Disney Transportation or rental car?

[mongobites]

We will be going to WDW May14th-May 21st. Will be staying at POR. I have been reading a lot about the bus system and how sometimes it can be real slow. We will probally hit the parks in the morning then go back to our room then go back to the parks in the evening. My question is would it be worth it to get a rental car? If someone has used both disney transportation and a rental car in the past does it save a lot of time to have a rental car?

 

[beccasmom]

I can tell you that afternoon bus service is slower than mornings or evenings, so if you are planning to take a mid-afternoon break (a great idea!), you might have a longer wait. Buses seem to run on the 1/2 hour in the afternoon hours before 5:00 p.m. - it sure seems that way from what we've experienced. If you don't mind waiting a little longer, you won't have a problem. Otherwise, I find the bus service to be generally excellent. Every once and a while, it gets bogged down by crowds, but it is amazingly efficient. We find it nice not to have to drive while on vacation, but everyone has different feelings about this issue.

 

[disneylizzy]

Trip before last we used towncar service to get to WDW and Disney trans. for everything. This time we flew into Tampa (long story), so we had to rent a car. Ended up with a brand new Ford Freestar that was very comfortable and easy to drive. We ended up driving to the parks most of the time. It was so nice to sit down at the end of the evening instead of standing in a bus. I don't mind driving and with the exception of a few wrong turns during the week, we liked using the car. We also left after lunch for a few hours in the pool and then went back for dinner, etc. Using the car was also great when we went to Boma. It took us over an hour to get from WL to Boardwalk before using the bus. The towncar cost $115.00 (with tip) and the minivan was $144.15 for a week. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[DemoBri1]

Honestly...I probably wouldn't be without a car again in WDW. Getting around is fairly easy. The routes are all marked very well within WDW property.

We normally stay at BCV, so we only have to drive to AK and MK. We walk to Epcot and boat/walk to MGM. I'd have to say though it is nice not having to wait for busses to get back.

Go for the car and have fun!!!

Brian

 

[the kabuki]

Been to WDW many times, this past Jan was the 1st time we rented a car and it was No waiting in lines, could go where we wanted, like the grocery store for brkfst foods, no folding up strollers, holding onto packages, standing on the bus after a very long tiring day. Could listen to music, have the windows down, my little one always fell asleep in the carseat, and I didn't have to try to balance her on a bus.

We'll never be without a car again. Get a map of florida, study it some before you leave. There's lots of signs in the disney area, it is a tourist destination after all.

 

[ncbyrne]

We always rent a car. It comes in handy for lots of reasons - especially if you are going to DD during the morning and then want to head to the parks. Or if you have a PS at a different resort, or if you want to go off site. Or if you just don't like standing in another line, or on a crowded bus after a long tiring day at the parks.