Disney Tranportation vs car rental

[DisneyDame27]

This is our fifth trip....the last two times were a nightmare because of the buses. At one point we waited 40 minutes. Is it difficult to get around if we get a car? What about parking rates etc? I'm really looking for some serious advise....

 

[LucyStorm]

I always rent a car when I go. I like the convenience for going to DTD, and the ability to leave WDW if I choose to. It is usually just me and my DD, and I have never had any problem getting around WDW. Helps a lot for character breakfasts, etc. Just get one of the transportation maps, and be willing to ask for directions. The guards at the resort gates have usually been the most helpful in giving directions.

 

[cepmom]

Are you staying at a disney resort? If so, then parking at the parks is free to resort guests. Not sure what it costs if you are not staying onsite. We rented a car for our last trip and loved it. (although we have never been to Disney without a car, so I really don't have anything to compare it to) M<uch easier for us having 3 kids than waiting for a bus, having to stand if it was full etc. We'll be using a car again this trip.

 

[benedicttw]

We spent many years waiting and riding the buses and waiting and waiting. It is very difficult to go from resort to resort on the buses. We would rent a car and leave it parked most of the time until we tried it once. The last four trips we have not stepped a foot inside a bus. It is the best. We drive everywhere.

Here is an example. We were at the MK and have PS at MGM. Left gates of MK and in 20 min. we were checking in at Prime Time Cafe. There is no way to do this by bus.

If you have Annual Pass there is no parking charge. If you are staying at a resort you also do not have to pay for parking. We have gotten lost a couple of time cause the roads are not streight on purpose and you can be on a road and end up doing a complete circle without knowing it. I think there is a good map on allears.com.

Have fun and enjoy driving

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have had a car every trip, though use Disney transportation a lot also. I like it for DtD, sometimes AK, and resort trips. Also I always make a day or two at USF/IoA. It is somewhat easy to get confused or lost, as said, but once you get the concept down that the signs are directing you intially to theme park areas, then to more individual sites, you'll be fine. Example, if you are coming into WDW and going to the Poly, you won't initially see a sign for the Poly, but rather MK, Once you are in the MK direction, you will see a sign for the Poly. And the signs are not really plentiful, maybe one, possibly tow 'warning' signs to get to a particular site. Took me a few trips to nail it down (and I do drive a LOT in my business, rarely get lost), but the resort and park entrance CM's are great for helping if you do get lost.

 

[antmaril]

I always rent a car when I go. I like the convenience for going to DTD, and the ability to leave WDW if I choose to. It is usually just me and my DD, and I have never had any problem getting around WDW. Helps a lot for character breakfasts, etc. Just get one of the transportation maps, and be willing to ask for directions. The guards at the resort gates have usually been the most helpful in giving directions.

I totally agree. We ALWAYS rent a car in Orlando. If you are staying onsite, self-parking is free. We like the flexibility a car gives us. We can go offsite to eat and do some shopping. We find it very easy to navigate around WDW. Signs are very good and returning the car to the airport is easy.

 

[MidwestPiglet]

Could anyone tell me what the parking cost is for someone staying off-site?? This is my first time renting a car at Disney.

Do you have to pay a fee for every park you go to? Say, you drive from MK to Epcot the same day, do you pay for parking again? Now that sure could add up!

Thanks

 

[dpratt68]

Hi
We went last April. It cost $8/day to park (we stayed offsite) and you only pay once a day. If you park hop you just bring your stub from the previous park and you get in free. I do believe onsite guests park free. Getting around wasn't bad and it was nice to hit Universal for a day too.

 

[Skroops]

the parking lot wait for the shuttle was almost as long as the resort bus wait. Otherwise, it is really nice to have a car to get around. Often times it takes the same amount of time to get to the parks (by the time you park ,wait for the parking lot shuttle and then walk a little further than the resort bus pick up area), but it is more calming for us vs. the resort bus. Especially if you are staying off site, because some of the hotels share shuttles and they make a lot of stops. When we were there last, I think that parking was $8, but it was free for us since we stayed on property.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

You don't have to wait for the parking lot trams. At all the parks, it is a reasonable walk from the parking lot to the place that the tram would drop you off.

(exception might be at Epcot if they're using ALL of the parking lot ... it can be a pretty far walk from some parts of the lesser used lots such as Imagine or Explore)

 

[bugsy]

I'm thinking (was previously against) a rental car for WDW. what you all say makes sense, especially as a resort guest, we do not have to pay for parking. Here is my question though. After 7 days at WDW we are 4 days at US. Do they have the same free parking? Is the total worth the additional costs, since we plan to go from WDW to US, also to the Pirates Dinner (what do you guys think of that? any reviews?) Back/Forth from MCO airport (or shuttle if no rental) again I am all ears! Thanks! Ps what about parking fees/options at Downtown Disney and the citywalk?

 

[Tamickey]

Our last trip was the first time I rented a car. Our trip was 10 days and I rented the car for 3 because we had plans for SeaWorld and Universal. I took the shuttle (National? I forget) from POP to the Disney car care center where the rental company is located. Easy in, easy out. After I returned the car, the shuttle took me back to POP. I was nervous driving at first since I hadn't driven on WDW property before and I wanted to try it out. Would do it again. It was peaceful to get inside of your own car after a crazy day in the parks!

 

[jstehman]

I'm thinking (was previously against) a rental car for WDW. what you all say makes sense, especially as a resort guest, we do not have to pay for parking. Here is my question though. After 7 days at WDW we are 4 days at US. Do they have the same free parking? Is the total worth the additional costs, since we plan to go from WDW to US, also to the Pirates Dinner (what do you guys think of that? any reviews?) Back/Forth from MCO airport (or shuttle if no rental) again I am all ears! Thanks! Ps what about parking fees/options at Downtown Disney and the citywalk?

US/IOA charge daily parking... even if you are staying at one of their on-site hotels. I believe it is $8 per day.

 

[disneycm25]

We always rent a car, even with staying on-site. We find it much easier than waiting for the buses at night. They are always packed and we end up standing. We also have relatives in the area that make it easier to visit.

 

[CarolA]

I take buses to MK. There is no way I can get there faster by the time you count the monorail or boat and the tram (and that lot is hard to walk in!)

I drive everyplace else.

However, I have never waited that long for a bus. (Of course my personal fav was the family at OKW who YELLED at the bus driver that they had waited almost an hour... Hmm... I waited 20 minutes and they arrived after I did and I told the bus driver that in front of the dad who shut up and sat down!)

 

[sotoalf]

It's very simple. Are you spending most of your time at the parks? Stick to Disney transportation. Planning on doing a lot of resort hopping, leaving WDW, or visiting DTD? Rent a car.

Those are the two questions you must ask yourself. Remember: some people love their cars and wouldn't relinquish the freedom for anything in the world, even if the buses ran every 5 minutes. Since I despise my car and don't spend time outside WDW, Disney transportation works fine for me.

 

[Mush]

I read in Birnbaum's guide that you could rent a car from any resort if you wanted to...anyone know what company/companies they use for this?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[simzac]

I find it hard to believe that you waited 40 minutes for every bus, unless you were there during Christmas, and even then, that would be a stretch. You are on vacation, and driving around WDW can be very hectic, even for those who know the grounds. At least with the bus, you can leave the driving to someone who knows where they are going and the best way to get there. I would stand for every bus ride before I would rent a car. JMO