Disney without a car

[Foxxie52]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning our trip to Florida as we speak and I keep coming up against the transportation issue. We're staying on International Drive at the Rosen Inn and would like to do the Disney Theme Parks. However, neither of us drive so obviously a rental car is out of the question. The hotel offers shuttles to the Universal theme parks but not the Disney ones!

I've heard there is a Lynx bus route but where is the bus stop and where does it pick up and drop off? Also, we'd like to do Kennedy Space Centre but without a car it again looks like it will be a bit of an issue. Is there anywhere we could book a day trip perhaps?

I know taxis are available but they are also really expensive (at least from what I can remember).

Any help?

 

[happily single]

I don't have a lot of help to offer, but from what I recall of the International Drive Hotels the transport to Universal was terrible. Only 1 or 2 pick-ups in the morning and the same in the afternoon/evening.

You could take a taxi to Disney, but I'm guessing that would run about $25-30 each way, each time.

Would it be posisble to just stay in Disney?

 

[fredtom]

You need to stay somewhere else. Have you considered a Disney resort? All your transportation would be provided, including to and from Orlando airport on Disney's Magical Express.

 

[duffdo]

You need to stay somewhere else. Have you considered a Disney resort? All your transportation would be provided, including to and from Orlando airport on Disney's Magical Express.

Excellent point

Just quickly ran some figures based on 2 adults in September 2013, for 14 nights: the Rosen came out at around £775, All Star Resorts came out at £900. Seriously, staying on I-Drive with no rental car is a pain. The Lynx buses you talk about I had to use in 2008, when staying on Disney with no rental car to get to US/IOA. They ran from a bus stop across from Downtown Disney Marketplace. From memory, I think they only ran every hour on a very limited timetable and took ages.

If you are going to Orlando and not getting a rental car, I would recommend anybody stay on Disney for several reasons:

- The other main International Drive attractions, can be done spending less than a day at each (depending on the time of year and crowd levels.) Disney will happily keep you occupied for the whole of your holiday.
- No rental car limits you to places you can go to eat.
- International Drive was just not meant for pedestrians.
- Taxis are expensive. See http://www.mearstransportation.com/ to estimate some fares.
- Disney will provide ALL the transportation you could possibly need (within Disney property of course!) and will even pick you up from the airport (Orlando International Only, not Sanford.)
- Whilst it is true you will want to visit the other Orlando attractions, trust me you are better staying at a Disney resort and then organising transportation out.

Obviously this is all going to depend on your budget and what you want to do in Orlando, but I think staying in a Disney resort could save you money whilst there.

Have fun, whatever you decide to do.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Going to Kennedy Space center and not having a rental car will cost you a lot of money. Its over any an hour away from Orlando.


I agree I would stay at Disney. How are you planning to get from the airport to your hotel on International Dr?

 

[Foxxie52]

Transfers are provided for the airport.

Unfortunately, it's the Rosen Pointe or nothing and I'd rather have Disney from I-Drive than no Disney at all.

 

[joelkfla]

You can take the Lynx from I-Drive to the Ticket & Transportation Center, where you can get the monorail to MK or Epcot, or Disney bus to DHS or DAK. It will take 2 buses (Link 8 & Link 50), and a bit over an hour. Here is a link to Google Maps showing the route and a sample schedule.

If you plan to do this, you should visit the Lynx website to purchase standard fixed-route 7-day passes in advance. If Lynx won't mail to UK, you can also purchase them at the Vist Orlando Official Visitor's Center, a half mile up I-Drive from the hotel.

You can also use the I-Ride Trolley (actually a bus, not a real tram) to get around I-Drive, but it is separate from Lynx and not included in the pass. Link 8 will get you to most of the same places at no additional cost. Link 8 runs every 15 minutes during the day; every 30 minutes during the evening.

For KSC, there are bus tours available for about $98 per person, including admission. You can find them with a Google search.

I wouldn't worry about finding places to eat. There are plenty of places within walking distance, and lots more on the north end of I-Drive via Link 8 or I-Ride.

 

[Lola Webb]

Hi I'm new to this site and just wonder if anyone can tell me about free shuttle service from a few hotels.we have been to Florida 7 times but not for 8 years.planning to go end September with daughter,hubby and 3 children.stayed on international drive at Econolodge,but now that's closed for renovation.I know the shuttles are restrictive and full to bursting,but at least got there free and early.we like to be ther before open and have seen lots of complaints about not getting there early enough.Going to stay at buena vista somewhere,went to clarion years ago much nearer parks,but can't find out about time schedule .Other possibilities are springhill suites, Wyndham lakes,hawthorn suites.Dont want to pay for taxis as will be on tight budget.If I can find hotel with early morning shuttle would be handy.definately won't be able to have car and with three young children don't want too much hassle.I know people have said go to disney hotel,but we will be wanting to go to seaworld,and both universal parks.Also food much cheaper off disney.somewhere near Golden Corral be good as love that place! love to get any tips please

 

[chartle]

Hi I'm new to this site and just wonder if anyone can tell me about free shuttle service from a few hotels.we have been to Florida 7 times but not for 8 years.planning to go end September with daughter,hubby and 3 children.stayed on international drive at Econolodge,but now that's closed for renovation.I know the shuttles are restrictive and full to bursting,but at least got there free and early.we like to be ther before open and have seen lots of complaints about not getting there early enough.Going to stay at buena vista somewhere,went to clarion years ago much nearer parks,but can't find out about time schedule .Other possibilities are springhill suites, Wyndham lakes,hawthorn suites.Dont want to pay for taxis as will be on tight budget.If I can find hotel with early morning shuttle would be handy.definately won't be able to have car and with three young children don't want too much hassle.I know people have said go to disney hotel,but we will be wanting to go to seaworld,and both universal parks.Also food much cheaper off disney.somewhere near Golden Corral be good as love that place! love to get any tips please

Most people that use the resort shuttle bus report back that after just a few days of not getting to the parks for Rope Drop and taking forever to get there and back (not all shuttles are exclusive to the resort and service other resorts) either rent a car or start taking taxis. Something else to consider is that some shuttles drop you off at the TTC and then you have to take Disney transportation to the other parks.

For everyone asking on this thread you could do a split stay. Stay on property for your Disney days and stay close to Universal and Sea World for those days and get the best of both worlds.

Once you start looking into rental cars and taxis, the savings of staying and eating offsite start to disappear.

 

[Lola Webb]

Thanks for message.may consider split holiday.still hoping someone may have happy story about shuttle success.

 

[chartle]

Thanks for message.may consider split holiday.still hoping someone may have happy story about shuttle success.

The only resort that I have heard of that has good shuttle service is the Bonnet Creek Resort(s?). They are in an area in the south east of WDW property that looks like its "on property", because you use Disney roads to get there, but it isn't. Its a piece of land that Disney didn't buy because the owner either refused to sell or asked too high of a price.

People have reported great shuttle service to all the parks, but its not as cheap as off site property and is no where near Universal.

On other thing to be aware of, is that some resorts will say "only 3 miles to the front gates!". They don't mean the gates of the MK or any park but the closest "front gates" that puts you on property.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Lola, I think you may just need to contact the hotel and get the shuttle schedule. That may be the decision maker. As I recall Clarion does have an early morning shuttle, plus it's an easy walk to lots of food options. SpringHill suites is little more isolated with out car (if it's the one in the Marriott Village)

Another option is the Caribe Suites or Buena Vista Suites. Not sure they are in your price range but i have friends who stay there every time they go (which is at least 4 times a year) and they swear by their shuttle to Disney!

 

[SarahC73]

The first year we went we stayed on Idrive and had shuttle services to all the parks (as I won't drive over there at all), we also used the i trolley to get all along Idrive. The second time we went we stayed in Kissimmee (also without a car) and we had a lot of trouble getting about, so as we loved idrive so much we're staying there again this year and using hotel shuttles. If you e-mail the hotel, they will let you know the best way of getting to the Disney Parks (it is quite pricey in a cab though, we paid approx $40 to get to AK from idrive).

You can also book a trip to Kennedy before you go and this usually comes with coach transfers, thats what we done both times, we booked this through Floridatix.

We only do four days to the Disney Parks out of two weeks, so if we had to bus it, it wouldn't be a problem. You get to have a good look round when your bussing it and not driving.

We had a fab time staying on Idrive with no car hire and I was so relaxed knowing I didn't have to do ANY driving!

Hope you have a fab holiday

 

[aubriee]

The only resort that I have heard of that has good shuttle service is the Bonnet Creek Resort(s?). They are in an area in the south east of WDW property that looks like its "on property", because you use Disney roads to get there, but it isn't. Its a piece of land that Disney didn't buy because the owner either refused to sell or asked too high of a price.

People have reported great shuttle service to all the parks, but its not as cheap as off site property and is no where near Universal.

If you book through Wyndham Bonnet Creek, BC is expensive, but there are alot of third parties out there to go through for much cheaper. Vacation Strategies, Vacation Ugrades, and Ferrell Vacations all get good reviews over on the 'I Love Bonnet Creek' thread and others have posted good experiences booking through a seller on ebay or VRBO. I got a one bedroom Deluxe for ten nights in May for just $89.60/night through Vacation Strategies. I plan on renting a car, but from what I read, they have great free shuttle service to the WDW parks and also you can book a shuttle with them over to Universal for $15.00/round trip.

 

[NJRRK]

The DTD hotels have pretty good shuttles too, and guests at the Hilton are eligible for EMH.

 

[chartle]

Another option is the Caribe Suites or Buena Vista Suites. Not sure they are in your price range but i have friends who stay there every time they go (which is at least 4 times a year) and they swear by their shuttle to Disney!

I have stayed at Buena Vista Suites last two trips and will for our next trip if we are staying off site.

Nice rooms, real hot American Breakfast (no beans and toast ) and close to the parks. Never took the shuttle though since we always had our car.

I think the issue is that the further you move away from Disney the spottier the shuttle service will probably be.