, you STILL have the option of leaving the car in the resort parking lot and taking Disney Transport, anyway.

I'm almost 16 years into a very happy marriage. Part of it is we let each other "win" every now and then. Pick your battles. And don't forget to rub it in when you're right!

 

[mamacatnv]

Here is my 2 cents - we rented a car on our first trip and it sat in the parking lot for 6 days at our resort - what a waste of $$

Since then we have put ourselves at the mercy of WDW transportation and I would not do it any other way. Here are a few of the reasons why:

The ease of not having to navigate a foreign place. I am on vacation and I don't want the worry that comes with driving.
Finding parking
Waiting for the shuttle to/from the parking lot
Pay for parking(daily)
Worry about someone dinging the car and me getting a huge bill
A/C already going when you get on the bus
Collecting luggage at airport and getting to either rental car counter or shuttle bus, then load/unload luggage and load car,....etc.

I personally really don't see any cons with WDW transportation other than a sleeping baby in a stroller that has to be held for a bus ride, but if you were to take a car the baby still needs to come out of the stroller to go into the carseat.

As far as I know there is no reason the family and the luggage cannot take ME and DH can get the car and drive it to the resort.

However, if it meant my DH was going to whine and moan the whole vacation because he didn't get a car, I would suck it up and get one. Then when you experience all of the above, you and the kids can take the bus to the parks, he can drive and you can all meet at the gate

Good luck and happy planning

 

[spindoctors]

Our only big trip to WDW was in Sept. 04. Our kids were 5, 7 & 9. We rented a car because we stayed at AKL and knew it was kind of out of the way. We loved having the car! We did, however, have AAA parking which made things pretty easy.

It was very convenient when we ate at other resorts and went to the water parks. I think the only park we didn't drive to was MK. Also, it was a big help after the fireworks, etc. when the buses were busy.

My husband loves to drive and we didn't find it hard to navigate either.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We rent a car every trip for at least a few days.

We use Disney Transportation about 90% of the time.
This includes ME (we rent from a DTD hotel location or the TTC).

We use the Rental for grocery runs or a off-sight dinner. Every once in a while if we want to go and just hit 1 or 2 rides at the end of our trip we will run up in the rental.

So I guess I can see both your points but it will not save you that much time. It will cost you more money . And your kids won't be able to have fun on the bus with all the very nice people at Disney.

 

[darlak]

Since we live only 1 state away (Alabama), we have driven to WDW more than once. The first time my DH and my DS(22) flew down with us, they were both bothered by the idea of not having our own transportation. I think it's a guy thing. The times we have driven down, we usually just left our car sitting at our resort most of the time anyway. I would let him rent the car. If it's a mistake, you can leave it sitting in the resort parking lot. Then you have the satisfaction of giving him "the look" next time he suggests something you think is a bad idea and asking him "Is this going to be like the car rental thing at WDW?"

 

[Dad_Z]

I'd definitely vote for NOT renting a car. I'll use some of your pros/cons arguements lists to make my points (imho).

Pros OF RENTING A CAR:
Not standing on buses TRUE, BUT IT'S REALLT NOT BAD WAITING A COUPLE MINUTES WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL EXCITED TO BE GOING TO DISNEY; OR RELAXING A FEW MINUTES AFTER FUN AT THE PARKS
Freedom to leave Disney if needed THE DISNEY SYSTEM RUNS CONTINUOUSLY AND IT IS JUST AS EASY TO USE THE DISNEY SYSTEM
Not having to wait in line for luggage at end of trip ??? IF YOU USE DON'T RENT A CAR YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DISNEY'S MAGICAL EXPRESS AND HAVE DISNEY TAKE CARE OF THE LUGGAGE

Cons TO RENTING A CAR:
Not that much of a time saver TRUE. SOMETIME CAN BE SAVED, BUT PROBABLY NOT FOR MAGIC KINGDOM AS THE DISNEY BUS WILL DROP YOU OFF AT THE GATES OF MK, WHEREAS PARKING WILL OFFSITE AND YOU WILL NEED TO WAIT FOR A TRAM TO TAKE YOU TO THE GATES OF MK.
Severe grouchiness from both of us if we get lost TRUE
Long drive from airport to resort with kids DISNEY'S MAGICAL EXPRESS IS VERY COMFORTABLE AND PLAYS DISNEY SHOWS ON ITS TV'S

Ok, then questions...
Will it really save us that much time? IT WILL SAVE SOME TIME ON NON-MK PARKS. IT WILL TAKE EXTRA TIME AT THE AIRPORT COMING AND GOING.
How hard is it to get around WDW? IT'S EASY.

Anything else we need to know? WHAT ABOUT COST? THE COST TO RENT A CAR AND PAY FOR GAS IS PROBABLY $40 PER DAY OR SO. COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. ALSO, THE AGGRAVATION FACTOR. I RENT ALL THE TIME IN MY TRAVELS, AND I MAY NEVER RENT WHEN VISTING DISNEY UNLESS I PLAN ON VISTING OTHER AREAS OUTSIDE DISNEY. PLUS, IT WOULD BE VERY ANNOYING TO BE INVOLVED IN A FENDER-BENDER, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT DRIVING WAS NOT NECESSARY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Another question is can we all take Magical Express(except for dh) and let him drive the rental to ASMu? We think this may be easier for our luggage and all. IF YOU ARE GOING RENT, THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.

Is this a man thing? NO. I THINK IT'S A CONTROL THING. TELL YOUR DH TO LET GO AND GIVE HIMSELF OVER TO DISNEY!

EITHER WAY, HAVE FUN!

 

[kimberlyp02]

I've never driven on Disney property and I never plan to. To my wife and me, one off the delicious treats of a WDW vacation is no driving for a week. So I know how you feel.

However ....

Why not try it the other way once? Throw your husband a bone. If you decide you really don't care for it, you STILL have the option of leaving the car in the resort parking lot and taking Disney Transport, anyway.

I'm almost 16 years into a very happy marriage. Part of it is we let each other "win" every now and then. Pick your battles. And don't forget to rub it in when you're right!

OH, you know I will I really just want him to realize it's not going to be the best thing in the world, he sees none of the cons as actual bad things and thinks it'll be a ton better. We've already booked a standard room close to the parking lots, so he knows we're renting a car, I guess I just want to hear that he's aware that there are negatives and don't want him to realize it only once we get there...lol I do think it'll be nice to try it out though, who knows, it may be great!

 

[melanie18]

Rent a car! There are plenty of deals out there in September for a cheap rental car. We find it to be much easier than constantly waiting for busses.

Just because you have a car, doesn't mean you can't ride the bus on occasion. Keeps both kids (and parents) happy.

 

[kimberlyp02]

A few responses:

Not sure if it's control only because we've been 3x's before and he hasn't had a problem with the transport. Last time with 2 kids, 2 strollers 2 backpacks, etc. it was pretty tough, especially when nearly all the buses had standing people. So I do see his point on that.

And we have been married nearly 10yrs and I reminded him of EVERY other instance that he said something would be SO wonderful and wasn't...it's funny, they don't seem to remember those that well, do they?

No, really we aren't "fighting" per say, just going back and forth about what we think would be the best. We have a great marriage with good gives/takes, I just want to enjoy the vacation, you know? To me, a big part of disney is riding on the buses talking to people, etc. Just a part of it I don't want to miss out on...sounds crazy because I do gripe about people crowding me, stepping on my toes, etc, but it's all part of it to me.

My mil will be with us too though so it's not a huge deal, she will be splitting costs with us. And we figure, we would've spent $100 on a preferred room anyway, so if you minus that, etc. it's really not that much more for us.

Oh, the magical express doesn't take care of luggage when leaving. We had to stand in line at the luggage hold thing and wait to get ours before we left. Then you keep it and give it to the bus driver when you get on, or that's how they made us do it last year.

Anyway, I've had some great opinons so far, anyone else? This should give him alot more to go on.

 

[plutospup]

We rent a car, and use it to go everywhere except MK. With young children I've found it easier to go by car, than waiting for a bus, especially when we had a stroller. I remember carrying a stroller onto many busses for two WDW trips. Our next trip we had a rental car, and WOW, it was so much easier! (Stroller, time saver, didn't have to carry/hold DD on bus, didn't have to wait for busses).

 

[Dad_Z]

I think you may have been on one of the few airlines thay Disney doesn't have an "agreement" with. For most of the airlines Disney will take your luggage and get it checked in for you at the airport (I believe they will pick it up from your room). This needs to be arranged the night before, I believe. We are flying Air Tran and, as luck would have it, Disney does not have an agreement with Air Tran. So Disney will pick our luggage up at the airport, but when it is time to leave, we have to do as you described.

One weak thing about taking Disney [free] transportation is getting to other reorts. You can't go from resort to resort. You must go from resort to park (or DTD) to other resort. Generally the only time this comes in to play is the occassional dning at a particular resort restaurant. In this case we have used Disnay taxis and for a couple bucks they'll take anywhere (no hot seat or hot car seat).

 

[pbharris4]

I am all for renting a car (or driving and having your own). While I like the buses to go to DTD and maybe Water Parks..I like when we drive to the parks. We get there for EMH in the a.m. and are really close to the TTC so we just walk with the stroller. With young kids and strollers the buses and trams are a pain in the rear end.

It's easy to get around with the car, quicker, especially if you are going to a hotel to eat like AKL..you'd have to take the bus to DTD and then take another bus to AKL and the same vice versa. We eat at a lot of different places and this would take up a good chunk of our time.

I would just rent from the airport. It's not a long drive to WDW. Check out Alamo.

You don't have to pay for parking at any park if you are staying on WDW property.

Now, if you were at a monorail resort or maybe Beach Club, Yacht Club or Boardwalk..then it I'd consider not renting a car because you are so close you can walk or ride the monrail.

With 2 young kids I sincerely think having a car would be easier.

 

[kimberlyp02]

You can rent cars AT disney? Are they more expensive there?

And yes, now that you say that I do recall that we weren't one of the airlines that did that :-( We flew Southwest. Oh well, our ticket prices were much cheaper than other airlines so I guess that's ok.

 

[pbharris4]

Yep, you can rent them at the Car Care Center and also at the Swan or Dolphin, and maybe a few other hotels as well.

 

[pbharris4]

I'm not sure if they are more expensive or not (we've rented from the airport), but if you do rent anything make sure to book ahead of time and if you're a member of Costco or BJs you can use them to get cheaper rates.

Maybe.....you can comprimise and do both rent and Disney transportation?

 

[Sammy]

For our very first family trip in 2000, we did not rent a car and used Disney transportation to get everywhere. It was wonderful because we spent most of our time going back and forth to the parks! However, as we've done subsequent trips, we spend more time visiting/dining at the other resorts, or spending more time in DTD. We love having a rental car now just because of that. It's really a pain to use Disney transport to go resort-to-resort as there is no direct service. For most everything else, we still use Disney transport. I refuse to drive to a park when the bus drops you off almost at the front gate!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

We always rent a car and don´t mind that some days it wil remain at the parking lot.

Your DH can rent the car and you can take ME to the hotel. We have done this twice, first time we stayed at the WL (first stop of the bus) and arrived about 15 minutes before him. The second time we stayed at the CR (second stop of the bus) and arrived about 10 minutes before him.

The great thing in september is that being a low time you can get a parking spot just behind the handicapped area, so you can walk with your strollers to the entrance of the parks and bypass the trams and folding the strollers.

Also I would much rather have a full trunk to put the strollers into than carry my sleeping DD after a long day at the parks while maybe riding standing the bus, or having to wait for another one.

As another poster mentioned, it is a lot easier to do DTD if you have your own car versus Disney transportation.

If you plan to eat at different resorts a car is a must.