Do we need a rental car?

[Tink6810]

Hi,
We are going to wdw Jan 21 to Jan 28. We have gone back and forth on if we need a car or not. We are a family of 4 our kids are 1 and 2 1/2. We are staying at the CBR. We will be doing some park hopping. Here
Is a quick run down on our plan
Day 1
Hs in the am
11:30 lunch Hollywood & vine
Hotel
Epcot in pm
6:10 dinner chefs de France

Day 2
8:00 breakfast 1900 park fare
Mk in am
12:55 lunch at CRT
Hs In pm

Day 3
Ak in am
9:55 breakfast tusker house
Hotel
Mk in pm
6:10 dinner at Tony's town square

Day 4
Epcot in am
8:00 breakfast princess storybook
12:00 lunch coral reef
Hotel
Pm free

Day 5
8:05 breakfast at ohana
Am open
12:30 Wolfgang puck cafe
Hotel mid day
Ak in pm

Day 6
7am breakfast at chef mickeys
Mk in am
11:45 whispering canyon cafe
Mk in pm
5 pm kouzzina for dinner

We will have q double stroller which is pretty big so if we rent a car we think it will have to be a minivan since you never know the trunck space of q full size car. I am just not sure if it is worth renting a car or not. What do you think?

 

[sam_gordon]

You'll get answers on both sides (yea or nea) of this issue. The problem is it really depends on you.

The following is simply my opinions:

Pros to renting a car:
You're moving on YOUR schedule. No waiting on busses. (And not having to worry about overcrowded busses)
You'll have car seats for the little ones.

Cons to renting a car:
Having to deal with parking (at resort & parks) & trams
Waiting for heat to kick on (AC in summer, but you're going in January)
Cost
Having to worry about directions, other drivers, and the various stress of driving.

Personally, I like parking (or turning in rental) when I get there and not have to worry about driving.

 

[backyardponder]

Tough question since everybody is different.

In our case we do just fine on using Disney Transportation, but our trips aren't planned in as much detail as yours. I'd hate to have you standing at a bus stop if the transportation didn't meet your needs.

I suggest renting a car in your case, try the Disney Transportation, and make a decision for the future.

 

[Maus]

We were debating the same thing, we decided to try the first days without a car and rent one if we think we need it. We are taking the car seat anyway.

 

[n2mm]

OP, my concern looking at your plans for be those 3 early morning ADRs at other resorts (GF, Poly and CR). I'm not sure how reliable those early morning buses are, esp. for the 7:00AM at the CR. Do you plan to take a cab those mornings? On that note, we are 100% car renters. We like to dine at other resorts and having a rental car means about a 10-15 minute drive from resort to resort. That process can often be up to 90 minutes by bus one way. We made a big mistake one year when my daughter and the grandkids came down and we paid for a rental car for her. Now she will not step into a bus as she knows how much easier it is to have a rental with the kids. We like to stay at the BWV or BCV so we walk to EPCOT and DHS. You have very little kids. Are you prepared to have to stand on the bus trying to hold them, or let the bus go and wait for the next one? Not trying to scare you, but this is a real scenario that I read over and over again. I think it's great that there is bus service to get you around. It's not fast, but it will get you where you need to be, not always timely though. As for car size, you may be able to get a mid-size or standard SUV too. Not sure you really need a minivan for 2 adults and 2 carseats.

 

[Magicbus]

Yes, absolutely.

 

[Tink6810]

Thank you for your help. We did decide to rent a car for our trip. We were able to find a full size car that will fit our stroller a dodge charger. We feel this is the best with 2 young kids. This way we can go when we want and we will not have to wait around for transportation.

10 Days to go!!!!!!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think you made the right decision!!