Do We Need a Car??

[mpls_mm]

I can't decide. We have always stayed less than a week, this time we will be there almost 2 weeks. I have things planned pretty well and we are on the DDP, I don't see a need to leave, but it might be nice. Is it worth the $200? What does everyone else think? Thank you

 

[missesdisney]

It all depends on how you like to vacation. We won't go without a car as we hate using the busses. We also like to be able to go to a real store and get snacks, etc. if we want or head to an off property restaurant. But that's how we like to vacation. You might check mousesavers.com for car rental discounts - my sister got a week for $81 with Alamo. If you have an entertainment book that is also an option for deep discounts if you choose to get a car.

 

[seashoreCM]

You can even wait until after you get there tosee if you have a need or desire to rent a car, say, for the second week only.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[pixiemel]

Part of the fun and relaxation for us is to NOT use our car. Many times we drive down, and not once use the car from the time we get there until the time we leave and it is so nice!!

 

[Disneydonnam]

We have rented cars at Disney in the past and found we did not use them. We found going by bus everywhere much easier. This yr we did want to go to Universal for the day and rented a car from Enterprise over at the Swan and Dolphin. The price was great and we just walked over from the Boardwalk.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

If you decided you wanted to go off-property 2-3 times, the taxi costs would still be less than the $200 car rental cost.

 

[rosiejo]

We love our rental car - it is so much quicker to drive to parks than use busses - who wants to come out of the park at the end of the day and be squashed in a bus with lots of sweaty people?? Plus you can head off site for shopping/eating/snack supplies etc

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We also like to rent a car. We can hop into it at anytime and not have to wait for a bus. We ate at lots of resorts on our last trip and were able to drive straight from Pop with no bus transfers. We only used the bus to get to MK since it was easier than dealing with the TTC.

 

[Milla]

If you're only going to the Disney parks...No you don't need a car!!
But if you're willing to try the others in Orlando and to go to the malls and everything I would suggest a car!!!
Everytime we go we rent a car because we just don't like to be waiting for the bus and the parking is free if you are staying on-site

 

[amery]

If you plan on seeing the 'other' side of Orlando, visiting Tampa or KSC than you absolutely need a car.

 

[lfeikert]

I'm just subscribing because we were just having this same discussion. We are thinking of driving rather than flying to save money on airfare. We are also doing Deluxe Dining so having a car might make it easier to dine at some of the resort restaurants. I didn't realize that parking was free for on-site guests. I'm just going to watch and keep reading!

Would we be better off to have a car if we plan on eating at several of the resorts? We are staying at ASMu if that helps with your answers.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I've posted this reply many of times: up coming 40th trip, and never have rented, nor used our own car while at WDW. We never leave the property, no need for us, everything is there at Disney that we could use. Bus transpo is fine, we eat and dine where we want, bus or boat travel is easy and we have hardly ever stood. We feel its really an unnecessary expense to rent when transportation is provided, how mush of a hurry can you be while on vacation, a 15-20 minute wait going to kill you, as for control freaks that must have a car, if you have the extra cash, be my guest and rent. We've seen alot of tail lights trying to exit a park at closing.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'm moving this over for the experts on the Transportation Board.

Knox

 

[mpls_mm]

Those are good points, I never drive, I work from home and don't get out much. DH drives 1.5 hours each way, so a break from driving might be nice for him, I hadn't thought of that. I am from Orlando, and my first job was a CM so I have little desire to do the town. The point that $200 would buy a few cab rides is true.
To the other poster, I stayed at ASM one time and the buses were not fun. My DH couldn't go at the last minute so I went it alone with a 6 month old and 6 yo. I frequently had to stand holding the baby and trying to steady my oldest. One older couple even snickered at me while I tried to hang on. But now that the kids are on their own foot power, it will be better. And DH will be there!! So probably no car for us...Thanks. If we get desperate we can rent from DD.

 

[LoraJ]

I just don't find waiting 15-30 minutes for a bus while on vacation to be relaxing. I'd much rather spend that time by the pool or taking a nap. After we wasted 90 minutes in wait time in one day waiting for buses, we never did that again. The only time we'll take a bus now is if we go to Pleasure Island and I want to have a cocktail or 2.

It's easy to drive around. Especially easy if you have reservations for dinner at a resort. Great to drive off-site for water, snacks and sunburn remedies.

I could go on and on.

 

[missesdisney]

I agree that waiting 15-20 minutes for a bus is not relaxing. Also, when the busses are busy, you are standing a lot! And from ASMo you don't have other options - you bus and transfer if eating or visiting resorts other than monorail resorts.

We take short 'breaks' for our son (6) by driving around when hopping resorts - it gives him the cooldown he needs, maybe a drive through mcdonald's or whatver and when he was younger we'd take the long way around the property to let him take a catnap and we'd enjoy the scenery.

If it's scrictly money, then you are better without but there is freedom with a car that you don't have without - you could do part of the trip with and part without. With small children you could save a ton of money in juice boxes alone by just having a car so it's not all straight cost. We use the trash can in the resort to fill with ice and get water, soda, juice, etc. or a styrofoam cooler to do the same and then take the drinks with us to the park. The savings on that is immeasurable!