do u usally rent a car? request for advice

[lc1965]

I usually rent a car when I go to WDW, but am not sure it's worth it for this trip. I will be travelling w/ one friend & we expect to spend almost all of our time on property. But, without kids to get us back to the hotel early, we are wondering if we ought to have a rental car to get around property at night. I know that the shuttles run until about an hour after the parks close, but that doesn't really help if we want to go from Port Orleans Riverside to Boardwalk & back, stuff like that.

We would take the Mears shuttle from the airport to the hotel & back & then would like to go around WDW at night & POSSIBLY off-property once or twice (don't know where yet, it just seems logical.)

What does everyone think? Should we rent a car or rely on shuttles & taxis? Which is more cost effective? Is the convenience of having a car worth any extra money?

THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP!

 

[arminnie]

I think it boils down to how you feel about driving.

Many people post that the last thing they want to do on vacation is drive. Some people hate to drive on the freeways and view driving as a tiresome chore. Driving to and from the parks or resorts and driving in a strange city is not fun for them at all, in fact it is a real pain.

There are others like me who don't mind driving, and in fact feel incomplete and trapped without a car. I was born in California and also lived in Texas so I feel that I can drive just about anywhere. Traffic and a strange city (not that Orlando is that strange to me anymore) don't bother me.

I love being able to get in my car and go when and where I want. Waiting for a bus and having to stand up is a pain to me.
I always rent a car even on solo trips. When it is just one or two people you can rent the smallest car and get a pretty good deal.

It's just a personal preference for the most part. If you would only use it to get to and from the airport then you would probably be better off financially to use Mears or even a towncar and then use a taxi if needed at night.

 

[BethR]

I agree with Minnie, except for the fact that DH is the "driver" in our family.

There are 6 of us and we have always rented a minivan when in Orlando. And unlike many who may post here, the van did not just "sit in the parking lot all week." We do not care to wait for the buses, and play around with transporting the strollers (when we used them ) on the buses.

We always have an evening meal on our non park days at one or two of the resorts and Disney transportation is not at ALL efficient transporting between resorts.

I vote for the car. And with only 2 of you, you can get a really small something and probably get a really good price on it.

 

[lc1965]

thanks for the feedback -- i don't mind driving at all, certainly not in orlando. i live in nyc, so orlando is like the suburbs to me!

i agree that the main problem is getting bet. resorts. i actually find the buses GREAT for getting to & from the parks. can't stand driving to the parks, tho'. park-walk-walk-fight traffic in hot car. yuck!

i guess i'm just sort of wondering whether it's worth the money to rent or should we fork over for shuttles & taxis. if the cost is the same or nearly the same then of course i'd rather have the car. then we can come & go as we please.

hmmmm. still wondering. thx!

 

[rsschneck]

We usually rent a car. Of course we fly in and out of Tampa moe than Orlando (airfare is usually less expensive).

However, this December we are flying into Orlando and using FL tours for our transportation. We will only be there 5 nights. Plus, the rental cars around the holiday time seem REALLY expensive.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We never rent a car when we go to Disney because we want the feeling of being in the midst of it and not like at home whren driving is essential.

I've traveled many times without children, with only 2 adults and we've all but once used Mears. It's nice not to have think about a car -and Disney buses have never been a problem.

When we did use a car we left it with a valet and never thought about it again!

All depends on personal preference, but that's ours!!

Enjoy!!
ps I do understand the feeling of being trapped..when I visit CA or TX I feel trapped without a car!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We would take the Mears shuttle from the airport to the hotel & back & then would like to go around WDW at night & POSSIBLY off-property once or twice (don't know where yet, it just seems logical.)

i guess i'm just sort of wondering whether it's worth the money to rent or should we fork over for shuttles & taxis. if the cost is the same or nearly the same then of course i'd rather have the car. then we can come & go as we please.

To me renting a car is a no brainer. I know you only have 2 people, but for our family of four it is the same cost to rent a full size car (using discounts) as it is to take round trip Mears shuttles to and from WDW. So we get the car instead and then have it when we want it at NO EXTRA COST! Since you would not need a full size you could probably get a smaller car at maybe just a little more than the cost of the shuttle for the two of you: get the car instead and then you have it when you want it!

 

[ncbyrne]

Another vote for renting a car. We always rent a car for convenience and find that even with just 2 people, you can find rentals for practically the same cost as the shuttles.

 

[patsal]

I always get a car, but I am now suffering sticker shock for February Break and have only booked 2 days. Pick up at Airport, drop off at Dolphin the next day, pick up at Dolphin and drop off at Airport. It cut the cost in half--I can usually get a compact for about $105 per week with codes and coupons, but for that week the best I've found is $204. Unless I can cut out something else int he next few months, I'll be trying it without a car for the first time. I will plan my meals accordingly and spend less time eating in resorts that will require an hour travel time allotment for each way.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

For all who cannot imagine Disney without a car, it will change your entire vacation if you try it without one After all, esp for 2 adults, if you are staying on site, why drive when the buses and monorails are so easy? Why even have the slightest reminder of home by needing a car?

Honestly, I just don't get why so many cannot seem to live without a car for a few days.

I've been going to Disney since 1982 and have rented a car once only because my friend could not live without one.

I've been with children of most ages - no infants - most times with 4 children ranging in age from 3-14..never a needed for a car or a stroller and we've never had a problem. Even when we needed emergency care for my 7 yr old's cast - Disney provided transportation to and from the emergency medical clinic at no charge.

Gosh, for us, there is FREEDOM without a car!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I get really claustrophic and renting a car is really a must for us. The cost of a cab to and from the airport to the hotel ($60+) is not even that much less than renting a cheap car for a few days. I also like not having to wait for bus after bus until I find one that I can get on and not feel dizzy.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I've only gone with adults so I can't say anything about the pain of the buses with small children. I haven't rented a car yet. The buses run from DTD and the Boardwalk until about 1am I think, or don't remember. I wouldn't think it would be that big of a problem for 2 adults to get around especially if you are leaving the world. We've never had a problem but we have never been during the crowded season. That could possibly play into if we did go during that season. I think you would get around fine using the mears transportation.

Good luck,
Tina

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Gosh, EsmeraldaX, it is important for you to have a car.

I think sometimes others do not realize how easy it is to get around Disney (esp during off seasons) without one. It's different when it's a must for wellness.

Take good care!
Christine

 

[Tiggeroo]

We rent a car because it's usually cheaper for our family then 2 trips in mears. But the only time we used the car was when we went off property. We use dis transport for everything else. But since we usually do universal we still get the rental car.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It's wonderful to hear what works best for each family and knowing it might help someone else in their decision!

Yep, something for everyone!!!

 

[lc1965]

thanks so much. going to aaa today to get brochures & talk to an agent, see what they're offering, price-wise. i'll make a decision then i guess. still leaning toward the car, esp. if it's about the same price as mears & taxis. thx.

 

[vasoccermom]

We're debating the same topic right now...staying on-site for the first time so I figured we wouldn't need a car. But when I started doing the math on how much transfers for the 4 of us would cost, I realized I could rent a car for the same amount and then have the flexibility to drive to grocery store, off site restaurant or even a park if we wanted...
If you are a Costco or BJ's member, you can get a great discount on a car.

Karen

 

[lc1965]

i usually go w/ 3 people & we always make at least 1 grocery stop & go shopping on international dr & we used to go to church st. station as well.

you've made a terrific decision, imho, to stay on property, tho. i just LOVE port orleans riverside. in fact, when i think of planning my wdw trips i don't even consider staying anywhere else. we usually get a car. i think for a week i'd feel sort of trapped if i didn't have a car.

i am a bj's member & a aaa member -- got a best rate of $184 after tax for a week thru aaa, but haven't tried bj's yet. sounds good to me, but i'll have to see what my friend wants to do. she's a real newbie, tho, so she can't really give me the input that disboards members can. i mean, on this board, we are HARD CORE!

 

[powellrj]

don't forget mousesavers.com for rental car codes!! We always rent a car when we go, I just can't stand not being able go when I want to go. Thats the main reason I hate going on cruises! LOL