Do DVC'ers rent cars or use Disney transportation?

[pwoodham]

We always rent a car.
I plan our vacations to be packed with activities and ps. With 5 boys, it's just too hard to be totally ready 30 minutes earlier than required in order to make sure we get a bus.
A second reason is that my husband is not a patient person when it comes to waiting for the buses (he can sit all day with a sick baby, but waiting for someone else is not his forte!) and avoiding the grousing about how long the busses take is worth the weekly car rental rate.
Maybe the most important reason is that it gives us a level of control over our "destiny". This year, we had to go to the pharmacy for a Rx for the baby early one morning and I was very glad we could do it RIGHT NOW - no waiting even for a taxi. We probably didn't get the medicine much faster, but I didn't have to even wonder about transportation availability and I'm glad I didn't have that on top of worrying about the baby.
Actually, I'm kind of looking forward to a trip where I'll be so laid back I won't have any issues with waiting on Disney transportation!! Right now, that's not the kind of vacation we enjoy the most. YMMV.

 

[jcodespoti]

I always rent a car. If you see me ever wait for a bus come back another time because I think I am cursed. Some people can walk out of the resort and wait 5 to 10 minutes for a bus, not me I always wait 30 minutes for a bus.
Case in point we were at BCV early November waited 40 minutes for a bus. A bus did come during the wait...it was already packed only three or four people were able to get on so I waited another 20 minutes. I am cursed. Go w/ a car.


Joe in CT

 

[DiznEeyore]

We either drive down or rent a car at the airport. We like the freedom/flexibility having our own vehicle provides.

 

[SheriB]

my husband is not a patient person when it comes to waiting for the buses (he can sit all day with a sick baby, but waiting for someone else is not his forte!)

I hear that, pwoodham(I hope I used the proper quote etiquette)! My husband hates waiting and feeling as if he's at the mercy of someone else. I don't have a problem at all with Disney transportation(it's nice to know it's there, especially if we could not afford to rent a car), it's just that we do travel offsite often enough to warrant a car, and we like having the convenience of hopping in it on a whim and going wherever(our trip itineraries are not set in stone). My husband is very spontaneous and likes to be able to go when we decide to go; not walk to the bus stop, wait for the bus to pick us up, and stop at however many stops it has before we get to our final destination.

Having said that, each person or family has their own reasons for renting or not renting a car, it's all personal choice (and budget, I should add).

Whatever you decide will work for you!

Sheri

 

[bres@westernMA]

Same as most….
We rent a car. I enjoy the freedom and am way to impatient to wait for the buses (and I always end up waiting for a half hour minimum). I have the same luck with McDonalds, where I end up waiting for 15 minutes for a pick up meal, then get the wrong thing. I dislike both WDW busses and McDonalds, which makes one wonder why I own DIS stock?

 

[AEN]

We usually fly down and don't leave the grounds, so we don't rent a car. We use the buses or other conveniences since it is paid for, via dues or resort rates. Plus if I had a car there, I despise waiting in traffic to get in or out of parking lots (typical NYC driver mentallity).

My main concern still is the bus accomodations for BCV (my home). I stayed at BW and it was real bad. I won't rehash what I said in the past, just that it is the last of the 5 resort stops (Swan, Dolphin, Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk) and we had some long waits.

I will still use the buses I guess, just have to be a little more strategic.

 

[crisi]

Have done both. Had a horrible car rental experience last time (2 hours of waiting in the airport for it to be available, and then having them overcharge us), only to leave it parked in the lot for everything but golf.

Next time we will do the towncar thing. A cab is a good way to get back from a dinner at a different resort or go play golf. Though a car is nearly a must if you are going to do "non-Disney" activities.

I'd rather wait 30 minutes ten times at any Disney bus stop (even the TTC) than two hours at the airport.

 

[colleen costello]

We always drive down. Saves tons of money plus I am too chicken to fly. Even before 9/11... the thought of the flight back would ruin my whole trip. There's just not enough Xanax in the world to make me want to fly!

SO... we always have our minivan. When my parents are with us, we drive my Mom right up to the gates of the parks and she rents a scooter. When we are just myself, dh, and the kids, we use Disney transportation some. But we like being able to go off-property to eat and shop. You can save millions by eating at the Crossroads Perkins! Anyhow, we are spoiled from having our own transportation and enjoy cruising around the Disney roads (with Lilo and Stitch soundtrack playing!). It's nice to have the choice, and it helps me justify the 15-hour drive south!

 

[ford family]

We fly into MCO, get a Tiffany Towncar transfer to Disney and then rely on the busses for our entire stay. The only exception would be getting a cab home from a late dinner at somewhere like AKL.

If we are moving on to the Gulf Coast for a time we get a rental car at the end of our Disney stay.

We have always found the transportation very reliable and efficient especially if you work the system to your advantage. For example, staying at BWV we would get off at the first stop (Swan?) and walk through. Staying at OKW near the HH we, again, would get off at the first stop and walk across the road.

Not having to drive is more relaxing and allows you a greater appreciation of the detail that WDW puts into all it does.

ford family

 

[KNWVIKING]

When we fly down,we always rent a car. It is soooo much faster getting from place-to-place with the car. The only bus we'll take - unless we're at VWL- is the one to MK because it drops you right at the entrance,no ferry or monorail to deal with. And when staying at OKW, how can you beat parking right outside your door ?

 

[nydizfan]

we RENT always......dave

 

[TCincy]

In the past, I have always used a rental car. Love the freedom. This will be my first trip home 12/25 - 1/1 and I plan on using town car service from airport to BCV. I can't seem to find any good rental car deals (less than $400.00 after airport fees, taxes, etc.) and I plan on using that money instead for taxi service to the several places not convenient to BCV (AKL).

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by RoutemanDan
If I want to ride on a bus I can do that here.I find nothing magical about it.The monorails and boats are great,but the busses detract from the whole feeling for me.

I will agree most of the time there is nothing special to riding the bus, but I must say that I can remember a few times where the bus drivers were so hilarious and the crowds joined right in that I've had some side splitting belly laughs on the bus rides at WDW. Of course I wouldn't just ride the bus for that reason though.

We do both, rent a car and take Disney Transportation. It all depends where we are headed and how long we are going to be there. We also like to have the car to run to the grocery store, have dinner off property and visit some of the attractions on I-drive.

 

[TexasAggie]

We rent a car. We use it to go to DTD and AK, but staying at the BW, we usually take Disney transportation everywhere else. Plus it gets us from tha airport quicker and we do not have to leave so soon to go back.