Disney Transportation or rental car?

[mom22boys]

We are heading to WDW for our first family trip this November! We are traveling with DS 5 and DS 2 and are staying at OKW. Our first thought was to rent a car. Well, our neighbors were just at CBR this past May and loved using Disney Transportation. From ME to the buses, boats, and monorail, their boys had a blast on Disney Transportation. Which do you think is better when traveling with young kids? If it makes a difference, we are renting a stroller at the parks, so we wouldn't be lugging one onto the bus.

Much thanks!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I am a big believer in renting a car unless the price is just out of control. My experiences with the buses is that they are not very consistent--sometimes it is all perfectly timed and not too crowded, and other times it seems like you wait forever to stand on a super-crowded bus. Whether or not you are happy with the buses will depend on your patience and how lucky you are.

You will have plenty of opportunities to ride the fun transportation--the monorail and the boats even if you do use your rental car.

Plus, we almost always forget something or want some snacks for the room and it is nice to be able to run by the grocery when we arrive.

 

[powellrj]

we always rent a car. I like to be able to come and go when I want to.

 

[Colinsmom]

We love renting a car with a toddler, but use Disney Transportation too. For example, getting to the MK by car is a pain (park in a remote lot, take the monorail in) if you want to go back for a nap, so we take the bus or whatever there. But we often drive to the other parks and to downtown disney.

 

[Callalily6]

We use disney transportation every time. This lets my husband have a nice vacation from driving...it also allows us to all enjoy the whatever (i like the boat rides the best). Who would take a car when you can take a boat?! Anyway, it is really easy, we brought our own stroller (folded fast and was small) too. It was nice having the stroller at the resort for evening walks. You also avoid parking lots full of people with "WalMart" syndrome...meaning they are usually nice people but go nuts trying to get out of the parking lot, like a rat in a maze. Avoiding that stress is worth it to us.

 

[kellyf2626]

We usually always rent a car. This doesn't mean that we don't use Disney transportation. But, for many places, it is just quicker to drive. Sometimes the buses make many stops - even in your resort (like OKW) - before going to a park. OKW makes it very easy to have a car - you can just park right in front of your room. We recently stayed at BWV, and the parking lot was being re-sealed or something and was shut down the whole time, so we had to valet park the whole time. It was free, but sometimes took a while to get the car up.

Also, we like to go to different resorts to eat, and having a car makes getting their much easier. For example, if you want to have dinner at the Polynesian, you would either need to take a bus to a park, Downtown Disney, or the TTC and then take a bus/monorail to the Poly.

It is nice that with Disney, though, that you don't need a car. Have a great trip!!

 

[alicenwonder99]

I've done both, and a car is much more convenient with the young children. You should reconsider bringing a stroller from home. Imagine coming back from the parks in the evening and your both of your children are exhausted. You could put at least one of the children in the stroller as you walk to the parking lot (or the bus if you don't rent a car). Also consider that you will have your diaper bag, packages, etc.

The only issue is with MK. It's such a pain to get there by car. But it's not too bad, just very time consuming.

If you have the money in your budget for a rental car, I say you should get one. You can also drive to a grocery store and stock up on some food for your room.

Mary

 

[KristiKelly]

We usually drive down so we have a car but rarely use it. We have not had trouble with the busses. The only time I recall was last year @ the Poly, waiting 30+ minutes for a bus. Other than that, we have never waited more that 5-10 minutes (15 tops). DH likes taking a break from driving. Our trip in a few weeks we are flying. We will be @ Boardwalk Villas with a kitchen, we are going to use www.wegoshop.com for grocery delivery.

 

[Rowlf]

Rental cars are so cheap in Orlando that we always get one, even if we just use it for driving to and from the airport.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We LOVE Disney transportation....but we do always rent a car too. We like to be able to run to the Disney outlets and get souvies cheaper - use it to go to Downtown Disney - maybe make a McDonalds run....stuff like that. We usually don't drive it often...but it gives us a sense of comfort knowing we have it. If we ever had to do the dreaded vacation doctor's visit we are all set. And our past trip - 1st with Sammi at 13 months - we were so glad we did. Her big stroller was such a pain on the bus that after the first night back from the parks with me holding her asleep (someone was kind enough to offer me their seat) and DH having to stand and try and hold the stroller above the bus seats since it wouldn't fit between them even folded and trying not to hit anyone for a bus ride that seemed to take an hour - DH said no more....we will drive from now on. You can get by just fine without a rental car if it just doesn't fit in the budget....but if it does it is SO worth it ....do us anyway.

 

[justplaingoofy]

We usually rent a car through Alamo. They have discount codes listed through Bj's, Costco, Walmarts website under travel, or their site directly by looking under "hot deals".
A few times we have rented at Orlando airport for one day (a steal at $27.99) and returned it at their location at the dolphin/swan location which they have valet return. (other location is at the Car Care Center by the MK), then the day before we departed we were at MGM, took the boat to Dolphin/Swan and picked up the car for 24hr period. We are able to pack up our stuff for the last day, enjoy the parks, and have all our stuff ready to go to the airport at our leisure. (In the past we found if you fill up at the gas station around Disney and drive straight to the airport there is no problem with the gas gauge)
Enjoy!!

 

[100AcreWood]

If you're not bringing a stroller you could use Disney transportation. My dd loved the buses. Although dh wasn't happy because he lugged the stroller on and off. After a long day at the parks that was exhausting for him. We ran into one major issue trying to get to DTD from DS. We asked for help from a CM and was given bad information! It took us 1 1/2 hours to return to the hotel (we gave up going to DTD because it was getting late at that point). And we ended up taking a taxi.

The next trip in Sept we are renting a car to see what that's like. We always go to Seaworld so it will be convenient to have a car.

In terms of renting the strollers, I can' comment. But for us we put so much stuff in the bottom of our stroller for dd (snacks, drinks, wipes, extra clothes, etc.) that the Disney strollers wouldn't work for us. Not enough space! Ironically during our trip in February she was jealous of the kids riding the Disney strollers!

 

[surfgirl]

Callalily mentioned less stress using Disney transportation and not driving, however, I'm of the less stress mentality having a rental car because (drumroll please)

I control my destiny!

We eat dinners in the room, so nothing like a run to a Publix for snacks and light groceries (noodles, bread, frozen pizza).

I've also heard nightmares of the new transfer process (Magic Express?) ... and how long it took luggage to arrive at rooms. It may be better since my friends' experience was in June, but was not streamlined at all.

good luck!

 

[mom22boys]

It sounds like many of you think renting a car is a good idea. I am still a little torn, because the one area I am trying to think about is park hopping. It seems with Disney transportation this would by quite easy. I am worried that with a rental car when we switch parks mid-day we would be in the very back of the parking lot! Anyone have experience with rental cars and park hopping. Does it work well? Thanks again!

 

[powellrj]

Usually we will just start where we want to end the day and park our car there! If we want to end at MGM, we will park there in the morning and then hop over to where we want to start the day. That way our car will be where we want to leave from and its easier to hop over in the morning than it is at park closing time.

 

[mjkaferle5]

We love renting a car with a toddler, but use Disney Transportation too. For example, getting to the MK by car is a pain (park in a remote lot, take the monorail in) if you want to go back for a nap, so we take the bus or whatever there. But we often drive to the other parks and to downtown disney.

What are these remote lots you are talking about?

 

[mjkaferle5]

~bump~

 

[ACrider]

We are staying at the Sheraton Visatana (don't know which section) for a week. Kids are 6 and 8 so no strollers. Flying into/out of Orlando airport. Have 7 day MYW passes (no waterparks) - hopper passes actually, though we'll probably follow the schedule of going to a park at opening and coming back to the resort in the early afternoon, maybe going out again in the late afternoon or early evening. Given this, would you experienced-and-oh-so-wise ones recommend renting a vehicle for the to and from airport days, for the whole trip, or not at all? or if a combination, which parks are better to use Disney transportation and which ones should we drive ourselves to?

I checked the resort website and they indicate that "scheduled shuttle buses to./from the parks are available for a nominal fee" - have to call and find out what the fee actually is I guess.

Appreciate any advice. Also, if rental is recommended, where do I contact for reliable and cost effective, and where do I look for discounts? We'd probably want a mid size or larger.

Thanks for any opinions and help!
Amanda

 

[mom22boys]

Amanda,

Welcome to the DIS! Since you are staying off-site I think I would rent a car. Make sure to hold on to your parking receipts though. Double check, but I think you may only have to pay for parking once each day. For example, if you park at MK in the morning and then hop over to MGM, you may not have to repay for parking. Check on this because I am really not sure, but it could potentially save you a lot of money.

I am the person who originally started this thread and we ended up not renting a car. It worked great for us, but I think it was because we were on Disney property. The buses at Old Key West were fantastic! Magical Express, Disney's transportation to and from the airport, was amazing! Not once on our vacation did I wish we had rented a car.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[justplaingoofy]

I just called the Vistana to get some info for you. They offer a shuttle which is $8 pp, children under 3 are free. Also*** They do not provide transportation after noon.(12) So you could not park hop with this**

I would not depend on just their transportation! We usually rent through Alamo, (tend to have the lowest prices) if you are a member of BJ,s, costco, etc. they have a pamphlet out in their stores with discount codes. Usually about 20-25% off plus either a free day, or upgrade, etc. We were there in Sept/Oct and paid $138 for a midsize for a week. Also, you can check AAA, or Walmart.com under travel section. Also, you may want to go to a store where there is a kitchen at your hotel, downtown disney or other places. It is very easy to navigate around there.
As for park hopping.... Disney offers extra magic hours for guests that stay at their hotels. ex. Magic Kingdom may have an A.M. early entry... (very busy) and at night they may have say regular park hours until 7pm, then extra magic hours(if staying on site) from 7-10p. (usually 3pm and very busy again).
When we went and stayed at the Vistana we found out which parks were offering the extra magic hours that day and avoided it like the plague!!
As for what to request: If you want something newer but smaller I'd request Cascades & can't remember the other newer one. We have also stayed in the Fountains and found those to be nice,(not as updated, but not bad). Comparing the units we had the Fountains was quite a bit bigger :teeth